Jeff Kolkmann remembers watching the 1968 winter Olympics games on television when he was six years old. Set in Gernoble, France, these games led to inspiring performances from athletes like Jean-Claude Killy, who won the gold medal in downhill skiing along with two other gold medals. “Back then, not everybody had a television. It was kind of a rare thing. But my dad went out and found some place that rented televisions. It was a little tiny television that was black and white, and he had to set up the antenna to try to get two channels. And we watched the Olympics. That was really cool!” said Kolkmann.
This inspiring experience led Kolkmann to not only be a fan of the Olympics, but also an avid attendee. He has now attended all but one of the summer and winter Olympics games since 1984. And, starting in the late 1990s, he has also handed out Christian literature at every Olympics games.
When he learned about a program called Greater Than Gold at the 2010 winter Olympics games in Canada, he was inspired to join this powerful ministry in sharing God at such a global event. It aligned well with the purpose he had already been working on while giving out Adventist books. He had been connecting with local Adventists in each city where the Olympics were held and giving out literature to the many different people attending the Olympics games.
“I remember being at the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, in 2010. I took my son there and we were on our way to an event, and at the train station we saw people serving hot chocolate and giving out knitted scarves,” explained Kolkmann. “The package the scarf was wrapped up in said it was handmade. I looked at it and in the bottom there was a card that said, ‘From your friends at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.’ I'll never forget their kindness and that gesture.” The Canadian group handing out clothes, food, and literature worked with the Greater Than Gold program to help people connect with God and their community. This led Kolkmann to join this program as well and distribute their literature at the many Olympics games he continues to attend.
At the 2024 Olympics games in Paris, France, Kolkmann made sure to be present and hand out literature to as many attendees, athletes, and staff as possible. He worked alongside the local Adventist churches, ASI, Habitat for Humanity, and other groups to turn the whole trip into something very similar to a mission trip—sharing God’s love with the Olympic community.
Adventists from throughout Europe joined him in this mission to give out literature. They handed out books at the Olympic village, at the city malls, at the metros and bus stations, and connected with many people who were able to hear about God’s impact on their lives. With help from Filipe Robalo (from Portugal), Benjamin Eibisberger (from Austria), Christopher (from Germany), Filip Asturias (from Spain), and Stephan Heinig (from Austria), they were able to connect with people from all parts of the world to share Christian literature.
Kolkmann said that this desire to share God with others everywhere he goes came from his parents. “Ever since I was a little boy, when we started watching the Olympics, my family was always part of a gathering. It's kind of a natural thing for me to find a way to do something to help the Lord's work and represent Adventists.” At nearly every Olympics event he has attended, he has connected with the local Adventist Church and spent time with the members.
Because of being present at these Olympic events, Kolkmann has also met many of the incredible people who attend these events. He was even able to meet Jean-Claude Killy, one of his original inspirations, at the Olympic fair in Switzerland. He has also met many inspirational leaders such as Nelson Mandela. But throughout these events, his main purpose is simply to share God’s story with everyone, no matter if they are an athlete, an attendee, a national leader or someone just walking on the street.
Jeff Kolkmann attends Modesto Central Adventist Church. If you would like to learn more about how to become involved in or support this ministry, reach out to Kolkmann at jeffsunpowur@gmail.com.
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