Despite the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ACCTS continued to minister to military Christians around the world. Here are a few examples.
5-Nation Asian Ministry Trip: An ACCTS staff member spent two months ministering to Asian military Christians in January and February 2020. By God’s grace, his mission trip ended in late February before COVID-19 became widespread and before travel restrictions were in place. The first part of his trip began in India, where he ministered with a participant in ACCTS chaplain training to conduct a two-day discipleship program on the Indian-Bhutan border. After the discipleship program, they collaborated with a local Military Christian Fellowship (MCF) leader in India to start a new chapter of the Indian fellowship. His next stop was Myanmar, where he taught at a military discipleship conference hosted by our partner, the Missionary Support Organization of South Korea. Visits to two more nations completed this missionary journey – Vietnam, where he helped local military Christians start six new chapters of the MCF, and Laos, where he taught at another discipleship event.
Spiritual Fruit in Russia: In January another ACCTS staff member spoke at the Russian MCFs annual prayer and planning meeting. Spiritual fruit was evident at this meeting, at which five people joined the MCF and one person committed his life to Christ.
Cadets/Midshipmen Learn Leadership Lessons: ACCTS’ Executive Director this year’s Waterloo to WWII leadership tour in March, which included US midshipmen, British cadets, and a Royal Air Force captain. Each of their 30+ stops included visits to battlefields and historic sites, and included lessons on the importance of moral leadership. “This trip is always a great opportunity to introduce Christ as the Truth Who should be the anchor and moral compass for those beginning their careers commanding men and women under arms,” he stated at the conclusion of the tour. Fortunately, he tour concluded just a day before COVID-19 travel restrictions were imposed.
Unexpected Blessings in International Student Ministries: Staff members who minister to international student ministries quickly found new ways to minister as pandemic restrictions were put in place, and face-to-face gatherings were prohibited. In San Antonio ACCTS Staff changed their Bible studies to video meetings and found to their surprise that they were reaching more students than before. In addition to the students currently in their area, they invited former students who’d returned to their nations, and were blessed by the opportunity to participate the Bible studies. Additionally, ACCTS staff were able to meet virtually with international students preparing to come to the U.S. and begin building relationships with them.
North American & Caribbean Webinar: In July ACCTS hosted a webinar for military Christians from the Association of Military Christian Fellowship’s North American region (which includes the Caribbean nations, Canada, and the USA). Most webinar participants had attended a previous North American conference hosted by ACCTS, and were blessed to gather again, share how the military ministries in their nations have continued since the previous conference, discuss issues, pray together, and encourage each other in the faith. This initiative led to a Pray and Plan for development of lesson plans on Ethics for the AMCF.
Specially Developed Mongolian Bible Studies: Another ACCTS staff member has been working closely with the Mongolian military Christian fellowship this year. At their request he wrote a series of twenty small group Bible studies to help young Mongolian Christian officers become strong witnesses for Christ as they interact with their fellow officers. 0 As the Bible studies were completed, MCF leaders translated them into Mongolian and made any cultural changes needed.
Interaction-Rocky Mountain High (I-RMH): Although our annual leadership program for young international military officers was cancelled, we were encouraged to learn that recent graduates in two nations – Sri Lanka and Mongolia – are developing similar programs within their nation’s MCFs. In addition, other I-RMH graduates have been participating in weekly ACCTS virtual staff meetings to share how their ministries have prospered using the training they received.
European Leaders Video Conference: Each year, military Christian fellowship leaders from European nations meet for a week of fellowship, encouragement, and community. This year’s face-to-face event had to be cancelled, but the group was able to gather via videoconferences over two weekends. ACCTS staff members were involved in the planning of this meeting and participated as well to offer encouragement and discipleship.
International Chaplain Training (ICT): Former participants in ACCTS ICT (formerly Chaplains Interaction) continue to minister in dozens of nations around the world, sharing what they learned during their training and bringing military men and women to deeper faith in Christ. One former participant traveled from Cameroon to the nation of Chad in November to deliver 4,000 Bibles and train volunteer chaplains in that nation.
