ALERT News November 09
November 16th, 2009
Mother Daughter Retreat
The International ALERT Academy is delighted to invite mothers and daughters of all ages to an exciting retreat weekend! Ladies will be inspired through meaningful sessions, encouraged through fellowship, and challenged during creative learning times. Moms and daughters will be exhorted in a variety of ways to be built with wisdom, character, and godliness. The Mother Daughter Retreat will be Thursday, February 25, through Sunday, February 28, 2010. For more information, call 903-636-2000 ext. 2101, or visit the website at www.alertacademy.com/iaa/events/mother-daughter/
New Missions Program!
Have you ever wished for a way to learn some of the basic skills and preparations needed for missions and ministry without spending years in seminary? IAA welcomes Lampstand Missions, a new program designed to give young people a significant start toward fulfilling the burdens and callings of the Lord on their lives toward missions at home or abroad! Lampstand Missions’ curriculum covers a wide variety of topics ranging from personal evangelism to wilderness first aid. A combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning build the necessary skills for effective service. A multi-week service/mission trip will be included during the course.
Course Dates
Men’s Course: January 11-May 14, 2010
Women’s Course: Fall 2010
For more details call Edward Seale at 903-636-2000 ext. 2750, or by email at lampstand@alertacademy.com.
From the Halls of Montezuma…
We were excited to have the opportunity to honor our Veterans again this year with a free banquet and concert. Our program featured speaker Phillip Bounds, National Security Advisor for NASA, and the ALERT Chorus performed a patriotic selection of music sure to make “Every heart beat true to the Red White and Blue.” Over 400 veterans, guests, and ALERT staff participated in this year’s banquet and concert!
Family Camp
Family Camp 2009 was a fantastic week of family fun, fellowship, and bikes everywhere! We were thrilled to have our biggest group of Family Campers EVER, with 1112 people in attendance. This year’s speakers, Rick Green, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Lew Sterrett, Gil and Kelly Bates, and Tim Coody were terrific! Although the rain tried its best, it could not dampen the spirit of this group of campers. Kudos to all who stuck it out! We are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year! Look for this year’s slideshow on the Program page! Keep your eye on the website for further updates and information on next year’s Family Camp, October 9-16, 2010.
Underwater Recovery
On October 17, 2009, Joel Talley and members of the ALERT dive team recovered a wheelchair for a fisherman at Lake Fork, TX. The dive team responded to a call on October 16 from Wood County Game Warden Kurt Kelly regarding the former Marine and Desert Storm Veteran who lost his wheelchair while in a fishing tournament. Captain Talley and his divers arrived on scene at 4:15 p.m. They searched for several hours in the area the fisherman found the wheelchair’s cushion floating. The team planned to return the next day to expand the search area.
They recovered the wheelchair on October 17 at 6:08 p.m. in 34 feet of water with little to no visibility after 2 hours of searching. The bottom of the lake was relatively clear of debris allowing the option of the Circle Search method. The divers used GPS and buoys to grid off nearly 80,000 square feet. After debriefing and packing up their gear, the ALERT divers were able to return the wheelchair to friends of the fisherman that evening.
It is ALERT’s goal to serve and assist wherever needed in a Christ like manner. This recovery by the Aquatics program is an excellent example of how ALERT provides young men the opportunity to perform this and many other types of services while giving God the glory for the character and training displayed.
Basic Training
Rain, Rain, and more rain! Unit 42 began with 66 recruits on September 14, R-Night. It was a blessing for the Cadre and other leadership to work with each of the young men and to see so much spiritual growth in their lives. Unit 42 finished a very wet 24-hour hike in which they had a change of plans, due to flooding, and had to do a river crossing along the way. From the 1-hour hike to the 24-hour hike, even in the pouring rain, they were pushed beyond their physical limits and are forced to rely on God for their strength. We congratulate them on their Advancement and look forward to seeing what God continues to do in their lives!
Interested in ALERT Basic Training?
