God had printing plants in South Africa, Brazil, Peru, the Gold Coast, and other fields. Yet funds for translation and printing were limited. It was to be understood that all the money received by BGMC would be used entirely in the translation and production of gospel literature in the foreign fields. BGMC was first introduced at the General Council meeting in Seattle, Washington, in September 1949. About the same time, a general letter was sent out to all churches. Immediately, 145 churches joined the BGMC program that same month. The number increased to 229 total charter members. Barrel banks were chosen as the collection containers since everything sent to the foreign field at that time was packed in sturdy wooden barrels. This evolved into "Buddy Barrel" becoming the mascot or symbol for BGMC. Buddy Barrel became the animated representation of the small barrel banks. It was also decided that small wooden barrels would be given to all the Sunday schools, who wished to cooperate with the program, in sufficient quantity so that every boy and girl in the Sunday school would receive a barrel. The child was to take the barrel home and each day place a penny, nickel, dime or more in it. Once a month on the designated Sunday, each pupil would return his/her barrel to Sunday school. In 2005, the program had raised 5.38 million dollars for the calendar year, for a grand total of 72.8 million dollars since the program's inception. In 2007, BGMC is changing its name from Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade to Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge How BGMC Works Source of BGMC Funding Young children giving in "Buddy Barrels" Older children making faith promises Parents and other adults receiving special offerings Target of BGMC Funding General Council Foreign Missionaries (for ministry supplies that relate specifically to evangelism and discipleship): Puppets, music, and video tapes Tracts, Bibles, and literature Sound systems, computers, and copy machines Foreign Missions Organizations: International Media Ministries Global University The Christian Training Network Generation XXI Resource and Development Ministries (RDM) STAR Radio Avance Center for Muslim Ministries HealthCare Ministries Teen Challenge International General Council Home Missionaries and Missions Organizations: Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Institutional/Occupational Chaplaincy Intercultural Ministries Military Chaplaincy Teen Challenge Church Planting (provides each new church plant with $400.00 in start-up funds plus $75.00 each quarter for the first year for Sunday school materials) A percentage given back