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August 8–11, 2023
2023 Registration Closed

Workshop Overview

Every relational problem, tension, or rift we experience springs from a common root. If this root is left unchecked, it can inhibit the purpose for which God placed us in this world, permitting spiritual death and decay to spread. However, if we heed God’s resolution for dealing with this “root,” we can be liberated to become conduits of Christ’s eternal hope, light, and life.

Affirming Biblical Foundations (ABF) is a ten-part, interactive presentation with workbook diagrams, illustrative videos, and life-experience testimonials. ABF will challenge you to look beyond fruit issues to discover how root issues can be resolved. ABF examines how every relationship we have in life—whether it be in the family, church, business or government—functions as a gauge to assess our ultimate relationship with God. When we view our interactions with others as opportunities to cultivate a deeper, stronger, more intimate relationship with our loving Heavenly Father, and we operate in light of that reality, we can transform our way of life into a journey for His glory.

Dates

Begins:
Tuesday,
August 8, 2023
6:30pm

Ends:
Friday,
August 11, 2023
12:00 noon

Location

International ALERT Academy Campus

1 Academy Blvd.
Big Sandy TX, 75755

View Venue Website

Schedule

FAQ

Lodging & Meals

Registration

Workshop Topics

Wisdom of God

The perspective for transformation

Grace of God

The power for transformation

Self and God

Our view of our design and
our Designer

Authority Figures

Our interaction with those
above us

Those We Have Hurt

The call to clear our conscience

Those Who Have Hurt Us

The right response to wounds

The Things We Own

Assessing priorities: is it possessions or people?

Our Moral Condition

Finding liberation from fleshly  vices

Our Foundations

The key to abundant relationship with Christ

Schedule

Tuesday

Evening

6:00 – 7:15pm Session 1: Introduction: The Heart and the Land
7:30 – 8:30pm Session 2: The Perspective and Power for Transformation

Wednesday

Morning

9:00 – 9:45  Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of God’s Design
10:00 – 11:15  Session 3: The Handiwork of the Grand Designer
11:30 – 12:15 Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Authority
12:30 – 1:00 Lunch

Afternoon

2:00 – 3:15. Session 4: The Condition That Counters the Enemy of Our Soul
3:30 – 4:45  Session 5: The Roadmap through Common Conflicts
5:15 – 5:45  Dinner

Evening

6:00 – 7:00  Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of the Conscience
7:15 – 8:30  Session 6: The Safeguard from Spiritual Shipwreck

Thursday

Morning

9:00 – 10:00  Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Bitterness
10:15 – 11:30  Session 7: Harbored Hurts vs. Healed Wounds
12:30 – 1:00  Lunch

Afternoon

2:00 – 3:15 Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Ownership
3:30 – 4:45  Session 8: Overcoming the Materialistic Mentality
5:15 – 5:45  Dinner

Evening

6:00 – 7:45  Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Moral Freedom
7:00 – 8:15  Session 9: Finding Victory over Fleshly Vices

Friday

Morning

9:00 – 9:45  Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Meditation
10:00 – 11:15  Session 10: The Secret to Fulfilling Life’s Purpose

Tuesday

Evening

6:00 – 7:15
Session 1: Introduction: The Heart and the Land

7:30 – 8:30
Session 2: The Perspective and Power for Transformation

Wednesday

Morning

9:00 – 9:45
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of God’s Design

10:00 – 11:15
Session 3: The Handiwork of the Grand Designer

11:30 – 12:15
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Authority

12:30 – 1:00 Lunch

Afternoon

2:00 – 3:15
Session 4: The Condition that Counters the Enemy of Our Soul

3:30 – 4:45
Session 5: The Roadmap through Common Conflicts

5:15 – 5:45  Dinner

Evening

6:00 – 7:00
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of the Conscience

7:15 – 8:30
Session 6: The Safeguard from Spiritual Shipwreck

Thursday

Morning

9:00 – 10:00
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Bitterness

10:15 – 11:30
Session 7: Harbored Hurts vs. Healed Wounds

12:30 – 1:00  Lunch

Afternoon

2:00 – 3:15
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Ownership

3:30 – 4:45
Session 8: Overcoming the Materialistic Mentality

5:15 – 5:45  Dinner

Evening

6:00 – 7:45
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Moral Freedom

7:00 – 8:15
Session 9: Finding Victory Over Fleshly Vices

Friday

Morning

9:00 – 9:45
Panel Video: A Biblical Exploration of Meditation

10:00 – 11:15
Session 10: The Secret to Fulfilling Life’s Purpose

Speaker

Brandon Keilen

Brandon has a love for filmmaking and currently serves in audio/visual ministry. After receiving a B.A. in Biblical Ministries, Brandon has used his education in video production to help visually communicate the life-giving, transforming truths of God’s Word. After graduating, Brandon served on the production team of the Rise Up discipleship program and, more recently, assisted in developing the Legacy of Faith video series. He currently resides with his wife, Michaela, near Knoxville, TN.

Panel Members

Joining on video

Gabriel
Cleator

Ross
Holdeman

Tim
Forman

Johnny
Unruh

Larry
Swarr

Travel Details

Arrival & Departure

Meal & Lodging Options

During this Workshop

The International ALERT Academy, owned and operated by IBLP, offers numerous dorm rooms, cabins, and campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meals, Dorm Rooms and Cabins can be booked online; campsites can be reserved over the phone at 903-636-9201. Let us know if you have questions!

