Elite athlete training

Bible Society NSW has started working with elite athletes, to help them give their testimony and take opportunities to speak about Jesus in the media and through their own personal witness.

Bible Society has partnered with Sports and Leisure Ministries and Athletes in Action, running sessions for elite athletes. It was hosted by Jason Smith and C J Bruton of the Australian Boomers and Sydney Kings and Marty Wilson from the NSW Waratahs.

The training covered three different topics. Bible Society CEO Daniel Willis led a session on ‘How to give your testimony’, Glenn Daniel, Group News Director of the Australian Radio Network spoke about ‘How to use the media to tell people about Jesus’, and chaplain Gary Speckman addressed the issue of ‘Winning for Jesus’.

25 athletes and chaplains attended the training day, held at Bible Society premises at Macquarie Park. The response from the day was very positive. Everyone involved wentaway wanting more!

Here are just two of the responses: ‘Excellent work on encouraging athletes to step out in their field to share the truth. Very empowering.’ - Sid Tapia, pro skateboarder.

‘I enjoyed every minute. Looking forward to more!’ - CJ Bruton, Sydney Kings, Australian Boomers.

Gary Speckman rates the event as excellent – ‘It has helped elite athletes equip themselves for greater effectiveness in their mission field of sport. They have a strategic role as influencers in reaching Australia with the Good News of Jesus' love and forgiveness.’

Bible Society, with its partners, plans to run further training sessions and aims to publish testimony cards for athletes to hand out to sporting fans. We also plan to publish a New Testament with articles from Australian athletes and help promote elite athletes speaking in schools and at other events.

If you wish to have further information on running or helping to fund such events, please contact Chris Melville, Programmes Manager on (02) 9870 5609.

Back