Dear ATI Families,

We are pleased to announce that Phil Downer and his wife, Susy, will be
hosting a Marriage for Life conference at the Oklahoma City Training
Center on August 27-28.

Phil Downer has delighted and challenged audiences at the ATI Regional
Conferences this year. His straightforward approach to disciple making
has encouraged hundreds of families to make a commitment to
discipleship.

Phil and his daughter, Anna, have touched many fathers as they have
shared the practical steps they took to strengthen their relationship.

Now Phil and Susy Downer have created a seminar to teach how to build
intimacy and teamwork in marriage. Here is an excerpt from Phil’s own
testimony:

“We do not know where we would be if God had not reached us in the
despair and pain of our broken marriage, the pressures of business, the
crisis in relationships, the horror remaining from combat as a Marine
machine gunner, and given us a purpose in our family, a biblical context
for ambition and success, and tools and practical paths to follow in
nurturing and discipling our six children and reaching others the way we
were reached. Because Christ reached us through godly and committed
people, strategically placed in our lives, we are committed to spend our
remaining days, not only doing the same with others, but assisting like-
minded people, in addition to pastors and leaders, to be life
multipliers.”

For questions or more information on this event you can visit
www.afamilyforlife.com/okc , e-mail events@okc.iblp.org,
or call the Oklahoma City Training Center at 405-526-0001.

Sincerely,

Andrew D. Warner
Administrative Director
Advanced Training Institute International

About 1,000 people packed out the Mariott Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN this week for the 2010 Indianapolis Regional Conference!

Verity Institute helps students avoid the pitfalls of traditional college campuses such as non-Christian professors, secular humanism, and loose campus morals. In their innovative, 21-month program, Verity students complete a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree through an outside, fully-accredited university at a fraction of traditional costs for higher education. For more information, visit www.verityinstitute.org.

“Success in marriage is not measured by the absence of misunderstandings, but rather by how quickly you course correct and reconnect after a conflict. If the words, “We need to talk,” strike fear in your heart, then this conference will give you the tools and confidence to pursue connection, overtake the host of issues you are facing and recover all God has ordained for your marriage. Newlyweds will gain valuable skills to keep little issues from becoming big ones. Mature couples will find new ways to resolve old problems and achieve lasting resolution.”

For more information on this conference including conference topics, pricing, and locations, please visit the Noble Call website. Noble Call Institute is the ministry of Chris and Ann Hogan.

"…My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."

Psalms 63:5-8

Photo via Flickr

I think that true loyalty comes from a heart of love, because without love it is not the same kind of loyalty. You can be loyal to your boss or your job, but it is more out of duty, not because you love them (usually). But if you love someone you will want to stay loyal to them. No matter what may come, and that is true love, true loyalty, to me at least.

In my life, I think the best example or way that I can practice Loyalty is in my devotion to God. Like making sure I find a time each day to spend with Him, no matter how long, just to acknowledge Him as my Lord, my Savior, the one who gives me life each day, and by my spending time with Him, I am letting him know that I am being Loyal in my devotion to Him. Also by fearing Him, if I truly love God and fear Him then I will want to be Loyal to him all the days of my life.

photo via Flickr

We are blessed and excited to offer a full ten day Journey for mothers, for the very first time! Last year the Lord honored us with the opportunity to offer a shortened Journey for mom’s in order to give them a time of rest and refreshment.
This year, God has made it possible for us to hold a full length Journey to the Heart for mothers. We hope and pray that this will be an opportunity for the mother’s to have an incredible experience with the Lord, and with each other.

Dates:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 – Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

Cost:
ATI Member: $50 per day (Total of $500)
Non ATI Member:$80 per day (Total of $800)

Travel Information:
The Journey will begin and end at IBLP headquarters in Oak Brook IL.

If Flying:
Please book your tickets to arrive on Wednesday September 22nd between 8:00AM and 5:00PM.
Please book your tickets to depart on Saturday October 2nd between 8:00AM and 7:00PM

Airports: Tickets may be booked for either Chicago Midway airport (MDW) or Chicago O’Hare airport (ORD). Pick up and drop off will be provided for both of these airports at no extra charge if flights are booked within the time frames specified above.

If Driving:
You are welcome to arrive at Headquarters any time between 9:00AM and 5:00PM on Wednesday, and you are welcome to depart at anytime on Saturday.
For directions use the following address:
707 West Ogden Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521

As a note, registration for the Journey will actually be held at our Staff Center which is about an eighth of a mile up Adams road and to the right.

Items provided:

• Towels and Washcloths
• ALL Bedding (sheets, blankets, pillows..)
• Washer, Dryer, and Detergent
• Iron and Ironing Board
• Meals and Snacks
• Transportation to and from the Northwoods

How to pack:

• On summer Journeys, in case of water activities, it is suggested that ladies bring modest swimwear. Pants, shorts, capris, or skirts, (all of which must fall bellow the knee), and a t-shirt. Please avoid sleeveless tops.
• On fall/winter Journeys, please bring warm clothes, including warm pants to wear under skirts for outdoor activities.
• Due to unpredictable weather conditions in the Northwoods, please refer to the link available at http://northwoods.iblp.org/weather for a current weather forecast, weather related details, and clothing suggestions.

