Over 200 Christians from across the denominations gathered together with members of charities and other NGOs at Westminster Central Hall in London recently to engage with matters of social justice in the lead up to the 2012 London Games.

The meeting was hosted by More Than Gold, the churches’ 2012 umbrella charity. The four key areas being addressed are homelessness, human trafficking and prostitution, Fairtrade and climate change.

Keynote speakers included Stephen Timms, Labour's Vice Chair for Faith Groups, and Commissioner Betty Matear, Moderator of the Free Churches Group of England and Wales and the most senior member of the Salvation Army.

David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold, opened the day by sharing of his own experience over the past fourteen years heading up the churches’ work alongside Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Olympics are an opportunity wherever they occur for dynamic short-term celebration and long-term regeneration for millions of people. However, for some the Games can mean further degradation and misery," he said.

"It is our duty as Christ’s body here on earth to do all we can to prevent this from happening, while serving and encouraging all that is good.”

Mr Timms opened his address saying that the 2012 Games, hosted by the East End of London, would be “the most exciting event worldwide that can change this run-down area economically”.

He acknowledged that “church attendance in London is on the rise”. He also saw that “More Than Gold are right to recognise that the Olympics are a moment for national pride but also for service, and Christian service in the Games is something to be supported and celebrated”.

He went on to express his “strong support of social action rooted in and inspired by faith” and sees More Than Gold’s work as being “not about activists with a background in Christianity but about initiatives rooted in worship and love for Christ".

"It is about those with a passion to get involved with individuals,” he said. “We need to renew our communities and our politics in the years ahead.”

He went on to make reference to Wesley, Wilberforce and Booth, men of both transformation and of service, and left those gathered with a mandate.

“Transformation needs to be at the heart of the Christian contribution, speaking up for those with no voice, and challenging government where necessary. You need to keep us as government focussed on legacy," he said.

Commissioner Matear said that Christians had “one shot" to make a mark on the global scene.

"We’re at the centre of the action and want to uphold the objectives and purposes of the Olympic movement. But what will we be remembered for beyond 2012? Every major sporting event plays a big effect. We need to re-orientate the moral compass where necessary in our land," she said.

More Than Gold’s work was to be seen, she said, “not as a narrow church agenda but a big stage with a long-term focus, commitment to excellence and to justice, involving people of all faiths and none".

She said: "We must work for the good of others where there is exploitation, or damage, or where people are further impoverished”.

Commissioner Matear went on to say that British Christians needed to “think globally, act locally" and "speak up, speak out and speak for those whose voice is not being heard”.

Presentations were given on the four key areas with Alison Gelder of Housing Justice speaking on homelessness and the many improvements that have been made over the past thirteen years with figures down from 2000 in 1997 to about 500 now.

She spoke of the “unsung success of the current government” while challenging the Christian community not to be complacent.

She said: “Half of rough sleepers in the UK are in London and to achieve the long-term target of zero rough sleeping by the end of 2012 means a change to society, with the church taking the leading role.”

Ruth Dearnley of Stop The Traffik spoke graphically about the issues behind human trafficking and prostitution.

She said: “This business is the fastest growing crime on the planet with a $32 billion profit, which is bigger than Microsoft.

"We need to answer a challenge that has not been answered before."