Did you know that the Young Men’s Christian Association is the original name of the YMCA?
Did you know that the YMCA originated in the urban centers of England in the 1840’s before it sprouted up in Canada and the United States?
Did you know that the Y got its start evangelizing and discipling young men out of dangerously poor urban slums into Protestant Christian associations?
Did you know that one of the first Bible studies of the YMCA was in the Gospel of Matthew, with an emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, particularly the verses about being peacemakers and loving your enemies.
Did you know that the Y adopted John 17:21 as its guiding Bible verse? “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Did you know that the global and local YMCA works hard to be for all people, inspired by the prayer of Jesus for unity. While this has gone in many different directions over the past 160 years, the welcome and openness to all is a defining belief.
Did you know that there are many Y’s working diligently and faithfully to be a Christian non-profit in this decade/century/millennium? The YMCA can’t live in the past, but many are of us are looking around our communities today, seeking to reinvigorate the Christian mission as we support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Here in Fort Wayne, our Y believes that a stronger C in the YMCA will strengthen our mission in being for all. We believe it will strengthen our communities, that it will strengthen the health of our spirit, mind and body. We believe a stronger Christian Emphasis in our Y is crucial to the flourishing of all in our part of Indiana.
Are you a member of the YMCA yet? Consider joining our mission: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
