Track and Field is one sport that has a history of evangelical Christian participation. The championships are 'winding down' with only a few days remaining.
There has been rejoicing in the Lord that these accredited chaplains who have served from 'ten days prior to the titles' have come from many different countries: New Zealand, Australia, India, Rwanda, Togo, Kenya, Cameroon, Portugal, UK, USA, Switzerland, Guatemala and Uruguay.
The chaplains were operating from three bases - the "stadium chapel" and two "Oases of Stillness": one in each of the two official hotels (the chaplains resided in the hotels as well). In this way, the chaplains were of service to the athletes, coaches and support staff on-site.
International Sports (Ministry) Coalition and the Major Event Chaplaincy Committee for the first time at a major event chose the chaplains from an open application process. As well as the wide geographical backgrounds mentioned, there was also an excellent gender mix, wide variety of experiences and introduction of new chaplains.
Baptist minister Mark Tronson, who pioneered the Australian Sports and Leisure Ministry in 1982, noted that the international ministry had come a long way since that 1982 Hong Kong international sports ministry conference where many were first inspired to establish sports ministries in their home countries.
The fact that a high-profile world championship sport such as world Athletics has adopted chaplaincy is not something new as other major events also accredit Christian ministry.
For example, the 2008 Rugby League World Cup organisers appointed the Reverend Ken Clendinning the Canterbury Bulldogs chaplain as Head Chaplain. Ken Clendinning in turn appointed chaplains for each tournament venue.
Moreover, it was M V Tronson, in the context of serving the Olympic movement by suggesting a Religious Services 'Protocol of Ideas' to Olympic host cities which included the recommendation of an 'Oases of Stillness'.
"It's very pleasing the World Athletic Championship organisers adopted this idea," M V Tronson smiled graciously.
"Some 'Kingdom' stories will be told with great rejoicing from these Berlin titles, others will need to be more circumspect. Although Germany offers freedom to tell Jesus' Salvation story, it is far different in many of the countries where numbers of the athletes are from," he cautioned with sadness and reflection.