LWFCI has reached out to Olympians since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics under the leadership of Dr Sam and Sharon Mings leading many elite athletes to Jesus Christ. Moreover they have established a most remarkable integrity within the Olympic family over these past eight Olympiads.
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson explained that Dr Mings appointed Eddie Mapakou to this key leadership position for Bridging the Gap and this is Eddie's story.
Eddie Mapakou growing up years
"I was born in December 1969 in France ( Paris ) and my parents are originally from Congo- Brazzaville. I am the 1st born of my family from lovely parents Mr. Joseph Mapakou and Mrs Albertine Mapakou. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters and all of them are born again Christians. My Father and mother are both Christian, they both serve God and their love to the lord Jesus Christ is with no limitation .
"I left my family home at the age of 17 and I joined the French Army when I was 21 years old. I lost my faith and converted in Islam and occultism but in all these I did not find happiness in my file but the grace of GOD remained available for me.
"I was looking for happiness but yet did not find any satisfaction in my heart. I left the army and I went to work for Walt Disney in Florida and Paris for 8 years but in all this did not find peace in my heart. I decided to leave Paris and come in the UK in 1989.
"Then, by the grace of God I met my princess Jennifer in 2003, she was so in love with Jesus that she convinced me to give a try with Jesus and here I am today married to her and God gave us 2 boys Jesse and Joshua giving glory to God for my wife and my kids."
Eddie Mapakou speaks of his conversion
"I gave my life to the Lord Jesus seven years ago on the 21st of February 2004. This was a great day of my life where I saw the power of God. I went to "Kingsway International Christian Centre" (KICC) because one of my friends who was a Christian asked me to just come and see the wonders of Jesus. I went there on the 21st February 2004 during the healing and prayer convention in KICC London. People where healed and when I saw all these miracles in the name of Jesus and I believed went in the front of the pulpit. The church was packed with some 4000 people. I gave my life to Christ on that day at the altar, Since then, I know Jesus loves me I have felt so free and so much happier in my life.
Eddie Mapakou speaks of his years of UK ministry
"I have been a member of KICC since 2004 I have so much righteous pride to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus. I received "Christ's wisdom" counselling at KICC and was so happy when I married my lovely wife Jennifer in the KICC. I undertook a Bible study course in 2006 and I now serves the Lord at the KICC and my ministry role is that of a "peace keeper" and I'm also engaged in volunteer roles in seminars and conventions.
"I dedicated my life fully to the lord and will serve him the rest of my life. I spend 4 hours each day on Rainbow Christian Radio where I have the wonderful privilege of preaching the Gospel of Jesus and I believe God will continue to use me and my family to promote his Kingdom.
"I promote and produce both gospel music and gospel video from a range of different Churches rejoicing in the kingdom of God, reaching out to people by using the Media and the technology of today."
Eddie Mapakou speaks of his strategic thinking on evangelism
"My strategic thinking of evangelism is to reach out by using media, technology, such as the Internet, radio, television, street evangelism and one to one evangelism. There are may people out there who need to know Jesus and many Muslim who never had an opportunity (like me) to know Jesus.
"When I met Dr Sam Mings I was introduced to Lay Witnesses for Christ International (LWFCI) where he spoke passionately of the vision for the 2012 London Olympics and my heart triple beat!
"I believe this is the will of God for me and my wife Jennifer to serve the Lord with all our hearts in this endeavour. Follow the will of God in my life is my first priority to the best of my abilities.
"I am more than happy to be a bridging vessel and be used by Jesus to touch and impact the world in true prayer and evangelism (Euthargious in the 4th century said "an evangelist is one whose prayer is true"). I felt so pressed in my heart by God to accept this vital role as National UK Director of LWFCI.
"My heartbeat is to reach all people from every background and every nations to Jesus. I was once lost in the world and now I am saved and have found the Love of Jesus Christ and would like to share his love with all the world.
"The whole world will be tuned in to the 2012 London Olympic and I am delighted to commit myself in LWFCI and witness souls to Christ. This is a great work of God and I will do all I can to promote the Kingdom of God together with Lay Witnesses for Christ International under Dr Sam Mings."
Bridging the Gap – London 2012 – Chaplains to the World's Olympians
Dr Sam Mings explained that Eddie Makapou is also intimately involved in the pastoral oversight of the Bridging the Gap ministry team members. Eddie is possibly the strongest LWFCI National Director ever and with Robin Rees who is leading the team effort, Churches are stepping forward to embrace Lay Witnesses for Christ International's eighth Summer Olympic Outreach.
Going to the Olympic host cities Churches is a core aspect of our ministry in norder that every convert to Christ are linked into local fellowships (churches), and these people will speak as their testimony what God did in their midst in London 2012.
"We receive mail and e-mails, sometimes years later, how the Lord touched their lives through a LWFCI outreach. Over these past 33 years, we believe that no force can pluck "one" out of the hand of the Heavenly Father when someone has truly been born again."