back pages magazine - Summer 2015

1back pagesTHE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIANS IN SPORT

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YOUR STORIES Debbie Flood

What about those who do not get the

medals? They are just as important to God as those who stand

on the rostrum.

FEATURES

Rugby World Cup special

Sports Plus 2015 Highlights

Pray Play Say resources

Find your new prayer diary inside.

Elizabeth HuntCommunications Manager

Christians in Sport

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christiansinsport.org.uk

WHATS INSIDE

FEATURE ARTICLEWere in this togetherIan Lancaster takes a trip down memory laneand reflects on his time as a young player trying to make it in the world of professional football at the age of 17. Fast forward 20 years and Lancs shares why he is thrilled to be seeing Christian Young Performance Athletes (YPAs) and their parents gathering across the UK.

This issue is packed full of your

stories. Amongst them you will

meet Leander Club rower, Debbie

Flood, university hockey player,

Rob Sellar and long jumper Kitty

Eleyae. At first glance, its hard to see anything defining that connects these three, they are

different ages, competing at

different levels in different sports.

Take a closer look however and

you will quickly discover that

there is something significant that unifies them, that bridges the gaps between their age, sport and

ability.

Zoom out 10,000ft and you will

start to glimpse the real story;

that these three are a part of an

emerging body of sportspeople,

fused by a passion to glorify God

as they compete and a desire to

share the Christian message with

their friends. They may be lone

wolves Pray Play Say-ing in their

own clubs, but this group of Gods people, from churches across the

world, are on the same mission - to

reach the world of sport for Christ.

Flick to the middle of the magazine

and out will fall the new termly

prayer diary with a short prayer

for each day inside. We are utterly

dependent on God, who we know

can do immeasurable things and

we hope that this new prayer diary

will help you to underpin in prayer

all that Christians in Sport is and

does.

Enjoy your read!

YOUR STORIES

Debbie Flood: Rowing, Life is about more than medals

Rob Sellar: University, Inviting the lads for dinner

Garin Jenkins: Rugby World Cup, Behind the scenes

Kitty Eleyae: Club La Santa, More than a holiday

WHATS BEEN HAPPENING

Church spotlight: St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks

Sports Plus 2015: Highlights from the summer

A snapshot of 2015 so far: Stories and stats

New Wine: Seeing the lights go on

UK sports ministries corner: Higher Sports

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Church Vs Sport: Does it have to be this way?

Sports Plus Online: Youth video series

Top Tips: 10 tips to help you pray more

PrayPlaySay.com: Video based bible studies

Rugby World Cup 2015: Resources for your church

Lets Go: Vision pack for your church

Youth bible study: Why is prayer important?

Book review: Honest evangelism

IN THIS ISSUE

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4I had been taken to church all my life, professed

faith at the age of 10 and drifted all the way

through my teens. From the age of 14 my

Christian faith was an add on at best, usually a hindrance and at worst a real point of

contention with my parents and I. It stopped

me doing what I loved to do best; play football!

My parents continued to wrestle with issues like

football on Sunday, church attendance and the

lifestyle I was getting dragged into. They stood

by me, encouraging me to attend church, read

my bible, get stuck into the youth group, all of

which I sporadically did through respect and

not desire.

Earlier in that season I had received a letter

through the post from an organisation

called Christians in Sport. It spoke about how excited they were to know that as a

Christian I was involved as a young player at a

professional club. It also listed the names of

16 other boys who were in a similar position to

me, just starting out with a dream, and clinging

to a Christian faith (some by their finger tips and some fully embracing it). I smiled and

shrugged. I wasnt really bothered, it wouldnt affect me, a nice touch and nothing more - or

so I thought!!

But on that list, there was a name John Dilnot, who played for Lincoln City. Back to Brunton

Park on that cold February evening where

even the Bovril and pies had the chills. I had

finished my warm up and was trotting up the tunnel to the warmth of the dressing room. A

clatter of studs behind me made me turn and I

came face to face with a player in a Lincoln City

tracksuit. He thrust out his hand to shake mine.

Is it Ian?, he asked, Ian Lancaster?. Yup, I

replied slightly bemused (this sort of thing was

unheard of; I didnt know another footballer outside a 5-mile radius of Carlisle!). Great, he

said, my name is John, John Dilnot, I saw your

name on the letter I received from Christians

in Sport. How are you? How things going?. I

could tell he was a good lad, confident and yet down to earth. He continued, It would be

great to pray, shall we do it now. Nightmare!!

What was he thinking? I was a young lad, trying

to hide any sniff of faith that I had in front of

my teammates. Id get battered if they found out I went to church...occasionally. Before I

could say another word, with one hand on my

shoulder and the other raised above his head,

he belted out a loud prayer. Ill never forget it

It was a cold Wednesday evening in February 1995. The venue was the mighty fortress of Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United Football Club. The fixture was Carlisle Utd. Reserves v Lincoln City Reserves. It doesnt get more glamorous and that fixture is etched in the memory of many! Well, perhaps only for two young lads trying to make it in the world of professional football at the age of 17.

WERE IN THIS TOGETHER


or the looks of my teammates as they shuffled past us awkwardly in the tunnel.

Twenty years on and here I am, on the staff

team of an organisation called Christians in

Sport and just back from Repton School in Derbyshire, where 22 young performance

players and athletes (YPAs) and parents

have gathered for the afternoon. Of course,

because of my history, Im passionate about this group of young people. I want to help

them understand what I never did; that sport is

an incredible gift from God and can be played

as worship to Him if we see and cherish the

gospel and let it transform us.

