Christian Service Brigade Mentoring and  Discipling Boys and Dads

   The statistics are frightening -- Fatherless homes account for 90% of all homeless and runaway children!  85% of all youth in prison come from fatherless homes!  1 in 3 children live in biologically father-absent homes!  Even boys and young men (and women) from “Christian homes” are leaving the church at a rate of 59%! (according to Barna Research).   We take them to church, to Sunday School, to Wednesday night clubs and yet, many still leave the church.  Jesus said, “Go and make disciples...”  (Matthew 28)  Are we doing that?
   Two years ago, God made it clear to me that I needed to find an alternative organization for my grandson and me.   A “ministry” that would help me “disciple” him, teaching him life skills from a Biblical perspective.  It was then, I discovered a ministry I had never heard of called Christian Service Brigade -- 77 years in the US and Canada -- who knew?  CSB has programs for boys from 4 to 18 with a focus on Christian leadership, just what I was looking for.  So, what better way to really find out about a ministry than to go to their camp... so we signed up for Father/Son Camp and... WOW!  A great experience and confirmation as we witnessed the caring love of the boys by their high school-age counselors.  These were young men who understood Christian leadership.  I was SOLD!
   So we started unit #8014 in Eau Claire (and yes they are consecutively numbered).  We had 8 boys and their dads (and grandpas) plus two single mom boys (twins) and we started with a four-week teaching on Bikes.  Each week the boys learned more about their bikes; maintenance, safety, etc.,  and each week had Scripture related to what they were learning.  
   We had three men from church, who were avid cyclists, come in, as resident experts, and help teach the boys about their bikes.  We had three college guys come in to lead the boys (and dads) in games and be examples of strong Christian young men.  And each week they learned how Scripture relates to life and to see it modeled in three generations of men.
   Four weeks later, we had a Family Bike Ride and Bike Rodeo.  The single mom told me that her boys didn’t know how to ride their bikes so they wouldn’t be coming.  I told her that we would take that time to teach them.  Her response was that “their dad wanted to teach them but he never did.”  I told her to bring them and, if there was a problem, blame it on me.  So they came.  And the college guys and the bike guys worked with them for a couple of hours and by the time we had lunch, they were riding, mostly.  After lunch the boys enjoyed many challenges on their bikes and the single mom twins were able to participate (with a seat holder running behind).  It was a great day.  The next day at church, their mom told my wife that one of the boys said, “I didn’t know men could be so nice!”   It’s a bad time to be a boy.
     The best part of the story…one of the bike guys adopted the twins as their CSB mentor and has been with them for two years including two Father/Son Camps.  Believe me – their understanding of what it means to be a man has radically changed.  And 12 dads and men have learned what it means to “Go and make disciples…”
   After Bikes, we did Team Sports and then, Woodworking.  You know, one of the amazing things we learned …when you take 7, 8 , and 9 yr old (off the wall) boys and put them in front of a power saw, they becoming totally focused -- amazing but true.    We spent five weeks making Christmas ornaments to sell so the boys could earn money for summer camp. We built Shape ‘N Race cars and raced them.  We learned about Cars and Trucks, Pioneers, Reporters, Space and Flight.  And the boys got to “…mount up on wings like eagles” as they had a ride in a four seater airplane.  We served Veterans, marched in parades, did winter camp and shot off rockets. CSB -- the dads love it -- the boys love it and we’re all learning about how Scripture applies to everything in life. 
   Christian Service Brigade has been empowering men to disciple boys for over 77 years.  They have the programs, they have the training, they have the materials available to help you “Leave a Legacy of Faith” with the boys and young men in your church -- maybe even your own.  “So, how can I learn more?” you ask.  And I’m glad you did.
   Check out the CSB website at: csbministries.org.  And call me, I’d be glad to share more and to even come and talk with the men of your church about how easy the programs are to start.   You know, it’s a lot tougher to be a boy these days than when most of us were growing up. Meth, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, pornography, violence, etc. Peter was right, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone (young boys) to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8.  If WE don’t disciple them…the WORLD WILL!
   Oh, I didn’t finish the story.  After running our unit in Eau Claire for a year, CSB National called and asked me to come on staff as a Regional Director (a missionary position).  I thought, “Wow, I must be good if they want me after only a year!”  No, not really.  But I did ask the LORD what His will was.  And through a brother in church, He spoke and I’ve been going strong for Jesus and CSB ever since.  I’d love -- LOVE -- to help you get a unit started in your church.  Please, call me or email me.  It costs nothing but you may hear the words, “I didn’t know men could be so nice.”  God Bless.

Bill Mellien,
Regional Director
Christian Service Brigade
Eau Claire, WI  54701
wmellien@csbminisries.org
715-830-9838