Winter 2016
back pages THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIANS IN SPORT
Highlights from the 2015 Clubhouse season
INSIDE THIS ISSUE IAAF World Championships, Beijing Sports Plus 2016 dates Sunday Sport Resources
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2016
SPORTSPLUS
MULTI-SPORT SUMMER CAMPS
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
S E R I O U S S P O R T S A C T I O N F O R T H E S E R I O U S S P O R T S P L AY E R
10 – 15 JULY
25 – 29 JULY
31 – 05
JUL
AUG
PERTH
31 – 05
SCOTLAND
JUL
JERSEY
14 – 19
BRECON
14 – 19
CHANNEL ISLANDS
WALES
AUG
AUGUST
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BELFAST 1
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REPTON
ENGLAND
BELFAST 2
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BOOKINGS OPEN ON MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2016 AT
christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplus2016
christiansinsport.org.uk
WHAT’S INSIDE
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE ARTICLE
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To Beijing and back It has not been a good few months for athletics with stories of doping dominating the headlines. The good news is that God is building his church in athletics and the Christian presence in track and field, both in the UK and worldwide, is arguably stronger than in any other comparable sport. In this article, we report back from this season’s Diamond League events and the IAAF World Championships in Beijing where Stuart Weir and Julia Wilkinson have been working in partnership to support elite athletes and coaches. YOUR STORIES 10 11
Quick fire interview: Alex Black Response to ‘We’re in this together’ article
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
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Jersey: A big sporting punch
The last year at a glance: Global
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Clubhouse 2015: Highlights from the season The last year at a glance: UK
UK Sports Ministries Corner: SU Sports Rugby World Cup 2015 is over, but it doesn’t end there
RESOURCES ZONE
Featured new resources Parents: The Sunday sport dilemma Recommended websites
Youth resources
Key:
Youth
Student
Adult
Elite
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At the end of a season, any athlete serious about their performance wouldn’t dream of heading to the beach for a pina colada without first stopping to reflect on how their season’s been and on what lies ahead for them on the other side. At the start of a new year, it seems right to do just the same and in this new issue of back pages we’ll be celebrating all that God has been doing in the world of sport in 2015 - from the growing Christian presence on the international track and field circuit, to your highlights from the 26 city-wide Clubhouse events hosted this Autumn, to a new work growing in Jersey, to how the UK Church embraced the Rugby World Cup. As we venture into the Olympic year, you’ll find inside this issue, Sports Plus 2016 summer camp dates (pg 2) as well as all the latest resources (pgs 24-29) created by sportspeople to equip you and your church to represent Christ in 2016. Join us next issue where we will be sharing the best ideas and resources available to help you and your church make the most of the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as hearing how we are supporting the athletes and coaches on the road to Rio. As always, do get in touch with any feedback or comments. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to reach the world of sport for Christ together. Elizabeth Hunt Communications Manager Christians in Sport
International
Church
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TO BEIJING AND BACK It has not been a good few months for athletics with stories of doping dominating the headlines. The good news is that God is building his church in athletics and the Christian presence in track and field, both in the UK and worldwide, is arguably stronger than in any other comparable sport.
Athletics ministry is not new to the work. From 1989 to 2002, Mark McAllister worked as an unofficial chaplain to the British athletics team, travelling to major sporting events – Olympics and World Championships – as well as five domestic events a year, in addition to meeting athletes one-to-one out of season. At major championships, daily Bible studies were not uncommon with estimates that about 60 British athletes attended at least one such event during that period. Christine Bowmaker (profiled in back pages’ Winter 2015 issue) who was an athlete when Mark was ministering has been an important person in athletics ministry. She served as a chaplain at the 2006 European Championships, the 2009 World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. She currently coaches elite athletes and was instrumental in bringing Christians together at the Lee Valley Elite Athletics Centre. The travelling ministry was restarted in 2012 by Stuart Weir, who worked for Christians in Sport from 1990 to 2006 and now operates in the name of Verite Sport. Stuart and Christians in Sport Performance Team member, Jules Wilkinson, now work together to support athletes. 4
christiansinsport.org.uk
The good news is that God is building his church in athletics and the Christian presence in track and field, both in the UK and worldwide, is arguably stronger than in any other comparable sport.
Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
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Being an elite athlete is not without its challenges. The sport is totally performance based. Athletes are defined as a sub 10 second 100 metre runner, a 7 metre long-jumper etc. For GB athletes, www.thepowerof10.info logs every performance, good and bad. There is no escape from that bad day at the office. Their times and performance determine whether they get funded by British Athletics, sponsored by a major kit manufacturer or get invitations to run in the lucrative Diamond League races. Yet the Christian athlete has to exist in that performance-based world, whilst at the same time understanding that their identity is in Christ and their value is based on what Jesus has done – not on how fast they ran in the last race.
For GB athletes, www.thepowerof10.info logs every performance, good and bad. There is no escape from that bad day at the office. Stuart and Jules’ support of athletes is multifaceted, including Bible Studies at events, one-to-one meetings with athletes in season and out of season, devotional emails, Skype and telephone contact. While it is easier to get quality time with athletes after training, being present at events to encourage, support, empathise and offer a listening ear is a vital part of the package. There were 14 Diamond League events this year [2015] from May to September in Europe, Asia and America. Most Diamond Leagues are a one evening competition with athletes all staying in the same hotel. Bible Studies tend to be the night before competition. The joke is that it is not a proper Bible Study unless the time and venue are each changed at least once! Finding a time when a dozen athletes are all free at the same time and which fits in with the sometimes restrictive athlete dining times is a challenge
as is finding a room to meet. They have met in the event press conference room, in bedrooms and on an outdoor terrace. In one hotel they were provided with a free conference room. In another they declined an offer of a room for £1,000 for an hour! Stuart and Jules ran athlete Bible Studies at six Diamond Leagues this year (Rome, Birmingham, Monaco, London, Stockholm and Brussels) – plus the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix. At the London Anniversary Games, the Bible Study was held three times to accommodate different groups of athletes. The average attendance at Bible Study was 11 with 47 different athletes attending at least once. The World Championships in Beijing in August were the culmination of the season. Stuart and Jules were able to do “church” for Team GB on both Sunday mornings in the team hotel and spent every day meeting with athletes and coaches from many countries across the world. One experienced chaplain describes major championships as 4 funerals and a wedding, as a lot more athletes leave disappointed than satisfied. In Beijing, Jules and Stuart were able to rejoice with those who were rejoicing and cry with those who were crying. It was a real encouragement to see Christians win medals and take the opportunity in medallists’ press conferences to acknowledge the source of their ability. Travelling to far-flung parts of the world is not as glamorous as it might seem. Athletes rarely see more than a hotel, a practice track and the competition. Those who minister to them spend most of the day sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for athletes. The ministry is, however, rewarding and a real privilege to be part of what God is doing amongst athletes.
For more information on our work within elite sport visit christiansinsport.org.uk/performance 6
7 PPS.com 27th July - Kitty quote DONE
Are you, your child or someone in your church competing in elite sport? We have a dedicated team that provide pastoral support to professional and elite athletes, coaches and team support across all sports and ages.Â
To find out more visit christiansinsport.org.uk/performance.
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THE CLUBHOUSE SEASON 715 CHRISTIANS WIRED FOR SPORT GATHERED IN 26 CITIES BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER 2015. 313 CHURCHES REPRESENTED 44 SPORTS REPRESENTED
Sportspeople Coaches Officials Parents Teachers Church workers Youth workers
In partnership with
BATH I BIRMINGHAM I CARLISLE I COLCHESTER I EXETER I LEEDS I LIVERPOOL I LONDON MAIDENHEAD I MANCHESTER I NEWCASTLE I NORWICH I NOTTINGHAM I OXFORD
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CLUBHOUSE WILL BE BACK NEXT AUTUMN Keep an eye on the website for more information
SHEFFIELD I SOUTHAMPTON I WORCESTER I BALLYMENA I BELFAST I ABERDEEN DUNDEE I EDINBURGH I GLASGOW I STIRLING I CARDIFF I SWANSEA
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QUICK FIRE INTERVIEW: ALEX BLACK Name: Alex Black Sport: Ultimate Frisbee Church: City Church Birmingham University: University of Birmingham Course: Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science Age: 20
My story I became a Christian at the end of my 1st year of university. It all started when my blockmate from my university halls invited me to the Christian Union’s events week. I went to a few of the lunch and evening events and it was here where I first heard about a guy called Jesus and the relevance that he can have in your life. I was encouraged to take away an Uncover Luke. So I took it away and as I read it I started to find out more about who this guy Jesus was and who he claimed to be. From there I started to ask my blockmate lots of questions around Christianity and it was at this point they invited me to start coming along to hall group, CU meeting and Church; I actually went to all three for the first time in one week! Over the next few weeks I started to understand more what the Christian faith was all about and how because of what Jesus had done, it meant I was free from the consequences of sin and that I didn’t need to worry about what the future has in store for me because God has a plan for us all. It was at this point where I said to myself I’m going to commit myself to Jesus because of what he’s done for me and what this means for my life.
