Like many churches in Vancouver, Chinese Presbyterian rolled out the red carpet this month as the city hosts the 2010 Winter Olympic games.
The congregation will be broadcasting three or four sporting events on their sanctuary’s big screen as part of a larger outreach strategy developed by pastors in the church’s Oakridge neighbourhood, including the Anglican, Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist and United churches.
In addition to athletes and sports fans, more than 6,000 police officers have been assigned to the games, and Rev. Dr. Chuck Congram will be one of 13 chaplains offering spiritual support for the RCMP.
“It’s critical to provide this kind of service because we have thousands of police officers away from home for an extended period,” said the retired Presbyterian minister, who has worked as a police chaplain for over 20 years. “They’re also under incredible pressure because of the varied circumstances they’ll have to deal with.”
Incidents could include threats of bombs, or threats of suicide by young athletes who must return home empty-handed, he suggested.
Congram set out from his home just east of Windsor, Ont., on Jan. 21 and will spend almost six weeks in Vancouver.
Athletes and their coaches will also receive spiritual support, as chaplains from all five major religions will be assigned to the various Olympic villages.