Journey Overview:

The Journey begins on Wednesday September 22nd with each attendee having a personal interview with Mr. Gothard at some point during the day. The first official session will start at 7:00PM Wednesday evening.

Thursday will be a time of completing personal interviews, getting to know team members, and teaching sessions on various topics such as Lies we Believe, how to Hear the Voice of God, and how to Prepare your Heart to Seek the Lord.

Friday all Journey attendees will travel up to the Northwoods of Michigan where the real Journey begins. For the next five days, (Saturday through Wednesday) there will be much individual time interspersed with group prayer and discussion time as the teams work through the Journey to the Heart binder, and simply take time to seek the Lord. In the evenings there may be speaking sessions, or various DVD messages or testimonies.

Monday will be a day of delighting in the Lord through fasting and seeking Him.
Thursday morning the teams will leave the Northwoods and return to Headquarters in time for an evening meeting. Friday will be follow up training, and practical counsel for going home. Saturday everyone will return to their homes and families.

Our hearts desire and prayer is that this will be a precious time of refreshing, healing, brokenness, and sweet fellowship with Jesus. The most wonderful thing on earth is to know and abide in the love of our Savior, and we hope that this Journey will be an opportunity for you to be reminded of how much Jesus loves you.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

When your registration has been confirmed we will be sending you some powerful material to help you prepare for the Journey.

If you have any questions, concerns, or needs including things you would like us to pray about before you come, please don’t hesitate to call, write, or email us.

It is our privilege to serve you.
May God bless you as you seek His face.
In Christ,
The Journey to the Heart Office
630-323-9800 Ext 522
JourneytotheHeart@iblp.org

~Click Here to Register Now~

It’s Time to Think about Telos for Fall 2010!

Applications for the Fall Semester are due July 15

It may seem as if fall is nowhere near, but the fall semester for The Telos Institute International is coming up sooner than you think! The deadline for early registrations at the lowest price is July 15. New students for college-level courses should also submit their applications by that date. If you are thinking of taking a course from Telos this fall, act now!

Application and registration forms are available on the Telos Website at www.telos.edu. For more information, call the Telos office at 317-923-7301.

Taking the Confusion Out of College Choices

When you are nearly through with your high school work, you and your family face some big decisions: What should I do next? How do I prepare for a career? Should I go to college?

It is easy to miss out on the best choices, simply because you have not asked the right questions or because you are unaware of some of the options available to you. The Telos Institute offers BLP 080, Personal Education Strategy to help you:
* Start in the right place, by considering God’s calling for your life.
* Ask the right questions, using a series of worksheets to take you through five questions that you must answer to make good choices about education.
* Discover the multiple pathways available to gain the training and recognition you need.

BLP 080, Personal Education Strategy, is an ideal way to build on the foundation laid in ATI’s Life Purpose Planning. BLP 080 is a five-week course for one semester hour of credit. Cost: $100.

NOTE: You can take advantage of a special discount on BLP 080, as well as our introductory Bible courses: BIBL 090, Survey of the Bible or BIBL 095, Methods of Bible Study. From now until July 31, you may register for one of these courses at the regular price of $100 and deduct up to $100 from the cost of your next Telos course. For more details and a downloadable registration form, go to the Telos Web site at www.telos.edu you may contact The Telos Institute at 317-923-7301 or inf@telos.edu.

Prepare to earn college credit through CLEP Exams

Thousands of students every year save time and money by earning college credit through exams offered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Telos has offered CLEP Preparation courses to help students prepare for the CLEP Exams in English Composition and in Social Sciences and History. This year we have introduced a new course to help you prepare for the CLEP Exam in Humanities.

In these courses, you will follow a flexible schedule, working with an experienced tutor to help you review the most important concepts, brush up on your weak spots, and become familiar with the exam. As you take practice exams, your tutor will customize an individual study plan for you, based on your specific areas of weakness. Students who take the English course will also write practice essays.

After completing these assignments, you will be able to approach the CLEP Exam with confidence.
Cost: English Composition – $200
Social Sciences and History – $100
Humanities – Introductory price – $100

For registration and information: The Telos Institute International
Phone: 317-923-7301
E-Mail: info@telos.edu
Internet: www.telos.edu
(Use the Preparatory Application to register.)

The Next Step After WBLA

Wisdom Book Language Arts (WBLA) blends spiritual insights with writing and language skills. Once your son or daughter completes Level C of the WBLA curriculum they should be ready to progress to the next level of excellence.

ATI recommends the Preparatory English courses from The Telos Institute as an effective way to build on the foundation you have laid in the WBLA curriculum. Telos offers two courses designed for students fourteen and older who want to build further confidence in their writing skills and prepare themselves to write at the level demanded in college-level programs.

