News
Global Fellowship Headlines 2004
New Chief Executive Officer of Global Fellowship – Dec 2004
Global Youth Summit Singapore 2005 – Oct 2004
Report of Executive Committee – Apr 2004
Global Fellowship – Looking to the Future – Apr 2004
New Brigade Secretary in the UK – Feb 2004
New BB Headquarters in Nigeria – Jan 2004
A New Brigade Organisation in Togo, West Africa – Jan 2004
Regional Fellowship Meetings in 2004 – Jan 2004
Young Leaders’ Seminar, Singapore 2005 – Jan 2004
GF Chief Executive Visit to East Asia – Jan 2004
New Chief Executive Officer of Global Fellowship
Posted: Dec 2004
Rev Tim Pratt was recently appointed the CEO of the Global Fellowship of Christian Youth (GF). GF is the international
Christian Youth Organisation of which BBUK is a participating member. In BB terms, GF is essentially the office of “BB
international”. GF exists to serve the 750,000 young people who belong to member organisations in over 60 countries
around the globe through networking and sharing of resources. This occurs through the sharing of ideas, programmes, training,
personnel, finances and other resources. For more information about Global Fellowship and its members click on
www.globalfellowship.net
Tim was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and lived there until the age of 9 when his family uprooted and settled in New Zealand where he has lived ever since. Catherine his wife and two children, Natasha and Alysha, live in Auckland, by the beautiful Waitemata harbour. Like so many Aucklanders, one of their pastimes is sailing keel boats. Whenever possible they are to be found on the waters of the Hauraki Gulf, or the Bay of Islands grinding sails, fishing or relaxing in the sun.
By profession Tim is a Baptist minister and has pastored for over 10 years. He also has zeal for young people and to see them grow both personally and spiritually. This led to having responsibility for Northern NZ Baptist Youth Ministry, prior to becoming involved in Boys’ Brigade in New Zealand, where he has served for the last seven years as their National Director.
The greatest challenge for BBNZ recently has been to recapture the imagination of young people, the wider community and funding bodies in the context of what has become a post Christian, post baby boom, secular generation. This has led to significant decline in membership for a prolonged period. However for the first time in 36 years BBNZ recorded positive growth in 2004 due to a new packaging of what is essentially the age honoured “BB programme”. The new programme is trading under the title of Iconz Adventure. For more info click on www.bb.org.nz Tim continues to serve BBNZ in a part time capacity as Director whilst also filling the new part–time role in GF.
The immediate emphasis of his ministry in Global Fellowship will be to assist in the implementation of a fresh business (ministry) plan, as agreed at the recently held Executive Committee meeting. The primary goal of the plan is that “through collaboration Global Fellowship will consolidate and build on the 2001 strategic plan to realise increased capacity and capability of both the regions of Global Fellowship and its centre, so that it develops as a recognised Christian ministry of international credibility. This will be achieved through active enrichment of the total resource base at both the regional and central level”.
Stated simply GF is committed to growth through developing and resourcing regional bases around the globe that will support each other and their member organisations practically, spiritually and financially. As this is achieved, GF will also need to communicate and promote its successes to financial stakeholders ensuring its long term sustainability.
Tim looks forward to meeting as many BB and GF supporters as possible as the opportunity arises in what is a shared ministry amongst our youth.
Global Youth Summit Singapore 2005
Posted: Oct 2004
CALLING ALL YOUTH LEADERS!
The Boys’ Brigade (BB) in Singapore, in partnership with the Global Fellowship of Christian Youth and the BB Asia, will be organizing the Global Youth Summit in JUNE 2005. This event is in conjunction with the BB Singapore's Jubilee Celebration; our 75 Years Serving Singapore and the Church.
The Global Youth Summit will witness the congregation of Youth Leaders from the Global Fellowship of Christian Youth and the BB Asia, participating in a 5 days summit, which will culminate with a day conference and exhibition on youth work and international culture.
The Global Youth Summit provides a platform for exchange of ideas among the various international participants on how youth organizations like The Boys’ Brigade can effectively attract, retain and mould young people, especially in the light of rapid global changes and ever changing youth trends. This would also promote international exchange and sharing of culture with respect to youth work, family and community cohesion. Participants will showcase their respective countries’ work and ideas with the BB Officers in Singapore and the region.
