BEIJING (BP)--After all the talk about pollution, Internet censoring and human rights abuses, the 2008 Olympic Games are almost here. The opening ceremony on Aug. 8 will kick off the first Olympics in China, and hundreds of thousands of foreigners will pour into Beijing for the 17-day event. Among them will be a number of Southern Baptists who will participate in a variety of ministry and outreach opportunities. "Because it is a global event, you have the opportunity to touch the whole world all at once," said Jean Cullen, ministry consultant at the Woman's Missionary Union. "In one minute you're speaking to one person from one country, and the next you're speaking to another person from another country. Your witness has a lot of bang for the buck." Four teams of WMU volunteers will be serving in Beijing during the Summer Olympics, and will be involved in such activities as pin trading, festivals and cultural exchanges. They will also be involved in prayer walking around the city. Cullen said Olympic ministry is especially fitting for people who are outgoing and can easily engage others in conversation. "Usually people who are there to attend the Olympics are very open to talking," Cullen said. "One of our hopes with this particular Olympics is that we'll have the opportunity to engage Chinese people." Normally such ministry is no cause for concern at Olympic events. But this year could be different, as religious freedom in China is much more limited than in previous host countries. "The volunteers have to be aware of what's acceptable in the country," Cullen said. "That's always an issue, but I would say there's more to it this year." Other Baptist volunteers will be in Beijing as well, looking to engage people in conversation and talk to them about Jesus Christ. But on the ground in China isn't the only place where Olympic ministry is taking place. Some churches are finding ways to use the Olympics as a means of outreach in their own communities. Read More
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