alive @ 2010

Trinity is buzzing with activity as final preparations are made. Excited chatter fills the hallways as information booths are set up. Christian DVDs, Bibles, Gospels of St. Mark, More Than Gold pins, and Lutheran Hour Ministry booklets are placed on the tables with the prayer that the Holy Spirit will speak to someone’s need and bring that person to faith in Jesus Christ. Don Hindle says, “The Share The Joy Table has a bulletin board with a map of the world. We will have many pins out that people can put in the map so we can know where they came from. I’m hoping to see the number of pins grow on the map each day.”

What a blessing … to partner with so many Christian organizations and congregations! The Gideons have supplied many Bibles (mostly Chinese). Tobias Communications has provided Christian DVDs like: The Jesus Story for Children. The Canadian Bible Society has printed inexpensive Gospels of St. Mark and New Testaments. More Than Gold has made pins that proclaim a salvation message using the Olympic colours. Project Connect booklets have been supplied by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Local societies of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Lutheran Church — Canada congregations of the ABC District have provided funds so that witness materials might be purchased. Fusion International and Athletes in Action are working with the people of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Congregations, across Canada have been praying for the outreach efforts of all the Christian churches in Metropolitan Vancouver. Members from local Christian churches have volunteered to serve as workers over the next 2 1/2 weeks.

Indeed, what a blessing to be partners in the Gospel!

The aroma of coffee beans being brewed filled the air as more than 200 people from the community gathered at Trinity for a first-hand look at the Olympic torch! Children sipped hot chocolate as they giggled with delight at the prospect of having their picture taken with the torch while other children were awed by the balloon sculpting.  Some of the participants warmed themselves in the gym as they watched the big screen television.

Torch Arrives at Trinity

Most of the participants came to Trinity to take advantage of the free parking so that they could participate in the Olympic torch ceremonies that took place across the street from the church … at the “O-Zone,” but they got so much more than free parking and a shorter time to stand in a line to see the torch!  They received a foretaste of the Trinity hospitality that will be shared with the community throughout the Olympic Games.  Don Hindle, the lead organizer of Trinity’s Olympic outreach efforts, said, “It was a great way for us to connect with people before the Olympics begin.” Many of the attendees commented that they didn’t know that Trinity existed … even though they have driven by the church building numerous times!  Many others expressed appreciation for Trinity’s hospitality and looked forward to stopping in for a coffee during the Olympic Games.

Now, Trinity is on their map!