Canadian Olympian says there's 'no atheist at the top of a bobsled run'

Attachment 261By Tim Ellsworth at BP Sports.

WHISTLER, British Columbia (BP)--Lyndon Rush knows his sport gives him plenty of opportunities to be vocal about his faith in Jesus Christ, and he wants to make the most of those chances.

"You know there's no atheist in a foxhole, right?" Rush asked. "There's no atheist at the top of a bobsled run, either."

The Canadian bobsled driver, who is competing in his first Winter Olympics, takes advantage of the dangers in his sport, such as traveling at speeds in excess of 90 mph, to be a witness for Christ by praying with his teammates before their runs and by talking often about the Lord. He's found an openness to his spiritual leadership, even among teammates who don't profess to be Christians.

"I've had atheists on my team and they have no problem talking to God before the run," Rush said. "Everybody likes it. Even the atheists, for instance, they like how it sets the tone. We all come together and I pray about things that they want, too. Maybe they're not in a period of their life where they believe in God, I guess. I don't know. I don't really believe in atheists."

Rush may not believe in atheists (choosing instead to believe what Romans 1 says about all men knowing the truth but suppressing it in unrighteousness), but he does believe in his responsibility to share his faith with everyone, including atheists.

"I pray about the prayer before the race," Rush said. "God, lead me to say the right things and maybe touch these guys. I really care for the guys that I slide with. My team, they're like brothers. We go on tour and we get to know each other real well. It's a great chance for me to share what I believe. I want those to be believers who I care about, right?"

Rush grew up in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, and was raised in a Christian home. His conversion came at age 5 when he was playing golf with his dad.

"We were just chatting like father and son do," Rush said. "He told me about the stuff that I'd already learned in Sunday School. And he asked, 'Have you ever asked Jesus into your heart?' We sat down on a little park bench there and I asked the Lord into my heart. It's sort of been a steady walk since."

"One of my guys at the beginning of the year told me that he's an atheist," Rush said. "By the end of the year, he's not an atheist anymore. He's not a believer yet, but he's coming around. I think it's more important than winning medals, to be honest with you."

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