We are living in a time and age unlike any other. It may sound cliché, but it is most definitely true. Gone are the days of a distinct and separate Christian subculture, where church kids li10sten only to contemporary Christian music, wear cheesy Christian shirts (Budwiseup), and show up to groups with Christiany fun time. As we wrestle with the loss of these displays of identity of North American Christianity, maybe it’s for the better… We are now forced to explore more fully what Scripture means to be in, not of, BUT sent into the world (John 17:14-18).
We have been working to more clearly define what we mean by “a godly generation for tomorrow” in our Mission Statement (see top of email). To help bring this vision into focus, we are developing a “Profile of a Brigadier” and a “Profile of a Wildflower.” We want to reach children and youth with the life-transforming message of the gospel, not only for personal salvation and devotion, but to raise up a wave of godly men and women who will serve as a redemptive force in the world of tomorrow.
You may not realize the layers of intentionality and detail in CSB’s programming that make it unique, unlike any other discipleship ministry. Our framework is built on the solid rock of Scripture, with the Four Greats as the anchor points along the way of each level:
#1. The Great Commission
The overarching anchor point for the entire ministry of Christian Service Brigade is the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) to multiply and make disciples.
#2. The Greatest Commandments
The experience for little ones in grades 1 & 2 is based on three points found in the first and second Greatest Commandments (Mark 12:30-31). How we relate to God, others, and self is the bedrock foundation of becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus.
#3. The Great Development
CSB’s programming for children in grades 3-6 is based on four points found in The Great Development (Luke 2:52). Tethering to wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with man channels the wildly energetic growth of children this age toward holistic formation that honors God and prepares them for more as they mature.
#4. The Great Requirement
CSB’s programming for tweens and teens in grades 7-12 is based on The Great Requirement (Micah 6:8). God’s requirement to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly is a calling into adulthood, where the young person’s faith and discipleship journey becomes their own, and they learn to lead others in that same way. Character and leadership development for these ages is then broken down into CSB’s Seven Points of Valor.
These are more than a framework for programming; these are anchor points that have the power to shape the lives of the next generation! Regardless of what tomorrow brings, imagine a generation of young men and young women who have been shaped by these eternal truths, who think with the mind of Christ, and who know how to lead and live them out in their personal life, family life, work life, and the communities and culture they live in. Your support and the mentoring of godly adults through each of these levels of programming are having a tremendous impact!
Can you see the big picture? Do you see God’s redemptive heart in the intentionality Christian Service Brigade is employing by bringing better definition to our end goal, and intentionality into all of the pieces of the “Full Brigade Experience” that lead to that end goal?
We have invested in technology which has drastically accelerated our resource development, allowing us to create, finalize, and deliver program materials to local Units across the country in a fraction of the time it used to take. Together with our committee’s work, this enabled us to launch the Wildflowers girls’ ministry far sooner than previously thought possible. And you can see from the following that girls and women alike are growing in understanding and Christlikeness through this new ministry programming.
At Green Pond Bible Chapel in New Jersey, Katie and her team are discovering that CSB Wildflowers is doing more than giving them a curriculum to teach. It is helping them learn how to disciple girls. Their group includes about 20 girls from first through fifth grade and eight leaders. With such a wide age range, Katie initially wondered whether Wildflowers would connect with their younger girls.
“It works amazingly,” she shared.
One of the things she appreciates most is the flexibility. The lessons are easy to follow, and everything a leader needs is right there. Each study builds on the previous week, helping both the girls and leaders remember what they have learned and continue the conversation. The discussion questions can also grow with the girls. A question can be simple enough for a first grader but can lead into a much deeper conversation with an older girl. Leaders can follow the Vine Time questions provided or adapt them as the conversation unfolds. Katie experienced that firsthand while leading the younger girls through the Gardening study.
In the middle of the conversation, one girl suddenly asked a question about bees. It seemed completely unrelated, so Katie quickly answered and moved the group back to the lesson. Another leader, however, followed up with the girl afterward and discovered there was much more behind her question. What appeared random on the surface opened the door to a meaningful, deeper conversation.
It taught Katie something important: Don’t be too quick to dismiss the questions that seem to come out of nowhere. Sometimes those are the very questions that give us a glimpse into what is happening in a child’s heart.
That is discipleship.
