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Highlights from the 2015 Clubhouse season

back pagesTHE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIANS IN SPORT

Win

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Highlights from the 2015 Clubhouse season

Find your new pra

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INSIDE THIS ISSUEIAAF World Championships, BeijingSports Plus 2016 datesSunday Sport Resources

BOOKINGS OPEN ON MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2016 AT

christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplus2016

MULTI-SPORT SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE S E R IO U S S P OR T S AC T ION F OR T H E S E R IO U S S P OR T S P L AY E R

PERTHSCOTLAND

JERSEYCHANNEL ISLANDS

BRECONWALES

BELFAST 1N IRELAND

REPTONENGLAND

BELFAST 2N IRELAND

10 – 15 JULY

14 – 19 AUGUST

14 – 19 AUGUST

31 JUL

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31 JUL

05 AUG

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25 – 29 JULY

SPORTSPLUS

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christiansinsport.org.uk

WHAT’S INSIDE

FEATURE ARTICLE

To Beijing and backIt 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.

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.

YOUR STORIES

Quick fire interview: Alex Black

Response to ‘We’re in this together’ article

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

Clubhouse 2015: Highlights from the season

The last year at a glance: UK

Jersey: A big sporting punch

The last year at a glance: Global

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

IN THIS ISSUE

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Elizabeth HuntCommunications Manager

Christians in Sport

BOOKINGS OPEN ON MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2016 AT

christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplus2016

MULTI-SPORT SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE S E R IO U S S P OR T S AC T ION F OR T H E S E R IO U S S P OR T S P L AY E R

PERTHSCOTLAND

JERSEYCHANNEL ISLANDS

BRECONWALES

BELFAST 1N IRELAND

REPTONENGLAND

BELFAST 2N IRELAND

10 – 15 JULY

14 – 19 AUGUST

14 – 19 AUGUST

31 JUL

05 AUG

–

31 JUL

05 AUG

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25 – 29 JULY

SPORTSPLUS

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Youth

Student Adult

Elite

International

ChurchKey:

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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.

TO BEIJING AND BACKIt 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.

christiansinsport.org.uk

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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.

Stuart and Jules’ support of athletes is multi-

faceted, 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

For GB athletes, www.thepowerof10.info logs every performance, good and bad. There is no escape from that bad day at the office.

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7 PPS.com 27th July - Kitty quoteDONE

To find out more visit christiansinsport.org.uk/performance.

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.

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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

THE CLUBHOUSE SEASON715 CHRISTIANS WIRED FOR SPORT GATHERED IN 26 CITIES BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER 2015.

SportspeopleCoachesOfficialsParents

TeachersChurch workers

Youth workers

In partnership with

44 SPORTS REPRESENTED

313 CHURCHES REPRESENTED

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SHEFFIELD I SOUTHAMPTON I WORCESTER I BALLYMENA I BELFAST I ABERDEEN DUNDEE I EDINBURGH I GLASGOW I STIRLING I CARDIFF I SWANSEA

CLUBHOUSE WILL BE BACK NEXT AUTUMNKeep an eye on the website

for more information

Name: Alex BlackSport: Ultimate FrisbeeChurch: City Church BirminghamUniversity: University of BirminghamCourse: Sport, Physical Education and Coaching ScienceAge: 20

QUICK FIRE INTERVIEW:ALEX BLACK

Favourite food: Chocolate MilkSporting heros: Dylan Freechild and Chris FroomeFavourite holiday destination: Vancouver, CanadaFavourite 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.

My storyI 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.

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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.

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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

IN RESPONSE TO ‘WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER’

back pages - Summer 2015 Ian Lancaster (3rd from R) and John Dilnot (2nd from R)

christiansinsport.org.uk

John DilnotGame Mentor

Derby Church Football League

1,239churches partnered

with the work

37,516people attended sports guest events

41University Pray

Play Say groups met weekly

CHRISTIANS IN SPORT’S YEAR AT A GLANCE UK

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2,000Christian sportspeople

attended training events

848new Christians involved in sport were found

242elite athletes accessed pastoral support

8Sports Plus summer camps were run

12 students graduated

from internal training programmes

425leaders were trained at Sports Plus summer camps

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1,600churches were resourced to engage with the Rugby World Cup 2015

Figures recorded are fromSeptember 2014 – August 2015

New website prayplaysay.com was launched

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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.

JERSEY A BIG SPORTING PUNCH

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

The past year has seen an evangelistic beach volleyball tournament, three sports quizzes, two Clubhouse gatherings and the inaugural Sports Plus Jersey.