The ALERT program will be hosting RED CARPET DAY on Friday, May 21, 2010. Red Carpet Day is an opportunity for the International ALERT Academy to roll out the red carpet for prospective ALERT recruits, parents and siblings and provide them with an up close look at what ALERT Basic Training is like. It takes place on the day where the current Basic Training recruits advance into the battalion and become Responders. Attendees will be given the chance to hear from the ALERT Director and his wife, ask them questions about the ALERT vision, campus and mission as well as other programs hosted by the International ALERT Academy. We will hold a dedicated reception for the families, where training officers will be available to answer questions regarding requirements, aspects of training and potential ALERT certifications.
Each visiting family will be assigned a “host” from among the ranks of the ALERT battalion, who will be able to relate the ALERT experience from an ALERT Responder’s perspective, assist them in finding their way to the various Red Carpet events and sit with them at meals. If you choose to stay the night, we have guest dorms available for the entire family.
Events include:
Morning Brunch Drill (Marching) Demonstration
Skills Demonstration Basic Training
Advancement Ceremony
Visiting Family Reception w/ Refreshments Post Ceremony Meal
For information regarding cost and lodging for Red Carpet Day, ask for Stacey Smith at 903-636-2000 ext. 2101.
IAA Needs
The International ALERT Academy (IAA) has the following needs. Please be in prayer that God will meet them in accordance with his will and timetable. Many times God uses word of mouth to make needs known to through whom He intends to meet them. As the Lord leads, please discuss them with family and friends that may be in a position to help fulfill the need.
Graphics Designer or Intern – Works with the Director and staff of Camps and Conferences to design and print materials that advertise and support the Camps and Conferences mission as well as overall IAA support as needed. Knowledge of Adobe InDesign preferred. Need mature person requiring minimal supervision and available for at least a one year commitment. Great opportunity for someone who has begun or completed formal training to serve in the ministry while gaining valuable experience. Volunteer position.
Executive Assistant – Young man needed to assist IAA Director and select others. Must have an outgoing, friendly personality; available to travel; possess well above average communication skills (verbal and written); demonstrate professional phone etiquette and well organized. Volunteer position. One-year commitment desired.
Logistics – Assists IAA director and Camps and Conferences staff by providing manpower to mobilize for events, de-mobilize afterwards, and general assistance when and where needed. Must be capable of heavy lifting and working long hours during events. Volunteer position. Length of commitment is negotiable.
Volunteer Coordinator – Reviews applications from potential volunteers, matches applicants with current needs, coordinates with applicants regarding travel to and from campus and acts as liaison between the volunteer and the department in which they serve. Volunteer position.
Volunteers – Volunteers are the life-blood of this ministry. We cannot bless others in need without the countless volunteers that have given of their time and talents to come alongside us in our endeavors. Some volunteer positions that are almost in constant need are: Kitchen help (especially during events), housekeeping (especially during events), custodial help, landscape help and general facilities help. Length of commitment dependent upon availability and current needs.
All volunteers are provided meals and lodging in exchange for their service. A volunteer application can be requested for any of the above positions either by downloading from our website or by calling 903.636.2000 ext. 2101.
Vans – This ministry takes our people on the road very often and our fleet of vehicles is quickly aging. We are in need of gently used, 15 passenger vans that have several years of life left in them. We cannot accept vans that require immediate repairs.
GPS Units – We would like to equip our vehicles with GPS units when leaving for deployments, hikes, conferences, and out of town meetings. We would like to have between 6 – 10 units.
Golf Carts – Many volunteers are not eligible to drive a passenger car or truck on campus. Golf carts are an energy and cost saving method for our volunteers to use around campus in the performance of their duties.
Prayer – As always, we covet your prayers for wisdom, protection, finances and that the Lord’s will be done in and through the lives of each and every person on campus, whether serving on staff, as a volunteer or in training.
These are but a few of the many needs that exist at the International ALERT Academy; however, most needs are too unique or general in nature to list. Please contact Randy Zachry at 903.636.2000 ext 2205 to discuss these or other needs that may exist.