How did you first get involved in Christians in Sport? At the start of my 2nd year of university I was made aware of the Uni’s Pray Play Say group and started attending that. Since then I’ve managed to get along to all sorts of Christians in Sport events and I now help lead the group. 10
Favourite food: Chocolate Milk Sporting heros: Dylan Freechild and Chris Froome Favourite holiday destination: Vancouver, Canada Favourite TV show: The Simpsons
What has been the highlight of your term so far? It has to be the start of the Ultimate Frisbee BUCS league, although Clubhouse is right up there as well! Both awesome in their own right!
What did you most enjoy about Clubhouse? Everything! But mainly being able to meet other Christians in sport from all over Birmingham and hearing about all the amazing things that are going on where they are.
What is your big prayer for the University of Birmingham group? That God can give us the boldness and courage to go out and keep talking to our team mates about him.
What would be your one tip for Christians involved in student sport? Get involved with team socials, they might seem really scary at first, but they are one of the best ways to get to know your team mates and chat to them about Jesus.
christiansinsport.org.uk
IN RESPONSE TO ‘WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER’
back pages - Summer 2015
Ian Lancaster (3rd from R) and John Dilnot (2nd from R)
I was delighted to read Lancs’ story in the last issue of back pages and it has challenged me again about my faith. I, like him, was trying to make it in the world of football over 20 years ago now (boy I feel old!). I soon realised, one week you were up, the next you were down, it felt like a yoyo effect at times, so I held onto my hope in God, which I was brought up with thanks to my family’s Christian values. During my early days at Lincoln City, the players and staff found out I went to church. It was hard at first but as the months went by they would ask me questions about my faith. From this I read scriptures from the bible in the dressing room and even prayed for the first team goalkeeper’s family member who was unwell, so it felt quite natural to seek out Lancs on that cold February night in Carlisle back in ‘95. It was brave but I was excited about the prospect of meeting another Christian in football. I’ve been involved with Christians in Sport since ‘94 and have been on many outreach events, coached footy at Sports Plus and was part of a coaching team back in ‘97 that went to Atlanta. This was a great experience and there I got to know Lancs more. I also met other Christian
players like Graham Daniels. Boy do we all need mentors like that in our lives. I felt a sense of belonging, that I wasn’t on my own in the world of sport, that there were others trying to represent Jesus. I am currently working for the Derby Church Football League as a game observer/mentor, supporting managers, captains and players on match days and providing Christian prayers and values. It’s been received really well. I’m also part of the Ministry of Sport team within the Nottingham area and we are launching a monthly sports event in the new year called Game On. This opportunity felt right after I attended the latest Clubhouse event which helped me to realise how many sports clubs there are in the area and therefore what a fantastic way it is to unite churches together and witness the gospel through sport. I would like to wish all back pages readers a very sporty 2016. Go well, enjoy your sport, be passionate, Pray Play Say and remember we play for the greater cause. God bless.
