LEADING AT 80 - Fred Thurner

For years, Christian Service Brigade has assisted men in their ministry to boys.  It has been happening for more than 75 years. Well, 54 years ago a young man by the name of Fred Thurner came on the scene and began to have a huge influence on teenage boys in the Winnipeg area, as well as in the entire province of Manitoba. Fred was instrumental in organizing sporting events through Area Activities and Camporees.  It is now common for men to ask about Fred wherever Christian Service Brigade is being displayed.  The impact that Fred has had in the lives of boys is astounding. He is still serving as a Lieutenant in the Calvary Temple Battalion.

Recently, CSB Unit 590, held a birthday celebration in his honour as he turned 80 years of age. Fred has been a leader in that unit for the past 54 years and has served with distinction, never missing a year. Join with us in praying for God’s Blessing on his life, as he continues to impact the lives of many more boys, and serves as an example of a man dedicated to his Saviour’s Calling.

Bob's Return on Investment in Ministry

Dan works late into the evening with solar power running the lights and laptop. There is no other choice on the high mountain plain of Cameroon. He is heading Wycliffe’s cluster project in the village, translating the Bible into nine different dialects, languages that had no written form until Dan, with his wife Melody and three kids, initiated the project in 2000. It is the product of God’s calling in his life.

Meanwhile, halfway around the world, his twin brother Steve also works late into the evening on his laptop, writing and editing rather than translating. He pastors a small church in Saskatoon and heads up CSB’s curriculum update projects: reVISION for Stockade and INNOV8 for Battalion.

Both Dan and Steve are products of their dad’s investment in ministry. Forty years ago, Bob supported CSB Canada with a monthly donation to the general fund. For six years, he faithfully provided support while his twin sons were involved in CSB as boys. He could put a dollar amount on that investment, but the return on his giving far exceeded anything he imagined, because at God’s urging, he decided to also invest in his local Regional Director.

The Regional Director helped run several camp programs for those six years. He was the Captain for one week of Battalion camp for teenage boys, and he ran the Tree Climber Weekend for fathers and sons for those same years. During those Battalion camps, he led eight boys to Christ personally, but also saw 40 other boys make first time decisions with other counsellors. At the first Tree Climber Weekend, he saw 3 dads rededicate their lives to both God and their family. Bob knew he had invested well, but the big payoff was yet to come.

For two of those Tree Climber Weekends, the Regional Director worked with Bob’s 15-year-old young son, Steve, helping him learn how to lead camps, tell stories, and lead boys. Steve ended up working for the next seven summers at Camp Kakeka, the last two as Program Director in charge of both the camp and counsellor programs. Seven hundred boys each summer were reached though the camp, with 70 of them making first time decisions for Christ each year. Bob’s son, in fact both of them, were being “called” to serve the Lord.

During the time of Bob’s support, the Regional Director visited 60 units, while maintaining a leadership presence in his own unit as Captain for four years and Lieutenant for the other two. He participated in organizing and leading almost 20 Advanced Leadership Training courses, six Basic Leadership Training courses, helped with some curriculum development, and worked with five young men who received their Herald of Christ awards. The Regional Director was involved in Camporees and Shape ‘n Race Derbies, as well as a host of other activities, all because of Bob, and people just like him.

Now it is today. Bob had to deal with cancer a few years back, and has back and nerve issues that limit his mobility. While he continues to support CSB, his only personal involvement in ministry is prayer. He prays for his wife, kids and grandkids, his church, and all the different things he has been involved with over the years. CSB get special attention, and the reasons are plain.

Of those 48 boys who accepted Christ forty years ago, 35 of them are still actively involved in church, and have led hundreds of their friends and others to Jesus since then. Six of them are pastors, others are teachers and businessmen and tradesmen – but they live within a Biblical worldview. God is part of their lives and conversations.

Of those three Tree Climbers dads, two continue strong in their faith, and are involved in their churches. The third one passed away ten years after that weekend; his son became a church leader in his own right.

