MorethanGold.ca

Rapid Response Team

WITH the influx of hundreds of thousands of people, More Than Gold (MTG) wants to be ready in the event of a crisis. Billy Graham’s Rapid Response Team is training MTG volunteers to minister to individuals at the Olympics in crisis and non crisis settings. April 17 – 18  saw more than 70 take this training at Sevenoaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford.

A second training is planned for May 15 – 16 at Tenth Avenue Church, in Vancouver.

“So many of us have crisis going on in our personal lives –  and we want to equip you to respond to the everyday needs we all face. We want to be vessels – available to share the love, presence, comfort and encouragement of Christ to anyone in need,” said Melanie Neufeld, rapid response coordinator for the Billy Graham Association.

Neufeld is heading up similar events across the country, as well as contributing to the MTG initiative.

Contact: billygraham.ca/rapidresponse or 1-800-293-3717.

MTG Phase II website launches

AS More Than Gold prepares for the 2010 Olympics, the ministry’s organizers anticipate a momentum of involvement in a range of activities. In many ways, the MTG website has now become the campaign’s ‘hub of operations.’

“There really is only one way to effectively organize and oversee such a remarkable initiative,” said director of networking Peter Biggs.

“Behind the website is a database with over 1,000 churches,” he explained, adding: “Hundreds of volunteers are being organized into six ‘Areas of Opportunity,’ with Prayer Initiatives and Evangelism Training. The master calendar for all this, along with very cool Google maps, will allow people to see the growing momentum online as the games approach.”

Each of the six Areas of Opportunity – along with Prayer Initiatives – now has its own web page, and is overseen by the appropriate Working Group. Biggs also wants this substantial web development to evolve toward Phase III – which is intended to facilitate relational networks based in the Areas of Opportunity, after the games are over next year.

“Take one area, Creative and Performing Arts,” he said. “There is already an unprecedented relational network forming – of artists zealous to work and serve together. They do not wish to see this just dissipate after the games. The web can be a great way to maintain and grow relationships.”

Mission Teams Working Groups

By Peter Biggs

EVERY FOUR YEARS, the world becomes a smaller place – as hundreds of thousands gather for the Olympic and Paralympic games. Many Christians see the opportunities for witnessing and short term missions, with some churches and ministries sending missions teams.

More Than Gold (MTG) is expecting as many as 3,000 Christians from around the world to come and serve here in the Metro Vancouver in 2010. They will serve in a variety of ways – with local churches, and with other MTG Areas of Opportunity.

Some will simply ride the bus and Skytrain, walk the city and strike up conversations, offering MTG trading pins and literature – and share their faith, as opportunities arise.

MTG’s Mission Teams Opportunity is led by a Working Group, which is responsible for enlisting, approving of, training, housing, and assigning jobs to the volunteers. Janet Campbell heads up this MTG area.

“We are looking for local churches and organizations to request volunteers, to help with their planned outreach activities,” she said. Indeed, Campbell is brimming with ideas for her area of ministry.

She also represents her denomination (the Canadian National Baptist Convention) within the MTG network.

She sees meaningful service opportunities in activities that are designed to “build bridges into the community.” Specifically, she mentions concerts, noting that MTG has a vibrant Creative and Performing Arts Working Group which can provide musicians.

She also lists “big screen viewing parties for Olympic events; children’s sports days or clinics;  simple acts of kindness or community service; refreshment give-aways; prayer and counselling; use of church facilities, such as washrooms, parking lots and internet facilities; language translation services; and litter pick-up.”

Local churches and organizations may also choose to form a mission team themselves. MTG requires that they fill out an application to be More Than Gold volunteers, and be prepared to serve in a variety of capacities for at least five consecutive days.

Teams will offer healthy breakfasts, with either kitchen access and groceries provided, or a prepared and served meal.

“The Mission Teams Working Group will liaise with the facilities accommodating volunteers, and there will be a signed agreements in place. Volunteers will bring their own bedding,” Campbell said.  

“Whatever your skill or passion, there are many ways you can be the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus during the 2010 Games,” she emphasized, adding: “It has been a tradition for the churches in the Olympic host country to mobilize thousands of volunteers, providing hospitality for families of athletes, offering chaplaincy services and the distributing of water to spectators, among many other activities.”  

You can get involved, by contacting Campbell at: morethangoldteams@gmail.com.

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‘Wearing the ministry’

PART of the preparation for the 2010 Games – now just over seven months away – involves basic logistics, and souvenir products.

Supporters of More Than Gold represent an expression of the body of Christ in their municipalities. In order to help them be identified, organizers are providing pins, jackets, hats, scarfs and umbrellas – all with the distinctive MTG ‘coloured snowflake’ logo on them.

MTG personnel will be selling these at little above cost, to participants in various initiatives.

The volunteer’s package, selling for $200, includes a sealed jacket with zip-in vest, toque, scarf, carry bag and umbrella.

In previous games, the More Than Gold logo has opened many opportunities for meaningful conversations.

 In addition to ‘wearing the ministry,’ MTG pins will also help with witnessing.

For many, the number one event at every Olympics is pin trading. Once again, the colourful MTG Pin will be a valuable tool in fostering ‘conversations that count.’

Pins are available for 65 cents each, in lots of 100 or more.

To order resources, go to morethangold.ca and click on ‘Resources.’                          >– PB

May 2009