Big Brothers, Big Sisters included officially as youth serving agency partner of the Church

The 11.4 million member United Methodist Church held its quadrennial General Conference April 23 – May 2 in Fort Worth, TX. The General Conference is the Church’s top legislative body. Nine hundred ninety-two delegates from all over the world met to revise The Book of Discipline, which regulates the manner in which local churches, annual conferences and general agencies are organized. The book sets policies regarding church membership, ordination, administration, property and judicial procedures. Please visit umc.org to learn more about the United Methodist Church.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will be in paragraph 2302 of The Book of Discipline. The entire Big Brothers Big Sisters Network is thankful to Todd Bristow of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas for his service as a delegate to the General Conference and for his successful efforts to have Big Brothers Big Sisters included as a youth serving agency partner of the Church (along with Boy Scouts, 4-H, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire). The Big Brothers Big Sisters of North TX team was out in full force to plant seeds by sharing information about becoming a Big at the General Conference that will bear fruit for years to come.

Because of the pilot BBBS Amachi partnership with the General Commission on United Methodist Men Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are working United Methodist Churches today to mobilize and support mentors, particularly men and particularly for children of incarcerated parents. Use the new material for the Big Brothers Big Sisters and United Methodist Church partnership debuted at the General Conference to begin to reach out United Methodist Churches in your area. See [link] to for the testimonial posters and [link] to for the call to action business cards. The Book of Discipline will be printed in the fall and agencies and churches should expect more communication and support on building local partnerships.

Because of the new and growing partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and the United Methodist Church Hamilton Park UMC member Dale Long and his Little Brother Ladaruss were featured during the General Conference’s celebration of 100 years of United Methodist Men’s ministry. View the inspirational video of Big Brother Dale Long at http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=1723949&ct=3932325&undefined.

Please look for more information on the Big Brothers Big Sisters-United Methodist Church partnership to be shared soon. If you have questions about the partnership please contact the Director of Community Partnerships, Mark Scott at mark.scott@bbbs.org.