Gatherings of YPAs have happened across

the UK over the last few years. We have tried

to identify young people, contact parents

and support each YPA according to their

needs. The gathering at Repton School gave

Ian LancasterUK Team Leader

Christians in Sport

us a great opportunity to speak with parents,

wrestle with tough issues such as Sunday sport

and consider what it looks like to be a Christian

there in the intense, pressurised world of youth

elite sport. Perhaps of greater significance, and in the way that John Dilnot did for me, we

hope that the encouragement of YPAs and

parents simply rubbing shoulders and sharing

experiences, will have left a long lasting mark

on them all that shouts out, were in this together.

Thanks John Dilnot - for that life-changing

memory from 20 years ago!

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6Do you ever wonder why your life has gone down a certain path and ask yourself what on earth am I doing here? In the aftermath of losing my Olympic trial in 2000 I was in that place. Aged 18, I had a plan for my life; to row full time for two years, compete in Sydney at the Olympics, and then become a veterinary surgeon. However God had other plans. I had just lost my place in the team and my dreams and hopes had disappeared.When I was young, I thought the fact that I

grew up in a Christian family, went to church

each week and had grandparents who

were missionaries automatically made me a

Christian and that meant I should always try

and do the right thing. It wasnt until I was 15 that I suddenly realised that being a Christian

was not automatic and about what you

do but that it was about having a personal

relationship with Jesus. It was something I had

to decide, a choice I had to make for myself

and that this relationship with Jesus was a free

gift that was there on offer for me to accept.

After giving my life to Jesus and becoming

a Christian aged 15, I already knew that the

talents I had been blessed with were leading

me into sport somehow. When I finished school I was on a mission to go to the

Olympics in any sport I could before carrying

Former GB rower and double Olympic medallist, Debbie Flood, shares her story.

What about those who do not get the medals? They are just as important to God as those who stand on the rostrum.Debbie Flood

YOUR STORY: DEBBIE FLOOD

on with my working life. I committed to two years in a new place away from family and

friends to row but then injury struck and I

ended up losing my Olympic trial in 2000

which instantly became the lowest point in my

life at that time. I questioned God and why he

had put me there - I thought I had wasted two

years of my life rowing. But then the tables

turned, and although I did not compete at the

Olympics that year, it ended up being one of

the best memorable years in my international

career. At that point when I looked back on

my life and clearly saw the path God had

brought me on, it reminded me that God really

did have my life in His hands and I needed to

trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the

Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own

understanding, but in all ways acknowledge

Him and he will direct your paths.

I have now spent half of my life as a full time

athlete, training day in day out, in the rain, wind,

snow, ice, hail and sunshine too. Pushing my

7christiansinsport.org.uk

body to its limits whilst trying not to tip over

the edge. Higher, Faster, Stronger becomes your existence in many ways to make the cut.

That dream of Gold was a big driving force

for me, but my main motivation was that God

had given me the talents and abilities that I

have and I wanted to use them and go on the

journey that He had placed me on. My real

identity is not in my successes, it is in my life

with Christ. In rowing I wanted to glorify Him

through my racing but also to honour Him

with my actions, win or lose. I do sport for an

audience of one and thats Jesus.

In some ways, being an Olympic athlete is

similar to being a Christian. You live with a hope

for the future, the light when the day comes.

You put your faith and belief in something

that you cannot yet touch or see in its fullness

until that final day. That whatever happens in the ups and downs along the way, although

your belief at times may be strong or weak,

you must keep faith that what you are doing

in your life every day is for a reason. But yet

knowing Jesus is more important than a gold

medal. Gold medals will ultimately be forgotten

and I wont be taking them with me when I pass away. In the light of eternity, knowing

Jesus surpasses everything else and is the

most important choice you will ever make in

your life. It was an honour and a privilege to be

able to represent my country at the Olympics,

but an even greater honour to be representing

Christ in my life.

Wed love to hear your stories - whether you compete for your school team or are heading to Rio! Email [email protected] with your story.

8The weekend began on Friday night with an evangelistic sports quiz, followed by a Clubhouse breakfast on Saturday to equip Christian sports players to share the good news with our sports friends, and ended with an evangelistic preach from Graham Daniels at various services on the Sunday.

Clubhouse was very helpful in equipping and

the preaching was clear and refreshing but

perhaps most encouraging of all was the

Sports Quiz, which took place in our main

church building and was attended by over

150 people. It was a varied and challenging

sports quiz in two halves, with a clear gospel

presentation in the middle. It was particularly

exciting to be part of an event which not

only attracted a number of sports players

from outside the church, but clearly appealed

equally to teenagers and adults alike. Some

CHURCH SPOTLIGHT:ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, SEVENOAKS

came with those from their sports clubs

and others entered the quiz as families. It is

tricky to find events that appeal across the age spectrum, and to both sexes, but that is

what sport does.

In January, Christians in Sport staff came to our church to lead a series of events, aimed at helping Christians involved in our local sports clubs to reach out with the gospel.

Simon HeatherYouth Minister

St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks

Wed love to hear your stories of how you are engaging and supporting your local sports communities. Email [email protected] with your story today.

The Sports Quiz was an excellent evening,mainly because Christians in Sport have worked hard in providing anexcellent resource which is tried and tested. I would strongly encouragelocal churches to take advantage of this sort of opportunity to assistthem in their gospel outreach. Rector Augus Maclean, St Nicholas Church, Sevenoaks

9Church .Vs. SportDoes it have to be this way?

Start watching at prayplaysay.com/sabbath

I created a Facebook group, openly stating my

motives, highlighting that I didnt want them to leave university without me plucking up the

courage to tell them about Jesus before they

graduated. This was done two weeks before

the meal so I was able to respond to queries

and bring it up and ask my teammates if they

could make it.

