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Y's biblical exercise offers spiritual fitness
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG -- The YMCA, familiar as a place to stretch one's muscles, also has a tradition of Christians exercising their faith. The latter is now possible at the local YMCA, which for the second time in recent months is offering a program of Bible study and prayer at its new facility, 3200 First Ave. S. The current program begins at 7 a.m. today and will continue on Wednesdays through the summer. The prayer time is not an unusual activity for YMCAs, said Rick Montondo, the local group's senior vice president of financial development and the Bible study's volunteer teacher. "Every YMCA in the country tries to do something like this. It's nothing new," Montondo said, adding that the 150-year-old worldwide organization was founded with a religious mission. "In fact, our original programs were Bible studies and devotional time, and the whole reason we did that at that time was to take young men and keep them out of the bars and trouble," Montondo said. Founded in London in 1844 as the Young Men's Christian Association, the organization sought to offer a stable, moral environment for the young men who were teeming into the newly industrialized cities for jobs. The first YMCA was established in North America in 1851. Today the organization can be found in more than 120 countries, with better than 2,400 branches throughout the United States. Although started by evangelical Christians, the Y welcomes people of all religions, races, genders and economic backgrounds, Montondo said. This summer's Bible study also is open to all, he said. "It is going to be on the Book of Job, which is the Old Testament. We welcome people of all faiths. We would never want to turn anybody off. Our intent is to be all-inclusive," said Montondo, who teaches Bible study at his church, New Hope Baptist in Parrish, near Bradenton. The new YMCA building near Central Plaza is named in honor of Dr. James Gills, a prominent eye surgeon, and his wife, Heather, who gave $2-million to the St. Petersburg Family YMCA. Montondo said Dr. Gills, an evangelical Christian who has written several books about his faith, was pleased to hear about the Bible study. "We did mention to him that we were doing it, and he was very happy to hear that," Montondo said. This is the second Bible study class Montondo has led at the local Y. The first, which drew from five to 13 participants ranging in age from about 30 to retirees, included members and nonmembers, he said. Some participants fit the class in before their exercise programs, Montondo said. "We'll take a book in the Bible and we basically take it verse by verse and find out what it means to us," he said of the hourlong sessions. This summer's program on the Book of Job will offer "some good lessons," he said. "It's a great book to learn patience. It's a good book to learn how to endure suffering; how to endure suffering calmly and serenely."
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
