Since 2007, ACCTS has been helping train military chaplains from around the world, through cooperative ministry with our partners both here and abroad. Since that time, hundreds of military Christian leaders have received the necessary training to serve as chaplains in
their nation's militaries, and help build the Kingdom of God across the globe.
The concept of a military chaplaincy finds its origins in the Book of Numbers, where guidance for the deployment of the Israelite armies called for the Levite Priests to "move out" in the midst of the assembled forces. Christian chaplains accompanied Roman Legions as Christianity became the predominant religion of the Roman Empire. Indeed, the word Chaplain derives from the Latin word for cloak, cappa. The US military chaplaincy traces its roots to 1775, when at the request of General George Washington, Congress authorized one chaplain for each regiment of the Continental Army. Since then, chaplains have served in every conflict to improve readiness by building spiritual, mental, and moral health.
A viable chaplaincy makes a significant difference in a nation's military. Chaplains provide moral support and guidance on ethics issues, enhance unit morale, reduce operational stress, prejudice and ethnic tensions, save marriages, and protect the religious freedom of service members.
For more than 20 years, ACCTS has been fulfilling its mission of helping to develop military Christina leaders by training chaplains for the uniformed forces of the world. The Inter national Association of Evangelical Chaplains (IAEC) was founded in 1997 to train those called to be chaplains, t hose serving as chaplains, and those performing chaplain duties. Many ACCTS staff members serve on the IAEC staff and board, working together to develop chaplaincies around the globe. Speaking of a recent chaplain-training event in Cameroon, one of the participants said:
"Our recent
IAEC
trip to Cameroon is a tremendous example of the Body of Christ: a body of various parts working together to be effective. The lively, challenging training there was a result of several "parts" willingly submitting to and engaging in, ministry as a whole. Consider that at least 6 significant ministries (
IAEC
, CRU, ACCTS, MMI, the Council of Cameroon Protestant Churches, and the Cameroon Military Christian Fellowship), all joined together to encourage chaplain development in that country. Each part added much more than any one organization could have done alone."
In addition to chaplain training abroad, ACCTS provides Chaplains Interaction in the US, most recently in San Antonio, TX. 9 delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, as well South and Central America spent two weeks learning the basics precepts of chaplaincy, including leadership, ethics, ministry in a pluralistic military, prayer, chaplain - commander relationships, and inductive Bible Study. The training is provided by retired US chaplains, some of them IAEC members, and features interaction with serving US military chaplains and other US military Christians. Spouses who attend receive separate instruction in various aspects of ministry for a chaplain's spouse.
A US military chapel community normally supports ACCTS Chaplains Interactions, with volunteers providing food, lodging, and fellowship for the internationals. This interaction often proves to be the most valuable aspect of the event, as military Christians learn that they are indeed "All One in Christ," despite language and cultural differences. Another Chaplain Interaction is planned for Wright-Patterson AFB next spring. If you would like to support this important program with prayer or a donation, please contact the ACCTS office at accts@accts.org or 800-487-8108.
Pray for this important program, that God would bless those who have been and will be trained, and lead them to fruitful ministry as they minister to their uniformed services around the world.
