Quest Website Redesign
June 12th, 2008
We are excited to announce a brand new re-design of the Quest website! The new website should be easier to use and captures the exciting, adventurous nature of our program. The ‘About Quest‘ page highlights our history and explains our mission of helping young men transition into manhood. You can then go to the ‘Program Information‘ page to see detailed information about this summer’s program, including schedules and a training syllabus. A new ‘Downloads‘ page provides a one-stop destination to get the most recent forms, brochures and publications. Finally, our ‘Blog‘ is a page you can bookmark and visit frequently to see the latest updates on the program.
If you have any questions about Quest, check under our ‘FAQ‘ page for an answer, or use the newly designed ‘Contact‘ page to send us your feedback.
This website facelift comes just in time for the summer 2008 Quest program. We are still accepting registrations, but the program is filling up fast! Contact us today to reserve your spot!
ALERT Academy Challenge Day
May 24th, 2008
ALERT Cadet Website
May 22nd, 2008
Early this morning the ALERT Cadets unveiled their newly redesigned website!
“After months of preparation and hard work they finally have a finished product that they can be proud of . . . without the support of so many and the never ending assistance of young web developer, Benjamin Cahill, we never would have made it. Praise God for what He has done throughout this long process!” Josh Wychopen—Visual Communications Director, International ALERT Academy.
Please take a look today and see what is new with the ALERT Cadet Program!
ATI Regional 2008
May 20th, 2008
Conference Helps Home-Schoolers Resist Peer Pressure Through Religion
By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer—Tyler Morning Telegraph
BIG SANDY—More than 400 home school families from across the country arrived in Big Sandy this week to play, pray and tackle the pressures of being young.
The conference was held at the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, a military-style Christian school that trains young men ages 17 to 24 in emergency assistance.
The Advanced Training Institute International (ATI) conference, held April 29 to May 2, is one of three home schooling conferences in the United States that provides curriculum and training to support home schooling parents in raising their children on the principles of the Bible.
At the same time, the children are off playing games, reading Bible verses and learning how to grow as Christians.
The program started in 1989, and for the past five years has used the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy as their central location.
The activities at the conference are geared toward helping children pursue their relationships with God and their families. Founded by Bill Gothard, the Institute in Basic Life Principles is a biblically based, not-for-profit, nonsectarian training and service organization.
Gothard, who spoke to a group of young people Wednesday at the conference, said one of the largest problems facing today’s youth is a willingness to sacrifice standards, morals and health to be socially accepted by peers.
“God has created every person for a purpose, and when (God) helps them identify what his purpose for their life is then they don’t need to have the acceptance of their friends and can be accepted by God for his purpose and have a greater joy, confidence and maturity,” Gothard said.
IAA News Update
March 20th, 2008
Deployment News
The aftermath of hurricane Rita in 2005, left damage that will take many years of recovery time. Some of the damage will be irreversible. But, the small town of Vidor, near Beaumont TX, asked for ALERT’s assistance last week with the tearing down of two houses that were damaged by Rita. That was done in short time by some of the fifty- three ALERT men sent from Big Sandy.
While there, our men also hung insulation and sheetrock in a new church where Rita had destroyed the old one. The battalion and officers stayed in the gym at another local church while working for a week in Vidor and were blessed by being able to serve the citizens.
ALERT Training Update
Doors of Greater Service Through a Specialized Team
We are pleased and excited to announce our first Ministry Support Team (MST). This new unit is open to ALERT graduates in good standing. A twelve-week commitment is necessary, but there is no cost to the men. With some characteristics of the previous Mobile Response Team and the Service Response Team, the MST is devoted to serving the needs of the community, service projects, and on-campus projects. As a minimum of one-fourth of their time is planned off campus, they are available for a wide variety of deployments. The unit is devoted to carrying the ALERT message, and embodies the idea of being always ready to serve. High standards, crisp uniforms, and good morale are the marks of the MST. The goal is to have this team specially prepared and ready at a moment’s notice to serve the needs of others and to be a blessing to all. If God is calling you to serve in this way, please call us!
Upcoming Training & Events
Basic Training: March 24-May 23
Just a few days remain to sign up!!!!
“I would like to take a moment and relate my experience in Basic Training and maybe encourage you toward taking the next step and becoming a part of the Air Land Emergency Resource Team!
