Wayne Westcott speaking at a Christian Business dinner challenged those present that true balance in life demanded a focus on more than the physical. He commended the Portland YMCA for recognizing that. “If our priorities are spirit, mind and body, let’s not be afraid of the message of Jesus Christ. If we’re going to call it a YMCA, then let’s not be ashamed to use the word ‘Christian.‘” he said. Eugene Wallace, chair of the organising committee, said “the YMCA owes its existence to divine guidance. It has been led by God, inspired by God and sustained by God,” he said. A number of other YMCAs nationally are pursuing a similar focus on Christ. About 150 people from YMCAs across the nation gathered in a Colorado meeting in October to discuss promoting such change from within. Bob Hall, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, echoed Wallace’s call for a fresh vision of God’s historic role in the worldwide movement. “We must not ignore or forget this wonderful spiritual legacy,” said Hall. “It’s the foundation of our organization—it’s in its DNA,” he said. Source: Christian News Northwest via Australian Prayer Network
4 Comments to Portland YMCA reclaims Christian heritage
I hope this spreads across the country…and the world. I’ll be honest. I’d totally forgotten the C in YMCA stood for Christian…so let’s raise a generation who know what it’s all about by having a living heritage based in Christ, not a tenuous past link.
That's awesome. Our girls used to swim for the local Y, and my wife used to work there. A couple of years back, they decided they were going to have a Halloween party. We were like "Really? At the ymCa?"
Ourselves and a couple of other families gave them what-for over it. They changed it to a fall/harvest thing with no costumes.
It's really good to see that some of the Y leadership gets it.
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That is great…good to see it spreads beyond this news article I was reading 
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December 14, 2009
The YMCA here, one of the largest facilities in the country, is strongly going back to its Christian roots. Training for employees, restating & advertising the mission, and offering everything from Bible studies to having a church meet in the Y on the weekends. It's great! Thousands walk through the doors of YMCA's every day who don't know Christ—I'm glad they are finally seeing the opportunities!!
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