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By Peter Biggs
AS BCCN goes to press for its February edition, a remarkable picture of More Than Gold
(MTG) is emerging, with tens of thousands of volunteer hours being filled.
Only a few months back, the Salvation Army and the More Than Gold network were approached by TransLink and VANOC to provide hot
drinks to the waiting riders at 18 SkyTrain stations and four VANOC
transportation hubs.
With 17 days to be covered and thousands of visitors to be served, this looked like a daunting ‘ask.’ Indeed, doing the math, it was estimated that there would be a need for
something like 60,000 person hours! That encompasses 22 ‘hospitality’ operations daily for beverage services, along with the logistics of manning numerous Christian stages for a range of arts events.
Three areas are noteworthy for Christian witness and service:
• In Richmond: Trinity Lutheran – situated opposite the ‘O’ Zone (Richmond City’s Olympic social gathering point in Minoru Park); and World Harvest Church,
located right in the path between SkyTrain and the Richmond Oval.
• In Vancouver (Westside): University Chapel. The church is near to Regent
College – which, in collaboration with MTG, will be using their facility extensively.
• In Downtown Vancouver: Coastal Church, which will be offering a range of
services in their central location.
MTG operations manager Rachael Morris helped develop an extensive system for the
SkyTrain campaign – and churches were approached to send teams and individuals.
“I’ve been amazed and thankful for the rate at which the enthusiasm has grown since
the New Year – both for individuals and church groups,” Morris told BCCN, adding:
“Many are involved, with 30 to 40 churches significantly involved. Some have even taken the challenge of adopting a whole station for the
entire games!”
Missions Teams (about 800 individuals) who are coming in from elsewhere, have
been plugged in.
Churches from all over Metro Vancouver are sending teams. In Chilliwack, the
community farthest from the Games, churches are busing volunteers in.
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In recent ‘Orientation’ sessions, MTG has taken pains to emphasize appropriate behavior on the part of
volunteers. The focus is on a friendly welcome, the practicalities of preparing
and distributing the hot drinks, and conversations that may lead to sharing
appropriate literature.
No unsolicited literature distribution or proselytizing is allowed. There is a
careful process – involving signing an agreement to the code of conduct, and a liability waiver.
Finally, an official MTG lanyard will be given to volunteers on site.
As the Games approach, MTG is gearing up an administrative hub at their
Vancouver office.
The ‘Situation Room’ “will be operational for 18 hours a day,” said director of operations Bob Kraemer. “It will be used for overall logistics, emergencies and coordinating prayer.”
Last, but by no means least: a significant element of the MTG campaign is
intercession.
Along with the many prayer initiatives established by the MTG Prayer Working
Group, the two camps on Keats Island are devoting time for those who will pray
for the Games and the MTG effort. Along with this there will be evenings of
worship and prayer every day of the games.
More details about More Than Gold worship and arts events are in the special
calendar section on page 18.
February 2010
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