TPCC pastor an Olympic chaplain
posted 8/14/2012 2:11:01 PMPaul Kobylarz, sports pastor at Traders Point Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN), served as one of the lead chaplains inside the Olympic Village during this summer’s Olympic games.
"A lot of athletes come here and have their hopes built on their dreams to perform well here and win a gold medal, and if they don't, they don't know where to turn,” he said in a local news interview. “Some of them are depressed. Some of them might even be suicidal. Many athletes have their identity wrapped up in their performance.”
Kobylarz, who unsuccessfully tried out for the 1984 Olympic men’s hockey team, understands the emotions. He’s one of 40 Christian ministers from around the world who have been serving in the “Multi Faith Center” for these games.
“God is doing a deep and important work here in the Olympic Village,” he writes on his blog. “I invite you to be a part of our program by praying not just for me but all walking alongside me on our chaplaincy team, as we are all dependent on God’s guidance to effectively minister to those that He brings our way.”
Reprinted with permission of Christian Standard magazine. Visit www.christianstandard.com to read more.