ADVERTISING
Kingdom values have helped bring radical transformation in society precisely when Christians understood their calling to be salt and light in the public square.
The center has chaplains and prayer spaces, representing Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism.
Rio 2016 Olympic Village
The Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, will bring together athletes from all nations, faiths and backgrounds, becoming the largest interfaith gathering in the world.
More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries will compete in the Rio 2016 Olympics. During its busiest periods, the Rio 2016 committee expects over 17,000 athletes and officials will be living in the Olympic village.
MULTI-FAITH CENTER
To satisfy the spiritual needs of the world athletes competing in Rio, Olympic and Paralympic Village features a multi-faith center with chaplains and prayer spaces, representing Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism.
The centre opened its doors on July 24 and is operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the end of the Paralympic Games on September 21.
Each of the religions has their own worship space, able to hold roughly 50 people at any time, with different spaces available for Muslim men and women, who frequently pray separately.
According to the Rio 2016 website, chosen religions for the center were based on the faith composition of the athletes slated to compete in the Olympic Games. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism are each represented by four chaplains, while four Roman Catholic chaplains and four Protestant chaplains are present to serve the needs of Christian athletes.
Father Leandro Lenin Tavares, a Rio de Janeiro priest coordinating the center explained that, although those are the faiths repersented, the center is able to “accept people from any religion, including spiritism and Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda.”
Religious leaders from around the world, representing at least five major faiths gathees at the Olympic Village
“A QUIET PLACE”
“Our job is to provide athletes with a place where they can find comfort and spiritual peace, whatever their religion”, Father Leandro said in a statement. “We are a symbol of peace, brotherhood and the unity of people.”
Lenin added that "each individual working at the centre is well-versed in interreligious dialogue, and will be able to help people connect with the appropriate individuals who can help build their faith."
"We all believe in dialogue and brotherhood between religions. Our mission is to provide athletes in the village with whatever spiritual assistance they may need", he affirmed.
Christian chaplain Carl Dambman said spiritual leaders are at the Olympics to advise and encourage people. "We have Bible studies, we have prayer time, or we just give them a quiet place to be with themselves."
ASSISTENCE AND SUPPORT
"The athlete not only needs to have someone who he can celebrate with at the moment he wins, but he also needs a friend's shoulder when he realizes something didn't go as expected. The centre is not only a place where you find support. It's also a meeting spot where people can find help and assistance", priest Leandro Lenin pointed out
“Athletes come to the chaplains and worship spaces to pray for success, but also to mourn losses, celebrate victories, and receive support for any other concerns present in their lives at the moment” , Tavares added.
Dambman said he had ministered to competitors who have had deaths in their families, experienced injuries and who are grappling with depression.
Ask God to help you show love to all, even though some may not want to accept it.
Resins are organic secretions produced by many plants with the aim of providing a natural protection against insects, fungi and other pests.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Arie de Pater: Refugees deserve a fair and efficient process
The Brussels representative of the European Evangelical Alliance offers a Christian perspective on the crisis: “We can’t reduce people to just a number that needs to be controlled”.
IFES World Assembly: ‘Messengers of Hope’
Students, graduates and staff of the global evangelical student movement reflected together on how the books of Luke and Acts apply to today's universities.
Christians at work - the missing link in fulfilling the Great Commission
Photos of the Lausanne Movement Global Workplace Forum, celebrated in Manila.
European Freedom Network Bridge 2019 conference
Images of the fifth EFN gathering. Experts, activists, counsellors and church leaders met in Pescara, Italy.
Glimpses of the ELF 2019 conference
Evangelical leaders from across Europe meet in Wisla (Poland) to network for mission in a range of fields. The vision is to renew the biblical church and evangelise Europe.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
Chinese Homecoming Gathering: Thousands say 'we’re one'
Christians from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and North America, from different ethnic backgronds, came together to pray for unity as the body of Christ.
How have global missions changed over the last century?
The centre of gravity of Christianity has shifted from Europe to Africa, says Nana Yaw Offei Awuku, Director of the Lausanne Younger Leaders Generation initiative.
Christian organisations call to pray for new British Prime Minister
Representatives of the National Day of Prayer, the Evangelical Alliance and CARE express the need for churches to pray for the new leadership of a country divided by Brexit and other issues.
Practical ways to direct our hearts toward spiritual growth
“It is not our initiative, it is not working for ourselves, it is gazing to Jesus and responding to Him. It is the language of inclining the heart that we see in Psalms”, said Peter Mead, Director of Cor Deo.
Evangelical students from around the world gather in South Africa
A short video summary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) World Assembly, July 3-10.
GWF in Manila: “Kingdom building requires global collaboration”
850 from 108 countries met for the Global Workplace Forum, June 25-29. The gathering was organised by the Lausanne Movement. “Every workplace is a place of ministry”.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or