YMCA – “UNITY OF ALL WHO BELIEVE IN AND SERVE CHRIST THE LORD”

Today the 20th of August in 1855, the history records the First World Conference of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was held in Paris, France, under the title, “Conference Universelle des Unions Chrétiennes de Jeunes Gens” – “World Alliance of YMCA’s” – and will adopt the historic Paris “basis,” which seeks to unite in common effort all members who believe in and serve Christ and adding “Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves, shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance.”

The history records that – “the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was founded on June 6, 1844, in London, England, by a 22-year-old department store worker named George Williams and 11 young men. It started as a safe refuge of Bible study and prayer to help young men escape the harsh life and temptations of the industrial city.” – Study’s website

The original purpose as was intended by its founder is recoded on the website of YMCA International, in the article, “YMCA Christian roots, Christian history, faith diversity – and overarching unity”
– “…the YMCA was built on a profoundly Christian, profoundly evangelical, and profoundly Protestant foundation.  This foundation was affirmed in the Paris Basis – Jesus was at the centre, and workers laboured together to extend ‘God’s kingdom’.  The goal was to create a community using the Bible and prayer as the basis for spirituality. / The original object of the association was to improve the spiritual condition of young men engaged in the drapery and other trades by the introduction of religious services among them…the early emphasis was on spiritual improvement…” – International YMCA’s website

Today, the YMCA is a worldwide youth organization based in Vernier, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It has nearly 90,000 staff, some 920,000 volunteers and 12,000 branches worldwide – according to data available on the internet.

Sadly, YMCA is no more Christian in its nature nor in its purpose, let alone working for the kingdom of God as envisioned by its founder. As on date, the YMCA’s website states this as its purpose…
– “We are an organization like no other. The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages and inspiring action in and across communities.”

What a shift it is purpose. From an explicitly Christian organisation, according to the official records of YMCA – “…Jesus was at the centre, and workers laboured together to extend ‘God’s kingdom’.  The goal was to create a community using the Bible and prayer as the basis for spirituality.” – to an organisation “committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages” as  of today.

We get to see the same happening with many premium educational institutions in the Christian West, started by devout Christians, exclusively to serve the needs and the aspirations of the Kingdom of God, and to train Christian ministers.  Today, they stand as purely secular institutions, pursuing academic excellence, with little or no contribution to the Kingdom of God. Some institutions have not only become godless, but have actually become anti-Christian by espousing things that the Bible explicitly calls as sin.

What a painful tragedy it is to see this tectonic shift in the Christian West. It should pain every right minded Christian, the world over. God had used these very nations, not very long ago, for the proclamation of the gospel, and for the emancipation of the poor, needy and the marginalised. Today they are anything but a mere shadow of what they were, not very long ago.

Such decay and degradation does not come over night. It comes gradually over a period of time, when the people have begun to forget their God, His law, and His principles, values and ethics; and exchange the glory of the majestic LORD Jesus, to worthless pebbles, believing them to be precious and priceless stones of great and eternal value. 

YMCA does a lot of good work today. Same is the case with all the premium western educational institutions.  However, they are no more instruments of blessing in the hands of God of the Bible, for whom they were originally established. When the glory of God leaves a certain individual, a family, a society and a nation or nations, then it is only a matter of time when evil will take total control, and reign with impunity, leading them to destruction and death.

Our hearts should ache for the dear Christian brothers and sisters in the Christian West. They hold on to the LORD Jesus ever so faithfully, and ever so firmly in the face of such unprecedented rise of evil. Their faith is commendable and inspirational. Despite their struggles, these dear brothers and sisters still care for others in the world. They still do a lot for us, in the rest of the world. 
– “​1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Let us commit ourselves to pray for the dear brothers and sisters of the Christian West. Let us thank the LORD Jesus for the uncontaminated love, kindness and generosity of these dear Christians. Despite their own struggles, they joyfully share more than what is fair, with those in need, the world over. It speaks of their heart. May the dear LORD Jesus bless them, and all what is close to their hearts.