Providing Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The YMCA was founded as the Young Men’s Christian Association in London England on June 6, 1844 by George Williams and eleven of his friends. The Reason Why is a 3-part online mini-documentary filmed in England about the beginnings of the YMCA and the Christian faith of George William’s life. Find the YouTube links in the article below. Enjoy and Share!
Each film is about 5 minutes long and explains the original spiritual transformation that birthed the Y.
Please watch, share and pray that it will be well received! 2021 was the 200th birthday of George Williams, the founder of the Y!
Find out the refreshing, innovative, practical ways Christ is at work across the YMCA movement! It builds on our heritage since 1844 and prepares us for an exciting future of loving, serving, caring for all as the hands and heart of Jesus.
Is the “C” back in the YMCA?
Yes.
Was it ever gone?
No.
But…!
It has changed a lot since 1844, like all the different kinds of Christianity’s have changed over the past twenty centuries.
That’s part of the problem of the “C” in the Y – Christianity is diverse in the world and the YMCA: depending on what kind of “C” you are looking for, you might not see the “C” that is flourishing there.
Like Christianity in the USA and the YMCA, faith is a dynamic, contested, adapting, vibrant, controversial, disruptive, divisive, uniting, healing reality.
Christianity, faith, spirituality is complicated and messy. And that’s ok.
This means there are also a variety of energies and visions for a stronger, healthier “C” in the YMCA.
So who is doing what in the YMCA in the USA to strengthen our mission, build a healthier “C” in the Y, and support the presence of Christ Jesus in every YMCA?
This compilation is based on what I’m aware of – let me know if you have more to add:
Christian CEOs / Directors / Leaders / Volunteers / Members
Christian symbols / art / Scriptures
Good Friday Breakfast
National Day of Prayer
Christian Leadership Conference (CLC)
Raggers / C in the YMCA book
Chapels
Bible Studies/Prayer Groups
Meetings: opening prayers & devotions
Christian Emphasis Committees
Volunteerism w Christian Non-Profits (I.e. Habitat, Rescue Mission, Church Food Banks, etc.)
Service Mission Trips (local/global)
Programs: i.e. Journey to Freedom, GriefShare, Finances God’s Way, FCA Coaching, etc.
Covenant Church Partnerships
CITY (Church In The Y)
Clergy Volunteer Chaplains & Prayer Tables
Silver Bay Chaplains Retreat
Monday Prayer National Call
Certified Chaplains (clergy/members)
Health Coaches (holistic/Christian)
Harold C. Smith Symposium Papers
YMCA Staff Christian Emphasis Training & Discussion Guide
YMCA Strong Challenge
Friends of the Jerusalem YMCA
OnPrinciple
YMCA Christian Principles (YCP)
Being Christ’s Presence In The YMCA (YCP)
Faith As A Dimension of Diversity (YCP)
How To Save Souls in the Y Like George Williams (YCP)
Kingdom Contentment (YCP)
Chaplains For All (YCP)
Silver Bay Institute
Flourishing For All (FFA)
YouVersion YMCA Devotions
YouTube George Williams Story (3 part series)
ymca.spiritmindbody (Instagram)
Books: I.e. Oswald Chambers, David Newman, Tracy Howe, C. Hopkins, Clyde Binfield, Paul Limbert, John Mott, etc.
OnPrinciple – strategic effort to strengthen Christian presence in the YMCA through adaptive leadership training, immersion in Holy Land YMCA’s and mentoring
Especially as Christians, we have a responsibility to fulfill our calling as “little Christ’s” – to “live our lives” in Christ Jesus – this is how we will overflow in thankfulness and be instruments of peace where we live and work and pray.
For the 2022 National Day of Prayer, the emphasis was drawn from the encouragement of St. Paul to the church in the city of Colosse (Colossians 2:6-7).
Here is the cotext of what we wrote to the young Christian men and women who associated there in homes and the marketplace:
“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:2-7 NIV
Prayers for our country and community are essential, praying for our leaders and families, our churches and YMCA’s matter.
Especially as Christians, we have a responsibility to fulfill our calling as “little Christ’s” to “live our lives” in Christ Jesus – this is how we will overflow in thankfulness and be instruments of peace where we live and work and pray.
As you pray today, and everyday, may these words above of Saint Paul, and this prayer below of Saint Francis guide you in spirit, mind and body, for all whom Christ brings into your life:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us bear your love. Where there is offence, pardon us as we pardon others. Where there is discord, bring union through us. Where there is error, may truth arise. Where there is doubt, grant us faith. Where there is despair, be our hope. Where there is darkness, shine your light through us. Where there is sadness, inspire us with joy.
O Master, let us not seek to be consoled but rather to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that one receives, it is in forgetting that one finds, it is in pardoning that one is pardoned, it is in dying in Christ that one is raised to eternal life.
Adapted from the prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi
The following prayers and prompts are from Central Branch YMCA in downtown Fort Wayne.
