At the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, our Christian Mission Services reflect the values on which the Y was founded — love, service, and care for one another. Rooted in our Christian heritage and open to all, this ministry nurtures spiritual growth, offers compassionate support, and creates opportunities to connect, reflect, and serve. Through chaplaincy, programs, and meaningful moments of encouragement, we strive to strengthen individuals and build a more caring, connected community.
Christian Mission of the YMCA
Rooted in Faith, Serving All
Our Christian Heritage
The YMCA was founded by a man named George Williams. In 1844 George Williams left his family farm and began a life working in the drapery trade. He found factory life to be dreary and desperate. He looked around and saw young men struggling and living harsh lives. He began to pray alone in his factory dorm, asking God what He wanted him to do. Slowly, other boys began to join Him in prayer, and the factory saw spiritual transformation through first, prayer, then community. George then moved to London, still in the drapery trade but with a new goal: to win young men for Christ. It was George Williams' faith in action that brought the Gospel into London during the industrial revolution in 1844 and eventually led to what we now know as the YMCA.
Our Mission
Our work is all based on our mission: To put Christian principles into practice that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Our ministry is based on John 17:21 "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." We acknowledge that in our YMCAs there are people of all walks of life. Our mission and the verse our work is based on, is all about creating a space in which everyone belongs, and we drive towards unity and thriving for all.
Love. Serve. Care.
We have a Christian Mission committee, a group of dedicated leaders — both staff and volunteers — who help the YMCA live out our mission. We picked 3 words to focus on how we live out our Christian mission: Love. Serve. Care. There are so many ways to love, serve and care for others at our YMCA. We have all sorts of events, programs, camps, and much more. We hope to invite people into the YMCA to serve for the sake of service.
Christian Mission Programs & Services
Chaplaincy Program
One of the ways we support our mission is by offering a chaplaincy program to help support the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our staff, members and program participants. This ministry is for all people of different faiths, cultures, backgrounds, and belief systems. Our volunteer chaplains serve at various times in our Nir Family YMCA and Sampson County YMCA branches.
Learn More About Chaplaincy Program
Churches that Meet at Our YMCAs
Grace City Church
Meets at Nir Family YMCA
Sundays at 10:00am
Learn MoreRiverLife Wilmington Church
Meets at Midtown YMCA
Sundays at 10:00am
National Day of Prayer
Thursday May 7, 2026
Join us on National Day of Prayer! A gathering that includes light refreshments, prayer and a message designed to spotlight the importance of prayer in our lives. Gatherings will take place at all YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina membership branches:
- 8:30am at Sampson County YMCA Wellness Floor
- 8:30am at Midtown YMCA Lobby
- 9:00am at Nir Family YMCA Gymnasium
Resources
Bible.com - Download the Bible for free on any device!
YouVersion - Follow the YMCA for devotions and study materials.
US Mission Network YMCA Resources
Submit a Prayer Request
We take your request seriously and promise to pray over your request with all sincerity. Furthermore, your prayer requests will be shared with our Chaplains and YMCA Prayer Partners to be prayed over multiple times. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information that you do not want shared publicly.
Want to Help Provide Additional Resources At Our Branches?
Take a look below at the requests from our branches:
- Bibles
- Christian Books
- Resource Material
- Chaplain Resources & Ongoing Training
- Faith-Leader Gatherings & Events
Click the button below to let us know if you're interested in supporting our Christian Mission Services through a donation or volunteering.