Jersey Sports Plus 2015

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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.

“My challenge is to find people that are really passionate about the mission.”

christiansinsport.org.uk

Jersey Sports Plus 2015

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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?

“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.

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.

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!

Ed MezzettiSenior Reporter

York Press newspaper(Jersey Sports Plus 2015 Leader)

Volleyball tournament hosted on the island

CONGRATULATIONS TO DICKIE BIRDHe raised over £1,000 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.

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 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.

Staff helped train leaders at a three month sports leadership school in South Africa.

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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.

CHRISTIANS IN SPORT’S YEAR AT A GLANCE

GLOBAL

Staff spoke at an international

guest event communicating the

gospel to football teams from 5

different Balkan countries.

Staff helped facilitate and

deliver training and strategic planning for over 350 leaders from 70 nations at two global sport movement conferences.

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183 countries accessed online training resources created by Christians in Sport. 45 of these were from closed 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.

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‘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

UK SPORTS MINISTRIES CORNERSU 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.

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

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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.”

christiansinsport.org.uk

Richard WithamSU National Sports Mission Leader

Scripture Union

SU Sports in action

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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.

David Stretton-DownesHead of Communications

Engage 2015

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.

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!

christiansinsport.org.uk

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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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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.

Available from 1st January 2016 on iTunes and SoundCloud.

Subscribe to ‘The Christians in Sport podcast’

NEW SHORT FILM COMING SOON

RESOURCES ZONE

25

SUNDAY SPORT DILEMMA RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

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.

ARTICLES

VIDEOS

Being committed to church and committed to sport

SabbathPart of the online PrayPlaySay.com

video bible study series

BIBLE STUDIES

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.

Available at christiansinsport.org.uk/sundaysport

Finding practical solutions for the weekly tension between Sunday sport and Sunday church servicesWritten 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 DilemmaWritten by Pete Nicholas

26

@CIS_UK

Christians in Sport

Christians_in_Sport

ChristiansinSportUK

christiansinsport.org.uk

prayplaysay.com

Be the first to hear of the latest resources, stories and events near you.

Request The Sports Quiz package for your church christiansinsport.org.uk/thesportsquiz

Watch at youtube.com/ChristiansinSportUKNEW RELEASES

28

YOUTH RESOURCES

TALKS & VIDEOS

Listen to all the talks and watch all the videos from Sports Plus 2015 at christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplus2015media

THE CALL OF THE COACH‘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.

Including 5 audio talks and 5 videos.

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 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 atchristiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplusonline

29

HOW WOULD YOU SHARE GOD’S STORY?

1. AIM OF STUDY

This study was taken from Pray Play Say The Youth Way Part 1. Download the full series at christiansinsport.org.uk/resources

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY

To be confident in telling your friends about your story and God’s story.

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!

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?

Paul has obviously seen these guys before. In fact he established the church about 3 years before he wrote this letter.

What does he want these Christians to remember about his own ability to speak? (v1 and 4)

What does he want these Christians to remember about the way he viewed himself? (v3)

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).

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 storyIn 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.

Your storyNow 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!

- Before Jesus- Jesus Centred- Now with Jesus

Try practising it with a friend.

3. GET SET

4. GO, GO, GO

2. GET READY

Today, leaders from over 120 countries, just like Nicolai, are trained through the work of Christians in Sport, as they seek to reach their own world of sport for Christ.

With your help, we’d love to see:- Indigenous leaders from over 150 countries being served through training, consultancy and great resources, all with the aim of growing sports mission globally over the next three years.- Sports mission grow across Europe, particularly within 26 focus countries, in the next three years.- Sports leaders in 50 countries being resourced and equipped to run their own sports camps in the next five years.

How can you help with this vital work?The work of Christians in Sport is entirely dependent, under God, on the financial support of people like you. If you feel you can help, simply cut out and return this form to the Christians in Sport office in the freepost envelope provided. You can also give online at christiansinsport.org.uk/donate.

CHANGING LIVES

GLOBAL MISSION

‘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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About Christians in SportFormed in 1980, Christians in Sport has more than 35 years of experience supporting Christians in the world of sport and helping sportspeople explore the Christian message. For more information on who we are and how we can help you, please get in touch using the details below.

@CIS_UK Christians in Sport

01869 255 630info@christiansinsport.org.ukchristiansinsport.org.uk

Frampton House,Unit D1, Telford Road Industrial Estate,Bicester, OX26 4LD

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Company number 4146081

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