On the night, 19 of the mens hockey club came round for dinner, along with Dave and Jonny

from the Christians in Sport staff team. Kirsty,

a badminton player from my church, kindly

helped with the cooking. Before eating the

wonderful curry, I told the lads the plan for the

night; that we would have dinner, I would then

tell them my story, we would have dessert and

then Jonny, Dave and I would try and answer

any questions they had about anything of the

Christian faith. I also added that we would

be done by 10:30pm so that things werent overdone as such.

Praise be to God, telling my testimony was

fine and it was followed by half an hour of deep and meaningful questions. I had some

books of Johns gospel on the table for any

YOUR STORY: ROB SELLARUniversity of St Andrews Hockey player, Rob Sellar, shares his story.

This past year a load of the hockey boys were graduating, so I decided I would invite a group of the lads around to mine for dinner, where I would share my story of how I became to believe in Christ as my Saviour.

who were interested and nine were taken.

Another teammate even posted a photo on

his Instagram with the caption Great dinner

outdoors with the hockey boys having a chat

about faith tonight.

A few messages of appreciation and further

reasonings for personal beliefs were received

and friends of some of the boys that I bumped

into in the following days commented that

they heard that the spread was good and it

sounded very interesting.

It was a very positive event; the combination

of Gods faithfulness, support from Christians in Sport and church (St Andrews Free Church),

and a sustained, invested friendship with the

boys for three years. Hopefully one day some

of those boys will come to know Gods grace.

Friends, dont neglect the power of prayer and the importance of building relationships with

your teammates. Be bold in using Jesus name and take the opportunity you have to share

your story normally with your friends.

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.11

Start watching at youtube.com/ChristiansInSportUK

A video series exploring issues young sportspeople face in their sport.

Sports Plus Online has been so helpful to us as parents, as we help our children to think through how to play their sport as Christians.

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@TimChapman8 7th and

final year as a young person. What a week its been at @sportsplusCIS ca ca ca ca

Cameroon!

Serious sports action for the serious sports player #sportsplus2015

@zoekiziltan When you

wake up the day after

@sportsplusCIS and all your

Mum has to offer you for lunch

is a ham sandwich #Brecon

Bookings for Sports Plus 2016 will open in January 2016 watch this space!

@minimikier96 What a week!

Great time coaching at

@sportsplusCIS A pleasure and

a privilege as always! Until next

year.... #BeADiscipleMaker #GO

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@elenphant_ Best week

Ive had all year for sure, cant wait to come back next year

@sportsplusCIS

@ruby_sewell Best week

ever at Brecon 1 @CIS_UK roll

on next year as a trainee 1

@Benjamincutting Its been a quality week @sportsplusCIS

Jersey. We played sports,

shared Jesus and laughed, a

lot!! #sportsplus2015

Watch all the videos from Sports Plus 2015 including highlights of each camp at youtube.com/ChristiansInSportUK

@Jonwillis1998 Boss week

at Brecon 1! Now lets go and make Disciples of all nations

@MatteusTunstall Boss

week @sportsplusCIS

pleasure to be part of the

team #whodoyousayiam

#goandmakedisciples

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A SNAPSHOT OF THE WORK IN 2015 SO FAR

PARENTS AND YOUNG SPORTSPEOPLE

FUTURE LEADERS

THE LOCAL CHURCH

9 Academy students graduated from this years Academy programme. 6 Interns graduated from this years Internship programme. Church apprentices from churches across the UK took part in week-long sports mission

training events.

Prayer PointPray for the Academy and Interns as they move on to new universities, jobs, sports clubs and churches, that they would settle in well and be great witnesses for God.

700 young people attended Sports Plus - our summer sports camps. 1000s of pupils took part in assemblies, lessons, sport and talks given at 35 schools. 5 new episodes of Sports Plus Online were released. Over 100 young Christian sportspeople attended 6 Sports Plus Xtra training events across

the UK.

Prayer Point Pray for young Christian sportspeople returning to their clubs after Sports Plus, that they would boldly put into practice all that they learnt.

4,000 people came to sports guest events such as sports quizzes where a Christians in Sport speaker shared the gospel message. 40% of all attendees were guests.

62 churches requested The Sports Quiz DVD to put on their own quiz night where they ran a sports quiz and showed a video with a Christian message.

50 delegates from dioceses around the UK gathered in June to launch a National Sports Ministry Network, hosted by the Archbishops Sports Ambassador, Bishop Tony Porter. The purpose of the network will be to involve parish churches with the world of sport and to

share the good news of Jesus.

Prayer PointPray for Bishop Tony Porter as he leads the new task team, helping to engage all Church of England churches with their local sport communities.

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STUDENTS

ELITE SPORT

GLOBAL MISSION

Pray Play Say groups at 41 universities and colleges gathered each week. 1000s of students attended talks and sports events put on during week long missions led

in partnership with UCCF at 4 top sports universities - University of Birmingham, Durham

University, University of Bath and Northumbria University.

90 students attended the residential training event - Clubhouse Xtra. Over 40 guest events such as sports quizzes, dialogue dinners and sport tournaments were

hosted by Pray Play Say groups for their sports friends.

Prayer PointPray for Christian students starting university or college in September, that they would settle into a new church and sports club quickly and would stand firm in their beliefs with much temptation around them.

25 elite track and field athletes and coaches attended Bible studies led by Verite Sport and Christians in Sport before the Sainsburys Anniversary Games in July.

Staff travelled to the Rowing World Cup III in Switzerland to meet with athletes and coaches in the GB and German teams.

Over 200 elite athletes, coaches and parents of young performance athletes have been supported through bible studies, prayer and regular contact with the Christians in Sport

Performance Team.

Young Performance Athletes have gathered together to open Gods word in Belfast, Glasgow and Repton.

