Sierra Leone-Freetown: Boys Brigade National Council, Sierra Leone on Saturday 7th August 2021, at the Thomas Peters Municipal School on Percival Street in Freetown, launched its 85th anniversary commemorations.
The launching ceremony saw brigadiers from across the country, who were roundly entertained during the launching by the bass band of the Boys Brigade.
The Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow on 4th October 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith. From this one Company formed in Scotland the BB has grown in to a worldwide movement having worked with millions of children and young people for well over a century.
During a short exhortation, Reverend Istifanus Bala Bahago, disclosed that his dream is for the Boys Brigade to be a battalion. He stressed the need for unity in the Brigade, for according to Reverend one way to be steadfast in the Lord for brothers and sisters is to love one another. He also urged members of the Brigade to shun laziness and work harder, especially for the furtherance of God’s work.
In his own remark, Bishop Ronald Bobb-Williams, disclosed that Boys Brigade has about 19 companies in the country. He said launching of the anniversary means that members must commit themselves if they have not been committed. “Launching of the anniversary must be a springboard for young women and men to come closer to God,” he said.
President, Emeritus, Victor Barber-Richards, disclosed that the launching is the beginning of series of activities marking the 85th anniversary celebration. Among other activities which the Boys Brigade is to undertake is celebration of the International Founder’s Day which is going to take place on the 4th October 2021, three days revival, drilling competition, Boys Brigade open day, and a symposium.
He continued that on the open day, wherein every company of the Boys Brigade will display what they are doing. “In the boys brigade, you cannot just be a member and doing nothing. Brigadiers have been doing arts and craft, for which brigadiers will display what they have done so far with their craft,” he said.
Baber-Richards disclosed that the Boys Brigade is a Christian organization, adding that the Boys Brigade as the soldiers of God’s army. He added that in the Boys Brigade brigadiers are trained on the art of discipline, respect, and to obey commands.
He noted that the founding member of the Boys Brigade, Sir William Alexander Smith, was a Sunday School teacher who could not control the Sunday School. He was a retired military captain, so he brought in the pattern of commands in the military. He opined that the Boys Brigade is there to control boys and girls who wants to go astray.
He also disclosed that the Boys Brigade is not a church or any denomination but to all who believed in Jesus Christ, adding that every member of a church can become a member of the Boys Brigade if he or she so desires.
He opined that the Boys Brigade now grooms people from primary to secondary school. “We want to see our boys becoming responsible citizens and hold positions of trust in the country,” he added. He furthered that plans are underway to open a technical school, so that brigadiers will be trained to becoming experts in different sectors.
He appealed to past and present members to come onboard and lift up the banner of Christ and push forward the works of the Boys Brigade. He also mentioned that finance has been a major challenge. He therefore called on members to support the brigade.
SKS/10/8/2021