We got a Warncke for Christmas! Welcome our new Regional Director.

We are entering this last week of Advent Season with much for which to be thankful. God is blessing us with ever clearer vision, opening doors, supporters like you have been very generous, and God answered our prayer quick;ly for a new Regional Director in The New Jersey/New York Metro Region.

For those of you who have never met Steve Warncke, and especially for those who will be impacted by his ministry, we provide some vitals and some interesting details for you to enjoy. Please reach out to him with a warm welcome: swarncke@csbministries.org

Steve Warncke Vitals: 

• Age: 25
• Married: 1.5 Years
• Hobbies: rock climbing, disc golf, fishing, video games, board games/tabletop games, breeding rabbits, photography
• Interesting fact: My wife walked down the aisle to a song from The Lord of the Rings, and we left the ceremony to a song from Star Wars.

The Interview:

Brigade Connection: How did you develop a love for the inter-generational discipleship?

Steve: Seeing just how evil the world around us is, and seeing fathers who are close to me display sub-par fathering skills, I have felt strongly that I have to do whatever it takes to assure that doesn’t happen

Brigade Connection: Please provide an embarrassing camp story:

Steve: I was riding my bike down the road when I was about 10 years old. (maybe even younger) I hit (at the time) a huge rock as a jump, and bashed my face on the road which was made with pebbles.  The nurse did great work on my torn up face, bandaged me all up, sent me on my way, and I was the coolest kid in camp! Years later, I look back at the massive rock that I hit, and wonder how on earth it got so small!  Maybe I wasn’t as cool as I thought I was.

New Regional Director, passionate for racial reconciliation and urban churches

Alexander Smith is our newest Regional Director now serving the Midwest Region. Alexander is passionate, energetic, and  brings unique and vital perspective and vision for helping Brigade minister particularly in the area of racial reconciliation and growth in the urban environment. Below you can hear him in his own words as he interacts with The Brigade Connection.

Alexander Smith Vitals:

• Age:38
• Home town: Born and raised in Baltimore and Detroit
• Married: Shari, 8 years
• Children: 4 (Brandon-17, Madison-10, Ezra-5, Jodi-Marie-1)
• Hobbies: Collecting fragrances, listening to country music, and ballroom dancing
• Interesting fact: Current attending Moody Theological Seminary

Brigade Connection: Alexander, what is your vision for CSB in your region?

Alexander: I pray that God allows me to use CSB as a tool to tear down the walls of racial hostility. I pray that I can infuse CSB even more into the urban community.  The world is full of so much hate. One of the tricks of Satan is division through racism. Racism has plagued our churches and communities.  So many young men have racial tension in their hearts. I truly hope God uses me as an instrument to make change by teaching young men to overcome the world’s obstacles with His truth and helping churches in communities to do disciple by equipping them through CSB ministries.

Another New Regional Director: New England's Steve Rivers!

Steve is the Superman with the super-beard standing in the back!

We are pleased to announce another new Regional Director, Steve Rivers!

Steve will be serving in the New England region and is already familiar with the region, our philosophy of ministry (he's an alumnus), and many of the churches in his region because he is also the Executive Director of New England Frontier Camp.

Steve's complimentary role puts him in a strategic position for leadership in the new England region.

Here he is in his own words:

New Module: Building a Siege Catapult

New Stockade Modules are coming your way and the first one will be available in the store in May!

Build a torsion-powered catapult and explore "God Our Fortress" with the SIEGE WEAPONS Module.

As Christians we often feel under siege, and though it is we who are taking the battle to the gates of
hell it is good to remember that we are in the middle of a spiritual battle. And when the fiery darts of the enemy rain down on us it is vital we train our boys to remember that God is our refuge during trials, that he comforts us, and that in the same way we've been comfort we are to comfort others.

In an age-appropriate way this new Stockade module will help boys investigate the persecuted church, brothers and sisters currently experiencing this battle in a profound way. They will also learn in all circumstances how they can help and show compassion for those around them.

The full-size catapults they will be building are approximately 2' x 5' and fold down when not in use. They can launch a bean bag 15' to 30' depending on the quality of construction. You will need a chop saw and drill to build the catapult.

View in the store

Our New StocKar Derby Website!

View the new StocKar website!

The StocKar derby is not only one of the most popular events for many of our men and boys, but it offers a rich opportunity for teaching practical skills and vital spiritual truths.

The StocKar Derby is not just about building cars ... it's about building boys.

Because StocKar is so important to our men and our mission we have designed a website dedicated to promoting and supporting the Stockar Derbies in your regions.

This fun new website features:

•  Kits, products, and ideas for making cars
• Resources and materials
• Help on running a derby

 Take a look and keep coming back as we add new resources and features in the coming months!

View the website

Meet Rob Dickerson! RD For Eastern Great Lakes.

We are thrilled to announce the addition of two new Regional Directors to the ministry: Rob Dickerson and Steve Rivers. These men fill two vital roles in the ministry and are both enormous answers to prayer.

This month we’ll be introducing you to Rob, and in next month’s issue of Brigade Connection we’ll introduce you a bit more to Steve.
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Rob is the answer to a long time prayer for a new Regional Director in the Eastern Great Lakes Region. Until now Scott Haima has been filling the dual role of CSB President and Regional Director.

We are already seeing the huge benefit to Scott being freed up to lead the ministry from a strategic perspective without the additional responsibilities of a region to maintain.

Rob brings years of ministry experience, a great family, and a love for discipleship in the outdoors. We hope you will enjoy this short interview with him.

Rob  Dickerson Vitals:

• Age 49
• Shaped like a sports car
• Lead Pastor of Life Quest Church, Rochester NY
• Married 25 years
• 4 Children ages 13 to 19
• Hobbies: Parenting teen angst and hammock camping

Brigade Connection: How did you develop a love for the inter-generational discipleship?

Rob: I grew up in Royal Rangers, a ministry similar to CSB but affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination. Our roots in Royal Rangers is deep, so there are three generations of Dickerson in what we might call faith based scouting. More importantly, though, you could say my family is the poster child for inter-generational discipleship.