Church Trades Religion For Rugby

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Church Trades Religion For Rugby

Greerton Bible Church swaps Sunday services for All Black test screenings

(26/10/2005) TAURANGA, New Zealand - It’s been said that rugby is the New Zealand religion, and it seems one Tauranga church agrees! Instead of its normal Sunday morning church services, Greerton Bible Church (GBC) is going to screen the All Blacks rugby test matches versus Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland. This “Big Screen Grand Slam Tour” series on Sunday mornings will also feature well-known rugby identities as guest speakers to provide an expert analysis of the game.

“A lot of people are going to watch the All Black games on Sunday morning, so we figured if we can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” says GBC Senior Pastor Russell Embling. “It’s not totally about the rugby though – each of our guest speakers will also share their story of how their faith has influenced their rugby careers and life. We have excellent guests joining us, including Ian Foster, the Chiefs coach, Grant McQuoid and Hayden Reid from the BoP Steamers and ex-All Black and rugby legend Eroni Clarke.”

As well as the game and guest speaker, each Sunday morning will also include a superb breakfast, children’s entertainment, a face painting competition for the kids, and prizes. “Philips and Simister Retravision are sponsoring the ‘Big Screen Grand Slam Tour’, and have provided us with some fantastic giveaways for each of the mornings,” says Russell, “There’ll be half-time entertainment, as well as a ‘guess the score’ game each week.”

The screenings start at 7am each week, commencing on November 6th, when the All Blacks take on Wales. Tickets for each week’s event are free, and are available from the GBC office throughout the week.

The church’s regular Sunday services won’t be completely forgotten though – instead they’ll be held on Friday evenings at 7.00pm through November.

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Church Trades Religion For Rugby (page 2)

Greerton Bible Church’s ‘Big Screen Grand Slam Tour’ lineup:

Match 1 – 6 November, 7am
All Blacks vs Wales
Guest Speaker: Ian Foster (Chiefs Coach)

Match 2 – 13 November, 7am
All Blacks vs Ireland
Guest Speaker: Grant McQuoid (BoP Steamers Player)

Match 3 – 20 November, 7am
All Blacks vs England
Guest Speaker: Hayden Reid (BoP Steamers Player)

Match 4 – 27 November, 7am
All Blacks vs Scotland
Guest Speaker: Eroni Clarke (Former All Black)

About Greerton Bible Church:
Greerton Bible Church is a mainstream Christian church of around 250 people, which has been part of the Greerton community since 1961.

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