Of those five Heralds of Christ, two ended up on the foreign mission field, one is a pastor, one is a schoolteacher, and one is an entrepreneur. All five are family-oriented men who have worked hard to raise their kids to stand firm in their faith in Christ.

This year, CSB Canada had display booths at several Missions Fests, Promise Keepers and ISI conferences, and elsewhere. At those booths, all kinds of men greeted the Brigade leaders with words like “I was involved with Stockade when I was a kid” or “I was in Battalion. It was the best time of my life”. Everywhere the Regional Directors go today they run across these alumni.

And, what of the Regional Director that Bob supported so long ago? Well, he’s been a businessman for the last twenty years, but for the last ten, he has been supporting Bob’s son, Steve, whom he worked with at those two Tree Climber Weekends. Steve is now a CSB Regional Director, himself.

If you asked Bob which investment is bringing him the greatest reward today, he would look you in the eye and say. “Those six years I invested in CSB… There is nothing like CSB out there, in the church or otherwise. It is tremendous.”

For six years of investing in the ministry of CSB Canada, Bob saw some 3,600 boys hear the Good News of Jesus Christ at camp; thousands more heard it through the weekly Christian Service Brigade ministry; and hundreds responded to the call of Christ to follow Him. Countless individuals continued to grow to be spiritually mature and they are found all over the Church today. All of those boys became men who are influencing the next generation, and on and on, multiplying down through the years.

The truth is, when you invest in the ministry of CSB today, just as Bob does, you are investing in the church of tomorrow. Whether your support goes to funding the ongoing curriculum updates, the revision of the Leadership Training materials, or allowing a Regional Director to lead units and camps, your support will have an effect that will span the generations.

In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul asks Timothy to entrust to faithful men who will be able to also teach others that which he heard from him in the presence of many witnesses. That’s four generations: Paul – Timothy – Faith Men – Others!

Those who invested in CSB when it was founded in 1937, and planted in Canada in 1943, have received a Return on Investment far greater than those who joined Apple or Intel when they were founded. The ROI they received from Brigade reaches forward not just through the generations, but into eternity. How can you calculate that? You can’t, so instead, take time today to consider investing, just like Bob, in the work of CSB. 

Donate to CSB Canada by clicking here.

WELCOME to CSB CANADA’S First Edition of The TORCH

We have been looking forward to this day, and for the first time we are communicating with you, the leader, pastor, parent, alumnus, supporter or friend, through a regularly scheduled electronic newsletter. In times past, CSB Canada had The Torch Runner and Brigade Leader. Our title “The Torch” draws from one of our founding symbols which reminds us to shine Bright for Christ.

There are many good things going on within our ministry that we’d like to share with you. We are about to go public with a new website which includes the online CSB Store where churches and leaders can purchase all of the resources they need for CSB. There is important information telling of how CSB is moving to the far horizon and expanding God’s Kingdom one boy at a time. There are ways listed showing how to support this ministry with time, talent or finances. The new website includes information and tools to help churches who are looking for a ministry that their men can engage with to impact the next generations for Christ, and help them become godly leaders of today and tomorrow.

We expect this newsletter to be something that will build you as a leader as you work with the fellows in your group helping them become godly men. We have developed a whole new set of Stockade Guide Books, both for the boys and the leaders. They provide many more action-packed choices and Bible-based ideas. More are in development. Check them out. We have started developing new Battalion resources.

This newsletter also includes details of a more cost-effective approach of the Annual Registration Process for churches who are partnered with us in ministry. There are couple of articles about some special men who have impacted not just their own churches, but also their communities and the world.

Our plan is to publish The Torch every two months to keep you up to date on what the Lord is doing through this ministry across Canada. If you have ideas for future articles, we would like to hear from you. Also, we need your help in increasing the number of people who receive this newsletter. All the leaders in your church should receive it. You can ensure that happens by sending their e-mail addresses to us at office.ca@christianservicebrigade.ca

We wish you and your family a Blessed Christmas and the Lord’s best in 2016.

