Leigh

So what does a member think?
Hi ! I am Leigh and 16 years of age. I have been a member of 2nd. Witham for 10 years.
I was asked to write about the following questions:


What do you get out of Boys’ Brigade?
When I first started going to BB I found it fun, as it was a good place to socialise. It still is but since I have become more involved the more I seem to get out. When I go to a badge work session (because I often run them) I find them enjoyable and interesting as I am learning or doing something. When I lead a group I found just as good because I get to know people better and I get to pass on information or skills that I have learned (normally through BB). I have also now started doing my Queen’s Badge and my Duke of Edinburgh awards. This means that I can get sort of qualifications from BB. I have had several chances to visit certain places around the country and over seas, although I have not gone on every trip I could the ones I have been on are some of the best experiences of my life. The spiritual side of Boys’ Brigade has been great I have been able to learn and grow as a Christian in an environment that I can feel safe and not at all embarrassed.


Why are you a Christian?
I am a Christian because I believe that there is one God, He created the heavens and the earth, and that he sent His son Jesus Christ to this earth so that he may die along with my condemnation. My sins are forgiven because of his death on a cross. I also believe that he is coming a second time to rid the world of its evil and impurities. It is because of this I have dedicated my life to Christ’s work that he for me. I am also a Christian as I believe and know this is the way to eternal life of happiness. It’s also great fun being a Christian !


What do you intend to do in the next two years in Boys’ Brigade and why?
I intend to complete my Queens badge and my gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award this is because I would like to say that I have got my Gold Award when I go to university and also my Queens badge, but I have to have that completed before I am 19 anyway. I hope to take my Basketball classes to another level by doing more classes, other training and also set up a team. This is something that I would like to organise or get involved in as I love the sport and I would like to be able to offer a team to people as I never manage to find one (as of yet).
Added 24th. November 2003 - Leigh is now 19 years old and a student in sport at Essex University. He stills helps us at 2nd. Witham, when home, particularly in basketball.
Added November 2006 - Leigh remains at Essex University, working locally, and from time ot time acts as our Poolside lifeguard at swimming sessions in Witham and at camp.

Sam

Hi my name is Sam. I have been coming to BB on and off since I was about 11. I’m 19 years old now. Over those years I haven’t been what you’d call the perfect BB member. Although going on and off, this has given me the perspective of life inside BB and outside BB.


Outside of BB there was a distinct lack of opportunity, and good things to do that I wouldn’t normally have the chance to do. I also found it increasingly difficult to carry on my life as a Christian. I did get into a lot of things I shouldn’t of done, and turned my back on God. In time I had become someone who I really didn’t want to become.


When I did return to BB it wasn’t because I wanted to, it was mainly because a friend asked me along. I think I went because I had nothing else better to do. I realised what I had missed by leaving. This certainly did help me to stop turning my back on God, but it did take time and plenty of it. My problems still come back to haunt me but I’ve got God now, and friends within BB (as well as elsewhere) to help me.


I have learnt and experienced many things within BB that I would not of normally done. I currently have a level 2 basketball coaching course and aim to complete my level 2 by January 2004. I have enjoyed my time greatly in BB, and glad that it still continues to run.
Further update - November 2006 - Sam is currently working back in Witham, as a Church based youth worker. He spends time as coach with our boys, on basketball and football on Mondays and Wednesdays.

A Parent’s View of 2nd Witham Boys’ Brigade

The 2nd Witham Boys’ Brigade (2nd. Witham BB) has been open in Witham for 29 years and currently caters for boys aged from 5-21 years. According to their age, boys are placed in the appropriate section when they join (Anchor Boys 5 - 7 years old, Junior Section 8-11 years old, Company Section 12-15 years and finally Senior Section).
My 13 year old son attends Company Section on Friday evenings and my 8 year old son attends Junior Section on Wednesday evenings. During the course of the evening the boys participate in badgework and are also involved in many outings and trips. Last summer they attended a day out at Ipswich Football Club where they took part in a training session, played matches and had a guided tour of the stadium. More recently they visited Southend Planetarium. They have learnt many new skills and are taught the importance of worship, relationships, teamwork, leadership and to care for their community.


I think my sons have benefited from the opportunity to interact with children who do not necessarily attend the same schools and have widened their social base for friendships. As the children grow older they are able to experience camps. My eldest son is very much looking forward to his first camp in August and my younger son has taken part in a sleep-over at the church hall which he thought was fantastic (especially the food).


The older boys at 2nd. Witham BB set a great example to the youngsters and are keen helpers at the younger members’ meetings.


