Courageous Christianity - How a 19th century revival sparked the Muscular Christianity movement, Y.M.C.A. athletics, and a youth-led race to save the world

Did you know modern Olympics were inspired by the Muscular Christianity movement, as was the game of rugby? Were you aware basketball, volleyball, racquetball, softball, body-building, sportsmanship, and swimming lessons, were pioneered by Y.M.C.A. trainers and used as evangelism outreach tools to bring youth to Christ around the globe?  The Young Men's Christian Association grew to be the largest youth charity in the world, with 10,000 chapters in 124 countries with 64 million members. It was founded in 1844 by George Williams in London, who was inspired by the Second Great Awakening preacher Charles Finney. The Y.M.C.A. had a role in racial reconciliation, Black History Month, the start of The Gideons International, Father’s Day, U.S.O. for military personnel, summer camps, Boy Scouts, and Toastmasters. Fun Fact: The Y.M.C.A. director Henri Dunant in Geneva, Switzerland, started the International Red Cross, which grew to provide aid to 160 million people annually in 192 countries. Du