YMCA ~YMCA ~ Basic Basic Historical Historical PerspectivePerspectiveHERITAGE & HERITAGE & MISSIONMISSION

Yuan RoblesYuan RoblesProgram AssistantProgram Assistant for Visual and Multi-Media Communicationsfor Visual and Multi-Media Communications

ymca 2

First YMCA was organized n London, England on June 6, 1844

George Williams only 20 years old, and 11 other youth responded to call of Jesus Christ to do something for young people in difficult conditions

Served the YMCA and the people ~ as members and volunteers

Seek better ways of building Christian faith and character among all people

Young Men’s Christian Association

04/18/23 ymca 3

Sir George Williams was born on October 11, 1821, the youngest of eight children. He described himself as a "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow," but while staying in the town of Bridgewater and learning to become a draper (clothing goods trade) he became a devout Christian.

Williams became a crusader for improved working conditions such as shorter hours (a standard working day was 15 or so hours), and as he became a successful businessman, he gave away approximately two-thirds of his income.

He has been commemorated by a stained glass window in Westminster Abbey and is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, both among the highest honors given to English national heroes.

ymca 4

# England/Europe ~ Industrial Revolution; young moving from rural to cities

# difficult living conditions

# struggle ~ values challenged

# religious revivalism

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage From 1850 to 1852, YMCA spread

to France, Switzerland, Germany, North America and Australia.

London YMCA became the center of International influence from 1844 to 1878

In l855, the 1st World YMCA Conference was held in Paris (9 countries attended) and gave birth to what is known as the Paris Basis.

ymca 5

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

The World Alliance of YMCAs was created in August 22, 1855 through the initiative of Henri Dunant.

During the 8th World YMCA Conference in 1878 in Geneva, a historic decision was made to establish the Central International Committee with its headquarters in Geneva

ymca 6

04/18/23 ymca 7

FOUNDER OF YMCA GENEVA

Henri Dunant, was born in Geneva on 8 May 1828, from a devout and charitable Calvinist family. Motivated by his strong sense of faith and desire to help others, as a young man, Dunant began organizing prayer groups and bible studies from his home. He went on to co-found the YMCA of Geneva in 1852.

Henry Dunant played a pivotal role in the growth of the international YMCA Movement. He became a fervent spokesperson for the YMCA, promoting it all over the world, and visiting emerging YMCAs across Europe and North Africa.

His enthusiasm and passion to have a truly international movement led to the first ever International YMCA Conference held in Paris in 1855. Recognised Humanitarian and Winner of Nobel Peace Prize, Henry Dunant would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross, and win the first ever Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.HENRY DUNANT

John R. Mott

John R. Mott from New York on 25 May 1865. In 1885, as a student at Cornell University, he was President of the student YMCA, helped increase membership threefold, and raised money for a University YMCA building. He graduated in 1888 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history,.He served for 27 years as Secretary of the Intercollegiate YMCA of the USA and Canada.

From 1915 to 1928 he served as General Secretary of the International YMCA Committee (that would later become the World Alliance of YMCAs) and as President of the World Alliance from 1926 to 1937.

Pioneer of the Student Christian Movement and founder of the World's Student Christian Federation (1895) and as its General Secretary went on to organize national student movements in India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe and the North East.

During World War I, when the YMCA offered its services to President Wilson, Mott became General Secretary of the National War Work Council, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal for his work.

Winner of Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his work in the international Protestant Christian student organizations promoting peace.

04/18/23 ymca 8

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage Through Luther Wishard’s initiative, the first

Asian YMCAs were started in Japan (1880), Sri Lanka (1884), Tungehow and Roochow (North China, 1885)

The first Far Eastern and Indian Area Conference (considered as the 1st Leaders Conference)was held at Pines Hotel, Baguio City in August 1933.

In the 2nd Asia YMCA Leaders Conference of 1949 in Bangkok, Thailand evolved an Asia Area organization with 10 countries participating.

ymca 9

04/18/23 ymca 10

Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti

YMCAs in Asia and Pacific

…………in 24 countries/territories

and 3 YMCAs in Formation

East Timor

YMCA YMCA HeritageHeritageAmerican Contribution:

Physical education geared towards the total development of individuals

In 1891, the YMCA (Dr. James Naismith)

invented BASKETBALL. In l895, YMCA Physical Director William

Morgan invented VOLLEYBALL. A Training School for Physical Education

Directors & Secretaries of YMCAs

ymca 11

ymca 12ymca 12

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

spirit

mind

body

ymca 13ymca 13

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

this triangle?

what about it?

04/18/23 ymca 14

Or these words ~ what do they say to you?

SPIRIT

MIND

BODY

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

YMCA HeritageYMCA Heritage

Cared for the Spiritual needs ~ bible study & prayerConcerned about Mental growth ~

reading rooms & librariesRespected Life ~ provided proper living

conditions, recreation for healthy, physical growth

ymca 15

04/18/23 ymca 16

Paris Basis (1855)

The Young Men’s Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their doctrine and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom amongst young men.

