ACCTS celebrated 45  years of ministry last month. In the first week of January 1972, Cleo Buxton, a decorated WWII Army veteran and the long-time leader of the US Officer's Christian Fellowship (OCF), met with a few other OCF members met to discuss the a ministry similar to OCF, but focused on the international military Christian community.  The result of that meeting was the Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching and Service (ACCTS) with the stated objective, "To encourage the establishment of Christian fellowship for officers and civilians serving in remote areas, and to enable them to share in the spiritual encouragement of conferences and activities which otherwise would not be available for their participation." 

 

As the organization developed, Cleo was often asked, "What on earth are you going to do, and who is going to support you?"  His answer is found in this letter from November 1973 to the Fellowship of National Officer's Christian Unions (FNOCU), the forerunner of the Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF) for which ACCTS is now one of the three principal supporting organizations.

 

"For a number of years I have been concerned about the outreach of the International Officers Christian Union (OCU). I had hoped that before this time we would have seen something in terms of outreach around the world as the Lord has prospered the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (the international aspect of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship). I feel it is a spiritual principle that if the Lord brings a need to your attention and it is in the realm of possibility that God would have you fill it, you should check carefully to determine the Lord's will in the matter . . .. I have been asking God to show me what He would have me do in regard to outreach of the OCU internationally.  I have always been interested in faraway places, so have had to particularly ask the Lord to show me if this was just a dream that appealed to me personally, or if it was His will for me . . ..

 

I plan to begin to work with young officers we now know in various countries, encouraging them in their own Christian walk and assisting them in their outreach to others in their own forces.  I envision this as a foundation for future indigenous OCU's in each of these countries as these men rise in rank and influence.  We anticipate sending regular mailings . . . with the emphasis on spiritual growth and evangelization, thus endeavoring to meet the needs of individuals and groups for more frequent communication than mere occasional visits.  I have never been noted for my letter writing, and yet the Lord has been showing me that this is a means of doing His work which I should develop . . ..

 

We gave much prayerful thought . . . to the best method of working during the remaining years God may give us.  We concluded that an organization structured with a minimum of overhead and administrative detail would be most effective in accomplishing the major missions as well as subsidiary ones which have come to mind.  For this purpose, we have founded the Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching and Service (ACCTS) . . . [that] has no military or national connotation which might lead to suspicion of those receiving mail, other communications, or visits. . .. As we lay foundations for work with foreign officers  . . . I plan to continue the Summer Adventure Tours (trips for young officers to other countries) and encourage participation of more foreign officers and student officers."

 

When Cleo Buxton established ACCTS, there were known to be military Christians in only 12 countries.  At last count there are MCF's in over 150 countries!  God is indeed building His earthly kingdom through the uniformed services of the world - Praise His name!