People and Leadership

There are over 15,000 thousand women involved in the mission work of GB around the world. Mostly they are unpaid volunteers. They are women from local churches in the community who, like our founders, have passion and a calling to love and empower girls to discover their identity, gifts and potential.

We also have a number of employed team too, in different parts of the world. They support or help lead the work in individual countries or areas.

Countries have freedom to lead locally

Each country has a board or council that leads and governs the work of Girls’ Brigade in their area, and amazing women from all walks of life are appointed onto these teams to bring God focused wisdom to the steps we take in mission. They take the lead to ensure that Girls’ Brigade in that country is continually moving forward to see our vision fulfilled!

Relationships matter

Networks and relationships are so important in GB, and we have organised ourselves into five Fellowships around the world to help us stay connected and supported. Each one has a team leader (Chairman), and together these five women form the International leadership team of The Girls’ Brigade (The President’s Committee)

International Leaders

The leadership team is called the President’s Committee simply because every four years the world-wide family of GB chooses an International leader to head up this important team – the International President.

The President’s Committee (IPC) communicates regularly to hear about and discuss GB’s development, ensuring that the vision of GB is being pursued by the various country teams. Because these group members lead the fellowships their awareness of GB needs, impact and opportunity is really valuable and relevant for more global discussions that take place at their formal gatherings

Generally, because of distance, the team gathers face to face once a year for this annual conference.

The President’s Committee is supported by GB international’s Administrator who is currently based in the UK.  Members of the international  team can be contacted by using the email home@gbworldwide.org , by telephone +44 (0)1246 582322 or by writing to our registered office Registered Office: Girls’ Brigade Ministries, Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, S32 3XG, United Kingdom

GB’s International Conference

GB teams from around the world get together as a whole mission organization (every four years) at the International Conference of Girls’ Brigade (ICGB).

The conference is a really relational gathering, and networking, discussion, worship and learning together are priorities for this gathering of leaders.

GB’s International Council (GBIC) is convened during this conference, enabling delegates attending from the various country leadership teams to address any key international decisions needed for GB’s progress in mission around the world .

Each GB member country has a voice at the Council and may contribute to the agenda and the decision making process. ICGB is an important gathering for GB, not least as it is here that the International President is chosen and commissioned to lead us forward for the next four years.

The 2018 conference is being held in Zambia, Africa. As 2018 marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of Girls’ Brigade, the conference will be a place of real celebration and vision casting for the future.

Priscilla Penny – International President

Elected at the International Conference in Zambia 2018, to be GB’s International President (2018 – 22). Priscilla was previously VP for Africa for eight years and brings a wealth of experience to her new role in Girls’ Brigade.

Priscilla Penny lives in Harare, Zimbabwe with husband Claudio. As well as all that she does for GB, Priscilla and Claudio also have a busy family life, keeping abreast of all that’s happening in the lives of their four children and five grandchildren!

Priscilla shared at the closing ceremony; ‘As we begin on this journey together for the next four years, I wonder what plans God has for us.  I can only believe that it will be an exciting and fulfilling journey.  What will be our objectives?’

  • That GB will take its place as the Oldest and Strongest Christian Organisation focusing on Girl Child Issues.
  • That GB members will be good stewards and take care of God’s creation – The Earth.
  • That GB will make a Loud Noise that cannot be missed as it turns up the volume of Hope for Girls around the world. May the Girls Brigade be the FIRST TO PRAY, THE FIRST TO SPEAK AND THE FIRST TO ACT for safety and justice for the Girl child. As it say in Proverbs 31:8-9,  “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and the needy.”
  • GB will empower and nurture our young women to drive the Mission and Vision of GB.

The Theme for 2019 is “Fruitful and Overflowing… Live Joyfully”.  I tried to understand the term “Overflowing”.  Producing Fruit is a process from preparing the soil, to harvest and then sharing the fruit.  How do we get there?  How do we get to a point where we move beyond private and personal breakthrough to being so full of the Holy Spirit that we become carriers of His Glory and have His presence overflow out of our inner spirit into every area of our soul, body and around us, bringing healing and freedom to those we come into contact with, to our girls especially as we seek to Transform Lives.

We maybe separated by land, water, different cultures,  but we are one family with one Mission … to Transform the lives of the girls.  ONE GB … ONE MISSION!!!