John Dilnot Game Mentor Derby Church Football League
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CHRISTIANS IN SPORT’S YEAR AT A GLANCE
UK
848
new Christians involved in sport were found
2,000
Christian sportspeople attended training events
1,239
churches partnered with the work
37,516
people attended sports guest events
41
University Pray Play Say groups met weekly 12
Figures recorded are from September 2014 – August 2015
242
New website prayplaysay.com was launched
elite athletes accessed pastoral support
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Sports Plus summer camps were run
1,600
churches were resourced to engage with the Rugby World Cup 2015
12
students graduated from internal training programmes
425
leaders were trained at Sports Plus summer camps 13
JERSEY A BIG SPORTING PUNCH For a small island, Jersey packs a big sporting punch. In terms of participation, it feels more like Australia than the Channel Islands with so many people embracing an outdoor lifestyle. That is the view of Nick Ferraby, who has worked jointly for Christians in Sport and St Paul’s Church on the channel island since January 2015. Jersey has a population of just 100,000 people across 45.5 square miles of land, which gives the whole place a real community feel. And while Christians in Sport’s work is just getting going, there already appears to be great potential for sharing the gospel through sport. The past year has seen an evangelistic beach volleyball tournament, three sports quizzes, two Clubhouse gatherings and the inaugural Sports Plus Jersey. Key to that, in God’s provision, has been the opportunity to build up relationships. “Sport is really big on the island, the place has got an outdoors mentality,” said Nick. “While there are lots of people playing organised sport, there are also lots of people being active on their own. Part of that culture is helped by the good weather. Also, everything happens in a small place. Somewhere else, you might have to travel for an hour to find your nearest sports club, but that’s not the case here.” The past year has been about building links with as many churches and sportspeople as possible and sharing the vision of sports mission. 14
Jersey Sports Plus 2015
The past year has seen an evangelistic beach volleyball tournament, three sports quizzes, two Clubhouse gatherings and the inaugural Sports Plus Jersey. A week before Sports Plus in July, numbers looked like being in single figures. But by the time the camp got going, there were around 30 young people taking part. Nick said: “It was a massive step to pull off, but one of the things that really helped us was that I had been able to do coaching in many of the
christiansinsport.org.uk
“My challenge is to find people that are really passionate about the mission.” Jersey Sports Plus 2015
schools and clubs in the months leading up to it which helped build trust with the young people.’’ Since then, Sports Plus Xtra meetings have started up on the first Monday of the month from 5-7pm. “We just do what we do at Sports Plus,” said Nick. “We have an hour of sport, a little break and then 45 minutes of team time from the bible. It’s really accessible and works well with the guests. It’s aimed at our guests as opposed to the Christians.” Sports Plus 2016 is planned for the last week in July again (25-29th July) and the team are looking at the possibility of a two-day camp in the Easter holidays.
Nick added: “Traditionally Christians in Sport staff have served churches by going to their city, running an event and then leaving. That has served a great purpose for many years. But with the opportunity for me to do a local worker role, you see the benefits from a relationship point of view. It’s exciting to see what might happen. For a small place of 100,000, if you can put on a sports camp with that number of people. That’s a great start.” Having been a leader at the inaugural Sports Plus Jersey, it is not hard to see why Nick views that as one of the highlights so far – not least because 40 per cent of the young people who came were non church goers.
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Nick said: “For a whole week, young people who had not been to church or heard about Jesus, came away having enjoyed it and wanting to come back next year.” “The other was the beach volleyball tournament. We had about 60 to 70 people there – 60 per cent of whom did not know Christ. The atmosphere was great. Two of my unchurched friends texted me afterwards saying that it was one of the best events they had been to. They said it was great to meet people who were so welcoming. Let us know when the next one is.” How can Christians in Sport build on this start that God has provided?
REV. PAUL BROOKES ST PAUL’S CHURCH
How has Christians in Sport’s work been received on the island? Christians in Sport has been well received both in the churches and in the secular sports environment too. Although the spread is not too big yet in terms of the sports clubs, where there is a connection it seems to be appreciated. A good number of churches have learnt about the work through Nick’s networking - he has made excellent connections both with churches and with some sports too. The local news media have also been sympathetic in their coverage too, giving frequent opportunity for interviews.
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“My challenge is to find people that are really passionate about the mission,” said Nick. “I would love to build a team from different churches around the island and to have an ambassador in every church.” To that end, Nick was joined by three Christian sportspeople from Jersey at a global sports mission training event this November, another step towards reaching the world of sport for Christ in Jersey. Ed Mezzetti Senior Reporter York Press newspaper (Jersey Sports Plus 2015 Leader)
What do you think the potential is for reaching Jersey sportspeople with the gospel? The opportunities are out there. Jersey is a culture that loves its sport - for a community of 100,000 to have a Championship rugby side and a Premier League Division 2 netball side is excellent. There is a large involvement in sport at every level and a wide range of sports clubs - and most of them will have Christians of one sort or another. If Christians could take the opportunities given them in the world of sport, the impact would be huge. So, in short, the potential is massive!