Meal Packages

Our Campus Kitchen prepares delicious, made-from-scratch meals for everyone to enjoy!

Please note that gluten-free meals are not available. (Guests wishing to have more salad are welcome to ask for that in the serving line.) 

Our meal reservation deadline is Monday, July 31. Cadet and Pre-Excel students will eat with their families (lunches are not included in program registration costs). 

Order Meal Packages online or call us at 903-636-9201. 

Dorm Rooms (starting at $75 per night)

Our Guest Lodges are two-story, dormitory style buildings. Each wing of four rooms shares a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The lodges have a living room and recreation/meeting room on each floor. Linens and towels are provided.

Private Rooms have access to their own bathroom, while Semi-Private rooms share bathroom accommodations with the adjoining room (ideal for larger families or for sharing with friends). Both room types hold a double bed, bunk, and single—sleeping 5. “Dormitory Style” Semi-Private Rooms hold four twin beds. Rooms sleep 4–5 people; maximum occupancy: 7.

Please note that there are no elevators in these buildings. If you are unable to use stairs, you’re welcome to request a room on the first floor.

Book a Dorm Room

Cabins (from $40 per night)

These cozy, air-conditioned cabins hold three (3) twin beds: one bunk and a single. You have access to the Pine Lodge for a common area, kitchenette (several refrigerators, microwave, coffee maker, sink) and bathrooms. Bedding, pillows, and towels are also provided for all cabins.

Book a Cabin

Campground

The Ponderosa Campground is located on the eastern portion of our campus, graced with tall shadowing pines. Bathhouses with restroom facilities are spread throughout the campground.

Campground details are located here.
Please call us at 903-636-9201 to book a campsite!

RV and Golf Cart Rentals

Area vendors offer RV and Golf Cart Rentals during the Family Conferences. Please contact them directly to arrange rentals.

International ALERT Academy Campus

1 Academy Blvd.
Big Sandy TX, 75755

View Venue Website

What participants are saying:

“Life Changing!! To learn that resisting God’s grace is the ultimate root inside of me and to learn how to walk step by step in His grace was life changing.”

—Denise

“Bitterness is the number one thing [ABF] has helped me with. I was holding on to a lot of past hurts and betrayals and playing the blame game…by doing [ABF] I was able to discover that my wrong actions is what led to the person(s) coming to a point of offending me. Identifying strongholds is the other thing [ABF] has helped me work on.”

—James

“I absolutely love this seminar. Very well taught. I wish I had this teaching before my kids became teenagers. It would have helped me.”

—Celeste

“How getting to the root cause is key to returning to Christ. I’ve been full of self-doubt lately but I have seen there is something deep down that is the cause and I now have a better concept of how to uproot that stronghold on my life and let go and to fully give it to God.”

—Matthew

“I learned more about the gateway to moral impurity and how to avoid it; how the Word of God talks about the signs of moral impurity and how to overcome moral impurity with the Word of God.”

—Stacy

“Of all the seminars I have attended, this by far is the best one. The information is so relevant and clearly broken down into detail. I will be seeking to do this seminar again! Please share it with all who are willing to listen.”

—Amber

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Affirming Biblical Foundations (ABF)?

Affirming Biblical Foundations is a teaching series that observes several areas that hinder us from fulfilling the two greatest commands in Scripture: to love God and to love others. ABF goes on to provide practical instruction on how these hindrances can be overcome, freeing us to experience the dynamic, life-producing relationship with God that we were designed for.

What does ABF involve?

ABF walks through 10 separate lessons, highlighting several common areas of relational tension and providing Bible-based instruction on how each area can be resolved. A workbook is included, providing diagrams, charts, and fill-in-the-black spaces for note-taking. Also included in each lesson are testimonials and illustrative whiteboard videos, providing a vivid and practical element for comprehension of each lesson.

Who is ABF for?
ABF is intended for anyone who has a sincere desire to grow in their relationship with God, and who are willing to take an honest look at any hindrances that might currently be in their lives that impede their growth in and effectiveness for the Lord. ABF exists to declare that God desires an intimate relationship with us, and to highlight the Biblical means He has given for that relationship to become a reality.
Does ABF have an age limit?

Although most of the material covered in ABF is family-friendly, there are a few items addressed that are not deemed appropriate for young children. For this reason, we recommend that a child be age 13 or older to participate in the entire ABF series.

What is the dress code?

As we come together during this conference time, one way that we can show the highest honor to the Lord and to each other is by dressing modestly and reverently.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

The overall guidelines for workshop attire is business casual. Women are encouraged to wear modest blouses and skirts or dresses to all sessions. Please refrain from wearing clothing that is tight, clingy, or see-through.

Is there childcare for ABF?

Each area where ABF is presented differs in the availability of childcare. Please reach out to us via the form on affirmingbiblicalfoundations.com to find out more about childcare in the location you plan to attend.

Can I view ABF online?

Currently, ABF is not posted online for viewing.

Pricing

Registration

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Early Registration discount

Register before July 8 and save 10%!
Family Registration $150
Individual Registration $75

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Programs
Children’s Institute $50
ALERT Cadets $64
Pre-Excel $64

 

Online registration closes August 1, 2023.