Christian Emphasis

Founded in 1844 by George Williams and eleven Christian young men, the Y has a long history of building a healthy spirit, mind and body for all through Christian principles. For many of our members and staff, we describe our Christian principles as loving, caring and serving as the hands and heart of Christ, for all. We strive to emphasize actions and attitudes that reflect the Golden Rule, encouraging all members to live out their diverse beliefs and faith at the Y as they participate in our mission.  

Although the YMCA is not a church, we are a Christian-focused organization with a strong religious heritage that has deeply shaped our work across the country and the world. We believe that our Christian principles can help us be for all in healthy ways as we build up individuals and families from all walks of life. Alongside this, we offer faith-based programming and events throughout the year, as well as partner with Christian churches and organizations to further strengthen the foundations of our community. 

Good Friday Breakfast

An annual event started in 2005 that brings together hundreds of people from across the city for a great morning of Christian inspiration, encouragement, and challenge.

National Day of Prayer

Christians from around the community gather for prayer on the first Thursday of May at many of our membership branches to pray for our nation and neighborhoods, for guidance and grace to love, care and serve our schools, families, local leaders, and congregations.  

Inspire

This two-hour training offered throughout the year is designed to help members think through how to live out their faith at their YMCA branch. 

Father's Day Run-Walk-Ruck 

Did you know that many churches and the YMCA helped establish Father's Day in the United States? We partner with Associated Churches to celebrate dads and father-figures in our community through a family-friendly community event, the Father's Day 5K.

Enneagram Training

Throughout the year, we offer training on how to use the Enneagram to build up a healthier spirit and mind from a Christian perspective.

Navigating Finances God's Way

Throughout the year we offer sessions on how to improve your personal finances from a Christian perspective.

GriefShare

A program available at our membership branches throughout the year, providing a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences, the loss of a family member.

Journey To Freedom

A program available at our membership branches throughout the year, Journey To Freedom is an eight-week group, offering a safe and encouraging place for participants to step out of contemplating change and into real action.

YMCA Devotions on YouVersion

Click here to view and access devotions written by YMCA leaders published on the YouVersion Bible app (available for free).

Salty & Spirited YMCA Substack

Click here to subscribe to the YMCA Christian Emphasis Substack: Salty & Spirited - it includes posts on ways the Christian principles and our mission can strengthen how we are for all in our community, being the salt of the earth with the same Spirit as Christ Jesus.

YMCA Publications on Christian Emphasis

Download for free two different e-book resources, The Courage to Be Present: A Study of the Ways the Church Embodies the Gospel in the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne (an academic publication) as well as the collection of essays What Kind of Y Do You Dream Of? 40 Hope-full Essays On Putting Healing Christian Principles Into Practice 

Follow on Instagram

For updates and stories on YMCA Christian Emphasis activities in our association and branches, click here to follow ymca.spiritmindbody on Instagram

Volunteering & Internships

Students and adults interested in a volunteer or an internship opportunity with the Christian Emphasis department can request information at tim_hallman@fwymca.org

YMCA Chaplains Program

To schedule a time to meet with a local Christian minister who serves as a YMCA chaplain in a branch near you, please contact your local branch:

• Pastor Jason Morris at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, Central Branch YMCA: 260.755.4800
• Eric Burkhardt, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Bill Rutledge, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Jim Phillips, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Jon Uecker, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Jordan Winkert, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Pastor CJ Powell, Christ's Hope Church, Parkview Family YMCA: 260.755.4854
• Pastor Ashley Moreland, St. Joe Church at the Y at Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA: 260.755.4923
• Pastor Ron Verlee, St. Joe Church at the Y at Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA: 260.755.4923
• Ruth Gerken, St. Joe Church at the Y at Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA: 260.755.4923
• Rodney Nelson, Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA: 260.755.4923
• Mark Hartman, Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA: 260.755.4923
• Patrick Duff, Whitley County Family YMCA: 260.244.9622
• Pastor Gary and Kay Heishman, Abiding Place Church at Renaissance Pointe YMCA: 260.447.4567
• Pastor Lewis & Joy King, Kingdom OutReach Cathedral at Renaissance Pointe YMCA: 260.447.4567
• Pastor Clark Stoller, Living Water United Church, Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA: 260.565.9622
• Alicia Hill, Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA: 260.565.9622
• Kat Teeple, Living Water United Church, Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA: 260.565.9622
• Fr. Jake Schneider, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Jorgensen Family YMCA: 260.755.4828
• Pastor Caleb Stayton, Sonrise Church, Jorgensen Family YMCA: 260.755.4828
• Pastor Graham Boll, Westview Alliance Church at Jorgensen Family YMCA: 260.755.4828

YMCA + Church Collaborations 

Several of our branches have a congregation that meets in our Y facility for Sunday worship as well as partner with the Y staff as committee, program and event volunteers. It's a collaboration that seeks to benefit the Y, the church, and the community. 

• Pastor Kyle & Stephanie Tennant, Grace Gathering Church at Parkview Family YMCA
• Pastor Ashley Moreland, St. Joe at the Y at Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA
• Pastor Kent Nighswander, Kingdom Collective at Jorgensen Family YMCA
• Pastor Gary and Kay Heishman, Abiding Place Church at Renaissance Pointe YMCA
• Pastor Lewis & Joy King, Kingdom OutReach Cathedral at Renaissance Pointe YMCA
• Pastor Amanda Daniels at The Foundry Church, Whitley County Family YMCA

YMCA Christian Emphasis Committees 

Each branch has a committee that supports Christian Emphasis events initiatives amongst the staff and members, primarily around prayer and encouragement, holiday events, and program support. Contact your branch Executive Director about how to get more involved. 

For more information on Christian Emphasis programs and events at the Y, please contact Dr. Tim Hallman, our Christian Emphasis Director: tim_hallman@fwymca.org / 260.755.4964

The mission of the YMCA: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

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