Volleyball tournament hosted on the island
CONGRATULATIONS TO DICKIE BIRD He raised over ÂŁ1,000 for Christians in Sport through a sponsored sky dive to celebrate his 70th Birthday. Feel inspired? Get in touch with the office and let us know what you are planning.
Come and join other young sportspeople to find out what it looks like to represent Jesus in your team and to play sport together. LOCATIONS INCLUDE: GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, CARDIFF, BELFAST, OXFORDSHIRE, LIVERPOOL Check out christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplusxtra for more information.
10 Moldovan leaders attended a week of training and a Sports Plus camp to see first hand how a camp is run as they look to hold their first every sports camp this summer.
Staff were part of a three year process helping to write a new global sports mission curriculum called ‘ReadySetGO’ which was launched at a global conference in November 2015. 628 people from 127 countries attended.
CHRISTIANS IN SPORT’S YEAR AT A GLANCE GLOBAL
Staff helped drive the vision of sports mission for the European Christian Sports Union. This involved: delivering vision casting and strategy meetings in Sweden, Malta and France. Delivering training of leaders in Portugal, Holland, Spain, Tenerife, Romania and Moldova and in May, gathering 150 leaders from 31 countries together for the biennial vision and partnership conference working towards the growth of sports mission across the continent. Staff helped train leaders at a three month sports leadership school in South Africa. 18
Staff helped facilitate and deliver training and strategic planning for over 350 leaders from 70 nations at two global sport movement conferences. Staff spoke at an international guest event communicating the gospel to football teams from 5 different Balkan countries. Staff trained 40 key leaders from across Russian speaking countries to go back to difficult places knowing how to understand the Bible and Sport and how to explain the gospel clearly. Staff trained 100 local leaders in the Middle East in how to handle the Bible and how to communicate it clearly to sports people. 183 countries accessed online training resources created by Christians in Sport. 45 of these were from closed countries. 19
UK SPORTS MINISTRIES CORNER SU SPORTS
There are over 30 sports ministries in the UK, each doing their bit to make Christ known in and through sport. Here’s all you need to know about SU Sports.
‘Engaging communities, sharing the Good News’ After two years pioneering projects, developing news resources, gathering national and local partners as well as initiating detailed research, it is fantastic that SU Sports is officially launching in January 2016. SU Sports sees Scripture Union working with churches in England and Wales to engage their local communities with sport, building relationships, offering hope through sports and sharing the Good News. Scripture Union is committed to working with churches to take them beyond their usual activities and out into their community to connect with children, young people and families currently outside of church.
‘Christians in Sport are delighted that Scripture Union are launching SU Sports, seeking to mobilise the church to connect with their local communities by engaging in sport.’ Graham Daniels, General Director. This launch will see Scripture Union developing and replicating models of sports ministry that are proven to work, always alongside and within local expressions of church and taking place in schools, on MUGA’s (Multi Use Games Areas), on village greens as well as in church buildings themselves. Scripture Union is utterly committed to sharing hope and faith through 20
informal grass roots sports with local churches. One Church Minister with a new and growing church community says this of the sports project working with SU: “Sports Ministry is a critical part of the team for St Paul’s @4. We have many children and young people (particularly in 8-14 age) who come on their own and stay - a key part of this is the sports ministry. Some have found faith, and indeed some have then brought their parents to church who have also met Jesus. Without the sports ministry project we could not sustain St Paul’s @4.“ (Rev Jeremy Duff) The possibilities and opportunities are endless and what is critical for a successful sports project is its contextualisation into a very
christiansinsport.org.uk
SU Sports in action
local area so meaningful relationships are built. Scripture Union has created a number of projects where we work with a group of churches, who together employ a local sports minister. SU also works with many local churches across England and Wales helping establish local sports initiatives that are run by volunteers. Some of the ideas and resources can be found at scriptureunion.org.uk/sport. To find out more about SU sports, to explore which projects could work in your locality and to talk through a range of resources and ideas please contact Richard Witham on Richardjw@scriptureunion.org.uk or 0151 7244213.
