LONDON, UK (ANS) -- London is awash with Christian ministry engagements with not one, not two, not three, but numerous Christian groups ministering across the city and throughout the British Isles.

So I thought I would bring you a rundown of some of the main players, and so here they are:

Lay Witnesses for Christ International

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Dr. Sam Mings the President of Lay Witnesses for Christ International and his team of former Olympians known as “Chaplains to the World's Olympians” have been engaged in Olympic ministry since Los Angeles in 1984. London will be there. (www.laywitnesses.com/)

Their ministry “Bridging the Gap 2012 UK Outreach” headquarters in London is at the largest church in London, right in the center of the Olympic hub, the Kingsway International Christian Centre, a congregation of 12,000 people.

This ministry is highly Olympic focused whose networking is astonishing. They have a significant Global media presence and their major engagements are “Evenings with the Stars (Olympians)' throughout London in large church venues.

Dr. Mings said that LWFCI are fulfilling a Schedule of fifteen events each night at fifteen different host churches for sixteen consecutive days. A total of 240 Bridging the Gap 2012 UK Outreach events. This is unprecedented.

LWFCI have accreditation and their people come from around the world, many nations are represented. Should you be visiting London during the London Olympics, be sure to make yourself known as a follower of Jesus and you'll receive wonderful responses.

Olympic Village Chaplains

Olympic stadiums in London

Each Olympic host city is required to provide a multi faith center (Religious services) and these cover the five major world religions. Protocols are obviously important in such a setting and they are carefully adhered.

Nonetheless the Christian chaplains in each host city are made up of a local component and an international contingent, regulars at each Olympics.

I have been involved in Olympic ministry since Los Angeles 1984, and have had a small role in the protocols. In February 2000 I was invited to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne Switzerland to work with staff in developing a “Protocol of Ideas” for each successive host city to use as a resource. He updates the document after each Olympics for forwards it on to the next host city.

Bible Society

Bible Society says that around 3,000 copies of commemorative English-language Scriptures available as a welcome gift in the Olympic Village Religious Services Centre. There will also be nearly 1,000 copies of Bibles and New Testaments available in a variety of other languages through partnerships with national Bible Societies around the globe.
www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12070085.htm

More Than Gold

The “More Than Gold” ministry during these London Olympics has a wide range of church and community activities such as sports clinics, and their web site is full of ministry ideas and engagements. www.morethangold.org.uk/

They have people on board their ministry with cups of water “on every street corner” (as it were) for Olympic visitors and what might be referred to as “street chaplains” to welcome people to London and help visitors find their way around.

Should you be in London during these London Olympics and you come across “More Than Gold” personnel, make yourself known as a follower of Jesus and you will be certain to get a warm greeting and bountiful responses.

The Olympics bring the world together

There is no other international event that brings the world together in such a way as does an Olympic Games. It is a world gala event which encapsulates the nations of the world in sport, politics, economics, culture, benevolency and religion. It provides a platform for evangelism and in this, we are delighted and rejoice in the Lord.

Prayer is the secret ingredient in any evangelism and for Olympic ministry it is particularly important as the world comes together in goodwill. Enjoy London 2012 whether you are there or simply watching it on television, the Internet or where ever.

Dr. Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognized by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grandchildren. He can be contacted by e-mail at: mark.tronson@bigpond.com