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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Leaders, members and missionaries from the North America Southeast Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints volunteered and provided supplies and support during the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, July 7-17.
The World Games is an international multi-sport event comprising of sports not contested in the Olympic Games. Its purpose is to unite and develop communities through sport. Approximately 30,000 international guests visited to cheer on the 3,373 athletes from five continents and 74 nations who competed in 223 events.
This 11th edition of The World Games marked the 40th anniversary and the second time the event was held in the United States; the first edition was held in California in 1981.
Since 2015, Julia Fellows, the North America Southeast Area communication director, has been anticipating the powerful ways the Church could support the games and provide needed resources. She also knew the Church’s support and service would help surrounding communities and civic leaders become more familiar with the Church.
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Volunteers assemble hygiene kits for athletes competing in The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, July 7-17, 2022. Photo courtesy of Jill Norris. All rights reserved.
Under the direction of Area Seventy Quinn Millington, local stake president Barry Sadler, stake communication director Jill Norris, and JustServe specialist Karli Piennette, “Miracles happened,” said Fellows.
Norris and Piennette immersed themselves in the local The World Games Birmingham committee (TWG2022) and offered their talents and Church resources.
The North America Southeast Area facilitated a Church gift comprising of 3,800 hygiene kits for the athletes housed in university dormitories, 15,000 water bottles for athletes and coaches, and 25 large first aid kits for the venues.
“It’s no doubt that God was in the details,” The World Games community engagement and volunteer coordinator Kathy Boswell said.
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The North America Southeast Area facilitated the Church's gift of 3,800 hygiene kits for the athletes housed in university dormitories, 15,000 water bottles for athletes and coaches, and 25 large first aid kits for the venues. Photo courtesy of Jill Norris.All rights reserved.
JustServe supplied many local volunteers, while members of the surrounding stake and missionaries from the Alabama Birmingham Mission served as an army of willing hands and strong bodies to set up and tear down the venues multiple times each day in preparation for the various sport competitions.
Bishop Barry Morris from the Tuscaloosa Stake served alongside members of his family and local congregation, missionaries, and members of the Church of the Highlands Riverchase Campus Serve Team to prepare dorms for athletes attending The World Games. “I feel lucky. I am in a position I can serve often,” he said. “I serve to share Christ’s love and to become more like the Savior. That is my overwhelming motivation.”
JustServe specialists and missionaries manned JustServe and family history booths, engaging with thousands of visitors to share additional Church resources that interested people from around the world.
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Missionaries man a Family History booth during 11 days of The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, in July 2022. Photo courtesy of Jill Norris.All rights reserved.
Before the close of the 11-day competition, The World Games 2022 CEO Nick Sellers and Boswell met with Elder Millington and his wife, Kathleen; President Joel B. and Sister Rose K. Chibota of the Alabama Birmingham Mission; President Sadler and his wife, Tony; Norris; and Piennette to discuss the Church’s immense support and gracious gift.
“Seriously, said Sellers, “I cannot stress this enough, we could not have pulled this off without y’all.”
Elder Millington thanked Sellers and Boswell for letting the Church be a part of the event, then presented them with a beautiful Jorge Coco picture depicting the Savior calming the waters.