The final word should go to a young person who attends a FE college talking about a sports worker he has met through the chaplaincy: “The most positive thing I can say is that you really showed me how you can dedicate your life to Christ, yet still be one of the guys.� Richard Witham SU National Sports Mission Leader Scripture Union
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RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 IS OVER, BUT IT DOESN’T END THERE With Rugby World Cup 2015 and Engage 2015 behind us, the highlights never cease to amaze and enthral not only the rugby world, but many new lovers of the beautiful game. With moments including Japan’s last minute victory over South Africa and the unforgettable scenes as New Zealand embraced a third world crown over the Australians, this World Cup was certainly not one to forget on or off the field, with churches picking up the ball and engaging with communities all over the UK. In this article we look at some of the initial stats from the campaign and share some inspiring quotes from different corners of the UK. Highlights from the campaign included over 15 festivals across the UK with 4 mission teams with representatives from over 15 countries travelling to the UK to make an impact for Christ. The tour of London with the Official mascot, Judah, attracted crowds far and wide and was a huge success in connecting people with a face to the Engage 2015 campaign. Partnerships have been a key success to the campaign with strong links being developed between over 50 mission agencies, 20 past and present players and 10 key denominational ambassadors. The success of Engage 2015 is primarily down to this factor. The campaign reached international attention, with an 8 man team from Japan travelling to discuss how they could use a similar model to engage with community during Rugby World Cup 2019 and also the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020. Along with this, attention from the USA came with the Baptist Press, challenging churches to engage with sporting events like the Superbowl taking place in early 2016. 22
David Chawner, CEO of Engage 2015, says ‘Through the ideas and resources offered by Engage 2015, hundreds of local churches across the UK have again shown how major sporting events offer an opportunity to reach out with the gospel into their local community in simple and effective ways. Already we are hearing of people coming back to church and signing up for ALPHA & Christianity Explored courses, and I believe we’ll see these activities bearing much more fruit in the coming months and years.’ Many thought that England crashing out in the group stages would shatter any success of Engage 2015 - this however did not have any significant impact in God’s plan for communities engaging with the Rugby World Cup during the 6 weeks of the tournament, and we are excited to see how you will use the momentum from 2015 to engage with community during and around other major sporting events in 2016 and beyond!
David Stretton-Downes Head of Communications Engage 2015
christiansinsport.org.uk
Key stats: • Over 180 events were registered and took place during the 6 week period • Over 2 million impressions on Social media throughout the campaign • Over 18k Game of Life Luke & Acts Books distributed throughout the UK • Over 1,900 Game of Life DVD packs sold during the Rugby World Cup • Over 20k views of player testimonies and interviews online Your stories: ‘Our churches hosted an evening with Pete Browne and Paul Marshall from Ulster Rugby with over 350 coming to the event, with many of those being guests invited by church members. We are delighted that 13 guests have signed up for a follow up 321 course, and 18 have requested a book explaining a little bit more about the Christian faith.’ Hamilton Road Baptist, Bangor
’The Salvation Army hosted The Rugby Quiz at Penclawddd RFC where one of our members plays for the first team. We held it upstairs in the clubhouse after the first team training session. There were 18 from the club and 17 from local Salvation Army churches. There was a great atmosphere throughout the night and they loved all the rounds of the quiz itself. During half-time we showed the video “Two Sides of Sport” during which most were engaged, especially when Garin Jenkins came on (being in Wales).’ Penclawdd RFC and Salvation Army, Swansea ‘We ran a tag rugby event for families from our community at the local park followed by hot dogs and tomato soup at the church. All the children enjoyed the games – we set up two pitches one for 4 – 7yrs and one for 8 – 11yrs. We were very fortunate that parents who were Stevenage Rugby Club coaches for under 7 tag rugby were present and allowed us to use their equipment. A parent commented how great it was that her local church was engaging with the community and putting on an event that all the family could enjoy.’ Bunyan Baptist Church, Stevenage.
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RESOURCES ZONE
BORN TO PLAY Let me tell you why we do it. Because we were born to play. Because it’s in our blood and in our bones. Because God gave us talents, passions and opportunities and when we’re playing sport we know we were made for this.
NEW SHORT FILM COMING SOON
Subscribe to ‘The Christians in Sport podcast’
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Available from 1st January 2016 on iTunes and SoundCloud.
SUNDAY SPORT DILEMMA
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
VIDEOS SABBATH | A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE 5 minute interview with mother of four, Julia Wilkinson, sharing her experience of the weekly tension between Sunday sport and Sunday church services. SABBATH: PART 1 Ann O’Flynn, former England rugby player, tells of the weekly clash between rugby and church and why she chose to play.
