The momentum and excitement in anticipation of the first Church Games set for October 11-21 is building very quickly.

The games officially got underway on Saturday with a Cross Run that is similar to the Commonwealth or the Olympic games torch run where a representative from each of denomination had the opportunity to run with the cross as it made its way around the city before ending at the Sir Kendal Isaacs Gym.

Church Games organizers were forced to reschedule the fun run walk and push because of threat from hurricane Katrina, it is unclear if they will still try to host that event.

However when the games begin, dozens of churches from eight denominations will compete in nine events including baseball, basketball, boxing, cycling, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field and volleyball.

Athletes will compete for the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Church of God, Baptist, Full Gospel, seventh Day Adventist and a number of independent churches.

Bishop Reverend Dr. Williams Thompson, President of The Bahamas Christian Council emphasized that the games are not only for the young members of the church.

He said, "One of our aims is to promote a healthy lifestyle for the entire family and although we like to use the word youth we expect to see some of the older church members competing as well because we want to see the entire family get involved."

"Also," he added, "we want to open the doors of the church to those people who see church as a place for a certain grouping of people, and we want to show them that that is not so and we believe we can do that through sports."

In recent years local churches have been criticized for not taking the message of God directly to the sinner in the streets.

Thompson said, "Because sports has a way of bringing people through the doors of the church, the games will also give many churches an opportunity to reach outside their four walls to touch the lives of the young and old."

It is estimated that the games will cost approximately $150,000 to stage successfully. In addition to corporate and small business sponsors, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture and the Baptist Christian Council have given the organizers their full support.

The games organizers have been able to secure the assistance of several of the local sporting associations and federations to help with organizing of the various sporting disciplines.

The games will be held biannually and when the government is not hosting The Bahamas Games.

Article from The Bahama Journal by Gerrino Saunders