Isolated Christians in the military need fellowship and fellowship with those that understand the challenges and difficulties of military service. MMI’s July Newsletter told how Believers in the Israeli Defence Force face this difficulty and how military Christian fellowships (MCF) meet this need.
Each year MMI’s Korean partners, Mission Support Organisation (MSO), invite delegates from countries where no MCF exists, or where it is weak and struggling, to take part in a week of Military Evangelism Observation (MEO). Here delegates are envisioned or re-envisioned, encouraged, taught and trained in running effective MCFs. They see how the Korean MCF works and observe events like the Korean MCF National Salvation Convention where 15,000 Christians from Korea’s Army, Navy and Air Force meet to praise God, listen to His word and pray together. They join Chapel services on military bases where hundreds of new recruits are baptised at one time as the culmination of a programme of sharing the gospel in a joint programme run between Chaplains and the MCF. And all this in a predominantly Buddhist country with only 30% Christians. It is inspirational.
This year MMI and ACCTS, the third principle support organisation for the worldwide Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF), assisted MSO in the MEO programme. They provided instructors on key MCF topics such as Prayer, Bible study and Pray and Plan and MMI’s Secretary, Mike Paterson joined the team to speak on the latter two as well as introduce delegates to MMI’s work. One delegate declared, “For the first time I know how to study my Bible!”
With delegates from 19 countries, most in the regions MMI works in, it was an opportunity to see what help MMI can provide to see God’s kingdom grow in these places. Most delegates from countries without MCFs went back committed to establishing fellowships. Mike Paterson said, “The Korean way is very direct, unlike our reserved, British style, but delegates embraced it and were inspired to rise to the challenge.” Commitment from delegates from the Middle East to go home and set up Fellowships was inspiring and challenging. MMI’s regional team leaders will be quick to follow up these new fellowships and offer on going support. In other countries MMI’s help was sought to provide support to MCF delegates. Delegates from Namibia and Zimbabwe were keen to send young Christian leaders to take part Table Mountain Top Interaction in Southern Africa.
The establishment and development of military Christian fellowships (MCF) is MMI’s primary objective as the way to help Christians in the military remain and grow in their faith. One hundred and twenty military MCFs have been established around the world as part of the Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF). MEO is a superb programme inspiring the formation of more and more Fellowships.
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If you would like a copy of the DVD of Mark telling his story please contact the office by Email. The cost is £5 plus .60 p&p for UK.
We enjoyed and outstanding weekend at Sarum College, Salibury. All Nations Christian College lecturer on Mission, VJ ‘Sam’ Samkutty opened with a superb talk on “What is Mission”. Nepal MCF President Pastor Indra Basnet gave us a fascinating and encouraging insight into the military Christian fellowship in Nepal. It was established just 0ver 4 years ago and numbers over 500 members with groups in every disctrict in Nepal. A full report in the Newsletter at the end of the Month but the talks are available from the MMI Office.
The latest Accts MMI Newsletter can now be downloaded here – January 2010
Our mid-term Update provides our latest news to fuel your prayers as well as keep you in touch with what we are doing. Download Update Nov 09 now.
Were you unable to attend the Conference or do you want to listen again to some of the wonderful talks or was there a seminar you were not able to attend and want to catch up on it now. Most of talks are available here for downloading. Sadly some recordings were corrupted or the talks were not recorded. Where this applies a note is made beside the title.
Intro and Pres AMCF
Setting the Scene (available as hard copy only. Contact Accts MMI)
Bible Studies – Revd Gordon Hickson
Faith Challenged- Major General Arnvid Løvbukten
Sunday Sermon Bishop Borski- Bishop Ryszard Borski
Brother Yun- Brother Yun (Intro and translation Brother Taisto)
Operational Tour in Iraq – Major Mark Goodwin-Hudson RHG/D
Christian Character Based Leadership – Pointman Leadership Institue (No recordings available)
Healing – Revd Nigel Mumford
Faith under Fire – Nick Stott (Not recorded)
Guidance- Jeremy Clare
Faith in the Family – Rainer and Karin Thorun – Talk not recorded but Marriage Handout and Marriage work sheet available to download.
Rough Guide to being Dad – Revd Richard Hardy
Balancing Family and Service Life – Gp Capt Chris Huckstep RAF (Being processed)
Growing an MCF – Mark Hibbert-Hingston & Mihai Bruma and Gabi Gheorghias
Fellowship & Chaplains – Revd Roland Wort RN (Not available recording corrupted)
Ladies – Jan Ransom (Not recorded)
Building Worshipping Communities-Dave Silber (Principle Nexus College)
Global Day of Prayer
Accts MMI Associate and former staff member Valvakan (Val) Rajah entered heaven on April 25th after a long battle with cancer. In 1972 Val, who was of Indian descent, joined the Rhodesian Armed Forces chaplaincy and rose to the rank of chaplain general of Zimbabwe (1981-1985). He was one of the first three non-whites to become an officer in Zimbabwe’s armed forces. In a 1985 Mail Reporter (Zimbabwe) article, he stated, “It was only the Prime Minister’s initial policy of reconciliation that enabled someone like me to be appointed Chaplain General of the defense forces.” In 1985 he was forced to resign due to his stance on human rights issues concerning military personnel imprisoned by the ruling government. In 1986 Val and his first wife Valerie began to work with Accts MMI.
A printer by trade, Val began his military ministry shortly after converting from Hinduism to Christianity. Throughout his career and ministry, Val acted as a human rights advocate by speaking out against injustices and championed many issues, from prisoner care to homelessness.
Val was buried in Brazil, where he and Gina had been staying to receive medical treatment, on Sunday. Many chaplains, military personnel, and pastors attended the funeral. The Brazilian air force performed a four-plane flyover at his burial in recognition of Val’s service to humanity.
Val was preceeded in death by his father, Rama Naran Rajah; brothers Tiny and Dindela; and his first wife wife Valerie (Lali, or Val). He is survived by wife Gina; his mother Nagama Rajah; and children Gary (Chris) Rajah, Ruth (Basil) Fernandes, and Donna (Roger) Betten.
Please be in prayer for Gina and the entire family at this time.
Our 2009 Training Weekend enjoyed record attendance with a capacity 70 people booking in to join us at Sarum College in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. Our focus was on Military Christian Fellowships in Europe and we had a wealth of experience, current and past to show us what that meant.
The two AMCF Regional Vice Presidents, Brian Parker and Torbjorn Bostrom, and our Regional Team Leader, Rainer Thorun set the scene with an excellent overview and then this was fleshed out by presentation from Polish MCF President, Igor Sawicki, Ukraine MCF President Vasily Khimich and finally a more strategic perspective from Norwegian MCF President General Arnvid Løvebukten. In the evening we were treated to an introduction to the Centurions, the MCF of Mongolia by one of the founders Tugsuu Demberel, currently studying in UK. The whole picture was wrapped up by ACCTS USA staff member for Europe, Dick Barnes, updating us on his work.
Our guests included Accts MMI Associate, Colonel Henry Ladele, who preached with characteristic passion and skill on Luke 18:8 “However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
The main talks can be downloaded here (more to follow):
A-European-Testimony
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