LDS volunteer corps
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At first glance, sports fans filing into the various Olympic venues in Athens won't recognize the dozens of LDS elders and sister missionaries doubling as volunteers. Out of sight are the familiar white shirts and ties, dark trousers, long skirts, black name tags and scriptures.
But take a closer look, says Greece Athens Mission President John B. Ludwig. The enthusiastic spirit and countenances of the 76 full-time missionaries sporting the multi-hued volunteer uniforms of the 2004 Summer Games transcend typical missionary wear.
The Church's corps of missionary/Olympic volunteers in Athens "all look great," President Ludwig said.
Anticipating the Herculean need for volunteers during the 2004 Games in Athens, mission leaders in Greece asked permission of the First Presidency to allow the elders and sisters to donate their time during the Olympics. Once approval was granted the name of each missionary was added to the list of official volunteer candidates. The Athens Olympic Committee initially feared the missionaries would turn the sports venues into proselyting forums.
"They were quite hesitant about having us participate," President Ludwig said.
Church members assured Olympic authorities that the missionaries were committed to helping the Athens Games succeed. Soon the missionaries were participating in volunteer training. Volunteer organizers were impressed by the diversity of the missionaries — 60 percent are from countries outside the United States and many speak at least three languages. They were also touched by the service-loving spirit that seemed natural to the missionaries.
"Now, (volunteer organizers) are asking if we have more," President Ludwig said.
The missionaries will be fulfilling various spectator service duties in Olympic venues stretching from downtown Athens and north to Thessaloniki. Many will take event tickets. Others will staff information areas. Although the elders and sisters serving as Olympic volunteers will not wear name tags, they will work together as companionships.
President Ludwig and his wife, Sister Sandra Ludwig, will simultaneously oversee a "command post" — communicating with the missionary/volunteers each day to ensure each is safe and accounted for. Other Greek members are also participating in the Olympic volunteer effort.
When not fulfilling Olympic volunteer assignments, the missionaries will be back in their traditional attire — working and building their teaching pools in their respective areas.
The missionary volunteer effort in Greece began exacting blessings long before the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. "We've just had one experience after another," President Ludwig said.
President Ludwig recently went to the airport in Athens to pick up arriving missionaries. A Greek television new crews collecting Olympic-themed stories at the airport interviewed President Ludwig, asking him why so many of his missionaries were volunteering during the Games.
"I told them, 'We want to help make these Olympics the best ever.' "
Many missionaries will also volunteer during the upcoming Paralympic Games in Athens.
The elders and sisters serving as volunteers during the 2004 Summer Games may not be vigorously searching for contacts during the Athens Olympics. Still, said President Ludwig, "their example of integrity, honesty and reliability will make a great difference to the Games."
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
