Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
Brethren Volunteer Service had its beginnings in 1948, not long after the ending of World War II. It was the youth of the Church of the Brethren who made a proposal to its Annual Conference, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to create a volunteer service program that would provide opportunities for youth, to help make a difference in the world. It was something that happened, perhaps like nothing else in the church, as it was adopted unanimously, without any opposition. Just two months later, BVS was established, with the first volunteers beginning their service.
Chelsea Goss Skillen , the Director of BVS serves as the host of this editon of "Brethren Voices." The program features the BVS Orientation Unit #334, held at Camp Koinonia, in Cle Elum, Washington. Having experienced BVS on two occasions, the new director discusses the orientation of volunteers that came from the United States, Canada and Germany.
Brethren Historian, Jim Lehman, shares the story, "The Beginnings of BVS," which provides a reflection of the event that led to the creation of Brethren Volunteer Service.
Today, BVS is a full-time volunteer program that places adult volunteers in projects in the United States and some locations around the world. Volunteers share their time and talents to work at issues that are greater than themselves, advocating for justice, working for peace, serving human need, and caring for the Creation. BVS provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in communities around the globe and the ability to gain real-world experience that develops professional and relational skills.
Music provided with permission features Mike Stern performing "River of Peace" and "We Can Make a Difference."
TAGS: Volunteer Service Opportunities, International Volunteer Opportunities, Working for Peace, Justice, Care of the Environment, BVS Orientation, Real World Experiences, Conflict Resolution, Brethren Volunteer Service.
Brethren Volunteer Service had its beginnings in 1948, not long after the ending of World War II. It was the youth of the Church of the Brethren who made a proposal to its Annual Conference, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to create a volunteer service program that would provide opportunities for youth, to help make a difference in the world. It was something that happened, perhaps like nothing else in the church, as it was adopted unanimously, without any opposition. Just two months later, BVS was established, with the first volunteers beginning their service.
Chelsea Goss Skillen , the Director of BVS serves as the host of this editon of "Brethren Voices." The program features the BVS Orientation Unit #334, held at Camp Koinonia, in Cle Elum, Washington. Having experienced BVS on two occasions, the new director discusses the orientation of volunteers that came from the United States, Canada and Germany.
Brethren Historian, Jim Lehman, shares the story, "The Beginnings of BVS," which provides a reflection of the event that led to the creation of Brethren Volunteer Service.
Today, BVS is a full-time volunteer program that places adult volunteers in projects in the United States and some locations around the world. Volunteers share their time and talents to work at issues that are greater than themselves, advocating for justice, working for peace, serving human need, and caring for the Creation. BVS provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in communities around the globe and the ability to gain real-world experience that develops professional and relational skills.
Music provided with permission features Mike Stern performing "River of Peace" and "We Can Make a Difference."
TAGS: Volunteer Service Opportunities, International Volunteer Opportunities, Working for Peace, Justice, Care of the Environment, BVS Orientation, Real World Experiences, Conflict Resolution, Brethren Volunteer Service.
