Archive for ‘Faithful Endeavors’

Dear Friend,

“They were sent out and (they) returned with honor. I am pleased with the testimony and eternal impact these men had with all in whom they came in contact. This was a different type of deployment, but (it) added perspective on our lives and reemphasized the need that this world has for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

These were remarks from the one who led our recent deployment to San Angelo, Texas where our Aquatics Team performed logistical duties under the State of Texas Governor’s Division of Emergency Management in regards to the welfare of more than 400 children who were removed from their parents and the polygamist compound in which they lived. Although ALERT took no particular stance in the philosophical decisions that were made, we did see God’s hand at work in the lives of those whom we served on the state level, and, more importantly, in the lives of the children with which we ministered the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ.

These children arrived in San Angelo with fear and little respect for people in uniform who had removed them, but they were quickly won over by the servant’s hearts and Christ’s love that was evident in the ALERT men who continually sought to be the ministers of our Lord in the midst of a difficult situation. Even our men had a difficult time as they had to sort out the spiritual attitudes and actions that were necessary to bring honor and glory to Christ. One of our men said, “I soon learned that we were going to be working with people that believed things I did not. . . . In my heart I did not want to have any thing to do with these people. So, God brought to my attention that I needed to love others as Christ loved me and treat others, as I would want to be treated. I also learned that we should not care about what people think, but what kind of example we are demonstrating, and (whether) it is pleasing to the Lord.”

The men supported logistical needs as they served long hours unloading trucks and making sure that the supplies were meeting the physical needs of the children. They also had many opportunities to share the love of Christ with the children as they came alongside them during activity times.

Requests also came to perform searches for evidence in two homicide cases; one involved the shooting of a law enforcement officer. Another team was deployed to Nashville to take a section of roof off of a large building in preparation for a new roof. These were opportunities for us to continue accomplishing “Faithful Endeavors” through God’s leading.

Many of you have faithfully supported us with your prayers and finances in order that we may continue to “Equip Men to Serve Nations,” and, “Prepare Generations to be Followers of Christ.” God continues to use your gifts to bless us and keep us going. We thank you for your support and ask that you prayerfully consider future investment in the lives of our trainees and in those we are able to serve. We count you as part of our team.

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

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Dear Friend,

Although there are many types of responses that occur in the midst of disasters such as we saw with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there are also the long-term recovery efforts that continue long after memories fade. For most of us, it has come and gone, but for some of those who were directly affected, the devastating blows of high winds and floodwaters still remain.

Such is the case of many who lived in the town of Vidor, Texas where 53 of our ALERT men recently joined forces with others to help in repair projects of two homes and a church. Our men worked diligently putting in new insulation and drywall in order to establish closure to old memories while bringing encouragement to those who had lost much in the fall of 2005 when hurricane Rita struck the Texas coast.

Soon after their return from Vidor, heavy rainfall produced flooding in Sabine County, Texas and our teams were called upon again to assist with clean up and debris removal from homes that had been damaged or destroyed. Later in the week, extra men and four of our rescue boats joined forces with the first team to retrieve dead cows that had been swept into the lake. Our mission was accomplished in four days and the men returned with honor. We praise God for His continued strength and faithfulness in the midst of difficult challenges.

The teams of men and women who serve during these, “faithful endeavors,” are supported through funds that come through tuition, retail sales, and financial gifts. Our mission of “Preparing generations to be followers of Christ,” and our desire to continue training and preparing to serve others in times of crises, come at a high financial cost. Support that allows our teams to be “in the field” is in direct relation to the financial resources needed to maintain our home base of daily operations. Your continued involvement will advance our efforts for future endeavors.

We thank God for each of you who have encouraged us and strengthened our vision for people and programs. Without your generosity, we could not accomplish the heart-healing ministry of touching the lives of many who suffer during tough times. Thank you for encouraging us through prayer and provision.

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

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Dear Friend,

What is the worth of a life? What drives our hearts to reach out to families who suffer the anguish of a missing child? Many of us have experienced the initial racing of the heart when we first discovered that one of our children was not at our side—missing! But, most of us rejoiced in that cherished moment when the child was quickly found and returned safe in the mother’s/father’s arms.

For the International ALERT Academy (IAA), one of our purposes for training our men and women for Search and Rescue (SAR) was initially instituted by our Heavenly Father in the garden when He searched out and rescued us from the penalty of sin. He did this so that we could have “life, and that they (we) might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Another purpose is set forth by the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and is put simply, “So that others may live.”

Early morning of March 20, we received a call from a sheriff asking us to join in a search for a missing girl—an opportunity for us to spring into action “so that others may live.” An 11-year-old girl with autism had wandered away from her back yard around 8:30 the evening before. Local searchers and family members combed the area by foot and ATV’s throughout the night. We received a call around 4:00 a.m. asking for assistance and responded with our searchers in the field by daylight. ALERT teams covered the area around the home and began spreading out to the wooded areas with compassionate resolve of hopefully bringing good news to the hearts of the waiting family and friends.