The Deep Impact of Discipleship

By Peter Westerman

Many men of God have passed through the ranks of Christian Service Brigade over the years. On January 23, 2015, Bill Wood, 82, went into the presence of our Lord. Bill served Battalion #997 of Bethlehem Church, Randolph, NJ for over 50 years. His love for canoeing and the outdoors introduced hundreds of boys to the wonder of God’s creation.

In June of 2013, Bill was awarded an honorary Herald of Christ in recognition of his years of service in discipling of young men. During the ceremony, numerous men testified to how Bill had guided them as teens to receive Jesus Christ as Savior or deepen their faith. Pastor Tim Hart, for whom Bill has been a life-long mentor had this to say, “Mr. Wood was dedicated to engaging, encouraging and equipping godly men to raise up godly young men to lead and serve in family, church and community.” Tim shared how Mr. Wood demonstrated this beyond CSB by visiting him in a home for delinquent kids.

Bill shared many of his passions in #997, however canoeing stands out above all the rest. In fact, Bill’s house was typically identified by the presence of a large canoe trailer parked in his driveway. Bill used canoeing as an activity that introduced something new, as well as getting guys outside where they’d be surrounded by God in nature. George Westerman, fellow Brigade leader and very close friend of Bill, observed, “Bill loved canoe trips. On these trips some were saved, but most grew closer to the Lord. Some became missionaries or pastors, but most became fine Christian dads.” And many have continued involvement with CSB by bringing their sons and grandsons back to #997.

But before all the boys Bill worked with, he loved his family the most. His wife, Janet was involved in Pioneer Girls and served as Administrator at Camp Cherith (now Camp Cedarbrook). Bill supported her whole-heartedly, using his passion for camping and his knowledge as an engineer to assist his wife to keep camp running well. Later in life, as Jan was suffering from Alzheimer’s Bill remained a loyal and loving husband. Every day between 11am and 1pm, they had lunch together—a date Bill wouldn’t miss for anything.

Their daughter, Peggy, and her husband serve as missionaries in Taiwan. Their son, Bill Jr., said, “One word I’d use to describe my father would be faithful.” Truly Bill’s faithful commitment to the Gospel of Christ made him an effective minister. Through this man, God’s unconditional, unchanging and unwavering love has shown bright.  To the very end, Bill was instrumental as a leader in Brigade. He served as Brigade Chairman, and even filled in as Tree Climber Coordinator. When Michael, a young teen, showed interest in Battalion, Bill made it his personal mission to drive the boy to and from meetings.

Bill understood discipleship. He knew the importance of taking a boy under his wing and investing in that boy's life. Dave Fuge, who was in #997 over 40 years ago, said, "He had a great influence on my leadership and spiritual development.” One could write a book from the many wise words that passed from Bill’s lips as he’d look a young man in the eyes, rest his arm on his shoulder, and seek to encourage him by showing he cared.

For this writer, Bill Wood had an incredible influence on my own walk with the Lord. If it were not for the decades of service Bill gave to ministering to young men, I doubt I would be here today. Bill Wood’s testimony is an example of what it means to be “imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

A Message From the Board

CSB Canada...

THIS IS A TEST OF A NEW CANADIAN ONLINE NEWSLETTER.

This has been created to allow CSB Canada to have it's own communication tool for sharing the good news of our ministry with it's friends and supporters. We value your involvement. Please be patient as we work this out, but above all...

Please be praying for our leadership!

Serve with CSB in Zambia this Summer!

In a strange cultural tension, Zambian men have a historical tradition of the "insaka" where young men are taught by older men the traditions and skills of their people. But in modern Zambia there is very little interaction between older men and boys. Inter-generational discipleship is a foreign concept even in the church. Seeing this huge need CSB was asked by some local missionaries to come out to help train pastors. Almost every year since 2010 we have sent a team to this amazing land of beauty and promise. We believe that with the strong foundation that has been laid it is now time to invite other interested men who may have a heart for bringing the gospel and a vision for discipleship to this special part of the world. 

