Testimonies from Paris: God at Work at the Olympic Games

October 2, 2024

Testimonies from Paris: God at Work at the Olympic Games

The 2024 Olympic Games had its fair share of newsworthy moments. Whether you tuned in or not, it’s likely you heard of some of the victories and controversies that took place over the two-and-a-half-week period. How much of what you heard, though, pointed to God? With the nations of the world gathered in one city, surely God had a role to play. 

Global Christian workers in France––and even some the Olympic athletes––understood this winning opportunity. They endeavoured to make space for God to be seen and known during this historic time. 

Within the Olympic Village, Christian athletes carried the love for their Father, filling the space with their worship. Videos shared online showcase the Fijian athletes singing hymns, or a group of athletes from varying countries worshipping in the main lobby of the Village. Regardless of their intense focus on their sport, these Olympians took time to prioritize their Father in heaven. 

“I credit all that I do to God,” Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone told NPR after winning gold. “He’s given me a gift, he’s given me a drive to just want to continue to improve upon myself, and I have a platform and I want to use it to glorify him.”

Whether in the Olympic Village, press conferences, or on the field, Christian athletes proclaimed and united in their faith. 

Testimonies from Paris: God at Work at the Olympic Games

Displaying God’s Love Through Art

Beyond the Village walls, GEM workers were finding ways to intentionally share the Gospel.

Though typically closed during the hot summer months, Agapé Hub—an art gallery in the city center—remained open for the Games with a specific theme: Hymnal: Humanity Gathered. “The theme was kind of complex, but essentially looks at aspects of a hymn that kind of unites and draws people together,” Emilee Irwin, the organizer of the exhibition explains.

“There were artists that used Scripture in their artworks, and there were GemStone Media short films that we showed, which were parables from the Bible that were retold in modern settings,” Emilee recounts. “There were people who [understood that the art was faith-based], and for sure people that didn’t. We had a sheet available for everybody to take that explained the theme a little bit and how each artist interpreted that.”

“[Visitors] could tell that there was something different about the space,” says Karly Manuel, a GEM worker based in Greece who served at the gallery during the Games. “They couldn’t put their finger on what it was, but something was different, or they felt at peace when they would walk in. They could tell that the atmosphere was different than what they were used to…the Holy Spirit was clearly in that place.”

The gallery served not only as a place to point visitors to their Creator, but as a place to unite artists from around Europe.

“It was really cool for me, as an artist, to be in a space where other artists were working,” Karly shares (see Karly’s painting, left).

“It’s important for us to have community with each other because that’s kind of where our creativity feeds off—we feed off each other! It was life-giving, and I walked away from that trip reminded of how important it is for Christian art to exist in the world—for Christians to be making art.

Emilee adds, “It was really a collaborative effort…We had four GEM artists, but then three local artists from the Agape Hub network as well. It was great to see people come together who didn’t really know each other before, but they were kind of united through their love of the arts and their love for Jesus, too.”

Seeing God Move Through Collaboration

Also understanding the importance and impact of teamwork is Tom Hawkins—seasoned GEM-France worker since 1994. In preparation for the Olympic Games, he sought partnership with other organizations, which led to the birth of Ensemble2024, a framework within which ministries, churches, and individuals could share ideas and resources both for the Games and after.

“We wanted the spirit of collaboration to be the legacy of the Games,” Tom says. “It’s vital that we learn to work together so even more can take that step of faith.”

“We estimate that at least 2,500 disciples of Jesus Christ from France and around the world were involved in ministry this summer nationwide,” says Matthew Glock, a pastor in Paris who co-created Ensemble2024.They were connected to at least 76 different ministries. We also estimate that at least 50 churches from Paris were involved in these activities.”

Matthew continues: “When it comes to what was accomplished, there were at least 500 events during the games” touching multiple spheres of life ranging from the arts and music to social justice to sports, all offering opportunities to share faith.

Ensemble2024

With the Games being such a grand event, one might think that security would be an obstacle, making ministry difficult. Those with Ensemble2024 were pleasantly surprised.

“The police, the military, and the local authorities were really open; they had no problem with what we did,” Tom Hawkins says. “[With this freedom], we saw well over 1,000 people sharing Jesus Christ here in the Paris area alone with both Parisians and with people from around the world who were here for the Games.”

Even more impressive, over 700,000 pieces of literature clearly explaining the Gospel—in multiple languages—were handed out. Because of this one event, God’s Word is now further being spread and known throughout the world.

The number of opportunities seized are amazing considering the state of France––and the world.

“The people here are hungry,” Tom begins. “There’s a lot of stuff out there that’s being offered; there’s the occult, there are drugs, there are other opportunities, and that’s why we needed to be here with the opportunity of the Gospel. There were countries represented here during the Games that don’t have a gospel witness or a gospel testimony…so they [had] the opportunity to see that here.”

Now that the Olympic Games have wrapped up, should all the ministry endeavors come to an end, too? As Ensemble2024 notes, evangelism efforts “should not be limited to a single event but become the beginning of ongoing mobilization to impact our surroundings. Every opportunity—whether sporting, cultural, religious, or social—is a chance to share Christ’s love and bring hope…Let’s not see this period of the Games as the end, but as a springboard to continue serving and inspiring our communities.”


If you’d like to learn more about ministry events during the Olympic Games and what continues to be done today, visit https://www.ensemble2024.com/en/blog/.


About the author: Leanne Monge Barrera serves in the GEM Canada office as a Storyteller and social media content creator. Photos by Jim and Sara Meyer and Tom Hawkins.