Prayer PointPray for Christian athletes and coaches competing in the IAAF World Championships in China.

Global sports leadership training was led by staff in countries including Moldova, Canary Islands, Spain, South Africa, Italy and the Middle East.

Staff helped facilitate and deliver training and strategic planning at Global sports leadership conferences held in America and the Middle East.

140 people from 27 countries attended the European Christian Sports Union (ECSU) Gathering in Italy, a four day conference held for those involved in sports mission across

Europe, where Christians in Sport helped to facilitate the event and train leaders.

Prayer PointPray that God would protect those who attended the global sports leadership training schools as they start to implement all they learnt, especially in countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.

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1. Download Prayermate. Prayermate is a free app which helps you keep track of

everything you want to pray for. Download it

and make a list of the sports friends you want

to pray for.

2. Get yourself a prayer card. Write the names of three sports friends you are praying

for on the back of a prayer card (you can get

one from [email protected] for free

or do a DIY job and just write them on a small

piece of card) and pop it in your wallet/purse.

When you see it, remember to pray for them.

3. Pick up a stone. On one side put the names of your sports friends. Put the stone on

your pillow and when you move it each night

and put it back each morning, pray for the

people on the stone!

4. Write a prayer journal. Keep a journal and write down who you are praying for and

what your prayers are. It can be an amazing

encouragement to look back and see how God

has been at work and also a challenge to keep

investing in and praying for people, and not to

give up on them.

5. Change your background. Change your phones background to a picture of your sports friends. When you see it pray for them.

6. Make a plan. One reason we dont pray is because we dont plan to pray! Think about each day and plan when youll put time aside to pray (it might be different each day but work

out a weekly plan).

7. Group prayer. If you meet as a group it is good to have a club/team focus each session,

in which you all spend time praying for one

persons club in the group. That person can explain a bit about the club they play in, what

the atmosphere is like, what the players and

manager/coach is like, what temptations there

are etc, and any specific requests that they have.

8. Pray as you go. Whenever someone rings you up or texts you, why not pray for them?

Once youve finished the call or replied to the text thank God that He made them and loves

them.

9. Fast from something you like. Have you thought about fasting and using that time

to pray for your friends? It might not be food

if you are training or competing but maybe

Facebook or your favourite TV series.

10. Tie some string. Tie a piece of string on your sports bag or water bottle. Every time you

see it pray for one of your sports friends.

10 TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU PRAY MOREAs sportspeople we have lots to pray about! We can thank God for the ability to play and the joy it gives, for boldness to act Gods way instead of the worlds way on the pitch and for the door to be opened to share the Christian message with our friends. Here are 10 tried and tested ways to remind you to pray.

For more resources to help you pray visit christiansinsport.org.uk/resources

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7 PPS.com 27th July - Kitty quoteDONE

Video-based Bible studies for

sportspeople

Start watching at prayplaysay.com

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Garin, what did it feel like to put on the Welsh shirt for the first time?

I always remember, I was digging a trench

in Pontypridd Park when I had the call to

say Id been selected for Wales. I can tell you, I stepped out that trench pretty quick!

It was a brilliant occasion; you just feel This

is it. Ive been picked for my country and this is all Ive dreamt about. In Wales, rugby is so big that when you put on that red

shirt you are representing your family, your

village and your country. And you make a

difference to how people go to work on a

Monday morning. And that expectation,

that responsibility, was always very much

respected by myself.

What is it about rugby that you love so much?

I just love the comradery that rugby brings.

Rugby union is a game that is for all sizes,

shapes, academic abilities. And you know,

being part of a rugby team, ultimately we all

join teams, you feel loved, you feel wanted.

Theres such a special bond in being part of a rugby team at international level, at

schoolboy level, youth level, club level.

Theres a special togetherness about the game of rugby union. And I just love that.

Some coaches worry that when a player becomes a Christian that they will turn soft. How would you respond to that opinion?

People say to me if you were a fully

committed Christian when you were playing

you wouldnt have had that hard edge. And I

always say I would have been a better player

because I would have had more control. I

wouldnt have been soft. When we look at the great players today who are followers

of Jesus Christ I dont see many of them as softies. They play hard, they play fair. I

think some people have a misconception of

Christians. We are loving, but I dont think we serve a God who wants us to just roll

over in whatever field Hes chosen for us to be in. I think people have the misconception

that God is this fluffy woolly character that we pull out of a lamp like a genie. I really

think that people need to maybe explore a

little bit more really and learn a little more

about the facts that are sometimes, well, a

bit mythical.

Youve played in three World Cups, won both league and cup honours with your club, not to mention scoring a try in Swanseas famous 21-6 rout of Australia in 1992. Did the success you earned on the rugby pitch leave you feeling fully satisfied?

No, sport cant fulfil you in every way. Ive been very blessed, Ive been to the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in

Africa, and I tell you what the views are

not great. And theres nothing at the top of the mountain. And its like that in sports. If sport was everything, why have we seen

great tennis players end up having nervous

breakdowns, weve seen cricket players struggling. So the question I ask is Why is

that, if sport is so fulfilling? Something else must be missing. You can win ten European

cups and think, well whats next? Youre

back pages went behind the scenes on set of The Two Sides of Sport (a new short film created for churches to use during the Rugby World Cup 2015) and caught up with Wales most capped hooker, Garin Jenkins.

BEHIND THE SCENES: GARIN JENKINS

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always on to the next thing. Its great to have ambition, its great to have dreams and you should continue with those, but its also great to realise that if those outcomes dont turn out the way you planned, that God is the

same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Its such a liberating fact. Its not a fact where you become ambitionless, its a fact that says God is head of everything and He has a

purpose for me. And all I have to do is play

my part and be the best that I can be. Get

the right satellite dish up, tune into God and

just follow his instruction.