We hope to see as many youth leaders representing a wide spectrum of international cultures at the Summit to gain an experiential learning from each other. We seek your support to promote this event to your members.
Briefly, the Global Youth Summit will be held in Singapore from 2 (THU) TO 7 (FRI) JUNE 2005. The participation fee is USD300 that includes all accommodation, facilities, food, workshop materials and a city tour of Singapore, but excluding air ticket expenses. Delegates should be in the age range of 21 to 40. A copy of the registration form is attached to facilitate process of registration. Early arrivals to Singapore before the Summit or late departures from Singapore after Summit can be arranged.
For more information on the Global Youth Summit and the BB Singapore Jubilee celebration activities, do check out the website at http://www.bb.org.sg/75Events/events.html Alternatively, you can also email the, Project Manager at Debra_mok@bb.org.sg for more information.
We would like to invite interested youth leaders to register for the Global Youth Summit 2005, through your local HQ. (Application forms are available at the Website) Taking this opportunity, we would also like to seek your prayers in seeing through this project, that our objective in equipping youth leaders through this exchange be beneficial to every participant.
Thank you and we look forward to having your country represented at the Global Youth Summit 2005.
Yours-in-His Service
ALBERT L H CHING
Executive Director
The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore
Tel: 67370377 ext 109 Fax: 67371676
HP: 97314225
Email: albertching@bb.org.sg
BB Website: http://www.bb.org.sg
BB Campus
105 Ganges Avenue
Singapore 169695
Report of Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of GF met in Helsinki from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October 2003. To see the report of the meeting, please click here Exco Report October 2003 (108k)
Global Fellowship – Looking to the Future
Posted: Apr 2004
Please download the attached Discussion Paper, which should be reviewed and considered by all Members and Regions of Global Fellowship in preparation for the GF Council in 2004 GF Discussion Paper (125k)
New Brigade Secretary in the UK
Posted: Feb 2004
The Brigade Executive in United Kingdom has appointed Mr Steven Dickinson as the new Brigade Secretary. Mr. Dickinson is 43 and joined the 6th Leeds Company at the age of 12 and has been a member of the Brigade ever since. Currently, he lives in Northampton, is Captain of the 7th Northampton BB Company and a member of St Andrew’s Methodist Church.
Steven Dickinson is a teacher by profession and currently the Head Teacher of a Primary School in Northamptonshire. His knowledge of young people through his work and his long experience in serving the Brigade at all levels means he has a thorough understanding of current issues and is well equipped to lead the Brigade in the years ahead. Until the appointment was confirmed he was a Brigade Vice–President.
Mr Dickinson says that he believes with many churches struggling to attract and retain young people, The Boys’ Brigade has an important role to play in working with churches to provide a youth work programme which young people will find attractive and challenging.
Mr. Dickinson will take up his post with the Brigade by the end of April when his current contractual commitments end.
New BB Headquarters in Nigeria
Posted: Jan 2004
2003 has been a very busy year for the Boys’ Brigade in Nigeria. August saw the 95 years national jubilee camp of the BB being held near the Federal Capital of Abuja. Camp preparations coincided with the erection of the BB House, that is the new BB Nigeria Headquarters. Recently, Dr. Recab Bongi, the National President of BB Nigeria and also a West Africa Regional Representative, reported:
“The building of the BB House in Abuja was completed to the glory of God. The building was dedicated 12th October 2003. The attendance was very impressive from the States. The Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja was represented. Similarly the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports was present. The BB House is now occupied by the new Ag. Secretary Matthew Osika, Finance Officer and Office assistance.”
A New Brigade Organisation in Togo, West Africa
Posted: Jan 2004
The 19th October 2003 an enrolment service took place in Lome, the capital City of Togo, whereby the 1st Lome company was born. La Brigade Des Garcons et Fille, Togo (The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade, Togo) has some 60 boys, girls and officers as members. BB Officers from Abia State, Nigeria have helped establish the Brigade in Togo; in particular Elder Daniel Eke Awosley who was the guest of honour at the enrolment service. Also the service was witnessed by representatives of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade Benin; themselves having started as late as in 1996. Global Fellowship congratulates The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Togo with the formation of the Brigade, and we wish to express our thanks to the Brigades in the neighbouring countries for their assistance in the process of establishing a new sister organisation.
