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.
Storms in Big Sandy
April 11th, 2008
Residents Join Officials In Cleanup After Storms
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer—Tyler Morning Telegraph
The sound of chainsaws filled the air around East Texas after strong thunderstorms raced through the region, felling trees and knocking out power to thousands of homes.
Scores of volunteers lined Gilmer Street in Big Sandy where those wielding chainsaws to clear the roadways and help remove trees from power lines included police, firefighters, ALERT Academy Responders, city and Upshur County officials.
“We had straight-line winds hit us this morning in excess of 60 miles per hour,” said Big Sandy Police Lt. David Sheffield.
Missing Child Found Unharmed
April 8th, 2008
By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer—Tyler Morning Telegraph
LINDALE – For 13 long hours, emergency workers scoured thick woods for an 11-year-old girl who disappeared from her home Wednesday evening as family paced between their house and mobile command center, bleary-eyed and praying for a miracle.
It was close to 7:30 p.m. “Super Nanny” was on TV and Rachel Stevens was in the kitchen cooking dinner after giving her niece Celeste Robinson, an autism patient, her evening medication.
At 8 p.m., when the house was too quiet for comfort, Mrs. Stevens went into Celeste’s room -she wasn’t there. Worried, she checked the backyard.
Still, Celeste was nowhere to be found.
“Last week was spring break and she was just getting more and more bored. Autistic children get in manic episodes. She may have decided to take a walk about while I was getting dinner,” Mrs. Stevens said. Becoming increasingly more frantic, with no sign of Celeste’s whereabouts, the little girl’s aunt and legal guardian called more family members to help search.
“She has never gone this far before,” Mrs. Stevens said. On four-wheelers, neighbors and family scoured the 14-acre narrow strip of wooded land that stretched about a half mile behind the Stevens home on County Road 4122.
Flashlights cut through the darkness, the beams bobbing from bushes to inside parked cars and under sheds. Then, almost as suddenly as Celeste had vanished, a neighbor, from atop a four-wheeler, spotted the little girl’s black Mary Jane shoes in a creek bed.
Dr. Dan Hayden – Sunday Evening Session
January 29th, 2008
Each week, ALERT men and staff enjoy a reverent Sunday evening service on the IAA campus. All are encouraged as they come together for special music, testimonies, and messages from officers, guest speakers, and on video.
On January 27, 2008, ALERT battalion, staff, and families were treated to a poignant message by Dr. Dan Hayden at the Sunday evening meeting. Dr. Hayden (Sola Scriptura, A Word from the Word ) was on campus working on a special project resulting from his ministry here during Family Camp 2008. Dr. Hayden powerfully exhorted our men and families to seek Christ and to have service and obedience to Christ stem from a true, love-based relationship with Him.
Dr. Hayden’s message matched perfectly with IAA’s heart for the young men who receive training here. Our desire is that they not only grasp lessons in personal discipline, responsibility, and character, but first and foremost that they develop personal relationships with the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are grateful to Dr. Hayden for challenging us to press on to love and know the Lord. You can learn more about Dr. Dan Hayden’s ministry by visiting him on the web at www.solagroup.org or www.awordfromtheword.org.
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11-12
Chalk Art & Ventriloquism Report
January 22nd, 2008
For a memorable week in January of 2008, IAA was delighted to host Larry and Freida Sinclair of Sinclair Ministries and Keith Carpenter of “Chalk One Up for the Lord” as they conducted three classes on Chalk Art as well as a course in Ventriloquism.
Chalk dust filled the air and coated enthusiastic students who were taking part in both Beginner and Advanced Chalk Art courses, learning the skills necessary to master this powerful visual aid in sharing the Gospel.
How exciting it was to walk into Chalk Art classes and see artwork hung in groupings on the walls and the next project on each student’s easel, knowing that these drawings weren’t just attempts at capturing beauty – they were steps in preparing a message that will one day reach untold numbers of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Students drew a grand total of over 40 pictures!
Other students dove into Ventriloquism – studying and practicing to develop their “voices” and the basics needed to do a program! Students of Ventriloquism have a dynamic tool for capturing the attention of any audience for the purpose of sharing Truth! Can you talk with your mouth shut?
Plan now to attend next year’s Chalk Art and Ventriloquism Workshops which are already on the calendar for January 2009! Information will be available on the IAA website! www.alertacademy.com/chalk
Testimonies
The Chalk Art class was truly a blessing from the Lord to me. Through this class, the Lord has equipped and encouraged me to use the gifts He has given me for His glory. I am so excited to see how He will use this ministry!
Student, Beginners’ Chalk Art Workshop
I never get tired of seeing a new picture put together. From the original thought, to the white sketch, to the full-size color and black-light picture, it is a really neat process. I really appreciate the attention each drawing is given in the Advanced Class to make it the most concise and effective composition that it can be.
In the Advanced Class, I am challenged to draw things I usually wouldn’t and to think “outside of the box” about picture ideas. Mr. Keith Carpenter did a great job teaching us. He helped me to improve my skies (again!) and taught us what he had recently learned about using colors to create stunning visual effects. I am excited about using the new pictures and techniques in my ministry to children. I am thankful God has given me the opportunity to attend every year to keep me accountable with the artwork and to receive so much encouragement from other artists.
Student, Advanced Chalk Art Workshop
ALERT Academy Challenge Day
October 22nd, 2007
“Prepared Unto Every Good Work” – Will you answer His call?
This first-ever event is designed to allow students opportunity for learning fun and essential elements in safety and service, as well as to get to know more about the types of experiences available at the Academy. Hands on training for young men and women ages 15 and up.Sessions include: Law Enforcement/Self Defense, Rappelling/Rock Climbing, and Fire Fighting Equipment/Safety.
Brigadier General Mike McClendon to Speak at Veteran’s Day Banquet and Concert – Free Admission
October 22nd, 2007
On Monday, November 5, 2007, the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy will host a free banquet and concert in honor and appreciation of the service of Veterans, and public and civil servants. Everyone in the community is cordially invited to attend as well.
The evening’s events will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. with a formal banquet dinner, served by students from the ALERT Academy. During the dinner, attendees will be entertained and encouraged through song. The concert will feature spiritual anthems and patriotic songs sung by the ALERT Men’s Chorus and the ALERT Academy Choir. Each branch of the Armed Forces will be honored during this time.
Our guest speaker General McClendon is commander of Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center, at Langley Air Force Base; Va. General McClendon graduated in the top 10% academically of his Air Force Academy. He won the Top Graduate (Academics) Award upon graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training and was assigned to fly the A-7D fighter in Tactical Air Command. He was subsequently chosen as part of the initial cadre to introduce the A-10 into U.S. Air Forces Europe. From U.S. Air Forces Europe, General McClendon attended the Air Force’s Experimental Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, Calif. He then served as the Chief A-10 Test Pilot, and Director of Flight Test at Eglin AFB, Fla.
Due to limited seating, RSVP by Wednesday Oct. 31, 2007, by calling (903) 636-2000, ext. 2101, or by sending an email to events@alertacademy.com.