there’s never been a time like now for the YMCA
In the seven years that I have been leading with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne in Northeast Indiana, the crises of the past 36 months have only accentuated the need for a salty Y in the world.
My professional life as a pastor opens up doors of opportunity for being present with leaders and members of the Y in their challenges, suffering, and questions.
Listening to the hearts of spirited YMCA leaders in my community and around the world, I hear a heart for service, for caring for the vulnerable, for faithfully loving one another.
As a not-for-profit organization founded by salty and spirited Christians in 1844, the Y is still profoundly shaped by the values and principles of Christ Jesus as put into practice from our beginnings.
Is there still a place for this kind of Y in the world?
I say yes.
Having just returned from a few days at the Jerusalem International YMCA while war was declared by the Israeli government upon Hamas in Gaza, my convictions are even stronger about the role of the Young Men’s Christian Association for justice and peace in the Holy Land, and thus for the world.
why this, why now?
We don’t know how long this war in the Holy Land will last, it could be a few more days, a few more weeks, or a few more years. Or generations.
The Y is a credible Christian presence in Jerusalem since 1878, and now it has spread across Israel with services in East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho, Gaza and Nazareth. Just as a little bit of salt can have transformative powers, so the YMCA does in the Holy Land.
I feel called to the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, and because of the friendships built with Y leaders in the Holy Land, I feel called to invite Christians into solidarity with them as well. The same Spirit that was upon Jesus is upon us now, everywhere, including all of us who have responded to the call of Christ to serve and lead in the Y.
This war is already devastating, and it could have even more dire consequences for families in Gaza and all of Israel, which could also undermine the future existence of the YMCA there. But for the spirited leaders of the Y, we have the same power within us, not of timidity but of love, courage, and diligence to persevere and overcome evil with good.
what kind of community are we looking to build here?
If there was ever a time it is now for salty and spirited Christians in the YMCA to rally around the YMCAs in the Holy Land, this war is a red flag to pay attention now.
This Substack site will be my effort to initiate inspiring and thoughtful conversations, questions and actions on what a YMCA leader can do, wherever they are in the world, to contribute to the mission of the Y in the Holy Land.
As a YMCA leader, I want to foster an imagination where we can envision a flourishing for all in the Holy Land, a future that the Y can help build in solidarity with Christians and people of good faith from all over the world.
There are already so many wise and courageous people working for justice and peace in the Holy Land, but obviously not enough.
The community we will form here will be focused on instigating healthy missional action by salty and spirited YMCA leaders and members in solidarity with the Y in the Holy Land.
We will lean into the metaphor that Christ Jesus used of his people: “you are the salt of the earth.” And we will trust in the truth of his statement: “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
How will we get there?
Expect a new post on Monday mornings.
Expect re-posts of relevant content from the Substack writers I follow throughout the week.
Expect regular interactions with comments and questions on posts and re-posts.
Paid subscribers will get:
personal correspondence on submitted questions
professional development coaching on engaging with the Y in the Holy Land
spiritual formation opportunities in response to the trauma and terror inflicted upon the people of the Holy Land
satisfaction knowing 100% of subscriptions go as a donation to the Jerusalem International YMCA and the East Jerusalem through YUSA World Service