"In my country, I cannot sing loudly; I cannot pray loudly; I cannot worship loudly," stated an Asian participant in this year's MEO in South Korea. What a blessing for him, and many others, to attend this  program and share much-needed fellowship with military Christian brothers and sisters!

MEO delegates were overwhelmed with the support and encouragement they received. The conference brought together military Christians from 15 countries that either have no military Christian fellowships (MCF), or which have MCFs that need encouragement. Military Ministries International (our Gospel partners from the UK) MSO, and ACCTS staff instructed the participants in military ministry fundamentals, leadership, and MCF growth, and helped them to develop a vision for strong military ministry in their countries.  

A program highlight was attending the annual Christian celebration of South Korea's deliverance from North Korea's invasion. Several participants were emotionally overwhelmed to see over 13,000 young Christian Korean soldiers singing, praising God for their country, and praying for its peaceful reunification. After attending, one MEO participant confessed, "Until today, I didn't understand why MCFs are so important, but now I see!" Another participant from a nation where he can't even attend church was powerfully taken-aback when he entered the worship center to see those 13,000 young soldiers praising God.

Although MEO's training sessions are highly effective and informative, its bi ggest impact is in building relationships, encouraging participants, and providing them fellowship. Yet it is difficult to convey to U.S. Christians how powerful and valuable those intangible aspects are, since we take them so much for granted! But the value of fellowship is clearly seen by what people will risk to obtain it. Many participants have been harassed and persecuted because of their beliefs. One delegate was arrested just prior to attending a military ministry meeting, while another was disciplined upon his return. One man told of returning home from the 2014 Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF) Global Interaction conference. He was awakened at 6 AM by six uniformed men and taken to a police station where security services personnel interrogated him for a week about his Christian activities. Upon his release, the police warned him not to tell anyone of his interrogation, so he told no one - and no one even noted his absence. This left him with a powerful sense of loneliness, and the realization that he needed to deepen his relationships with other believers, even though that was dangerous

"It is very lonely [back home]," another delegate shared. "My family are the only Christians in my village, and there are none I know of in any of the ten closest other villages." His nation's very small MCF meets once a month in the capital city, five hours from his home. He thinks nothing of making the ten-hour round trip each month to have fellowship. When these participants were asked why they would attend these events knowing they might be harassed, they answered that it was worth the risk so that they could enjoy fellowship with other military Christians.

A more detailed MEO report will be posted on the ACCTS' website at www.accts.org . We extend our thanks to MSO  for inviting us to teach and be a part of this event each year, because it effectively encourages military Christians worldwide. Please pray with us that the participants will be kept safe as they serve Christ, and that He will guide and direct them in all they do for Him and for their nations.