The ALERT men searched for about one hour before finding the young girl in a wooded area near a creek. She was shivering from being wet and cold, but alive and well. I have never experienced what that family went through in those 12 hours of anguish and terror, but I know that there was great relief and rejoicing when she was found. This is what we do! This is why we exist! To make a difference in the lives of those who suffer in times of crises and to share the compassion and love of Christ through our service to them.

Determination to strengthen our resolve to serve others comes at a high financial cost and we reach out to people like you who want to see this kind of work continue. You may not be able to put on a backpack and walk with our search teams, or physically involve yourself in a disaster deployment, but you can and will have a “life-saving,” and “life-changing” impact through financial support and prayer. Without your generosity, we could not accomplish the heart-healing ministry of touching others who suffer during tough events like this.

Thank you for continuing to pray for God’s hand of blessing upon the financial responsibilities of this great work of the Lord through young men and women. Through you, we are encouraged and strengthened for the battle as we see His will unfolded in our daily walk—”For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

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Dear Friend,

As recent storms in the south central states wreaked havoc upon the lives and possessions of so many people, ALERT answered the call to respond to this deadly and devastating disaster. Nearly 40 of our men loaded their gear into vans and trailers last Friday morning, February 8, and made their way to Ash Flat, Arkansas and the cities of Lafayette and Hartsville, Tennessee.

A TV news station in Ash Flat interviewed our men and captured them singing to a family who had suffered a great deal of property loss during the tornado. Tears of appreciation flowed as they received a blessing of the ALERT ministry both in labor and in song. Touching and encouraging the hearts of people in times like these brings significance to the calling of God upon this ministry. In both Arkansas and Tennessee our men continue to minister to families through the sacrificial labor of love as they work diligently to assist in any way they can to bring hope, encouragement, and the message of Christ’s salvation.

Although there were many homes destroyed or damaged, our men have been asked, in most cases, to clear the trees from the yards. Our chain saw crews have taken down trees that were severely damaged and, in some cases, lying on, or threatening homes. Many trees were completely uprooted and strewn across the yards. As each tree is cut in smaller chunks, the other ALERT men drag them to the street side so that the County crews can pick them up and take them to a large burn pile. Working alongside the ALERT men are some of that regions ALERT Cadets (Local community program for fathers and sons ages 8—17). All of our disaster work is done voluntarily, without charge, as we serve the Lord by providing a service to the affected ar ea.

Those of you who support us through prayer and finance play a vital role in the success of these kinds of endeavors. The costs for facilities, training, and preparation of these men for this important aspect of ministry are much more than we can accomplish on our own. God is faithful through many of you who continue to come alongside in support of our vision and mission of, “Equipping Men to Serve Nations (ALERT program),” and “Preparing Generations to be Followers of Christ (Overall mission of our Training Center and all programs).”

As you receive this letter, the men continue to carry out their mission of serving others. If all goes well, they should be returning to the International ALERT Academy by February 23rd. Thank you for continuing to prayerfully consider how God will direct you to join in strengthening and preparing our team to respond to needs of people in crises.

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

FYI: Praise God for His provision of nearly $100,000 from two gifts toward our Water Treatment Plant needs.

For your prayerful consideration:

• Overall support of one ALERT student through our scholarship program — $15,000
• Golf carts needed to support our Camps and Conferences mobility issue during events on campus - Six carts at $2,000 each.
• General Funds gifts will help support our staff needs as well as the ongoing training, deployments and daily operations.
• Every gift through your sacrifice of love is recognized as God’s hand of blessing, and each gift will be used for His glory. Any gifts received above the need will initiate personal contact to seek and fulfill your desire for its use.

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Dear Friend,

The year 2008 has begun enthusiastically at the International ALERT Academy (IAA). We rejoiced to see an increase in the number of men that returned from last year. I sense a positive, enthusiastic spirit in both the staff and battalion as we envision what God has in store for us this year.

Last year God did a marvelous work through our staff of dedicated families and singles. They faithfully endured in the midst of many “growth” opportunities for the IAA ministries, and because of that, we are experiencing greater joy as we enter this year. The Lord has called each one of them to be light to those whom He sends to participate in this ministry. All have sacrificed both physically and financially for the purpose of serving the needs of others and thus affecting successful spiritual growth in the hearts of young men and women.

Although many of our staff members come to serve as volunteers, others require financial support. We are grateful for the Lord’s hand of provision through the many gifts that come to help sustain us in our efforts to supply these needs. It is through this supply that God allows each to have a positive spiritual impact in the lives of the students that we are called to serve and make successful. This, in turn, multiplies our ability to send men out to respond to the needs of people in times of crisis.

Thank you for continuing to prayerfully consider how God will direct you to join in strengthening and preparing our team as we look toward to an outstanding year of our Lord in 2008.

