As 2008 Olympics Close, Effects are Far-reaching as Medal Winning Olympians Have their Testimonies distributed in the Underground Church
"I was singing a Gospel song based on the Bible verse Joshua 1:9. This verse actually carried me to a winning toss, and I knew that whatever happened at the end of the day I was not afraid of loss or success…"
(MADISON, WISCONSIN)—The Christian testimonies of four medal-winning Olympic athletes have been circulated worldwide—including in the underground Chinese church—for more than two years.
According to a news release from 4 Winds Christian Athletics, which initiated the distribution of the testimonies, their audience in the underground church alone is probably in the millions. (Photo: 4WCA.org)
The four athletes whose testimonies were consistently distributed won five Olympic medals between them. They are Stephanie Brown Trafton (discus gold), Bryan Clay (decathlon gold), Allyson Felix (200 meter silver, 4 by 400 meter gold), and Nick Willis from New Zealand (1500 meters bronze).
According to 4 Winds, track and field experts said Brown Trafton and Willis were not expected to gain medals.
Speaking in the news release, 4 Winds President Steve McConkey explained how the project began. He said in 2006 he received an unexpected call from a Chinese pastor asking permission to take the testimonies into the underground church. The pastor had seen the testimonies on the ministry's website.
In addition to their use by this pastor, McConkey said that two organizations also used the testimonies to encourage the underground church. One of the two groups used radio broadcasts from surrounding free countries.
McConkey said that following their medal-winning performances, the four athletes talked about their faith.
According to 4 Winds, Brown Trafton told NBC, "I was singing a Gospel song based on the Bible verse Joshua 1:9. This verse actually carried me to a winning toss, and I knew that whatever happened at the end of the day I was not afraid of loss or success. Winning or coming in tenth place did not determine my worth as a person, but my worth in God's eyes is much more than a gold medal."
The news release said Willis told Fairfax Media in New Zealand that before his winning performance, he and his brother Stephen prayed. Stephen "thanked (God) for everything that had built for this moment. We just wanted to enjoy it ... We just offered this race back up to Him."
Felix said on her website, "In the season of my life that I am in now, I feel so blessed that God has given me the talent of running. My running is an amazing gift from God, and I want to use it to the best of my ability to glorify Him."
The news release said that Clay was tired after winning the grueling two-day decathlon that started in the rain. During his last event on NBC television, the announcers were saying that Clay rebounded after his parent's divorce. What they did not mention, 4 Winds reported, was that he became a committed Christian and turned his life around.
4 Winds Christian Athletics is an evangelistic and teaching ministry specializing in track and field. For more information go to www.4WCA.org.
