3.0
CEUs at Annual CTE
CTE
Chaplain Training Event
3
Partner Schools
49 yrs
Continuous Standing
What Training Covers
Ongoing chaplain training that runs alongside endorsement.
DoD Chaplain Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agencies, like AEGA, may require endorsed Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates to attend an annual endorser-led training event (CTE). AEGA holds CTE at its Annual Conference Retreat. Saturday afternoon carries CTE sessions with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry, and attendance provides Continuing Education Units up to 3.0. The various Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY to attend.
AEGA chaplain training pairs the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat CTE (up to 3.0 CEUs) with discounted tuition pathways at AEGA's educational branches: Omega Theological Seminary (also referenced as Omega Bible Institute & Seminary) and Evangel Christian University of America. AEGA chaplains also receive discounted tuition at Columbia International University as part of the AEGA chaplain program benefits. AEGA does not deliver Clinical Pastoral Education directly; CPE is delivered by accredited CPE training centers.
Who AEGA Trains
Six chaplain training pathways AEGA supports.
AEGA carries chaplains through the annual CTE training rhythm and points them to degree and CPE pathways for the layers AEGA does not deliver directly. Every track shares the same Annual Conference Retreat and the same covenant fellowship.
Active Duty military chaplains attending CTE.
The various Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty Chaplains TDY to attend AEGA's annual training event. Saturday afternoon CTE sessions provide up to 3.0 CEUs.
Guard and Reserve chaplains attending CTE.
Guard and Reserve chaplains are also supported TDY for CTE attendance. CTE is the annual training touch point AEGA-endorsed chaplains carry through the year.
VA chaplains pursuing continuing education.
VA-endorsed chaplains attend CTE for the 3.0 CEUs and the relational refresh of the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat. The training calendar mirrors what military chaplains receive.
Hospital and hospice chaplains stacking AEGA training with CPE.
Hospital chaplains pair AEGA CEUs with the Clinical Pastoral Education units required by their hospital or hospice system. CPE is delivered by accredited CPE training centers, not by AEGA.
Ministers in AEGA degree programs.
Chaplains and candidates pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degrees through Omega Theological Seminary or Evangel Christian University of America. Both schools enroll students from numerous denominations.
Chaplains tapping the Columbia International University discount.
AEGA chaplains receive discounted tuition at Columbia International University. The partnership is part of the AEGA chaplain program benefits for chaplains pursuing accredited graduate work outside the AEGA system.
CTE · The Annual Training Event
CTE is held at the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat.
CTE is the annual endorser-led training event chaplains attend through AEGA. DoD Chaplain Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agencies may require their endorsed Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates to attend. AEGA holds CTE at its Annual Conference Retreat. Saturday afternoon carries the CTE sessions with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry. Sunday morning service includes an ordination ceremony. CTE attendance provides Continuing Education Units up to 3.0. A special seminar and reception for chaplain spouses runs alongside the conference, with speakers focused on spouses and families of chaplains. The various Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY to attend. For VA, federal prison, hospital, and other AEGA-endorsed chaplains, CTE is the same annual training and fellowship rhythm. The credentialing tracks differ; the training calendar is shared.
Why AEGA
A covenant fellowship for the long career of chaplain training.
AEGA carries chaplains through annual training touch points across decades of service. The fellowship's four pillars hold through education milestones, certification cycles, and the long arc of chaplaincy.
Covering.
Biblical, spiritual accountability that protects chaplains and affirms their God-given assignment. Where there is no accountability, there is no responsibility. AEGA-endorsed chaplains carry covering through every training cycle.
Community.
A relational fellowship where chaplains are known by name. The Grapevine monthly newsletter. The Annual Conference Retreat. A special seminar and reception for chaplain spouses each year.
Coaching.
Practical leadership development and continuing education. The Annual Conference Retreat carries CTE sessions on Saturday afternoon with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry. Up to 3.0 CEUs per attendance.
