AFA Calls Actions of Certain Olympians ‘Blessings for Believers and a Witness to the Reality of the Family of God”
August 9, 2021
TUPELO, Miss. — As the Olympics come to a close, people all over the world have been inspired by the impressive feats of athletic prowess from competitors. On the undeniably largest athletic stage in the world, representatives from over 200 countries have been eager to display their talents and abilities as they seek to win the gold. But for some, the glory is not theirs, but for a higher purpose.
A recent article from the Christian Post highlighted the athletes who have openly praised God before, during, or after their competition. According to the article, “Several American athletes have credited God for their athletic achievements, whether it was breaking world records or simply for the chance to compete. Additionally, athletes from other countries have also cast their praises on their Lord and Savior.”
Some notable mentions in the article include Fiji’s mens rugby team, who, after winning the gold medal, huddled together and sang praises to God, America’s Athing Mu who tweeted about her thanks to the Lord for allowing her to win gold, and American wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who stated in an interview, “It’s by the grace of God I’m even able to move my feet.”
Says American Family Association (AFA, www.afa.net) Executive Vice President Ed Vitagliano, “People from every participating nation have reason to be very proud of those athletes who represent them in the Olympics, and even more so when the athletes win a medal in their sport. However, Christians can also be proud of their brothers and sisters in the Lord even when they are from another country. To hear someone from another culture honor the risen Savior is a blessing for believers and a witness to the reality of the family of God.
“It’s important to remember that many millions of Christians are living in nations that oppress and persecute people of faith. No doubt it is especially encouraging for these believers to see and hear athletes speak boldly about their relationship to Jesus Christ on the international stage.”
For over 40 years, AFA has operated within the mission to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture and give aid to the church here and abroad in its task of fulfilling the Great Commission. Find AFA Action Alerts here.
AFA—founded in 1977—has long been on the front lines of America’s culture war. Today, AFA is one of the largest and most effective pro-family organizations in the country, with nearly a million online supporters and approximately 160,000 subscribers to the AFA Journal, the ministry’s monthly magazine. In addition, AFA owns and operates nearly 180 radio stations across the country under the American Family Radio banner.
View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visitwww.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.
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To interview American Family Association Executive Vice President Ed Vitagliano, or another spokesperson, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.