The Vision Behind S.E.E.
The heart and strategy of Sports Event Evangelism
Dr. Crandall's Vision
Starting in 1996, Dr. David R. Crandall led as Director of Olympic Ministry. He worked with a team in an outreach at the Atlanta Olympics, where 600 people gathered to share the gospel each day for two weeks, distributing 500,000 booklets to thousands of people from all over the world. Dr. Crandall saw the immense impact as more than 600 people made professions of faith, and the seed for S.E.E. was planted.
I saw a parallel between Acts Chapter 2 about the day of Pentecost. The Bible says the whole world was gathered and represented in Jerusalem at that time and people heard the teaching of God’s word in their own language. I thought, ‘Well that’s what happens at the Olympics.'
- Dr. David R. Crandall
Every four years, thousands of people flood in to watch more than 200 nations compete at the Olympics, and Dr. Crandall’s strategy to reach them was simple: train outreach volunteers to strike up conversations and share the gospel; equip them with gospel booklets related to that year’s Olympics; and then send these volunteers into the major tourist spots in the Olympic host city.
Another group has traveled to the FIFA World Cups since 2002. This group, sometimes known as Sports Impact, made it their goal to enjoy some good football (soccer) while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
In 2014, Sports Impact grew to partner in the work of Olympic Ministries. When Dr. Crandall retired as director after the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, this group stepped up, and changed its name to Sports Event Evangelism (S.E.E.).
Under the leadership of Matt & Barb Douglas, S.E.E. continues the vision of reaching the world through the universal language of sports, building on over two decades of faithful ministry and countless changed lives.
500K+
Gospel Booklets Distributed at Atlanta Olympics
650+
People Came to Christ at Athens Olympics
20+
Years of Ministry
Key Milestones
The journey of Sports Event Evangelism through the decades
1996
First Major Event
The first major event was the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic games. Dr. David R. Crandall led a team in outreach, taking more than 600 people by bus into Atlanta daily from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to share the gospel and distribute 500,000 booklets.
2004
Our Biggest Numbers
We do not do this for the numbers, but for the changed lives. However, numbers are a reason to rejoice. In Athens 2004 we were privileged to help about 650 people come to Christ!
2014
Historical Partners
Crandall International Ministries has partnered with GLS, AiG, and more! Sports Impact grew to partner in the work of Olympic Ministries, expanding our reach and impact.
2016
New Beginnings
At the conclusion of the Rio 16 Outreach, Dr. Crandall handed the ministry to Matt & Barb Douglas to continue into the future. With this change in leadership a new name was required, and S.E.E. was founded.
2018
First World Cup
Several individuals represented S.E.E. at its first official ministry outreach at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
2021
COVID-19 Olympics
Despite the one-year postponement and the restriction on tourists at the Japan Olympics, a few missionaries in Japan were able to distribute 54,000 of our booklets, the most of any outreach group there.