Strengthened through Him,
Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

• Overall support of one ALERT student through our scholarship program - $15,000
• Telecom test equipment and materials (and training to use it) to improve our Network system - $5,200
• Golf carts needed to support our Camps and Conferences mobility issue during events on campus - Six carts at $2,000 each.
• General Funds gifts will help support our staff needs as well as the ongoing training, deployments and daily operations.
• Every gift through your sacrifice of love is recognized as God’s hand of blessing, and each gift will be used for His glory. Any gifts received above the need will initiate personal contact to seek and fulfill your desire for its use.

Donate to the International ALERT Academy™

Dear Supporter,

Recently, several of us attended the annual Texas Homeland Security Conference held in San Antonio. We set up a display advertising ALERT and its capabilities to nearly 3,000 attendees, which included Emergency Management Coordinators (EMC), law enforcement officers, firefighters, and many other government officials.

We spoke to many of these men and women about ALERT and were often greeted by those who had called upon us during times of disaster. While we were sharing with some people who knew nothing about us, a man stopped and said, “Hey, I know you guys! Your men served in my community during the flooding this summer. I am the Emergency Coordinator and I want to tell you that I have never worked with a group of finer men than yours. I have to admit, when I first heard that they were 17 years old and up, that I almost said ‘no’ to them coming, but I want you to know that I was greatly impressed and that they were the best thing to happen in our community. If you would like, I could come stand at your display and sing praises about your pro gram?”

We have heard similar praises about the men over and over again throughout our history. It is a greater joy to be able to give praise and thanks to the Lord for His handiwork in the lives of each one who serves during disasters and other needed projects. It is also noteworthy to realize that what each official sees in the lives of these men is the character that is developed as the Lord guides them through life’s challenges.

Praise the Lord for His provision through a gift of more than $87,000 designated for our Water Treatment needs and for several other gifts that have reduced our shortfall for the year. God continues to reveal His blessing upon this ministry through the lives that have been touched and the provisions for His work. We continue to depend upon each of you to uplift and strengthen the work of our hands as we “work as unto the Lord, rather than unto men.”

Thank you for continuing to prayerfully consider how God will direct you to join in strengthening and preparing our team as we look toward finishing 2007.

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

For your prayerful consideration:

• Overall support of one ALERT student through our scholarship program — $15,000
• Current amount needed to upgrade our water treatment plant to recent mandatory state standards - $33,000
• Ongoing operational expenses—shortfall from now until December 31, 2007 — $110,000
• Every gift through your sacrifice of love is recognized as God’s hand of blessing, and each gift will be used for His glory.

Donate to the International ALERT Academy™

Dear Supporter,

God is clearly working in and through the lives of men and women at the International ALERT Academy as we perform our overall mission of “Preparing Generations to be Followers of Christ.” Let me share how God’s blessings are unfolding.

The specific mission of our ALERT program is, “Equipping Men to Serve.” In order to fulfill both missions, we recently sent the ALERT men of Unit 36 and two officers to Belize, in Central America, and to Guadalajara, Mexico. These men shared the light of Christ, skills learned in their ALERT training, and character lessons with local young men.

The ALERT officer on the Belize deployment reported, “Daily studies in the life and failures of Samson were rewarding and thought-provoking. Many of the men (in Belize) share in similar struggles of lust, anger, and authority. Their hearts began to open as several shared particular struggles of discouragement in their walk with the Lord, as well as concerns they had for their peers. These conversations led to deeper discussions about their own position before God. Many of them have doubts about salvation and do not seem to have a grasp on the true meaning of faith. As a result we had the joy of personally praying with three men to either receive Christ or reaffirm their faith in the finished work of Calvary.” Similar reports came from the Guadalajara deployment team, as God brought forth present and eternal blessings.

In Belize and Mexico, it was the ALERT men’s character that really caught the attention of the students. Perhaps for the first time, those local young men saw skilled, strong, and godly men who were unafraid to call Jesus Lord. This is what makes the ALERT program unique.

God continues opening new doors for training and service. This year alone, our men and women gave volunteer time and energy for over 20,000 man-hours in more than 40 service opportunities (disaster relief, lost person searches, community service projects, underwater recoveries, and other special projects). As we contemplate future service to others, we have set a goal to have 400 men active in our ALERT program by the year 2012 and are now working on the actions needed to accomplish it.

Our desire now is to build a broader team of prayer warriors and financial supporters that will strengthen our ability to “Prepare Generations to be Followers of Christ.” These provisions would help maintain our ongoing costs for personnel, facilities, training programs, and daily operations that are needed to continue meeting needs of people in crisis. We hope that you will join our team in support of the harvest of blessings that are evident in those we serve.

Please join with us in thanksgiving to God for His blessings. Thank you for prayerfully considering how God will direct you to join in strengthening and preparing our team.

Strengthened through Him,

Colonel John Tanner
Director of IAA Programs
Commander of ALERT

For your prayerful consideration:
Overall support of one ALERT student through our scholarship program — $15,000
Current amount needed to upgrade our water treatment plant to recent mandatory state standards — $120,000
Ongoing operational expenses – shortfall from now until December 31, 2007 — $210,000
Every gift through your sacrifice of love is recognized as God’s hand of blessing, and each gift will be used for His glory.

Donate to the International ALERT Academy™

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