The UN in the YMCA

By Kurt & Becky Sager

Every Sunday morning we and our four children ages 2,4,6 & 8 drive up to the YMCA in Flushing, Queens, New York City. Their blonde hair and blue eyes look almost out of place in this predominantly Asian community. Our immediate goal is to find a parking spot.

Kent has to double-park in front of the YMCA so we can unload the van. Our "portable church" equipment includes the podium, a box of Bibles, children's church materials, a keyboard, and chairs. Another van pulls up with church members and more chairs to be carried upstairs to the two rooms we rent each Sunday.

Whatever happened to arriving at a church with a large parking lot, pulling into a spot and going inside to find your favorite pew? Welcome to church planting in New York City where everything seems to be a struggle!

Our group is the proverbial ethnic melting pot. We have first generation immigrants from India, the Philippines, Jamaica, Guyana, Ireland, Czechoslovakia, China, Brazil, Korea, Ecuador, and England; second generation Hungarians, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Italians, Anglo-and African-Americans. Near our church is the most diverse neighborhood in the world where you can find a Bangladeshi grocery store or an Afghani restaurant.

This YMCA also serves as a shelter for the homeless. Often they wander in and join the service. Sometimes they want money or food. Some have AIDS. We try to help wisely in whatever way we can. Denise came to our services for a couple of months while she was pregnant and separated from her family. After she gave birth, she could no longer stay at the Y, and the state took custody of her baby. Denise accepted Christ as Savior, was baptized, and reunited with her husband and two children. She is still trying to get custody of her new baby.

We hold our Sunday service at the Flushing YMCA, then meet mid-week in homes. Our emphasis is evangelism including visitation, special dinners, and Bible studies. During the summer, teams from various churches conduct VBS and Bible clubs.

Located near Shea stadium, the US Tennis Open, and Flushing Meadow Park (home to World's Fairs) means real estate is at a premium. Our goal is to establish Grace Baptist Church in a regular meeting place that is affordable to rent or to purchase-maybe even something with a parking lot.

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