Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Church Rooting for its Olympic Canoeist 

July 2012

A church will be rooting for its Olympian this Sunday

 
All eyes at Warrington Baptist Church will be glued to the big screen at 2.24pm when its long-time member Johny Akinyemi performs in the slalom canoe event.

The 23-year-old, who is representing Nigeria, the country of his grandfather's birth, grew up Warrington and there are members of the church who remember bouncing him on their knee in his early years.

Church rooting for its Olympic

He has become a popular and inspiring member - and the congregation will following his every move come race-time this weekend.
 
'Johny is a down-to-earth, infectious guy who is completely fixed on God,' said minister the Revd Simon Schofield.

'He has such a mature faith and it is an example for everyone. He is very focused on his sport, but his faith is the overriding thing.

'We've tried to support him in prayer and with his equipment. The Sunday he went away we all prayed for him, and on Sunday there will be a lot of us following him.'
 
Johny is Nigeria's first Olympic slalom canoeist. To qualify he had to beat Benjamin Boukpeti, the Togo Olympic bronze medallist from 2008, in a one-off race.

In several interviews he has explained how his faith helped him.

'A lot of people back in Nigeria, and in Warrington, were praying for me,' he told the BBC. 

'After the semi-final, where I came fourth, I was disappointed and the nerves were setting in. I took a step back, read some of the Bible - Psalms 18 - and I felt people's prayers giving me strength and peace on the start line.'

Sunday in Warrington will begin with a family service, said Simon - and will be followed by a mini-Olympics in the park opposite the church.

'There will be an Olympic theme at the service, and after that we'll head to the park and have, in effect, a sports day.

'When that's finished we'll head back to the church for a cup of tea and to watch Johny. We really hope it goes as well as possible for him.'
 
    Post     Tweet
NWBA Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the North Western Baptist Association
SubArticleD2019
'We thank God for bringing these lovely families to Messy Church'
Laird Street Baptist Church in Birkenhead decided to invite the community to a Messy Church to start off the summer holidays, writes minister Cathy Buntin
'How we examined the scriptures - every day'
Sandbach Baptist Church decided to undertake an adventure—in the form of a whole church Bible reading week. Secretary George Hill explains more
'We are so emotionally overwhelmed, humbled and blessed by your kindness'
A Baptist minister who is fundraising for life-extending cancer treatment not available on the NHS meets initial £50,000 target in just one week
'New funding means we can support even more people across Chester' 
The work of a community hub based at a Baptist church has been boosted thanks to Government funding
Joint Team Leader role for Jane  
The North Western Baptist Association (NWBA) has announced the appointment of Jane Henderson as Joint Regional Minister (Team Leader), to serve alongside Phil Jump
‘They think it's amazing someone is giving something free in this world’
Motivated by his faith in Jesus, Baptist church member and deacon Graham Nicholls set up a fitness class for anyone. He explains more
     Regional News 
    Posted: 16/09/2021
    Posted: 20/12/2019
    Posted: 20/08/2019
    Posted: 12/07/2018
    Posted: 20/04/2018
    Posted: 01/11/2017