ENGL 090 helps you correct any blind spots in grammar, builds habits of correct word usage and punctuation, and guides you in constructing effective paragraphs and essays. You will also work on typing speed and time management.

ENGL 095 begins with a grammar review, then provides ample practice in writing in various formats. You will also learn how to go step-by-step through the process of writing a research paper.

Schedule: Fifteen weeks
Registration deadline: July 29, 2010
Cost: $200 per course ($10 discount if you register by July 15)

For registration and information, contact The Telos Institute International.
Phone: 317-923-7301
E-Mail: info@telos.edu
Internet: www.telos.edu (Use the Preparatory Application to register.)

NOTE: A discount package is available for students who register for both ENGL 095, English Preparatory II, and ENGL 096, English Review for CLEP. Contact the Telos office for details.

When I attended the “Whatever It Takes” singles conference, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was in for! At first, when the conference began, it seemed like a normal type of conference. But once it all started, with a “bride and groom” coming down the aisle, it was evident we were in for a fun week. But the great thing about this conference was not only that it was fun, but also that a depth of truth was shared that few people want to talk about; that of moral bondage – and finding freedom. So much is hindered spiritually in an individual’s life when the responsibilities of ones moral life are neglected or hidden. As Scripture says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

The powerful lessons and testimonies covered in the sessions are so needed in the lives of couples and singles alike; especially now! But one thing that amazed me personally in being at the conference was the salvation of the Lord Almighty from any human situation. The testimonies were so amazing as the people shared where they had been, and where God has brought them. It made me realize that we are never so low that He cannot reach us, and take us to a place we could never have pictured ourselves arriving to… and without His grace never would. The words from scripture rang true that week: “…a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17) and “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

The next WIT Singles’ Conference is scheduled for August 12-15th, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. More information is available on the Whatever It Takes website.

“Through the leading of our Lord, the International Ministerial Institute (IMI) is opening its doors to young women. Up to this point, IMI has been an all-male school, since one of its main purposes is to prepare young men for the pastorate. While many of our graduates do go into ministry, the majority does not do so. Many students simply take the disciplines and the relationship with the Lord which they gained at IMI into their lives beyond graduation for the general furtherance of God’s kingdom. IMI has been in existence now for over ten years, and we have often been asked when we would open an IMI for young women. This last February, the Lord began to confirm to us through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and authorities that this was His desire.

IMI is designed for students who want a deeper relationship with God and are not afraid to go where truth may take them. We do not adhere to any denomination or theology, and we will not tell a student what to believe theologically. It is our desire that each student learns to hear the voice of God and that God determines their “theology” or lack thereof. We are not focused on the church, as the Biblical focus of a believer is on a relationship with the Father and on seeking His kingdom and righteousness. It is from this relationship with God that true ministry flows from the believer. Jesus defined a disciple as one who abides in His Word, and our goal is to make disciples for Him in this way.

Classes are scheduled similarly to college semesters. The fall semesters start in late August and end in mid-November, and the spring semesters start in late February and end in mid-May. Each semester is twelve weeks long. We require a three-year commitment from the students. If a student desires, he or she can stay for a fourth year and earn a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Ministries. The cost is currently $2,100 per semester, which includes room, board, and books. Separate dorms will be provided for male and female students, and no courtships, engagements, or marriages are allowed during a student’s enrollment in IMI. While these events may spring from friendships formed at IMI, they cannot and will not occur while one is a student here. We desire that all students focus on God and their relationship with Him during this time of training.

Our Web site and brochures are purposely vague, because we cannot communicate the heart of IMI in print. Students need to know what they will experience at IMI, and that is best shared through personal interaction. To request further information or an application, please call us at 512-756-1023 or write to us at 2465 CR 330, Burnet, Texas 78611.”
-Dr. Mike Davis, Director

General Course Overview:
IMI encourages students to develop a passion for God and a desire for the Holy Spirit in every aspect of practical living and future service.

Students are challenged to live as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, to allow God to transform them into a royal priesthood, to rely only on His abilities and power, and to be a pure vessel set apart for His use in the world.

Areas of Study and Application

Developing Intimacy With God
* Humility
* Holiness
* Character Development
* The Power of the Holy Spirit

Spiritual Disciplines
* Bible Memorization and Meditation
* Personal Prayer
* Lectio Divina: Praying of the Scriptures

Bible
* Greek and Hebrew Languages
* Old and New Testament Survey
* The Power of the First-Century Church
* Church History

Communication
* Expository Preaching
* Funeral Ceremonies
* Persuasive Writing

Counseling
* Biblical Counseling
* Marriage Counseling
* Counseling Defeated Christians
* Counseling the Bereaved and Terminally Ill

Practical Ministry
* Prison Ministry
* Missiology and Communicating Cross-Culturally
* Weekly Preaching Opportunities