The Inspiring Story Behind The YMCA

George Williams was born on October 11, 1821. Growing up on a farm, he spent a good deal of time hauling hay. During this time, he began to dream that there had to be more to life than this daily, monotonous routine. God was beginning to plant a vision in the heart of George that would lead to the founding of the Young Men’s Christian Association.

After working on the farm, George took jobs working in factories. While there in the midst of the horrible working conditions, he noticed that two other employees had great characters and attitudes and wanted to get to know them better. At the invitation of these two, he began attending church and eventually accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

In the factories, George also saw hopelessness in the lives of other young men. He began praying for each one by name. Soon after, another person was hired by the name of Christopher Smith, who also happened to be a Christian. George and Christopher began praying together. Word got around and other workers started to join them. “Something bigger than any one man was glowing and growing out of the gritty, dirty, lonely factories of industrial London. One precious person at a time was being transformed, was being made alive, was being fueled by the love he had received, and was becoming eager to spread the flame”(Quote taken from, The Shining Light. The Man, Mission, and Movement of the YMCA, Dr. David Newman, 2021, The City Movement).

In London, 150,000 young men had come to work in factories, so George pondered the idea of expanding this spiritual movement into the city. The vision that George had while hauling hay on the farm began to grow. Twelve men began to pray. From this, the YMCA was born in London, in 1848. It happened through a vision given to a young man on a farm, through much prayer, and through God-ordained circumstances. It was founded on the belief that a right relationship with God is the most important thing for each person. This is a good example of Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.”

Sadly, the core values of the YMCA have changed over the years, and in 2010 the name was changed to simply, “the Y.” However, there would be no “Y” if it were not for the young boy that God used to bring about this great organization. George asked the question, “God, what would you have me do?” This question can apply to each and every Christian. In the context of the routine of earning a living, do we have a ministry of some sort to build lives?

This story also says a lot about prayer. God speaks through prayer, as he did with the 12 men gathered in London. How is our prayer life? Do we pray consistently and persistently? Pray and be open to God’s leading. We never know what God might bring about. Through prayer ask God to give you a life mission that will have an eternal and spiritual impact in the lives of others.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.