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Chaplains Interaction, a cooperative ministry with the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains (IAEC), is an intensive two-week course of instruction in the basic principles of chaplaincy for international military Christians who are serving as, or are called to be chaplains. The course is taught by retired US military chaplains, and provides for interaction with US military Christians and serving US military chaplains. This story illustrates how God is beginning to harvest a crop planted 5 years ago.
Although Brazil has the largest military Christian fellowship in the world with over 200,000 members, the only government-authorized chaplaincy is for Catholic service members. There are some evangelical pastors serving as Protestant chaplains on a part-time basis, but there is no official evangelical chaplaincy. According to the CIA World Factbook, Brazil's population of 202.7 million is 65% Catholic and 22% Protestant, so military chaplains for both groups would seem appropriate. 
In 2009, an evangelical Brazilian chaplain and his wife attended Chaplains Interaction. Upon their return to Brazil, there were significant changes in their ministry as they began to apply what they had learned:
- As his commander noticed improvements in unit readiness and morale, their relationship changed dramatically, moving from stiff formality to the commander hosting baptism services in his home swimming pool, with celebratory cookouts following.
- Other chaplains noticed his professionalism and work ethic, and began inquiring about his new approach to chaplaincy.
- The monthly prayer breakfast he started continues, long after he was reassigned.
- The Women of the Chapel group started by his wife continues.
In April of this year, Brazilian military Christians asked ACCTS about establishing an evangelical chaplaincy. Coordinated by the ACCTS Brazilian staff member, IAEC went to Brazil to explain the history of the US chaplaincy, the legislation that authorizes our chaplaincy, the roles and missions of our chaplains, and how our chaplains relate to government. Their briefings were well received and generated numerous questions about chaplaincy matters, such as the role of denominational endorsers, titles for chaplains, training for chaplains, chaplain covenants and codes of ethics, and the process for establishing an evangelical chaplaincy. There was also agreement about the need to move forward with plans to establish an evangelical chaplaincy for Brazilian military and security forces.
Clearly the Lord is at work in the hearts of Brazilian military Christian leaders as they begin to act on their desire for an official evangelical military chaplaincy. Plans are underway to offer them Basic Chaplaincy Courses, along with specialized training in pluralism, and the US Chaplaincy principles of "cooperation without compromise."
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
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