Enthusiastic response to distribution activity at Pan-American Games

The distribution of religious materials is not usually permitted at sporting events in the Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The fourteenth Pan-American Games opened in Santo Domingo on August 1 amid considerable controversy. Many observers still had serious doubts about whether this event, which brought together more than 5,000 athletes from 42 countries, would run smoothly, given the many difficulties that had characterised the preparations. Indeed, problems including electricity and water shortages continued to provide challenges for the organisers throughout the Games.

Despite these practical obstacles, the Dominican Republic Bible Society’s work at the Pan-American Games proved very successful. The distribution of religious materials is not usually permitted at sporting events in the Dominican Republic, but the Bible Society received permission from the Organising Committee to place a New Testament in the backpack given to each competitor. Furthermore, thanks to the assistance of many enthusiastic volunteers it was able to offer Portions and Selections to Games employees and visitors.

The response was extremely positive: many athletes received their New Testament with great interest, and “there was hardly a sporting event at which we didn’t see some members of the public reading a Bible Portion or Selection,” according to General Secretary Ramón Cornielle. The Society also obtained permission to hold a number of meetings and concerts, and on each occasion several athletes attended and spoke about the blessings they had received from the Scriptures.

Apart from large-scale distribution, the most significant aspect of the Bible Society’s involvement with the Pan-American Games was the favourable impression it made on the officials. This was highlighted at the celebration event held after the Games ended on August 17, when the Society was presented with a plaque recognising its contribution to the event’s success.
“We praise God for this work,” concludes Mr Cornielle. “To him be the glory.” (WR 381/19 - 11.03)

Part of More Than Gold

The Dominican Republic Bible Society’s involvement in the Pan-American Games was carried out as part of the More Than Gold sports outreach initiative. The following statement explains this initiative’s aims:

“The phrase ‘more than gold’ has more than one meaning. To the athletes in the Olympics, it means they have worked long years to achieve success in winning a gold medal – and all that goes with it. To hundreds of Olympic gold medallists who have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, though, the phrase means something far more important. It means they realise that their faith is worth ‘more than gold’ (1 Peter 1:7). These Olympians are choosing to partner with churches and ministries in every country with this goal: To let people know that even though they desire a gold medal, their faith is worth More Than Gold.” (Source:www.gospelcom.net/morethangold)