CSB Wildflowers provides the framework and structure, along with the activities, lesson, Scripture, and questions, but the real ministry happens when godly women listen, ask another question, and take the time to walk with a girl wherever the conversation leads. This is same-gender, inter-generational, relational discipleship! And that is what it looks like when a church moves beyond simply reaching the next generation and begins leveraging CSB in activating its people to disciple them.
We want to introduce you to the team that has worked so diligently in creating an exciting program to meet the comprehensive discipleship needs of girls. Piloting this spring was a success, thanks to them. And this fall, we have had a successful launch, with 10% of CSB Units now running a Wildflowers program! CSB’s Wildflower committee: Committee Chair Heather Mattiuzzo, Members: Joanne Curran, Joan Fountain, Jodi Miller, Eileen Reiner, Suzanne Richbart, and Rachel Schaefer.
Praise Jesus for all the girls this new initiative is reaching!
Other ways technology benefits us:
- Enhances curriculum through partnerships with ministries, such as Summit Ministries.
- Quickly adapts resources to the needs and interests of kids and Unit Leaders.
- Frees staff to focus more on training and equipping Unit Leaders nationwide.
- Strengthens engagement through Brigade Leader Online.
- Simplifies Unit registration and access to training materials and resources.
- Encourages collaboration of proven practices among CSB leaders nationwide.
The increase in the development of programming material has not only helped launch Wildflowers, but it has also helped us fast-track the development of Tree Climbers Guild material. We are now projected to have a full library of resources for Tree Climber leaders to choose from by Christmas! Some of these new resources are already being used by dads and sons across the country, and the feedback has been encouraging. One dad, Alex Abramo, CSB Unit 3698, has been involved in Tree Climbers for four years and has seen these improvements firsthand. Here’s what he had to say:
“I started attending Tree Climbers four years ago. I now have two sons in Stockade, one in Tree Climbers, and another who will join us in a few years. Over the years, I’ve seen some great improvements in the Tree Climbers curriculum. The new Tree Climbers Guild lessons and activities we’ve used are much more engaging and age-appropriate for the boys. The curriculum is comprehensive and easy to follow and apply. All of my sons have enjoyed attending on a weekly basis. They would tell you it’s one of their favorite parts of the week! The other dads and I enjoy each other’s company and have a lot of fun with our boys. I have many years left in Tree Climbers, and I look forward to watching it shape my sons into young men, as well as benefit our relationship with some intentional time together.” – Alex Abramo (pictured with his son)
As Christian Service Brigade approaches its 90th anniversary, we have much to celebrate! Over the past 15 months, God has strengthened our ministry, opened new doors, and expanded opportunities to disciple the next generation. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together!
- We solidified our Mission and Vision statements.
- We brought renewed structure, stability, definition, and focus.
- We increased and improved communications.
- We invested in technology to help us maximize our focus on the most important relational aspects of our ministry.
- We directed much more of our resources and efforts towards encouraging, training, and equipping the wonderful CSB Unit leaders across the United States to embrace and execute the “Full Brigade Experience” rather than just a fraction of it.
- We launched a new and exciting program offering, Wildflowers, to empower women to disciple girls for the next generation of godly women.
- We have a reinvigorated staff, a driven board of directors, and currently three committees: the Wildflowers Committee, the Urban Initiative Committee, and the Advisory Committee that is assisting the board’s Executive Committee and me in developing a multi-year strategic plan.
Thank you for praying and financially supporting the ministry of Christian Service Brigade as we lead into our 90th anniversary! You are helping increase the value, recognition, and effectiveness of Christian Service Brigade as a leading ministry in the discipleship of the next generation. We squeeze every nickel and stretch every dollar for the glory of God; your support is stewarded well, and we are aggressively advancing God’s Kingdom (Matt 11:12). HALLELUJAH!
Strategic stewardship helped reduce our operating cost from $350 to $316 per participant ($7,700/Unit), maximizing every dollar you give.
We are believing for the Lord to work through you and our Brigade friends so that together we not only meet this need but surpass it, enabling us to grow and expand.
Will you pray, asking God how He would have you respond to this need, and then take action?
A single gift of $350, or a $30 monthly commitment, provides all of the support pieces for one boy in Tree Climbers, Stockade, or Battalion, or one girl in Wildflowers, with the $34 difference helping us to expand, grow, and reach more young people.
