More Than Gold believes London 2012 provides 'unique opportunity' for UK churches to be 'seen for what they really are'

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

Churches in Britain are planning to use the 2012 Olympic Games in an attempt to boost their profile and attract members.

More than Gold is an initiative which was launched during the 1996 Atlanta Games with the aim of persuading Christian communities to focus on sporting events as a way to increase their presence and numbers.

It brings together more than 60 Christian denominations and agencies including the Evangelical Alliance, the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and counts Lord Mawhinney and the United Utilities chief executive, Philip Green, among its trustees.

Its website says the London event provides a "unique opportunity" for UK churches to be "seen for what they really are". A national tour is already under way to encourage churches to take part.

Peter Meadows, a More than Gold spokesman, said the aim was not coercion but the promotion of Christianity.

"It's a way to promote Christianity, it's about being Christian and encouraging people to believe. It's about the church living out its faith. It is not a rearguard action," he said.

Organisers hope that a combination of sports camps, holiday clubs, creative arts and community festivals will give churches "a wonderful opportunity to build bridges with local people and the international community.

"This should lead to many being open to knowing more regarding the good news about Jesus. Some will have been impressed by the service and help they have received. Others may have had significant conversations about faith, God and Jesus Christ," Meadows added.

He said the group would have no objections to Muslims and other faiths carrying out similar activities. "It's a free country. This won't be a competition between religions," he said.

Trained by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, the group's most recent outing was in Vancouver last February, when thousands of volunteers handed out coffee and hot chocolate and initiated conversations with members of the public.

Prayer stations were set up and Olympic-edition Gospels of Mark from the Canadian Bible Society were distributed in an attempt to capitalise on the mass appeal of the winter Games.

The 2012 drive will culminate in a visit to the View Tube, an activity centre adjacent to the Olympic Park in London.

At the Vancouver event, chief executive Karen Reed said: "We envision the More than Gold network to pioneer new ways for the entire Christian community to collaborate in significant ways to build the kingdom. The Olympics has been the catalyst to form the network – and to work together in outreach efforts to the thousands of visitors and athletes and locals."

The Salvation Army said briefings about More than Gold were "vital" for churches, regardless of their proximity to London.

Sarah Jane Alley, its More than Gold co-ordinator, said: "Every church should come and hear what is on offer and how More than Gold can help them make the most of this exciting opportunity to share Jesus's love."