“When the Lord led me to ALERT in Feb. of 1994, I was like many young men today. I had been given a lot of good skills by virtue of the fact that my father was very handy and had invested a lot of his knowledge into me. I had also been raised by godly parents who lived out their faith in front of me and had led me in a right way. But I was unsure of where to go next. I had just finished high school and was looking for direction when ALERT came along. I jumped at the chance to have some adventure within the context of learning to be a more dedicated follower of Christ! My experience in Basic Training is one I will never forget and that was absolutely life changing. I remember being confronted with questions after we had been awakened in the middle of the night like, “Is salvation by faith or by works?” and struggling to give the answer that should have been automatic. I grew tremendously both physically and spiritually. My faith became my own and I learned the tremendous value of a servant’s heart. I was led beyond the limits of what I thought I could do, experienced the Lord’s presence through the pain and the unknown, and saw God’s faithfulness again and again.
My heart is to see you have the same experience that the Lord allowed me to have - to see you accept the challenge and enjoy the fullness of God’s faithfulness as He leads you to a greater understanding of what it means to be a dynamic man and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ! I look forward to seeing you in the spring unit that begins on March 24th! If you have any questions or need an application, just call me at 903-636-2000 ext. 2905.” - Capt. Keon Pendergast
Leaders by H.E.A.R.T.: April 18-20, 2008
Join Dr. Lew Sterrett for “Lessons in Leadership from the Language of the Horse.” This short-course is ideal for community leaders, business leaders, educators, and parents. Leaders by H.E.A.R.T. [Human Equine Analogies in Relational Training] promotes the pursuit of excellence for developing healthy and productive relationships. Learn to deal with the angry and dysfunctional person and to address undesirable character issues, understand the means by which the good are challenged to excel, and learn to multiply investments by strengthening morale and giving direction. This unique and entertaining approach to leadership addresses key issues through the use of horse training and interactive dialogue.
IAA News Update
November 29th, 2007
ALERT News
The 2007 Veteran’s Concert and Banquet was a huge success. Brigadier General Mike McClendon delivered the keynote speech to around 450 in attendance including men and women from the Military, Law Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Personnel and members of the community.
In his speech, General McClendon noted that extremist attacks had gained frequency in the years between the Iran hostage crisis of 1979 and the 9/11 attacks. “Since 2001, United States interests have not been attacked on U.S. soil…” he said. “The reason for that is because we’re taking the war to them. The war in Iraq is one of many battles for the hearts and minds of the rest of the world.”
Our focus at ALERT is to train the hearts and minds of young men to follow Christ and to serve our country and community. It is great for our students to meet those who served and are serving our country.
One attending veteran said, “It’s an honor to be here at the Banquet and it’s fantastic.” Other veterans remarked they look forward to this event and it’s the highlight of their year.
Upcoming Events
ICBC Course II — Dec. 3-7, 2007
You likely know others who have been deeply wounded, suffer with addictions or compulsive behaviors, or are troubled with depression, fears, or behavioral disorders. Do you know how to share the Truth in a way that it can be personally appropriated, even “in the trenches” of life?
In this course you will learn the relationship between physical symptoms and spiritual issues, as the false dichotomy in human problems between the physical and spiritual realms is presented.
The confusing and growing trend of blending medical practice and New Age spirituality will be addressed. The role and significance of a believer’s concept of their identity in Christ in providing a basis for dealing with other “non-spiritual” areas of life will be illustrated.
IAA News Update
October 23rd, 2007
ALERT News
ALERT is privileged to host 15 young men from Philippine orphanages at our campus this week. These men are from 17-25 in age. They were chosen by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare & Development to be leaders in their orphanages. At ALERT they will gain Character Training and principles for living with good morals and standards which is so needed among today’s youth. Another area of training this week is basic disaster relief, which will be of advantage in a country where typhoons, tsunami’s and mudslides are commonplace. In February, some of our young men at ALERT will go to the Philippines to further assist in training.
Upcoming Events
Whatever It Takes Conference - Nov. 2-4, 2007
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to love God with all your heart, defeat the enemy, become one in your marriage, and win the hearts of your children? Join us as Paul and Jenny Speed share their life lessons and the work that God has done in building a oneness of spirit in their marriage and family. Whatever it Takes!