Watch the full interview with Garin Jenkins and the 10 minute The Two Sides of Sport film at youtube.com/ChristiansInSportUK

Momentum is rapidly growing and key venue cities and churches are well under way preparing to make the most of this unique event, with the arrival of over 500k visitors imminent.

The Game Of Life Resource, and the Engage

Media Hub, having launched in June and July

respectively have been produced in partnership

with Christian Vision for Men, Christians in

Sport, HOPE and Scripture Union all under the

banner of Engage 2015.

With the launch of both our key resources,

The Game Of Life, and the Engage Media Hub

now complete, the Engage team has been

touring the UK in over 30 locations, equipping

and encouraging church leaders in engaging

with communities during and beyond Rugby

World Cup 2015. This tour includes events held

from Exeter to Newcastle, along with presence

at Momentum, New Wine and Keswick

Convention along with many of the other major

festivals this summer.

The response to the resources so far has

been strong, with leaders from churches and

communities across the UK sharing stories of

how they plan to use the Rugby World Cup

to engage with people. The summer festivals

have been witness to many stories. One church

leader told us New partnerships with our local

rugby club and the 12 churches within the area

has led to us planning to screen many of the

key games, with The Game Of Life DVD and many books having been purchased to give to

anyone interested in Jesus.

TIME IS TRULY TICKING UNTIL RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 KICKS OFF! Momentum is building and the clock is well and truly ticking as we reach 20 days until the worlds third largest tournament hits UK shores.

David Stretton-DownesHead of Communications

Engage 2015

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Subscribe online to receive our weekly email update, Engage Weekly and if you really want to keep on the pulse of the campaign, follow us on Twitter at @Engage2015! We look forward to sharing more amazing stories with you soon! For further details of the campaign, please email [email protected]


The ultimate resource for churches to engage with the Rugby World Cup 2015!

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This summer at New Wine, Christians in Sport

joined forces with The New Wine Late Night

Live (NWLNL) team to run The Big Quiz, and a big quiz it was! Our best guestimate is between 700-800 punters turned up for the

quiz, which featured three sports rounds, and

they loved it. 100+ teams could have thrown

the best, but the NWLNL team handled it all

with smooth precision! By half time wed nearly hit fever pitch and it just got better. Throw in

the chicken dance, dancing umbrellas, sublime

banter and a whole load of laughs and you

have a recipe for a top night. Not only did

a bunch of people have a great night, but

a whole new audience of churches around

the UK had the opportunity to experience

the buzz and to see the quality of a resource

that is serving churches around the UK to

build bridges, and share the greatest news

in the world, with people who havent as yet encountered the life changing power of the

gospel.

Stage two of our 48 hours at New Wine was

the seminar: Sport: a massive unreached sub-

culture. We arrived 20 minutes early to set up to find the room half full. We thought the seminar before had over-run only to discover

the people were there waiting for us! And

this was supposedly the grave-yard slot! The

small amphitheatre was packed with around

70 people passionate about sport and faith -

young people, adults, parents, church leaders

and even bishops all eager to engage.

For many in the room it was the first time they had ever been told the two worlds of sport and

faith are not opposed, but aligned. We shared

about the unique opportunity the mission field of sport provides to share the greatest news

in the world. We urged them to see the need

for missionaries, people who know the culture

and who can speak the language, to be sent

out from local churches to reach this world for

Christ. When people go to China or to serve the

poor we stick a pin on a map, attach a ribbon

and get them up for prayer, so why when so

many go to the world of sport do we frown and

suggest they may like to get serious about their

faith? Surely God knew that for such a time as

this he would need people who can be salt and light to the lost and broken world of sport? So

imagine what God might just do with an army

of passionate missionaries sent out by their

church! Imagine what gifts might be released!

Imagine what conversations might take place!

Imagine what eternities might be transformed!

When you have been around the world of

Christians in Sport for a number of years with

people who get it, you forget what it was like to get it or rather for it to get you, but it was so exciting to see the light going on in

peoples heads and hearts around the room. Linvoy Primus shared some of his story - a

life transformed by someone who was willing

to Pray Play Say and whom God then used

as he did the same. A life that has helped the

local church to build bridges and bring hope

to people in their community through sport.

So many encouraging conversations - not so

much about if, but about how! This may have

been the grave-yard slot, but we definitely saw people come to life. The baton has been passed

on again - the local church is the hope of the

world. Our final challenge was from the great prophet Nike JUST DO IT!

LIGHTS SWITCH ON AMONGST CHURCH LEADERS AT NEW WINE 2015

Steve MilesTeam Leader

The Source, Brackley

23

FEATURING Six-round rugby quiz

Rugby-themed short gospel film Interviews with three Christian rugby players

How-to guides to run your event

Request The Rugby Quiz package for your church at christiansinsport.org.uk/therugbyquiz

THE RUGBY

QUIZ

24

In June, a group of 40 Christians in sport and their sports friends jumped on a plane to Club La Santa in Lanzarote, the worlds no.1 sports holiday resort. Each day they took time to explore Gods word together and took full advantage of the over 30 different sports on offer. Long jumper Kitty Eleyae shares her story.

MORE THAN A HOLIDAY CLUB LA SANTA 2015

25

There was so much hype around the Christians in Sport trip to Lanzarote. Everyone was telling me how great it was going to be and how I was going to have an absolutely amazing time. If Im to be 100% honest, not only was the hype warranted, it was understated! To say that I had a fantastic time doesnt even cut it. It was so lovely getting to know other Christian sportspeople better and of course it was an absolute privilege for me to share the word of God with one of my best friends Amelia.

