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By Karen Reed
MORE Than Gold is the network that is connecting and organizing the Christian
community to offer the radical hospitality of Christ in response to the coming
Olympics.
The 2010 Games will be an extravaganza; but it won’t be just about sport. Of the 300,000-plus visitors that will come, most will
only attend one or two events. They will come for the larger experience. MTG is
seeking to mobilize Christians to bring the heart of the gospel into the public
arena, using this unique season as a catalyst to create spaces that offer
lavish hospitality – where Jesus is guest, and host.
The early church knew the transformative power of radical hospitality – not the Martha Stewart version that invites primarily friends, but subversive,
counter-culture hospitality that always included the stranger and those who
couldn’t repay.
Although our public space is secularized, we can still have an impact. The early
church understood that hospitality went hand in hand with evangelism. The city
gate was a public space to connect with strangers – who were then invited into homes and churches for gracious hospitality.
MTG is seeking to encourage a rediscovery of this biblical hospitality, inviting
us to deliberately create spaces to connect with the stranger, finding our
rightful way into the heart of the community.
How can you get involved? Check out the MTG website. Consider ways to volunteer individually. Connect with churches in your
neighbourhood, to collaborate on ideas and initiatives. Join in the multiple
open space venues MTG is organizing during the games. Pray.
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Invest financially. Plan a public space Jesus party. Plant a community garden.
Organize a big screen event in your church during the games, with a party to
follow. Invite a stranger for a meal. Take action for the common good.
Karen Reed is CEO of More Than Gold.
July 2009
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