GNS Sports Global says, "The Olympic Torch is passing through 100 plus USA cities on a three month journey to Salt Lake City. Over 80 of the cities have churches carrying for and ministering under the" More Than Gold" theme every day from now until the February."

"How to minister during a Torch Run was modelled by the Australian churches during the 2000 Olympics."

"The Greeks have proposed that the 2004 Torch Run cross every continent. A possible 'More than Gold' opportunity in every city.

GNS Sports Global shared a recent story from a church volunteer. "The Olympic Torch came to Lake Placid, New York. I got to take home the joy of ministering to people from all over the world. I met one group from Russia and answered some questions they had."

"Volunteering is a lot of fun, but the real reason we are out there is to serve them and meet their needs and to show them Christlike love. In so doing, we have earned the opportunity to witness."

We handed out 2 cases of hand warmers. We also handed out about 600 "More Than Gold Interactive Pocket Guide 2002" tracts. The tracts have winter sports pictured on the front and have testimonies from Olympic athletes in the front. The last thing in the tract is the "More Than Gold" theme interpretation using the colors to give the plan of salvation. It explains that there is more to life than winning the Gold. They were excited to get it. They were coming asking for them when they saw others with them. I was able to give the tract to at least 5 other torch bearers, including one that had followed the torch after running with it. Needless to say, we had a great time. We had about 35 volunteers from our church association."

LATEST NEWS ON OLYMPICS!!!!
More Than Gold ministries had approximately 100 Utah churches and 24 agencies partnering with them helping with everything from the Salt Lake City KidsGames to volunteer services.

An amazing 450 families hosted approximately 900 parents and family members of athletes and half million cups of water and coffee were distributed at all the Olympic venues.

The good news is that the 1,800 More than Gold team members saw thousands of specially designed resources selectively distributed to fans, families and athletes. With 30 chaplains serving the Olympic community good news continues to filter in about the impact the Christain community had in sharing the love and grace of God.

David Willson
Dave Willson from Australia who headed up the Sydney Olympic ministry partnerships through Global Events Group (GEG) worked tirelessly with his team to make Salt Lake a successful event. Dave & his wife Kath are now consulting and serving churches and agencies with the aim of targeting the 38 up-coming global sports events over the next four years.

Willson is now working with those in Fiji for the South Pacific Games, Japan/Korea for the men's World Cup of Football, South Africa for the World Cup of Cricket, Manchester and Melbourne for the 2002 & 2006 Commonwealth Games, Athens for the Summer Olympics, Mauritius for the Indian Ocean Games and the list goes on. GNS Sports Global commented, "Global Events Group has made it possible for our international network to learn from our failures and successes..."