One of ACCTS' premier programs for developing military Christian leaders and military Christian Fellowships is Chaplains Interaction. In many nations, the uniformed services do not have an established chaplaincy, but instead rely on local pastors or Christian military members to minister to the spiritual needs of its service members. Chaplains improve readiness by building spiritual, mental, and moral health; offering commanders guidance on ethical issues; providing worship opportunities; and protecting religious freedom for service members. The intensive two-week course covers the basic principles of chaplaincy and includes instruction from retired US military chaplains and lay leaders. Topics include military ethics, managing operational stress, ministering in a pluralistic society, and commander/chaplain relationships. The most recent Chaplains Interaction took place last March in San Antonio, Texas - here are excerpt s from the coordinator's after-action report.
PARTICIPANTS:
Delegates from 9 countries attended: Antigua; Barbados; Ghana; Haiti; Liberia; Paraguay; Peru; Portugal; and Uganda Three others were invited to attend from Jordan, Pakistan and Dominica but were unable to attend due to visa problems.
SUPERVISORY AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF:
Members of ACCTS, CRU Military and the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains (IAEC) provided the instructional and supp
ort cadre, including two retired Army generals, two retired Army chaplains, a retired Navy c
haplain, and lay leaders from the Air Force and Coast Guard.
LOCATION:
Although the interactions are usually hosted by a local military chapel, this event was unique in that it was hosted by a local church with many military members. Interaction with US military Christians is a key part of the program as it helps both inter
national and US military Christians understand how we are all one in Christ. Another new concept was housing the delegates in a hotel near the church provided efficiencies in transp
ortation, using a rented 15 passenger van.
TRAINING:
The training was based on the US Basic Chaplaincy Course curriculum and included f
or the first time certification in "Prepare & Enrich," an internationally 
recognized premarital and marital training program. Each delegate was certified to use this invaluable tool in his own country.
SIGHTSEEING & SHOPPING
: As usual the sightseeing and, particularly, the shopping were a big hit. The delegates went to the Alamo, on a San Antonio Riverwalk cruise, shopped at the El Mercado shopping area and ate at the famous Mexican restaurant, Mi Tierras. All delegates were given numerous shopping opportunities that were attended with great interest.
VA HOSPITAL VISIT
: Many of the delegates voiced that the visit to the VA hospital was a highlight of the training. The chaplain staff at the VA hospital provided several presentations on issues dealing with ministry to veterans to include moral Injury; polytrauma ministry; and, death and dying ministry to veterans and staff.
COMMENTS FROM THE STUDENT COURSE EVALUATIONS:
1. I identified aspects in my chaplaincy which need to be improved and I was provided the methods to do so. I would like to recommend a class on the Chaplain and Disaster Relief be added to the course. (Barbados)
2. This course is of great value to me and I will do all I can to share the knowledge acquired with members of my military. (Ghana)
3. With this training conducted and the courses offered it has brought a lot of transformation into my personal life, ministries, chaplaincy that I believe when this is offered in my Liberian context and applied it has the ability to change our whole Army. Also, especially when dealing with our own military the role of chaplain is not clear to many commanders but with what has been taught in this course commanders will now get to know who a chaplain is and the role of the chaplain when we get back. (Liberia)
Pray that the Lord will guard and guide these Chaplains Interaction graduates as they embark on their ministries of presence with their comrades-in-arms back in their homelands.