2WBB is keen to promote conservation and to help the local community whenever possible. They have taken part in fundraising for Guide Dogs, Sponsor-a-Child, the purchase of hearing aid batteries for blind & deaf children in Poland and in 1998 a Lion’s Club project in a local African community. The younger children have raised иг200 towards a swimming pool at a special school for the disabled in Witham, and were also involved in RNLI Lifeboats 2000 project. In Autumn 2001 2WBB were involved in conservation work as part of the Witham In Bloom conservation group.


As teenagers there are opportunities to participate in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, The President’s Badge & Queen’s Badge.


I believe that 2WBB’s success can be summed up by the simple facts that their members include boys who joined at the age of 5 or 6 and are now helping as staff at the ages of 18+; 65% of the membership are teenagers; the national average for a BB group is approximately 20 and 2WBB has 115 boys, 9 officers and 40+ volunteer leaders.


All boys have access to a fantastic range of activities both on-site at the church and at local sports halls/swimming pools and activity centres.


There is very strong leadership and a team of extremely dedicated staff who make the whole experience possible.

God

Do you think there is a God and if so, does He care about you?


The Boys’ Brigade is a Christian organisation dedicated to helping young people become a Christian but in doing so, we at 2nd. Witham want our young people to experience God for themselves, not through our eyes or our experience, as staff!


Here’s what an 18 year old, Kevin says,
“ Through The Boys’ Brigade, at 2nd. Witham, I finally became interested in Christianity. After about 8 years of being ‘religious’ but never going to Church, unless I could avoid it, I went on a summer camp at Dartmoor, in 1995, I found out for myself what God is really about. I became a Christian a month or so after the camp, just before starting at Southampton University. I attend Bethel Church on the Sundays I am home in Witham, but all the staff at BB really helped me in my Christian life and I’m grateful to everyone there......” Kevin currently lives in the south and works for the government on Connexions Service but lives away from home. he contacted us again at Christmas 2005.


So what is a Christian ?
A Christian is a person, who believes in God and his Son, Jesus Christ. They believe God created the world and us! A Christian has accepted the fact that we all sin, ( do wrong things) - see the Bible and the book of Romans, in the New Testament - chapter 3 and verse 23. Because of this we are seperated from God . If we stay in this sinful condition, we separation from Him forever.(See Romans chapter 6 and verse 23) But God by sending His Son, ( see Romans chapter 8 and verse 2 and 3 3), to be our in our place of punishment, we are free from our sin and eternal death. Jesus’ death on the Cross and His continued work on our behalf since He rose again from the dead, show God’s real love for each of us! ( see Romans chapter 5 and verse 8) When we say a real “sorry” for our sins, trust in Jesus’ finished work, we become a Christian and become one of God’s children. ( See Romans chapter 10 and verse 9) - the separation from God is gone! We are saved!


Our separation from God is replaced with a warm, friendly relationship with Jesus, ( see 1 John chapter 5 and verse 20). All you need to do is to ask God into your life, through prayer! This is for everyone - not just BB members! If you want some help, or have a question, please e mail me!


The Boys’ Brigade can show you WHO really God is - but you must look also!


God’s Creation is all around you - look out and look up at it!


Don’t be put off by what others say - talk to an Officer or Church friend about it.


Read God’s Word - The Bible - it has all the answers you need - but get help finding your way around!


Spend some time praying with God, and if possible, with friends.


Tell someone you know about what you feel, believe and have done.


Get involved with the Church either through BB or other youth activity. If you want to e-mail us and tell us about it, .

Simon

Simon who was 9 years old, has always had an interest in bird watching, (no jokes - the feathered kind!). His mother saw an article about 2nd. Witham Boys’ Brigade in a local RSPB, (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and wrote to the Captain. Simon started in Juniors and is now 17 years old. Here’s what happened:


“......here seemed the answer to us - a Christian group with the right interests! Simon has made good friends, been encouraged by dedicated leaders who have shown him the relevance of a personal faith in Jesus Christ and encouraged him to go on with God......All in all that short article over seven years ago, has helped Simon grow mentally, physically, and spiritually, in what could have been traumatic or boring teenage years!......”


Simon is now a young leader in 2nd. Witham involved with younger and the same age Boys alike - talking to them about his Christian life, shortly to be baptised, a forthcoming Trustee of our land at Twinstead, and a Co. - Leader on the Management group of Twinstead Venture. Simon is a leader at camp and in badgework and often talks about his knowledge of God in Creation in the bird watching, conservation and expedition groups he is involved with. He has really discovered God - but only because he looked!!


Update :
As at 31st. December 2004, Simon has completed University and is working in various locations, around the world, when he is not at home, on conservation and ecological issues. As at January 2006, Simon remains at University undertaking a MSc in ecology. He has just returned from the Amazonian rain forest !
Updated 4th. January 2006

Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >