International Conference of the Girls’ Brigade
 
Venue : Bangkok, Thailand
Date : 18-27 July 2002
 
Elections:-

The President’s Committee, 2002-2006:
International President Ms Hee Piang Chin (Singapore)
Vice President, European Fellowship Ms Sheena MacFarlane (Scotland)
Vice President, Americas/Carribean Mrs Verna Wright (Jamaica)
Vice President, Pacific Mrs Janice Zachan (New Zealand)
Vice President, Africa Mrs Ruth Chikasa (Zambia)
Vice President, Asia Mrs Sally Chew (Singapore)

Office Bearers for Asia Fellowship
Chairperson Mrs Sally Chew (Singapore)
Deputy Chairman Ms Tay Choon Neo (Malaysia)
Secretary Mrs Audrene Loke (Brunei)
Treasurer Ms Jane Soh (Singapore)

Venue of next Asia Fellowships
2003 Philippines
2004 Hong Kong
2005 Singapore
2006 Northern Ireland (ICGB)
Themes for GB International Day of Prayer
2003 Jesus Loves the Children of the World (in conjunction with UN Year of the Child)
2004 The Harvest is Ready
2005 Go Make Disciples
 
Next ICGB : 2006 in Belfast, Northern Ireland (with Youth ICGB)
 
International Fonomarae : 2004 in Scotland (July)
 
International Vice Patron : Mrs Jill Clarke
 
My Impressions
by
Rosalind Tay Choon Neo
National Secretary, ICGB delegate
Girls’ Brigade Malaysia

What a fantastic ICGB it was, and after having attended 2 others (in Cook Islands and Dublin), I must say that it gets better and better and the experience of being a part of this great International GB family is simply marvellous.

Before the conference I was not sure what was in store for me personally but now I know that God has opened my eyes and heart to greater work and involvement of the Girls’ Brigade in a bigger arena than just my own country. We have a wonderful organization with so much to offer to women of the world, young and old, and while the harvest is ripe and plentiful we must GO and share the good news of Jesus Christ. The methods of course will be different, but the vision and God’s commission is the same.

The delegates to the ICGB

  

GB Malaysia President, Ms Tnay Yong Hua (right) presenting a souvenir to the National Commissioner of the host country GB Thailand

 

The President's Committee - from left Mrs. Ruth Chikasa (Africa Fellowship), Mrs. Sally Chew (Asia Fellowship), Ms Hee Piang Chin (International President, from Singapore), Ms Sheena MacFarland (European Fellowship), Mrs Janice Zachan (Pacific Fellowship), Ms Anne Lamont (Int Treasurer). Not in picture, Mrs. Verna Wright (Caribbean and Americas Fellowship)

 

 

Banners that preceded us in a GB march on Bangkok streets

 

 

Ms Tay with girls from GB Thailand

It was a full ten days – morning devotions, BIC (Brigade International Council) business meetings, Asia Fellowship meetings, Fellowship night presentations, Workshops, outings, and scrumptious meals. They were all very good and well-organized. The devotional and plenary speakers and workshop presenters were excellent. They presented challenging messages as well as great spiritual input. There was
  • Thelma Kay from ESCAP, talking of women’s work and women’s needs in the UN;
  • Dr Gary Sweeten, who is with Servant Leadership, blessed us with 3 days of devotions and workshop “Improving Your Serve”;
  • Pastor Mark Geppert, South East Asia Prayer Center (also pasturing a church in Singapore and great doer of prayer walks) challenged us with 2 days of devotions;
  • Pastor Benny Ho, workshop leader of “Developing a Mentoring Culture” (superb workshop);
  • Mr. Leslie Lung, workshop leader of “Responding to Sexual Challenges in the New Millennium” (I bought his book);
  • Mrs. Sally Chew inspired with workshop “Women Who Make A Difference” (she has agreed to do a similar workshop for GBM)
Some discussions and decisions made:
  • Profit from sale of GBI office at Aylsham – a portion to be invested and the rest to be distributed to the regional fellowships for projects and extension work
  • Terms of office of Fellowship Chairpersons (also International Vice Presidents) – a term of four years up with an extension up to no more than eight years
  • Global Fellowship of Christian Youth (formerly known as World Conference) – GB will continue to dialogue with them
  • Boys in Girls’ Brigade – if a company/country has boys, it will hold the boys in trust until they form an organization of their own. GB distinctive: a Christian, international, interdenominational and uniformed organization for girls with a common Aim, Motto and Principles
  • GB must continue to expand and extend, each regional fellowship to take responsibility for countries in their own region.
Other than official matters, fellowship was good. I managed to make some new friends, promising to exchange email and all that. Surely this is the new millenium conference, very canggih in terms of ICT, Information and Communications Technology, with superb facilities. Our National President, Ms Tnay Yong Hua, was invited by Mrs Sally Yap to accompany her to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They left in the midst of the conference and returned to report on the work carried out there. GB Malaysia is set to be a supplier to some countries, like the Americas and Carribean, for certain equipment like award badges (our cost is very attractive to them). Having the youth at a concurrent conference was good and we, senior and youth, must work together for the advancement of God’s kingdom among girls. I hope there will be more Malaysian representation at the next ICGB in Belfast, whether as offical delegates, observers, touring party or youth icgb.

The last official meeting was at the Asia Fellowship one. GB in Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia spoke of their aspirations to see the work grow into other areas of Asia and we ended praying in a circle, laying our hands on each country representatives in the middle.

A big Thank You to GB Thailand for hosting this wonderful event and to GB Singapore for co-organizing it and making it extra special. Most of all praise to our Great and Almighty God to whom we serve and are His servant leaders.

p.s. GB Malaysia was given the pleasant task of distributing gifts from the Asia Fellowship countries to all conferees. We were also in charge of co-ordinating the nightly fellowship presentations.