SABBATH: PART 2 Graham Daniels, Christians in Sport General Director, explores how Hebrews 10v24-25 can help us think Biblically about the Sunday Sport dilemma.
BIBLE STUDIES Being committed to church and committed to sport Sabbath Part of the online PrayPlaySay.com video bible study series
ARTICLES
Finding practical solutions for the weekly tension between Sunday sport and Sunday church services Written by Pete Nicholas Mind the Gap: The Sunday Sport Dilemma through a mother’s eyes Written by Julia Wilkinson
Should Christians keep Sunday as a day ‘set apart’ for God and church? Written by Pete Nicholas An introduction to the Sunday Sport Dilemma Written by Pete Nicholas
Available at christiansinsport.org.uk/sundaysport
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Be the first to hear of the latest resources, stories and events near you. @CIS_UK Christians in Sport Christians_in_Sport ChristiansinSportUK christiansinsport.org.uk prayplaysay.com
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Request The Sports Quiz package for your church christiansinsport.org.uk/thesportsquiz
NEW RELEASES
Watch at youtube.com/ChristiansinSportUK
YOUTH RESOURCES TALKS & VIDEOS
THE CALL OF THE COACH
Listen to all the talks and watch all the videos from Sports Plus 2015 at christiansinsport.org.uk/ sportsplus2015media
‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ are Jesus’ words to his disciples and this series of talks and videos look at what it looks like for us to go to sportspeople in our schools, clubs and teams with the Gospel.
WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? Jesus challenges us througout Mark’s Gospel to answer the question ‘Who do you say I am?’ This series of talks and videos does exactly the same as we look at six events in the Gospel to find out exactly who Jesus is.
Including 5 audio talks and 5 videos.
Including 6 audio talks and 3 videos.
ONLINE
Sports Plus Online is a monthly video blog designed to help young sportspeople represent God as they play their sport.
Watch Series 1 and 2 now at christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplusonline 28
YOUTH BIBLE STUDY HOW WOULD YOU SHARE GOD’S STORY? 1. AIM OF STUDY To be confident in telling your friends about your story and God’s story.
2. GET READY Most of us enjoy talking about our experiences when we have something to talk about; however, we tend to get nervous when the audience changes and when we don’t think we’ve got anything to say. It’s then that the nerves kick in big style! Is talking about Jesus the most nerve wracking thing in the world for you? I don’t know a single person in the world who doesn’t find this prospect a terrifying challenge – so you’re in good company!
3. GET SET Our study passage today is found in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Before we read it, answer the questions below. Who is it written by? (1 Corinthians 1:1) Who is it written to? (1 Corinthians 1:2) Why is it written? (1 Corinthians 1:10) Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 What are your reactions straight away? Shocked? Surprised? Disappointed? Encouraged? Why did you react in this way?
What does he want them to remember about his message? (v1, 2 and 4) What does he desire the final outcome to be for the Corinthians? (v5) So here we get a snapshot of Paul’s story at the time (his situation, weaknesses and dependency), and he refers to the message he brought to them as God’s story (or ‘testimony’ about God which is Jesus Christ and him crucified).
4. GO, GO, GO Are you confident about telling your story and God’s story? By ‘your story’ we simply mean the way you became a Christian and why this is important to your life. We’re going to practise! First we’re going to look at how we can be equipped to talk about God’s story (the coming of Jesus) and then we’re going to look at how we can talk to our friends about our own personal story. God’s story In your own words/pictures/phrases write down God’s story. Practise it with a friend as though you were talking it through with someone who wasn’t a Christian.
Paul has obviously seen these guys before. In fact he established the church about 3 years before he wrote this letter.
Your story Now try to write out your story in the 3 stages suggested below. Use a pencil so that you can always go back and change it!
What does he want these Christians to remember about his own ability to speak? (v1 and 4)
- Before Jesus - Jesus Centred - Now with Jesus
What does he want these Christians to remember about the way he viewed himself? (v3)
Try practising it with a friend.
This study was taken from Pray Play Say The Youth Way Part 1. Download the full series at christiansinsport.org.uk/resources 29
‘After being a part of the global sports mission for a little over three years, my wife and I find ourselves much amazed, excited and encouraged by what God has done and continues to do in our country and beyond. We wouldn’t be in sports mission had we not received the much needed training and support from our friends, which sparked the vision and enables us to dream big for the Lord.’ Nicolai, Moldovan sports leader
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