Subject: ALERT Alumni Update | February 2023

February 16, 2023


Dear Alumni, 

 

It's been a busy first quarter of 2023 here at the ALERT Academy! Last month we had an excellent turnout for ALERT's 29th anniversary reunion. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out for the weekend; it was a great time of fellowship and fun. If you couldn't attend, I highly recommend you go on our Facebook page and watch the messages from Keon Pendergast and Isac Dymesich. Both were very encouraging and will be well worth your time. (And if you want a more detailed ALERT Update, you can watch mine, but I don't recommend that one 😉) We are already planning the big 30 year reunion next year! Dates are February 8th-11th, 2024. Mark your calendars, and I hope to see you there!

I wanted to give you a couple of updates on things we are working on here at ALERT. We are excited to announce the launching of our new website, Lord willing in the next month or two, so be on the lookout for that. We have been rebuilding the website from scratch, making it mobile friendly, and moving the Basic Training application online, so it will be a major upgrade all around. Please pray for us as we wrap up this massive project and plug in the final touches.


One of our goals over the next 3-5 years is to get our graduation rate up to approximately 90% of our Basic Training advancement number. One of the ways we want to do that is by increasing our ability to offer men scholarships. This year we are hoping to launch a couple of new scholarship initiatives, including a performance-based scholarship and a scholarship for sons of alumni, along with increasing the average amount awarded per scholarship. In 2022, ALERT Alumni gave $22,545 towards the scholarship fund, which we are very grateful for. Thank you for helping more young men attend the Academy last year, and consider donating to the scholarship fund to continue helping men train with us.


Another way we want to help guys stay through the nine-month program is by offering a wider variety of 3rd Phase training options, and next semester we are excited to re-launch our Construction program. This new class will start on March 13th with the rest of the spring quarter training courses. Be on the lookout for information about this and other programs as we create and lunch new ones.


If you'd like to be involved in any of our 2nd or 3rd Phase classes as a subject matter expert, help instruct on the side, be involved in scenarios, or want to come and give the men a brief testimony or Bible study don't be afraid to reach out. We love having you guys back to help us in our forging process. Eric Dymesich (Unit 25), Soloman Wager (Unit 60) and Miles Whitaker (Unit 63) are currently in Miami helping as instructors and dive masters for Unit 67's 2nd Phase dive trip, and we have similar opportunitites for alumni to connect with our guys in training all year long.

One final thing to make you all aware of, Scott Shetler (Unit 28) is hosting another local alumni reunion in the PNW this summer. The date for that reunion is Saturday, August 12th, 2023, and it will be located near Seattle, WA. If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please reach out to Scott via email: shshetler@gmail.com.


Almost the entire battalion will be in either Washington DC or Miami till the end of February, so continue to keep the men in your prayers with all of the travel and SCUBA diving they will be doing during that time. And as always, pray that we as a staff will continually rely on the Lord for wisdom and direction. I want ALERT to be like John the Baptist—I don't want us ever to be "the thing," but I want us to point to "the thing," just like John the Baptist. That "thing" is a person, and his name is Jesus. The men need less of us and more of Him each day. Pray that we give them Jesus.


Stand strong!

Major Jesse Boulden | Unit 40

ALERT Commanding Officer

Job Opportunities with Good News Boys Home

The Good News Boys Home is looking for strong Christian men that want to make a difference in the lives of other young men. Many of our boys have come from rough home life situations, have made destructive life choices and need to center their life around a relationship with Jesus Christ. Check out our website and watch this video to learn more.


The Summer Counselor is responsible for ensuring the boys are directly supervised at all times. This position is to create a safe and respectful environment so the boys can hear the biblical truths presented. This individual is responsible for mentoring the young men and maintaining a climate that encourages personal and spiritual growth.


Commitment:

May 30-July 21, 2023 – first two weeks are staff training

Lodging and meals are provided – $250 a week stipend provided

Application Deadline: May 1st 2023


The Dorm Supervisor position is a full time position, but applicants may choose to serve as a Dorm Supervisor intern as a one year trial. Applicants are also encouraged to come and volunteer with staff to get a feel for the ministry and meet the staff. If you feel a call from God to help young men embrace a lifestyle of Biblical Manhood, we encourage you to consider that this just might be the opportunity God is calling you to.


Program Goals:

  • Ensure they understand the Good News

  • Help them develop social and life skills

  • Help them achieve their educational & vocational training goals

  • Present a lifestyle of Biblical Manhood


If you are interested in either position or have questions, please call or text Kurt Glosser at 217-355-0674.


Job Opportunity at Cross Bar X Youth Ranch

We exist to reach socially and economically disadvantaged youth with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We primarily work with children coming from fatherless (single parent) homes and the foster care system. Our hope is to work with youth who would never get to experience a high-quality summer camp, and who may have very limited opportunity to hear the gospel in another setting.


Core Values:

  • In everything we do, we present campers with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Our desire is that no camper is turned away from Cross Bar X due to a lack of resources.

  • Each camper receives individual attention.

  • We foster spiritual growth through discipleship and mentoring.

  • Campers are encouraged to participate in a Bible believing church.

  • We seek to provide life skills and opportunity for spiritual growth through experiential education.

  • We seek to support and enrich the families of our campers.


Schedule:

Our dates for camp are June 4-July 18, 2023. There will be a week-long staff training, 2 female camp sessions and 2 male camp sessions, and a backpacking camp to close out the summer. Male counselors will be support staff during female camps, and vice versa. We are a small camp with a small staff and opportunity for great relationship to develop amongst staff who serve in the trenches together. We pay $300/week plus room and board and food during camp sessions.


If you would like more information or are interested in applying, please visit the website at www.crossbarx.org.

International ALERT Academy, 1 Academy Blvd, Big Sandy, TX 75755, United States

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