The Good Sports Of Keynsham!

An Elim congregation whose lead pastor is a weightlifting champion is showing how sport and faith can work well together, reports retired minister Geoff Feasey

- Geoff Feasey

The Elim Church in Keynsham, near Bristol, is right at the heart of the community. Situated at the end of a wide street surrounded by hundreds of homes it regularly touches the hearts and lives of those who live around it.

It also reaches out in mission, particularly into Romania where it partners with other mission groups to touch the lives of people there too.

With its services streamed online and an active ministry into prisons, Keynsham Elim really is a church with a heart for evangelism. Recently, however, it has gained influence into the sporting world that many churches would love to have.

Ryan Morton, the lead pastor, is also a master weight lifter, having won various competitions and two British titles. He is also now in training for the World Masters Championship which will take place in Germany in 2020.

Also on the leadership team is Haydn Morton, who is actively involved in the world of sport has been a local footballer and now a scout and coach at Bristol City, having served at Southampton FC before that.