Credibility.
An established ecclesiastical endorser since 1976. The Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY to attend AEGA's annual training event.
Educational Branches · Degrees & Discounted Tuition
Omega, Evangel, and Columbia International University.
AEGA's two educational branches are Omega Theological Seminary (also referenced as Omega Bible Institute & Seminary) and Evangel Christian University of America. Both schools enroll students from numerous denominations and offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees by distance learning. Bible Knowledge Questionnaire courses are free for AEGA-credentialed ministers in good standing, and credits transfer to either school. Outside the AEGA system, AEGA chaplains receive discounted tuition at Columbia International University as part of the AEGA chaplain program benefits. For chaplains pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education, CPE is delivered by accredited CPE training centers. AEGA does not deliver CPE directly; the AEGA layer is the ecclesiastical endorsement that runs in parallel to a chaplain's CPE units.
From an AEGA-Endorsed Chaplain
"I went to the International Minister's Conference to see if I could sense the vision of AEGA. I not only sensed it, but I also wanted to be a part of it."
Jerry Hatfield · Chaplain & Professor · Texas
How to Apply
From AEGA ordination to chaplain training and endorsement.
01
Apply for AEGA Ordained Minister credentials
The first gate. Chaplaincy agencies require the candidate to be an ordained minister of a recognized faith body. AEGA's Board of Examiners reviews doctrine, references, and ministry experience for the Ordained Minister tier.
02
Complete the credential review
AEGA mails the Constitution and Bylaws for review before a thorough review by the Credential Committee covering doctrinal alignment, references, and ministry experience. Most credentials are issued within three to five weeks.
03
Attend CTE at the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat
CTE sessions Saturday afternoon at the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat. Up to 3.0 CEUs per attendance. Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY.
04
Layer in additional training
Pursue Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degrees through Omega Theological Seminary or Evangel Christian University of America. Take CPE units through accredited CPE training centers. Use the Columbia International University discount as part of the AEGA chaplain program benefits.
Frequently Asked
Chaplain training, answered.
What chaplain training does AEGA offer?
AEGA holds an annual Chaplain Training Event (CTE) at its Annual Conference Retreat. Saturday afternoon carries CTE sessions with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry, with up to 3.0 CEUs per attendance. AEGA also operates two educational branches (Omega Theological Seminary and Evangel Christian University of America) and offers discounted tuition at Columbia International University.
How do I become a chaplain?
Most chaplaincy tracks require ordination from a recognized faith body, ecclesiastical endorsement from that body, and education or clinical training appropriate to the track. For military, VA, federal prison, hospital, hospice, law enforcement, fire, and Civil Air Patrol chaplaincy, AEGA covers the ordination and endorsement layers; the training layer differs by track.
What is CTE?
CTE stands for Chaplain Training Event. DoD Chaplain Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agencies, like AEGA, may require their endorsed Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates to attend an annual endorser-led training event. AEGA holds CTE at its Annual Conference Retreat. CTE attendance provides Continuing Education Units up to 3.0.
Does AEGA deliver CPE?
No. Clinical Pastoral Education is delivered by accredited CPE training centers. AEGA's role is the ecclesiastical endorsement layer that runs in parallel to a chaplain's CPE units.
Are AEGA's schools accredited and open to non-AEGA students?
Omega Theological Seminary and Evangel Christian University of America enroll students from numerous denominations and offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees by distance learning. Bible Knowledge Questionnaire courses are free for AEGA-credentialed ministers in good standing, with credits transferable to either school.
How long does the credential application take?
Most credentials are issued within three to five weeks of application. Once approved as an Ordained Minister, the endorsement letter follows within days. The annual renewal cycle includes the Chaplain Annual Report Form, with a May 1 deadline each year.
Begin chaplain training and endorsement.
CTE at the Annual Conference Retreat. Discounted tuition at three partner schools. A Spirit-filled fellowship that carries chaplains across the long career of training and ministry.