As reported by The Christian Post, the organization hopes that the free copies of the New Testament will leave “a long-lasting legacy that extends far beyond the athletic arenas.” The Bibles are distributed in French, with 140,000 copies of the New Testament and one other 60,000 copies in English. This edition of the Bible also features testimonies from Christian athletes, including French handball champion Joël Abati and Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers.
“It is so inspiring to read the athletes’ testimonies. Those accounts function a strong reminder of the enduring impact the Bible continues to have in our contemporary world”, Jonathan Boulet, General Secretary of the French Bible Society, said, Evangelical Focus reports.
“Moreover, they underscore the vital role that every country’s Bible Society plays in ensuring the accessibility and relevance of this timeless book for all.”
The French Bible Society works with various Christian sporting ministries, corresponding to the Protestant chaplaincy and others, to deliver the New Testaments.
It said the collaboration “stands as a beacon of the facility of collaboration and the shared values that bring people together, transcending the boundaries of sport and spirituality.”
The special edition of the New Testament known as “More Precious than Gold,” which takes inspiration from 1 Peter 7: “Their purpose is to prove that your faith is real. Even gold, which might be destroyed, is tested by fire, and so your faith, which is rather more precious than gold, must even be tested in order that it could endure. Then you’ll receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
More than 11 million visitors worldwide are expected to go to Paris in the approaching weeks for the games. The French Bible Society will distribute the New Testament copies in the course of the Olympics and Paralympics, which end on Sept. 8.
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