Good Friday Fellowship Breakfast emphasizes ‘C’ in YMCA
When Jesus was crucified, the people of the time didn’t know the resurrection of was around the corner a South Butler Assembly of God pastor reminded guests on Good Friday.
The Rev. Lance Stoddart shared a message with around 100 people of finding hope by rediscovering Christianity’s foundations April 3 at the 74th annual Good Friday Fellowship Breakfast at the Butler YMCA.
Stoddart used his venue, the YMCA, to drive his message. He said what makes the Young Men’s Christian Association different from other recreation facilities is the “C.”
“Over the years, that distinction has probably been lost on many people,” he said.
Stoddart said the YMCA wasn’t intended to be exclusively a place for friends and fun. It was meant to be a place for Christians to come together.
“When the YMCA becomes more than just an athletic facility, it becomes a beacon of hope,” Stoddart said.
Before the sermon, Butler Barracuda Swim Team member Garrett Kaiser read Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus calls his people the “salt of the Earth.”
Stoddart said in the ancient world, salt was the main preservative for food. Christians are meant to preserve what’s good and valuable in society.
Like the YMCA, he said Christians in the United States’ early years established hospitals, orphanages, universities and disaster relief funds that provided hope to their communities. Stoddart said he’s seen a resurgence in the desire to emphasize that Christian element around the world.
“I don’t think there’s any of us that would not agree that at this time in the life of this nation, and certainly the life of this community, we need that strong moral factor more than ever,” Stoddart said.
Stoddart said faith must be both personal and public. He said early churches, disciples and followers of Jesus publicly expressed their faith to create hope and identity.
“The ‘C’ changes everything,” he said.
