The Royal Memorial Chapel Sandhurst
The Association of Military Christian Fellowships
Lt Gen Sir Arthur Smith KCB KBE DSO MC when a Captain, served as Adjutant of the Royal Military College Sandhurst. His most prominent appointment, later in his career was as Chief of General Staff in India in 1946. An active Christian all his life, he produced a booklet to help Gentlemen Cadets to understand the Bible. It was called “100 Days Bible Study.” It is still in print to-day and indeed can be downloaded from the Internet or ordered from the Armed Forces Christian Union in Aldershot.
Arthur Smith, although badly wounded in the First World War, was an energetic and enthusiastic man who believed that adventurous sports activities would be a fine vehicle for acquainting the younger generation with the Christian message. Accordingly he initiated Christian skiing holidays in the Alps for members and friends of members of the Officers Christian Union (OCU). They continue to the present day. Word soon spread and international participation became common. In this way the OCU linked up with members of the Dutch NCOK, the Swedish SKO and what is now the German Corneliusvereinigung. In May 1930 the 4 military Christian fellowships (MCFs) agreed to work together within the Fellowship of National Officers Christian Unions (FNOCU). This in due course became the Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF). AMCF now includes 115 separate military fellowships and in addition is in contact with Christians serving in the Armed Forces of over 40 additional nations. AMCF is inter-denominational and has no parent church, no budget, no central office. Its officers comprise a President and 13 regional Vice-Presidents who work from home and rely on gifts to enable them to travel within their region to support and influence the work of individual MCFs.
For further information, see the AMCF website for Europe at http://www.amcf-europe.info A European AMCF Conference will take place in May 2009 in the UK.
For further information about the Armed Forces Christian Union, please see their website - http://www.afcu.org.uk
Lt Gen Sir Arthur Smith KCB KBE DSO MC when a Captain, served as Adjutant of the Royal Military College Sandhurst. His most prominent appointment, later in his career was as Chief of General Staff in India in 1946. An active Christian all his life, he produced a booklet to help Gentlemen Cadets to understand the Bible. It was called “100 Days Bible Study.” It is still in print to-
Arthur Smith, although badly wounded in the First World War, was an energetic and enthusiastic man who believed that adventurous sports activities would be a fine vehicle for acquainting the younger generation with the Christian message. Accordingly he initiated Christian skiing holidays in the Alps for members and friends of members of the Officers Christian Union (OCU). They continue to the present day. Word soon spread and international participation became common. In this way the OCU linked up with members of the Dutch NCOK, the Swedish SKO and what is now the German Corneliusvereinigung. In May 1930 the 4 military Christian fellowships (MCFs) agreed to work together within the Fellowship of National Officers Christian Unions (FNOCU). This in due course became the Association of Military Christian Fellowships (AMCF). AMCF now includes 115 separate military fellowships and in addition is in contact with Christians serving in the Armed Forces of over 40 additional nations. AMCF is inter-
For further information, see the AMCF website for Europe at http://www.amcf-
For further information about the Armed Forces Christian Union, please see their website -
Skiing at Wengen in 1931. Arthur Smith is on the front row, third from the left. Very badly wounded, he was unable to ski but drove a luge at breakneck speed with aplomb.