4 basic essential concept of Paris Basis

1. Unity

2. Kingdom of God

3. Christian Witness

4. Young People

04/18/23 ymca 17

4 basic concepts:

1. Unity The PB unifies the members for mutual

support and service for humanity Inclusive rather than exclusive

04/18/23 ymca 18

4 basic concepts

2. Kingdom of God Jesus taught us to pray that the “Kingdom

of God” may come - means “reign” not realm or domain

The “Kingdom of God” therefore means the “Reign of God”

04/18/23 ymca 19

4 basic concepts

3. Christian Witness Work of the YMCA should lead to or

contribute towards the realization of the Reign of God on Earth.

Members should witness or share the good News of Salvation with others in terms of their faith (belief) and life (practice)

04/18/23 ymca 20

4 basic concepts

4. Young People the main focus of the YMCA work is

Young People to develop young people in mind, body and

spirit based from their context with commitment to build harmonious and better communities

04/18/23 ymca 21

CHALLENGE 2I( Adopted at the 14th World Council of YMCAs in Frechen, Germany, 1998)

Challenge 21 was felt as a step was felt as a step forward inforward in renewing an understanding of the implications of the YMCA mission with the Paris with the Paris Basis as the foundation of the Basis as the foundation of the mission. Even as the world we live in mission. Even as the world we live in becomes more and more complex, becomes more and more complex, thethe YMCA is obliged to find ways in which it should remain geared to the times, but equally or more importantly, anchored to the Rock.

04/18/23 ymca 22

ymca 23

Challenge 21

Affirming the Paris Basis adopted in 1855, as the ongoing foundation statement of the mission of the YMCA, we declare that the YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on and the genuine involvement of young people and that it seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation.

ymca 24

C-21 Imperatives 1. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and striving for spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being of individuals and wholeness of communities.

2. Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.

3. Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children.

04/18/23 ymca 25

C-21 Imperatives4. Fostering dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and ideologies and recognizing the cultural identities of people and promoting cultural renewal.

5. Committing to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people and oppressed racial, religious and ethnic minorities.

ymca 26

C-21 Imperatives6. Seeking to be mediators and reconcilers in situations of conflict and working for meaningful participation and advancement of people for their own self-determination. 7. Defending God's creation against all that would destroy it and preserving and protecting the earth's resources for coming generations.

To face these challenges, the YMCA will develop patterns of cooperation at all levels that enable self-sustenance and self-determination.

ymca 27

Organisational Relationships

Local ~ National Movements

World Alliance of YMCAs

Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

04/18/23 ymca 28

Context

Community

Concern

Commitment

04/18/23 ymca 29

YMCA Heritage & YMCA Heritage & MissionMission

To develop young people in spirit, mind and body

To take an option for the poor

To rebuild lives

To build communities where love, justice & peace prevail

YMCAYMCAss in Asia & Pacific in Asia & Pacific Heritage \ MissionHeritage \ Mission

Response to community & people in context ~ option for the poor, needy, marginalized, deprived, suffering….

YMCAYMCAss in Asia & in Asia & Pacific Pacific

Heritage \ MissionHeritage \ Mission

Strong Christian base Strong values of love,

justice & peace Strong social relevance Strong sense of

community

YMCAYMCAss in Asia & in Asia & Pacific Pacific

Heritage \ MissionHeritage \ MissionYMCA …..YMCA …..a Christian movementa membership movementa fellowship of peoplea social, community Movementa voluntary , lay, ecumenical, Christian movement

As a Christian Movement

The YMCA co-operates with churches in their ministry and teachings but is not aligned to any one denomination, it welcomes persons of other religions to join its programmes.

04/18/23 ymca 33

A membership movement

Where members join together, for a common purpose, and determine programmes and policy, this gives them a sense of belonging to a group where they count. The Board of Directors is elected by and from the full membership. Likewise in each group within the YMCA members share in selecting their own leaders and in carrying responsibility for programmes.

04/18/23 ymca 34

A fellowship of people

In the local community, in the nation and throughout the world, it seeks to provide fellowship, uniting men and women, boys and girls of all classes, creeds, colours and nationalities.

04/18/23 ymca 35

A social, community movement

Committed to uphold social justice, human rights and human dignity in multi-religious, multi-ethnic environments, with mutual understanding and tolerance.

04/18/23 ymca 36

A voluntary , lay, ecumenical, Christian movement The YMCA aims are formulated by the

Associations themselves. It appeals for members and leaders and support those who wish to work for these aims. Leaders and volunteers are alert to guard the voluntary nature of the Association. It is centered on Christ’s teachings and life regardless of religion and ideological views.

04/18/23 ymca 37

MAHAL NATIN ANG YMCA!MAHAL NATIN ANG PILIPINAS!

MABUHAY! MARAMING SALAMAT PO!