Amelia and I were very close before the trip to Lanzarote, but I really do think that Lanzarote brought us even closer together. It was such a good opportunity for me to share the most important part of my life with one of my closest friends. We have often talked about my faith, and she has been to church with me a few times, but it was nice to talk about it in a different environment and in a more structured way. In a way that didnt allow certain questions or topics to be swept under the carpet! It was also so good for me in my faith. It made me feel more confident in sharing my faith and assertive in what it is that I believe.

To be able to share my faith as well as attempting so many different sporting activities was just such a blessing. The facilities at Club La Santa are phenomenal. It was so enjoyable to try various sports that werent athletics. It was also a somewhat humbling experience. It would appear that I am not a very strong cyclist! I assumed that I would be relatively good at it, but I was more than out of breath after a mere ten minute cycle to the supermarket in town! I had my first ever tennis lesson which was a lot of fun. It turns out that I have no control over my power and no sense of direction! One thing that I was particularly good at was utilising the spa, 35 Euros for the weekBARGAIN!

Overall the trip was just fantastic. Hopefully Ill be able to bring more friends with me next year.


26

Our missionOur mission is to see local churches change

lives through sports.

What we doHigher Sports is a practical resource to equip

any church in any country make a difference

in its community with the life changing

message of Jesus. The coaching module and

the teaching packages are designed in such a

way as to enable church personnel to run them

without any external help.

Higher Sports is a 6-8 week course for

churches and schools involving sports coaching

and games together with Christian based

teaching. The material for each of these three

resources (rugby, football and games) allows

for an hour of coaching followed by a team

talk. The drills and coaching skills are clearly set out in the Higher Sports manuals with

accompanying diagrams, teaching points and

progressions. The implementation of these do

not require the Coach to be qualified in the sport but rather to have an enthusiasm and

enjoyment for working with young people in

the sporting arena.

The resource bag contains all that is necessary

to action the coaching and the teaching

sessions and allows for Higher Sports to be

presented in many forms:

As a course lasting several weeks culminating in an Awards Ceremony with a

guest speaker from the sporting world

As a sports clinic week Part of a summer camp programme As the basis of Churchs Holiday Week

programme

Integral part of a schools Physical Education programme with provision to include

delivery of key stage 2 values within the

classroom environment

Inclusion in a schools Religious Education programme with extended studies of the

team talk material

In 2015 Higher Sports became part of the

Scripture Union network and details of both

sports ministries can be found on both their

web sites: www.highersports.org

www.scripureunion.org.uk/sports

There are over 30 sports ministries in the UK, each doing their bit to make Christ known in and through sport. In the first of a series of features in which well be taking a look at other sports ministries operating across the UK and overseas, heres all you need to know about Higher Sports.

UK SPORTS MINISTRIES CORNER

Higher Games has been very successfully run in our community for the last two years with both schools and churches involved. The resource also mobilised many church members and friends to play active parts in the organisation and practical running of the event. It became very much home grown. Kings Church, Boston Spa

LETS GOCHURCH PACK

27

EVENTSClubhouseEvening events taking place across the UK, a chance for Christian sportspeople aged 16+ to meet in their local cities and be equipped to represent Christ in their clubs. More at christiansinsport.org.uk/clubhouse.

Sports PlusAn opportunity for Christians passionate about sport to serve as part of a team at our summer sports camps, whilst being equipped to be a Christian in sport themselves. More at christiansinsport.org.uk/sportsplus.

Sport-specific guest eventsGuest-friendly events put on around major sports events such as the Heineken Cup, where Christians from that particular sport can invite their friends along to hear something of the Christian faith. Find out what events are planned this year at christiansinsport.org.uk/events.

LanzaroteA holiday at the worlds no.1 sports holiday resort, Club La Santa, for Christian sportspeople and their friends to explore Christianity together and play sport. More at christiansinsport.org.uk/lanzarote.

RESOURCESBible studies and videosBible study notes, talks and videos designed specifically for sportspeople to explore the Christian faith and to think through what it means to be a Christian in the world of sport. Available for free at christiansinsport.org.uk/resources.

The Sports QuizA multimedia sports quiz resource to help you run your own guest-friendly event for sportspeople. Christians in Sport staff are available to run your event and give a short talk or you could go solo and run it yourself using The Sport Quiz DVD pack available at christiansinsport.org.uk/thesportsquiz.

ADULTS

LETS GOCHURCH PACK

EVENTS

Sports Plu

s

Summer sp

orts camps

for sports

people ag

ed 11-17; pa

cked days

of sport,

team activ

ities and tim

e exploring

the Christi

an faith an

d what it m

eans to

play for Go

d. Find mo

re informa

tion at chri

stiansinspo

rt.org.uk/sp

ortsplus.

Sports Plu

s Xtra

Training d

ays and ev

enings des

igned for y

oung spor

tspeople a

ged

14-17 to me

et others lik

e them an

d be equip

ped and en

couraged t

o

represent

Christ in th

eir sport. F

ind more in

formation a

t

christiansin

sport.org.u

k/sportsplu

sxtra.

Clubhouse

Evening e

vents takin

g place ac

ross the UK

, a chance

for Christi

an

sportspeo

ple aged 1

6+ to mee

t in their lo

cal cities a

nd be equi

pped to

represent

Christ in th

eir clubs. M

ore at chri

stiansinspo

rt.org.uk/c

lubhouse.

RESOURCE

S

Bible stud

ies and vid

eos

Bible stud

y notes an

d videos d

esigned sp

ecifically fo

r young sp

ortspeople

are on han

d to help th

em explor

e more ab

out the Chr

istian faith

and to he

lp

them think

through w

hat it mea

ns to be a

Christian i

n sport. W

hy not gath

er

together y

our young

sportspeo

ple and w

ork through

the studie

s with them

,

all availabl

e for free a

t christians

insport.org

.uk/resourc

es.