Aruk Omori – Africa

Aruk Omori is married to John and has three children, two boys and a girl.  She is from Calabar in Cross River State of Nigeria  where she works as a school principal.

She has served as a captain of 13th Calabar company for ten years. She has also been the Cross River State Council Secretary for ten years and National Assistant Secretary GB Nigeria for five years. She has used her professional skills serving as chairman of The Cross River State Education department of the Girls ‘ Brigade preparing girls for competition, has been involved in training camps and  leading officers’ refresher courses.   These roles have involved her  in National and International Conferences and she is called now to serve GB AFRICA as their International Vice President from January 2018 .

Her interests include writing, reading , working with children, travelling and meeting with people.

Mrs Tay Poh Imm – Asia

Mrs Tay admits that the web and social media are a mystery to her, but that she LOVES working amongst children! She’s also great at communicating via ‘What’s App’!

Currently President of GB Singapore Mrs Tay brings tremendous experience to the role of IVP for Asia, and the International Leadership team is blessed to add her wisdom to the team as GB moves forward in this next phase of mission. As a teacher she brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, and has travelled around Asia supporting the extension of our mission into Thailand, Cambodia and more recently into Indonesia.

Quindell Ferguson – Caribbean & Americas

IVP for the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship, Quindell lives in the beautiful setting of  Jamaica.  2018 marks the beginning of her first term as IVP.  Quindell says ‘I’m really looking forward to this new post. Your prayers and support would be appreciated during this time so that God will help me to carry out my duties.’

Quindell has served the Caribbean & Americas Fellowship in many roles over the years and  is really looking forward to this new post. Your prayers and support would be appreciated during this time so that God will help her to carry out her duties.

In addition to Girls’ Brigade she is Co-Founder and Artistic director to the Jamaica Youth Theatre,  Chairperson of Secondary School’s Drama Festival and the Caribbean Secondary School’s Drama Festival.  She also run a local theatre costume design and rental shop. Quindell is one of Jamaica’s leading collectors of period costumes and theatre props.  Finally she’s an active member in her church where she serves as Technical Consultant, Chairperson Fundraising and member of the Property Committee.

 

Dr Claire Rush – Europe

Dr Claire Rush took over this four-year role from Vivienne Aitchison in June 2014. Claire, a local GB leader in Northern Ireland was previously the Youth Co-ordinator for the Fellowship.

She works as Participation and Advocacy for GB in England & Wales, is involved in a number of initiatives like the Sophia Network, and is passionate to see young women have and fulfil opportunities to be Christ-focused influencers in this generation. Married to Chris and always busy reading or writing, Claire is thrilled to be taking up this new role and as she would say, is privileged to be ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants – grateful for the amazing GB leaders who have gone before me’

Mrs. Renelle Neale – Pacific

Renelle, from New South Wales, Australia, was appointed as IVP for Pacific in April 2016.  She is married to John who is now retired, has four grown up children and four grandchildren with whom she loves to share time. Her family in their turn are her biggest supporters and encouragers!

At a GB volunteer she has a long association with the Blacktown GB group where she now serves as Chaplain. Over many years she has been involved in training around her local region.  During her eight years as Deputy Chairperson of the Pacific Fellowship she assisted with a number of training sessions with leaders around the Pacific area.  In her working life too she has worked for GB, managing the GB shop and serving as National Administrator.

Outside of GB she likes to be creative, loves the challenge of a daily crossword and enjoys completing jigsaw puzzles.  She is also a keen stamp collector so watch out when she is on her travels.

Renelle recalls how , through the encouragement of her GB leaders, she became confident enough to show her faith to others. She believes that although she has seen seeds sown in young lives growing, there are still many more out there that are thirsting for the Lord. Her vision is for GB members in the Pacific to stay connected as together they transform girls’ lives for Christ.

Betty McComb – Treasurer

Betty has grown up through Girls’ Brigade and celebrated 40 years as a leader in 2016. She is a local GB group leader on the Isle of Wight (very South of England) and a member of the England & Wales Network Executive. Betty has two grown-up daughters who are also leaders in GB and is married to Colin – an avid golf player. She retired from her career in banking last year and enjoys walking along the beach with her daughter’s German shepherd, meeting with friends and being a trustee for Ryde Baptist Church.

Betty had a wonderful time at ICGB in Zambia and has lasting memories and lots of new friends on Facebook.

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