If you have any interest in being a part of this adventure please contact us right away.

Our vision is for training pastors and other lay leaders in the church. Each time we have visited Uganda we conducted seminars for men interested in “building godly men of today and tomorrow.” Dozens of Christian men have completed the training. Many are now involved in leading groups of boys and young men in their churches, mostly in the Lusaka area. Zambians have invited us to return again in 2015.

The dates are not yet firm, but probably in early May, a few CSB staff are planning to serve the Zambian EAGLES ministry to young men and boys. Our trip is expected to last about 10 days (2 weekends). We are asking the Lord to provide a few additional men with solid Brigade experience to join us. This trip is to have a slightly different purpose.

The bold challenges for this trip are threefold:

1. Assist some Zambian EAGLES leaders in becoming competent trainers of other men who desire to serve as EAGLES’ leaders in their churches; 
2. Assist a team of Zambian men in developing a “program guide” for EAGLES leaders; 
3. Encourage a few pastors and leaders in their completing the requirements for gaining non-profit recognition from the Zambian government. 

If one of these tasks appeals to you, consider asking the Lord to make it possible for you to be involved on the team.

Our overall objective is to move EAGLES toward being independent, able to raise funding, and spread throughout the evangelical churches of this beautiful country. We do not expect their ministry to boys to look exactly like what happens in North America.  Joe Coughlin, the founder of CSB, said, “Every country needs to conduct and run their own ministry to men and boys.” CSB has received requests for help from numerous countries.

Those interested in joining this team are to complete a brief application by February 10. Once accepted, each member must raise their own funding for transportation and housing (approx. CA$3200), read several recommended books, and participate in conference calls of prayer with the team. An email to Harold Browne hbrowne@csbministries.org will supply you with the application. Upon approval, you will receive instructions for fund raising, the names of the helpful books to purchase and read, and the specific times of the conference calls.

Contact Harold Browne for more information: hbrowne@csbministries.org

Just Say 'NO' to A Summer Job

Choose a CSB Internship instead 

CSB offers some amazing internship opportunities for young men in a bunch of different fields. If you or a young man you know might benefit please follow the link below. We're building godly men of today and tomorrow. Want to help?

CSB Ministries is pleased to work closely with colleges and universities in providing quality internship experiences for young men. We are well aware that many young men have a lot to offer a ministry like CSB. We are honoured to provide you with a balance of experienced oversight, and an environment where you are unleashed to thrive in your unique gift/skill/experience set.

We seek young men as intern candidates who have a passion to serve in the arena of ministry to men, young men and boys. We are prepared to provide internships in the following areas:

• Camping Internship: There are camps associated with CSB that can provide a quality camping internship which include learning about all aspects of camp management and ministry with a focus on inter-generational ministry of men to young men and boys.
• Program Materials Writing: This internship is for young men who are receiving training in a writing-related field. Join CSB’s gifted and passionate staff in providing quality materials for CSB programs. Gain experience not only in writing but also in the visioning that goes behind our curriculum.
• On-line store management: This unique internship provides experience on all levels of the supply chain. From marketing to order fulfillment you will develop skills and experience in eCommerce and warehousing.
• Computer Software Development/Web and Graphic Design: This internship will allow you to flex your creative muscles in an effort to bring CSB into the 21st century. You will work alongside our IT department in developing and managing web applications, and designing graphic resources and web sites.
• Ministry: You will work closely with a Regional Director and gain experience in planning and executing events, discipleship, marketing and promotion, leadership training and nurturing relationships with churches that partner with us.

We recognize the importance of building a relationship with each intern by seeking to match him with the right staff member. We can provide you with an opportunity for significant ministry experience that will be an important component in preparing you for full-time ministry. If you are interested in pursuing a possible internship with CSB Ministries, please contact our Harold Browne:
Email: hbrowne@csbministries.org
Phone: 613 225-3689