Growth - or How Do You Know You Are Alive? - Major’s Message for June 2007

Gentlemen,

Growth. We expect it in newborn babies, animals, and in plants. Growth is how you know that something is alive; in fact, some would say that growth is the only sure means you have of knowing that something is still living. The same can be said of your ALERT Cadet squad or unit, and of you and me as followers of Christ.

Peter, in 1 Peter 2:2 says this about growth, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Peter expected new believers to grow. It was the only sure way to know that their faith was genuine; the Holy Spirit would be creating the desire, as Peter says, for the milk of the Word in their heart.

The process of growth goes something like this. First, there has to be the desire to grow, then a decision that growth is required in a certain area, and finally a plan to make that decision come to come to life, so to speak.

The desire to grow comes about by realizing the benefits of growth, and the realization that growth indicates life. This is not only true when deciding to grow spiritually, but also when deciding to grow your squad or unit, and how far you will progress in the ALERT Cadet handbooks.

Next, comes a decision to grow. As humans we make choices about whether we want to grow in certain areas, or not. Other decisions on growth, such as in our physical bodies, are God’s, and we have no say in them. We must make a conscious decision that growth in a particular area is required. We may have desire, but without decision, all we have are good intentions.

Lastly, a plan is needed to accomplish the decision born out of desire to grow. This plan puts feet and specific actions to the decision to grow. It lays out who is going to do what by when. This may be purchasing a Bible study book to lead your family through, or setting specific topics and teachers for your ALERT Cadet unit meetings in the coming months. A desire without a plan is only a dream. A plan turns desires and decisions into reality.

The growth of the ALERT Cadet organization as a whole is something I concern myself with quite a bit. It is the way I know that ALERT Cadets is alive and well. We have recently been working on the next five-year strategy for ALERT Cadets. The first strategy, started in 2002, is now nearly accomplished, so it is time to look ahead at what God would have for us in the not too distant future. This work is being done in conjunction with a larger look at the International ALERT Academy ministry as a whole, which includes the ALERT, STEP, Quest, and Camps and Conferences ministries, as well as the ALERT Cadet ministry.

During our look out five to ten years, we have realized that God is opening doors to expand ALERT Cadets outside of our traditional areas. Our goal is not to expand the program, but rather to come alongside fathers who are seeking to raise their 8-17 year-old sons to be mighty, godly men who will impact the world for Jesus Christ. ALERT Cadets is a unique and useful tool that fathers can use to win and keep the heart of their sons. Numbers are not the goal; they only indicate the extent to which growth is taking place.

So, the question is, how best to let fathers know that ALERT Cadets exists, and then how best to assist them in raising their sons? The strategy team has some ideas, but I’d like to hear yours. Please write me at cadets@alertacademy.com and let me know your thoughts on growth and assisting fathers. We will factor in your comments and ideas with ours as we wrestle with this strategy issue; we expect to complete the strategy in November and will share the results with you then.

If you have growth goals for yourself and your ALERT Cadet squad or unit, that is fantastic! If not, may I suggest that you check your pulse, and then start setting goals and working toward them. A good place to start is to improve the relationships within your family, and then onto a Bible study that relates to a relevant topic your family is facing right now. This will spur on spiritual growth and out of this comes physical growth as others see the power of God working in you to transform you life. Others will see this and begin to ask questions, allowing you to share the gospel, or the message of ALERT Cadets.

May God continue to give you wisdom as you seek to raise your sons to be might in spirit and “Strong to Overcome” the evil one.

In Christ,

Major Roger D. Farr

ALERT Cadet Program Director and Commanding Officer