During the 1960s, the Christian Service Brigade (CSB) experienced a period of remarkable growth and development, significantly expanding its reach and influence in youth ministry. This era saw the organization adapt to changing social landscapes, broaden its international presence, and enhance its leadership training capabilities, solidifying its role in shaping young Christian men.
Rapid Growth and Canadian Expansion
The early 1960s marked a period of rapid expansion for the Christian Service Brigade. By this time, over one hundred churches were actively utilizing the CSB program, and this number continued to surge as the organization’s staff extended its outreach into both western and eastern Canada. This growth culminated in 1967 when the Canadian branch of CSB formally established itself as an independent entity. This separation was formalized through a licensing agreement with the U.S. board of directors, signifying the maturity and strength of the Canadian constituency, which at the time represented a substantial quarter of the entire Brigade membership. This expansion into Canada underscored the adaptability and appeal of the Christian Service Brigade program across different geographical and cultural contexts.
Establishing the Northwoods Training Center: A “West Point” for Leadership
Recognizing the need for robust leadership development, the Christian Service Brigade embraced the ambitious project of creating a national training center. This initiative was significantly propelled by Herbert Taylor, who generously donated 1,800 acres of land in northern Michigan, close to his childhood home. This land, strategically located near a similar camp he supported for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, was specifically intended for establishing a premier leadership training facility. Under the guidance of Bubar and his colleagues, a fundraising effort was launched, successfully raising $60,000 to construct the necessary buildings and develop a unique and rigorous program. In 1960, the Northwoods staff inaugurated an innovative camp designed to be the “West Point” of Brigade camping. This advanced training included diverse disciplines such as flight training, wilderness survival techniques, shortwave radio communication, and sailing instruction, primarily aimed at older teenage boys. The center further expanded its offerings to include advanced leadership training for men, missions seminars, and family camps in subsequent years. The immediate impact of the Northwoods training center was a significant boost to the prestige of attendees and an enhanced reputation for the Christian Service Brigade among Christian educators, positioning it as a leader in youth development and training.
Global Missions and Cross-Cultural Youth Ministry
In 1960, Joe Coughlin returned to the Christian Service Brigade staff, assuming the newly created role of missions secretary. His primary mission was to apply the proven principles of boys’ ministry, honed in North America and Latin America, to diverse global cultures. He aimed to support missionaries in establishing indigenous boys’ ministries worldwide. Collaborating with mission agencies, such as the Africa Inland Mission, which had already assigned personnel to youth development, Coughlin assisted in creating several Brigade-like organizations internationally. Throughout the 1960s, Coughlin fostered working relationships with church leaders across 14 foreign countries. He also actively conducted missions seminars and career conferences and launched a journal dedicated to missions. Although Coughlin departed the organization again in 1970 to pursue doctoral studies and teaching, his tenure profoundly impacted the Christian Service Brigade. He left behind a wealth of ideas regarding cross-cultural youth ministry, which continued to shape the development of Brigade materials and approaches for many years, embedding a global perspective into the organization’s core mission.
Adapting to Suburban Growth and Evolving Churches
The post-World War II era brought significant shifts in the urban landscape, directly affecting evangelical churches and, consequently, the Christian Service Brigade. The widespread movement of young families to newly developed suburban areas created a surge in suburban church communities. Returning veterans, seeking affordable housing, populated these new suburban developments, followed by the establishment of schools, shopping centers, and churches. The “baby boom” generation rapidly filled church nurseries and Sunday School classrooms, creating a demand for comprehensive family-oriented programs. Suburban churches, often less bound by tradition, actively sought to provide a holistic suite of programs for families. The Christian Service Brigade programs were ideally positioned to benefit from this phenomenon, attracting both men to serve as leaders and boys to participate as members. As a result, CSB field staff experienced an overwhelming influx of requests to initiate new Brigade units, further fueling the organization’s expansion and solidifying its importance in the landscape of Christian youth programs.