Night of C

hampions

A multi-sp

orts tourna

ment reso

urce pack

including a

ll the gam

es, ideas

and guides

to help yo

u run your

own gues

t event for

young spo

rtspeople

in

your churc

h and their

friends. D

ownload th

e resource

pack or req

uest the

Christians

in Sport st

aff to com

e and run i

t for you a

t

christiansin

sport.org.u

k/nightofc

hampions.

Schools

Christians

in Sport st

aff are ava

ilable to ru

n activities

in schools

, including

assemblies,

RE lessons

, PE and ga

mes, supp

orting Chris

tian teache

rs and

sporty pup

ils as we e

xplain the C

hristian m

essage. Fo

r more info

rmation on

support av

ailable for

schools vis

it christian

sinsport.or

g.uk/schoo

ls.

YOUTHT

RAININ

G PRO

GRAMM

ES

THE AC

ADEMY

A six-m

onth g

ap-yea

r progr

amme

for Ch

ristian

sportsp

eople a

ged 18-

19,

based

at the

Christia

ns in S

port offi

ces in

Oxford

shire. A

mix o

f front l

ine

mission

experie

nce in

the spo

rts wo

rld and

trainin

g to he

lp them

grow a

s

Christia

n sports

people

.

For mo

re info

rmation

on the

Acade

my vis

it

christia

nsinspo

rt.org.u

k/acad

emy.

THE INT

ERNSHI

P

A one-

year gr

aduate

trainin

g prog

ramme

for Ch

ristian

sportsp

eople; a

mix of

front lin

e missi

on exp

erience

in the

sports

world

and tra

ining to

help th

em gro

w as C

hristian

sportsp

eople a

nd futu

re lead

ers of

the wo

rk.

The sha

pe of t

he Inte

rnship

is depe

ndent o

n the se

t skill o

f the st

udent

(speak

ing, pa

storal,

admin

istratio

n, mark

eting e

tc.).

Trainin

g bloc

ks put o

n throu

ghout t

he yea

r are a

lso acc

essible

to

those o

utside

of the

forma

l intern

ship pro

gramm

e, who

are kee

n to be

equipp

ed for

ministr

y with

sportsp

eople in

their c

urrent r

oles e.

g. Chur

ch

appren

tices.

For mo

re info

rmation

on the

Intern

ship vis

it

EVENTS

University Pray Play Sa

y Grou

ps

Student-

led weekly

gathe

rings of Ch

ristian s

portspeople at unive

rsities, f

or

prayer and en

coura

geme

nt as the

y go o

ut into their s

ports clubs to s

hare life

and the Ch

ristian m

essag

e. Mo

re at christiansinsport.o

rg.uk/grou

ps.

Clubhouse

Evening

events tak

ing place a

cross the

UK, a ch

ance for C

hristian

sport

speople

aged 16+ to m

eet in

their local citie

s and be

equip

ped to

repres

ent C

hrist in the

ir club

s. More

at ch

ristiansinsport.o

rg.uk/clubhouse.

Clubhouse Xtra

A res

idential training ev

ent fo

r Christian sp

ortspeople

at un

iversity; talks,

seminars and s

essio

ns to he

lp stu

dents

live for Christ in

the u

nivers

ity sp

orts

culture. More

at ch

ristiansinsport.o

rg.uk/clubhousextra.

Sports Plu

s

An op

portu

nity for Christians pa

ssionate

about sport to serve

as pa

rt of a

team at our sum

mer sports ca

mps, w

hilst being

equip

ped to b

e a Ch

ristian

in sport

them

selve

s. More

at ch

ristiansinsport.o

rg.uk/sp

ortsplus.

Lanzarote

A holiday at the w

orlds no

.1 sports ho

liday resort, Clu

b La S

anta, for

Christian s

portspeople and their friends to e

xplore C

hristianity an

d play

sport

. More

at ch

ristiansinsport.o

rg.uk/lanzaro

te.

RESOURCES

Bible stu

dies and videos

Bible stu

dies, t

alks and videos de

signed s

pecifi

cally to he

lp sport

speople

explo

re the

Christian faith a

nd think

throu

gh what it means to be

a Christian

in the

unive

rsity sport

s culture

. More

at ch

ristiansinsport.o

rg.uk/re

sourc

es.

The Sports Qu

iz / Do

dgeball tourname

nts

Resourc

es to he

lp you run gu

est-friendly events for

unive

rsity sport

speople

.

Christians in Sp

ort staff are a

vailable

to run y

our event and g

ive a short

talk

or run

it yours

elf us

ing resourc

es found a

t christiansinsport

.org.u

k/events

.

STUDENTS

Athletes competing at an elite level experience unique pressures

and heavy training schedules mean regular church attendance can

sometimes be near impossible.

Therefore, Christians in Sport has a dedicated team that provide pastoral

support to professional and elite athletes across all sports and ages,

both those of Christian faith and those of no particular religious faith.

If there are performance level athletes, parents of young performance

athletes or performance level playing/coaching staff in your church

for whom this service would be helpful, please contact Pete Nicholas,

Performance Team Leader at [email protected].

The support of a church congregation to a high performing athlete is

huge. One of the first and best things a church leader can do to support

them

is to make a real commitm

ent to seek these people out and see

how they are doing. Even if you dont understand the sport, its not

about the sport, its about the person.

Linvoy Primus, Former professional footballer

PERFORMANCE ATHLETES

LETS GOCHURCH PACK

Order the Lets Go church pack and share the vision of Christians in Sport with your church.

christiansinsport.org.uk/letsgo

WHY IS PRAYER SO IMPORTANT?

