Global Fellowship was formed in 1963 to provide a meeting point for Boys’ Brigade organisations around the world and to establish each national organisation as autonomous, rather than following instructions from the UK.
Our first member was established over 130 years ago by Sir William Alexander Smith with the establishment of The Boys’ Brigade in the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland (BBUK). In 1963 the international department of BBUK was replaced by ‘The World Conference of The Boys’ Brigade’.
The objective of the new entity was to ensure that ownership and the decisions of BB were shared internationally, rather than under the jurisdiction of the UK alone. In 2002 the World Conference underwent a name change and became known as the Global Fellowship (GF) of Christian Youth. This change was to acknowledge the growing and diverse nature of youth organisations who desire to partner with us. While some work exclusively with boys and young men, others welcome boys, girls, teenagers and young adults from the age of 5 to 25 years.
Along with the name change in 2002, GF began a formal affiliation with the World Council of Churches. This relationship affirms that our primary partnership is with the Christian church
Global Fellowship of Christian Youth 