Okay here is my bias. I really like the Olympics. Some of you will stop reading now because you don’t agree with me, and that’s okay. I like the competition. I like the national pride that is generated when together we cheer for Canadian athletes. I’m looking forward to spending time wandering through pavilions where I will learn about other cultures. I do understand there are many problems with the IOC. I do understand the dollars that are spent to host the games. I do understand how those dollars could be used to help the marginalized of our society. Within our churches we have differing perspectives. In order to get their point across some believe the Olympics need to be protested, while at the same time others believe their point is better made by becoming engaged with people in the festivities.

Let me tell you about what is happening on Keats Island during the Olympics. Keats Camps and Barnabas Family Ministries are hosting (in cooperation with many organizations) an International Prayer Conference. Hundreds of volunteers during the games will ask people how they can pray for them. Those prayer requests will be shared with the intercessors on the Island, who not only will be praying for them, but will also share the requests with their own organizations scattered around the world. And not only will these people be taking individual or specific prayer requests, at the same time they will be praying for the games, the city of Vancouver, our province and our country, but also for Keats Island and how God may use these ministries to further glorify himself in the future.

I know the games are not Christ centered, but my prayer is that we as believers can be God honoring in the way we welcome the world.

Blessings,

Rob