The new year arrives with a strange kind of pressure.

It is not loud, but it is persistent. A quiet voice that counts time more aggressively than before. Suddenly, the years feel shorter. The margin for mistakes feels thinner. The world feels smaller—not because opportunities are gone, but because expectations have grown heavier.

I find myself looking at timelines I never consciously agreed to. Milestones I was supposed to have reached by now. Versions of life that were meant to be fully formed before a certain age quietly crept up on me. And standing here at the beginning of another year, I realise how easy it is to feel behind—even when you are still moving.

January does that to people.

For many young people today, especially those growing up in an age of constant comparison, the new year does not feel like a clean slate. It feels like an audit. A reminder of what should have happened by now. A measuring stick held against lives that are still unfolding.

In moments like this, I find myself returning to a simple but unsettling truth found at the very beginning of Scripture: “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1, NIV). Before progress, before pressure, before timelines and expectations—God was already there. Not reacting. Not rushing. Simply present.

That truth quietly challenges the urgency we place on our own becoming. It reminds me that beginnings are not defined by how ready we feel, but by who goes before us.

This is where Brigade speaks to me differently.

Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade were never about rushing outcomes. They were about formation. About teaching us to show up consistently, to grow steadily, and to understand that character is built long before success is visible. Brigade taught patience in a world obsessed with speed, discipline in a culture that glorifies shortcuts, and faith in seasons where clarity is absent.

As a movement, we walk with young people who are still becoming—who are learning that purpose is not a race and that calling does not expire because a calendar page turned.

This year, I am learning to release the pressure to have everything figured out. To trust that becoming takes time. To believe that God’s work in us is often quieter than our timelines but far more lasting.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

The year has begun. I may not feel ready—but I am still becoming.

Scripture Reflection

Genesis 1:1 (NIV) — “In the beginning, God…”

Truth: Put God First

Before plans, pressure, expectations, or timelines—God was already there. The reminder is simple but grounding: every beginning makes sense when God is placed at the centre.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You create great things from nothing. Go ahead of me in 2026. Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!!!

By
The Quiet Witness

Our Past Vis a Vis the Future

Walking into the training, I thought I already understood what it meant for Brigade to be interdenominational. We say it all the time, Brigade is for everyone, right? Sitting in an ecumenical class changed that for me. Different churches, different traditions, and different styles of worship, yet one Christ-centered purpose pulling us together. That room showed me a wider picture than I had ever considered, and it reminded me of where my journey started.

When I was enrolled as a child, I never imagined anything beyond the drills, the songs, and the fun of marching with my friends. I was a young recruit simply following the rhythm of the moment. Looking back now, I see how my steps lined up with Jeremiah 29:11. You do not always see the path while walking it, but later you realize God was arranging each stage long before you noticed. That thought made the training feel like a continuation of something that began years ago.

Since inception Brigade was and still is focused to engage and involve youth in meaningful activities. This will enhance their skills and better their abilities at an all-round perspective, in pursuant of our vision statement “To Be a Christian Youth Organization of Choice.”

During the recently held Global Fellowship (Worldwide organization where National BB organizations are affiliated) Conference held in Lusaka Zambia, the theme revolved around strategically and intentionally involving youth as the main stakeholders in making and implementing  decisions at all levels of the organization. This involves NCOs and the Young officers being at the table of decisions-making and being members of different committees at deliberate on the day to day learning of the organization.

Without intentionally involving the youth, it would be difficult to realize our vision to shape and nurture youth into the desirable upright characters in church and society as we envisage. Senior leaders must delegate important roles and tasks to the youth, which will promote inclusivity in decision-making and implementation and create a sense of ownership and hence lead to the desired and sustainable growth of the organization.

Pcea Church of the torch Boys’ Brigade company at Kikuyu, Kenya in 1918. Such a heritage we should proudly preserve to inspire generations to come.

The Month of August has been spectacular in many ways for Brigade in a Kenya, we have had several Brigade activities ranging from Brigade camps and hikes to Brigade week activities for PCEA which is the cream of all brigade activities for every company.  Among all the activities the National organizer hosted the BB UK SEC Bill Stevenson @billBBHQ for a weekend to bench make and share experiences.

He had the privilege to grace two brigade activities at ACK Buruburu for the ACK Nairobi Diocese Brigade enrollment where over 600 Boys and Girls were enrolled to join the Christ centered movement. And also visited PCEA Kangira Boys ‘and Girls’ Brigade during their Brigade Sunday Celebration, Steve was really impressed for it was his has time to visit Kenya but was amazed by the similarities we have in Brigade though from different counties and continents. During his visit he also met with the BBK executive and held discussing on how the two organizations would collaborate.

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Kenya was well represented by four delegates namely:- the

1. Charles Ng’ang’a,  – BBK National organizer
2. Rev Parin Kabeu –        BBK National Chairman and also the ACK Nairobi Diocese  children Ministry coordinator, the
3. Rev Pitas Kariuki  – BBK Treasurer who is the PCEA Children Ministry Director
4. Susan Njoroge – BBK National Chairperson Training Department and also the ACK Kajiado Diocese children Ministry coordinator.

The Kenyan team learnt a lot from BB Zambia and also GB Zambia and the valuable lessons, experience and knowledge learnt from Zambia will be share and disseminated among our brigade members in Kenya. A strong link was established with BB Zambia leadership and members to network and share experience in areas where the two organizations have excelled. BB Kenya will learn a great deal on brass band ministry which is an area the Zambia has gratly outrivaled. It is also worthwhile to mention that executive members of the GF council are elected during this triennial meeting and a member of the EARF from BGB Uganda  ( Patrick Kabanda)

was elected a member of the GF EXCO.

Date: 25th -30th Nov- 2019 | Venue: Kigali Christian School | Charges: Kshs 20,000

Includes fare from Nairobi to Kigali and Back accommodation fee and a trip.

Learn Of Our International Fellowship of Christian Youth

We are Global

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