UNIC Rio / Pedro Andrade SEPTEMBER 2016 EDITION Passion on Display This summer five media profess- ionals were in Rio reporting for Passion for Sport. One prayer request throughout their time was to gain access to athletes in order to interview them – a prayer request that was answered on a number of occasions. Passion for Sport reporter, Norman Brierley spoke to Michael Johnson (right) who you will recognise from his work with the BBC commentary team. Johnson had a distinguished career in track and field where he inset) taking the gold; Kirani James there’s a won four Olympic Gold medals and from Grenada the silver and the powerful eight World Championships and, USA’s LaShawn Meritt taking the God out until these Games, held the 400m bronze. More than that, van Niekerk there, world record for 17 years. He retired broke Johnson’s 400m world record, pushing us in 2000 and now, as well as working winning from the outside lane – the all to the as an athletics pundit, he has also first man to win from lane eight next level. developed a sports business and is since Eric Liddell in 1924. It’s just Getty Images for IAAF involved in charitable sports ventures. about us to leave “You know I have a passion for sport “a powerful God… it all in his hands and trust in him.” and one thing that is consistent pushing us to Silver medallist Kirani James is also amongst all three of those things… all a follower of Jesus Christ. Before of those organisations and all of the the next level.” the Games in Rio he competed at the things I’m involved with are related to IAAF Diamond League meeting in sport. So my passion has always been The secret of success Birmingham in June where he spoke sport. I couldn’t imagine not being Norman spoke to Wayde van Niekerk to Norman about his Christian faith involved with sport,” said Johnson. at last year’s Anniversary Games in and athletics. Interviewed ahead of the 400m finals, London, where he told Norman the “I think just knowing that regardless Norman pressed him for a prediction secret of his success: of the result that I’m not doing this of the results. “Niekerk, Merritt and “It’s all thanks to the Lord. Everything for me, that there’s always a higher James will all take the medals but I that comes my way, I thank the Lord. power and I’m doing it for God can’t tell you the order.” I live every race, every step I take in because he’s the one that needs to He was totally on the money with his hands. get all the glory anyway. Regardless the final result being Wayde van “I’m doing what I’m doing today… to of the result of the race, his love for Niekerk from South Africa (right, try and inspire others and show them me doesn’t change.” passionate about sport · passionate about jesus Destination Rio! – After the summer THANK YOU to our supporters • A range of interviews, testimonies ABOVE: The team on Copacabana beach for donating so generously to and features were recorded for From left to right: Tom Ellis, Norman Brierley, the Destination Rio! project broadcast in our Planet Sport Andy Bloss, Pete Ellis and Pedro Arias specifically supporting the and Planet Sport Football Africa Below: The team at work! work of reporting from the programmes Andy Bloss, print journalist Olympic Games this summer. • 8 online blogs were posted on “Sport is fantastic – it throws up the We are thankful for the many www.passionforsport.com prayers offered on our behalf. most incredible stories. But it can also shed a light on what is happening The team remained safe and well Team Reflections: in the background. What we found, and experienced several answers Pete Ellis, IT Manager more so now than during the World to prayer during their time in Rio. “Rio is an energetic city full of life Cup, is the importance of community. These ranged from establishing and colour. Most people don’t As people turn away from politicians, a good internet connection for have much money but are very fed up with broken promises, many posting material and general community minded and friendly.” are relying on help and strength communication, to gaining access to from those around them. athletes for interviews. The church Norman Brierley, radio producer where they were staying gave and team leader One such example in Curicica was some great practical support from “A great atmosphere, especially at the role of the church we were excellent accommodation to help football and where Brazilians were staying at. Giving out clothes and with translation. We thank God for on show for their athletes. There food to those who needed it, giving all that we were able to achieve. were special places such as the advice (not just prayer) to those Olympic Boulevard where it was who were in troublesome situations. buzzing. Also Brazilians were always Visiting drug addicts, shunned and In Short… happy to help, share a joke and are forgotten by many, to give them • A team of 5 media professionals easy to chat with.” their first proper meal in a week. reported for Passion for Sport from Rio • Radio features were supplied to over 1680 broadcasters in English and Spanish in countries including Australia, Gambia, Namibia, North, South and Central America, South Africa, New Zealand, Kenya, Ireland and the UK • Stories and interviews were posted on magazine and newspaper websites in the UK and Australia. It is only because of the Passion for Sport Olympics that we can highlight what is going on here.” PRAYER POINTS Tom Ellis, multi-media Please remember in prayer the producer “Our time in Rio events in our calendar below. Also: was an amazing experience. g We were fortunate enough to Our second annual Ten Pin Bowling witness some incredible sports Competition takes place across moments, hear some inspiring October. Pray that many churches and encouraging testimonies, will register teams to take part for and experience the impact a a fun evening that raises money for local church is having in its Passion for Sport. community through outreach, g Give thanks that over 1600 radio social and sports projects. stations broadcast our reports, interviews and features from Rio I think the content we ABOVE: Andy and Tom in the International Media Centre during the Olympic Games. Pray produced offers a different BELOW: Tom Ellis interviews the leader and coach of that those who heard Christian insight into some of the stories a church football project in Curicica athletes talking about their faith surrounding the Games. It will be challenged to become is hopefully encouraging, followers of Jesus. inspiring, informative and thought-provoking. It also g Pray for our two radio programmes, provides a voice to people, Planet Sport and Planet Sport giving them a chance to talk Football Africa, as sports fans about their faith or their story. listen every week to news, This may prove to be important interviews and discussions with for them but it can also have a a Christian perspective. Pray that profound impact on those who God will use these programmes to listen. Our hope is that people draw listeners to himself. will be encouraged, inspired g On 23 October we are holding a and challenged by these Gift Day to support Passion for stories and come to know the Sport. Pray that many will consider love of Jesus through them.” prayerfully how they should support this ministry as we seek to introduce sports fans to Jesus through media. National Ten Pin Bowling Competition CALENDAR 2016 Enjoy a great night out Ten Pin Bowling this October 30 September in support of Passion for Sport Team meeting, Worthing October This is a great all-age social event Ten Pin Bowling Competition. for your church. Go bowling and: Register your team online at • Have a great social time together www.passionforsport.com – raise money for PfS and win prizes! • Compete against other teams from around the country 1 October 10:30-13:30 Trustees meeting, • Win prizes Worthing • Raise money for Passion for Sport to 1 October support our two weekly radio programmes 14:30-16:00 Annual General Meeting, Visit www.passionforsport.com to find out more Worthing. All welcome. (Broadwater Church Centre, 117 Supporting Passion for Sport Broadwater Road, Worthing, BN14 8HT) Our two weekly programmes, Planet Sport and Planet Sport Football Africa, have 12-13 October growing audiences. Planet Sport is now broadcast on 60 stations in 19 countries Christian Resources Exhibition and Planet Sport Football Africa is broadcast on 40 stations in 14 countries. South East, Maidstone. Come along and visit our stand! Kent Event Every £4 raised will enable listeners to one of our partner stations to hear 15 minutes of one of the programmes. That’s £16 for one hour. This is fantastic Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, value for money where a small amount can make a real difference. Maidstone, ME14 3JF 23 October How much can you raise? Gift Day Shining a Light on Refugees Of particular interest at this “You have to understand year’s Olympic Games was the that for them they have Refugee Olympic Team. This was never been an athlete the first time a group of refugees because there was no had been selected to compete place for them to train. But today, since October under the Olympic flag, clearly last year up to now I see highlighting the issue of refugees a world class runner.” and displaced people.