Latest News #203
July 11, 2002

The following news concerns England and Wales.

Bible Society edition of John’s Gospel to be distributed at Commonwealth Games

SWINDON, England — The interdenominational organisation More than Gold is planning a wide range of initiatives designed to bring God’s Word to people visiting Manchester between July 25 and August 4 for the Commonwealth Games. The organisation, which aims to “engage with people of all cultures, backgrounds and faiths during the period surrounding the Games, to communicate and demonstrate [the] Christian faith sensitively and relevantly”, is working to establish a united Christian presence at the Games, collaborating with churches and para-Church organisations and liaising with the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games.

Cover artwork for the BFBS More than Gold sports edition of John’s Gospel, produced specially for the Commonwealth Games in the UK

One of More than Gold’s partners is the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS), which is supplying 20,000 copies of a special sports edition of the Contemporary English Version of John’s Gospel for free distribution. This edition has a wrap-around cover with information about the Games, along with some special colour pages about faith and sport. It also includes a message from the More than Gold patron, triple jumper Jonathan Edwards. He tells of the key role of the Bible in his life, stating, “From the Bible I take the basic philosophy of what I try to do - to glorify God through every aspect of my life”. BFBS Director Ashley Scott has called on all Christians to pray for the work of the More than Gold mission teams and the partner churches, asking that “people who are reached will hear God speaking to them, through his Word". The involvement of BFBS has been welcomed by Stuart Weir, Director of Christians in Sport, who expressed great pleasure that BFBS has recognised the potential of the Games.

Christians in Sport is also involved in outreach at the Games, and is offering a range of materials. The More than Gold Pocket Guide is a 32-page full-colour booklet containing information about the history of the Commonwealth Games, features on some of the more than 4,000 competitors from 72 countries and “an appropriate Christian message”. The Go For It! New Testament has a sporty cover and contains testimonies from leading sportspeople.

The events planned by More than Gold to take place during the Games include nightly prayer meetings between July 25 and August 3, organised in collaboration with the Manchester Prayer Network, canteen stations run by local people and the Prayer Breakfast on July 26 for which athletes, officials, coaches, journalists and spectators can purchase tickets.