Regional Fellowship Meetings in 2004
Posted: Jan 2004
The following plans for regional meetings have been reported to Global fellowship:
A Regional Summit is planned for the Pacific Regional Fellowship to take place in Sydney, hosted by BB Australia at the
end of February 2004. The GF Chief Executive will attend the meeting. The Planning Committee will also invite an
observer from the East Asia Regional Fellowship for the Summit.
The members of the South Asia Regional Fellowship have been invited for the annual meeting and a youth leaders’ seminar to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh in March 2004. Sishu Kishore Sangha will host the meeting. South Asia has invited an observer from Europe to attend the meeting; the European Regional Fellowship has accepted the invitation and has appointed the Regional Secretary, Ms. Tuovi Varis from Finland, as their representative. The GF Chief Executive will also be present. Potential future member organisations of SARF in Pakistan and Nepal have expressed their interest of attending the Dhaka meeting as observers.
Plans are on way for formal Fellowship meetings in combination with a joint leaders’ seminar for all the member organisations of East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa. Hopefully this important event will take place in Nairobi at the beginning of June 2004, hosted by the BB in Kenya. Also this meeting the GF Chief Executive is planning to attend.
The European Regional Fellowship will convene their annual general meeting at Budapest, Hungary in June 2004, with SIZE of Hungary as the host.
Finally, the Eastern and Southern Caribbean Fellowship will meet in July 2004 in Antigua for the annual regional meeting, followed by a young leaders’ training camp.
The Western Caribbean Fellowship might be invited for the meeting of the other Caribbean Fellowship in Antigua. But anyway the Western Caribbeans will be in contact themselves in various ways in their own region.
Young Leaders’ Seminar, Singapore 2005
Posted: Jan 2004
2005 is the 75 years anniversary year of the Boys’ Brigade Singapore. As part of the jubilee celebrations BB Singapore wishes to invite some 70 youth leaders from GF member organisations worldwide. They would be invited for a combined five days youth leaders’ residential seminar and a youth conference in Singapore – altogether seven days at the end of May, beginning of June 2005. Global Fellowship was exited by this proposal from BB Singapore and the Chief Executive, during his visit in October, had talks with the Jubilee Planning Committee about all aspects of the proposed event. Information will be circulated to the GF member organisations in the beginning of 2004. We hope to see young leaders from all continents coming together in Singapore joining with the BB in celebrating their Jubilee and sharing a learning experience at the same time. Member organisations are advised that whereas BB Singapore will do their very best to keep local costs low, support towards travel costs cannot be provided neither by BB Singapore nor by Global Fellowship.
GF Chief Executive Visit to East Asia
Posted: Jan 2004
The Chief Executive of GF, Mr. Tage Kleinbeck visited Singapore and Hong Kong in late October. In both of the countries he met with the Executive and Staff of the Boys’ Brigade for talks about the future development of the relationship between the East Asian Region and Global Fellowship. A strong common wish and commitment was expressed by all parties with regards to working for the best possible conditions for Christian youth work in the region as well as for continued close links between this Region and Brigades and other sister organisations in the Global Fellowship as a whole. Discussions are ongoing in the region concerning which organisational set–up would best serve the purpose in the future (a BB Asia or an East Asia Regional Fellowship of GF – or a combination). There was a mutual understanding that there is no need to jump to conclusions; on the contrary the discussions of this Region should be seen in conjunction with the considerations regarding the general development and future set–up of our worldwide fellowship. A discussion paper produced by the GF Executive and circulated to all member organisations will address these issues. The GF member organisations in East Asia are fully aware that these issues will also form the most important part of the agenda for the GF Council meeting in Finland in 2004.
Besides these talks on organisation and cooperation the Chief Executive was provided excellent opportunities to get to know aspects of the Brigade life in the two countries. Not only did he meet with officers, committee members and local companies. He was also invited as a guest for the BB Golf Tournament Fund Raising Event in Singapore as well as for the very impressive Founder?s Day Parade of the BB in Hong Kong.
But after all the most encouraging news to share from the region is that the membership figures of the BB in both of these two countries are growing rapidly. At the same time they are actively supporting new Brigade work or exploring possibilities for extension in a number of countries, such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Burma and The People?s Republic of China.
The East Asia Regional Fellowship also includes the Brigades in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