1. Aim of study

To understand the importance of prayer when trying to represent Jesus to our friends.

To help us commit to praying for our friends who are involved in sport.

Jesus instructions in Matthew 6:6 (and pray to your Father, who is unseen) gives us a backdrop to understanding the heart of what prayer is, and it seems that its no more complicated than this: PRAYER IS TALKING TO GOD.

Prayer can sometimes seem boring, predictable and not much fun. But as the Pray Play Say model shows, it is hugely important. So why should we pray?

Read Colossians 4:2-4.

How seriously do you think Paul takes prayer?

What word at the beginning of verse 2 does Paul use in advising how these Christians should pray?

In real life what does this look like for you?

What should this look like for you?

What should we pray for here alongside the Colossian Christians (verse 3)?

What is Gods role in prayer from this verse?

Do you see your prayers as this important? Paul says we must start with prayer when trying to represent Jesus amongst others. We must start by asking God to do his work before we can even begin to think about doing ours.

From verse 3, how much do we know about Pauls dedication to making the good news of Jesus known?

Paul is not only interested in proclaiming the good news of Jesus, but he wants to proclaim it well. It means everything to Paul even his life, as we know that he is in prison (chains) when writing this letter because of what he believes in.

Pray for three friends who you are playing sport with. Write a prayer asking God for him to play his part and to help you to play your part.

1. AIM OF STUDY

2. GET READY

3. GET SET

4. GO, GO, GO

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY

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

28

29


Mentors are priceless. One of my seminal mentors, Mark Ashton, when vicar of St Andrew the Great in Cambridge, once preached a series of three sermons on Matthew 9-10, unpacking the mission of Christ and its amazing beauty and cost. I have cloned it and used it scores of times to encourage friends, fellow sportspeople and churches to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Now Ive found the book to give to those people that captures the heart of Jesus words in Matthew 9-10. In Honest Evangelism, Rico Tice, with Carl Laferton, takes us to the heart

of the issues raised in these great chapters.

Tice begins and ends his book (Chapters 1 and

8) at the heart of the issue; the undeniable

acknowledgement that evangelism brings

hostility but that by crossing this pain line, the door can be opened to revealing and satisfying

the hunger in anothers heart.Chapters 2-4 help us to understand and to

feel (that thing so easy to acknowledge for us

Celts, but sometimes so hard to admit for other

nations) why we shirk away from sharing this

Good News. How quickly we forget Gods glory, the joy of Heaven and the terror of Hell. How

hard it is to see our idolatry for what it really is,

the replacement of Christ with an alternative

BOOK REVIEW:

HONEST EVANGELISM BY RICO TICEReview by Graham Daniels, General Director, Christians in Sport

vision for our safety and value in life. Finally,

we get a feel of why Gods sovereignty, grace and power are a reminder that it is eminently

possible for any of us, however weak we are,

to pass on the Good News. What a fabulous

analysis of ourselves and our church culture but

a generous critique that makes the reader look

in the mirror and determine to change, rather

than out of the window to condemn another.

In the second half of the book, beginning at

chapter 5 and culminating in the excellent

unpacking on the great king and his

compassion in chapter 10, Tice helps us to see

what tools we need to be able to handle a

renewed motivation to share the Gospel. The

three words we need to base our content on

if we are to get to the heart of the message

are identity, mission and call and the way to end up in conversations explaining these ideas

about Jesus is to be as normal as possible!

Be friendly, ask questions, be yourself (heres hoping you know how to be friendly!). In other

words, go and dont wait for people to come to your church event. Those days are fast

disappearing and if you wont go, who will?

Honest Evangelism is a fabulous book. It speaks

to the head and the heart, it motivates the will

to get to work in passing on the Good News

through normal, everyday relationships with

your team mates, friends and family. Get hold

of it, read it and be prepared to cross the pain

line. Itll be worth it!

Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice is available to purchase for 7.99 from thegoodbook.co.uk

In the minds of many parents and young people, sport and faith just dont mix. Each year, through the work of Christians in Sport, thousands just like Paulines son, take the opportunity to explore a personal faith in Jesus Christ and what it looks like to be a Christian sports player.

With your help, wed love to see:

More young people attending Sports Plus, our multi-sport summer camps for 11-17 year olds.

Students, particularly those at the top 50 ranked BUCS universities and colleges, being better supported through weekly groups, leadership training and partnerships with churches.

New interactive media and training opportunities being made available to help young sportspeople throughout these formative 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

PARENTS

Pauline, Parent After Sports Plus I recall my son telling me that the two parts of his life had come together and made sense. He knew now that he could play sport as a Christian. He was challenged by each Sports Plus camp and grew in his faith every year.

30

AND YOUNG SPORTSPEOPLE

31


ID LIKE TO SUPPORT CHRISTIANS IN SPORT!My detailsTitle________Fullname_______________________________________

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OR

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My gift aid declarationBy gift aiding your donation, it adds 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you, the donor. If youd like to Gift Aid it, please read the declaration below, then sign and date.

I would like Christians in Sport (registered charity no. 1086570) to reclaim on my donations. This declaration covers all donations I make in the future and those in the last four years. I am a taxpayer and will advise Christians in Sport if my circumstances change. Please treat all qualifying gifts of money made as gift aidable donations.

Signature_______________________________Date____________

(Bank use only: Pay to Christians in Sport Account Number: 44650000. Sort code: 515000 National Westminster Bank.)

About Christians in SportOur mission is to reach the world of sport for Christ. Formed 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 [email protected]

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

Registered Charity number for England and Wales 1086570

Registered Charity number for Scotland SC045299

Company number 4146081

Christians_in_Sport ChristiansinSportUK

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back pages magazine - Summer 2015