Test Drive test blobymca colour | Page 27

Blob  George  Williams   George  Williams  was  a  London  draper  who  was  appalled  by  the   terrible   working   conditions   for   working   men.   He   gathered   a   group   of   young   men   together   as   an   alternative   to   the   unhealthy   lifestyle  they  might  otherwise  fall  into.  After  a  few  meetings,  this   group  was  called  the  YMCA.   At   first   it   was   focused   upon   the   spiritual   aspect   of   a   man,   but   soon   it   broadened   out   until   it   began   to   cater   for   the   body   and   soul  too.     Many   were   inspired   by   the   success   of   his   group   and   soon   YMCAs   sprouted   up   across   Great   Britain,   and   eventually   the   world.   In   1855  the  first  World  Congress  of  YMCAs  took  place!   When  George  died  in  1905,  he  was  buried  in  St.  Paul’s  Cathedral,   in  honour  of  the  impact  he  had  upon  young  men,  their  faith,  fit-­‐ ness   and   general   education.   He   could   have   never   imagined   how   great  an  impact  he  would  have  upon  the  world.     How   to   use:   get   your   group   to   discuss   the   image   and   try   to   work   out  what  happened  in  his  life.   Ask  them  where  they  think  that  the  key  moments  were  in  his  life.   Discuss   how,   just   as   the   YMCA   kept   changing   in   those   early   days,   it   is   constantly   changing   now.   How   would   they   like   to   see   it   changed?     Blob  YMCA  Training  Manual           You  are  a  beautiful  human  person