Here at the Headquarters, we are always encouraged when a new family calls to share what they are learning during their first year in ATI. The challenges our families face and the subsequent victories they experience give us one more reason to do what we do.  One particular first-year family has decided to create a blog for sharing their experiences. Check out their latest adventures at http://atifamily.com. As you read their blog, you’ll find some creative suggestions for teaching younger children the Wisdom Booklets and you’ll be encouraged by the freshness of their perspective. We hope you enjoy their blog – don’t forget to encourage them along the way – you can read and post comments on most of their posts. Keep up the good work!

–The ATI Office

Our family is excited to announce that on Wednesday, January 26th, the program featuring our testimony, entitled “Finding Forgiveness for My Abortion” will air on Focus on the Family’s radio broadcast.

Command 34: Be a Servant | Day 238

I scanned an area on the south side of Chicago until I saw what I was looking for—a group of about 25 teenagers near the river! It was a high-crime area, so when I approached them, they all stared at me and wondered what I wanted. I told them I wanted to draw a scenic chalk picture for them that would explain answers to life’s three big questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Where am I going? They all expressed interest in this.

As I drew the picture and interacted with the group, I tried hard to learn and remember their names. At first, when I asked for a person’s name, I was usually told a fictitious one and the group laughed. However, I paid close attention when someone called another person by his real name and began using it as well. Soon the entire group wanted to tell me not only their first names, but also their nicknames, which were a real challenge to remember! When I returned the following week, many of them surprised me by asking, “What is my name?” If I correctly remembered a name, I would receive a big smile, but when I was incorrect, there was disappointment.

There are four simple but effective key ways I’ve found to show another person that you are genuinely interested in his life and to earn opportunities to serve him.

1. Show a person’s importance by learning and using his name. This is one of the keys I learned while working with teenagers. A person’s own name is one of the most important words to him in any language.
2. Ask precise questions. Questions should show interest without being “nosey.” We can encourage people to talk about things they are interested in, such as asking a businessman: “How did you get started in your present work?”
3. Listen with your heart, not just your mind. When we receive responses to our questions, we should ponder them and find in them the basis for asking additional questions. The religious teachers in the Temple marveled at the wisdom of 12-year-old Jesus because of the questions that He asked and His answers. (See Luke 2:46–47.)
4. Discern needs and attitudes. When God allows us to discern the root problems a person is struggling with, we should then be prepared to provide precise answers to help him. There are four major areas of need that most people will experience at some point in their lives: marriage conflicts, teenage rebellion, financial pressures, and health problems. If we are able to share practical, lasting solutions in these four areas, we will have an ever-widening ministry.

In our journals this week, let’s write down the names of the people whom God wants us to serve and then list the ways in which we are serving or will begin to serve them. As we choose to follow Christ’s example by placing the needs of others ahead of our own needs, we will fulfill the purposes God has for our lives and achieve true greatness!

Through Christ our Lord,

Bill Gothard

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”

(Matthew 20:26–27).

Online Resources for Command 34 >>

If you wish to enroll in Daily Success, please e-mail us at dailysuccess@iblp.org

In the Gap’s Internship program is viewed and conducted as a short-term missions program. The purpose of our Internship Mission Program is to challenge youth and young adults to grow in their relationship with the Lord, to become grounded in a biblical worldview, and to live as pure salt and light to the world; while giving effective tools and hands-on experience in order to equip them to successfully communicate truth in both Christian and secular settings in Oklahoma City and around the world.

Are you ready for a life-changing challenge?

In The Gap Winter Session: January 6^th-March 6^th

In The Gap Spring Session: March 31^st- May 21st

In The Gap is looking for dedicated Christian young adults who are aged fifteen through mid-twenties, have a heart to know God, and desire to minister to children. We are not looking for your existing public speaking abilities, people skills, or teaching proficiencies, rather we are looking at where your heart is and whether or not you are willing to submit yourself to an environment designed to help you grow—spiritually, personally, and professionally.

Are you ready for a life-changing challenge? Are you willing to lay aside your personal interests? Do you want to become the best communicator possible in order to influence this next generation for good? Are you willing to put everything on the line? If you answered “yes” to all of the above, contact Chad Christiansen for an application and more information.

Email: cchristiansen@inthegap.org, Office: (405) 748-0712

Learn more about In The Gap: www.inthegap.org

Testimony by Jeriah Kiang

“I don’t think I’ve made a better, more life-changing choice than the decision to go to In The Gap, other than my salvation prayer.”

“Many thoughts went through my head on that flight, and I thought the whole thing was ridiculous. I mean, I was born in San Jose, California. I’m a city boy! Where in the world is Oklahoma? I calmed myself by going to the Lord in prayer and reminding myself that this was where God wanted me to be. I landed and was soon caught up in the busyness of traveling to Eagle Springs for training. I felt very emotionless at that point and was very unhappy about where I was and what I was doing. The first week of training was fun, in a way, but I made it gloomy for myself by criticizing and nitpicking everything that happened. I was trying to find reasons why I shouldn’t be there, and I was trying to make myself not “like” the place. Slowly the first week of teaching passed, with me dreading every single day that I had to get up in front of class after class to teach. I was, like most other men of my age, terribly afraid of any sort of public speaking and I wanted to leave as soon as I could. But through the personal quiet time we had at Eagle Springs, the encouragement from my teammates, and the strength I gained from God’s Word I slowly started to stand against the fear of speaking in front of people. The session passed by quickly from then on, and ten weeks later I was on the plane back to California. I had the choice to leave halfway through the session, yet I stayed because I knew that I loved that place, I loved the work that we did, and I loved the fellowship with other Christian believers. I’ve been back there 4 times altogether, and I haven’t regretted it at all. Actually, I don’t think I’ve made a better, more life-changing choice than the decision to go to In The Gap, other than my salvation prayer.

Looking back, God has taught me so much through this program. Not just practical skills such as public speaking, planning effectively for classes, and tutoring children, but also in skills that I can use to further the kingdom of God such as, presenting the Wordless Book, being a leader, and having the awareness that God is always there for us. I have never relied on God SO MUCH in my whole life.

Up until then, my life was easy, and I had little to worry about, but being a part of In The Gap pushed and shoved me through the doorway of reliance on God. Each day I was there, I prayed, I asked God for strength, I recited verses in my mind as I stood outside classrooms, I threw myself into His arms and let Him carry me through. Being there has taught me things that I probably would never had learned otherwise. I learned to listen to the voice of God, I was taught to rely on God for joy, I was trained to encourage others, I developed the willpower to grit my teeth and press on. All of these things, though I am not close to mastering, yet I feel as if the In The Gap program has jump-started my spiritual walk with God. Before going to In The Gap, yes, I was saved, but it never crossed my mind that I would ever serve Him in such a way as I have.

Being a part of In The Gap has given me the privilege to see what it really meant to try to live a life all for Jesus. I’ve seen Him change children’s lives in a way I never thought could be possible. Witnessing to the children, and telling them about how Jesus came down to die for us was a truly remarkable experience. It was there that I realized that I could be a tool of God’s amazing plan in a child’s life. Being a channel of God’s love to a child, then watching their radiant faces rejoice after they receive Jesus Christ into their hearts is definitely the most joyful experience of my life. Adding even more to the joy of watching their lives being turned towards Jesus, is knowing about their physical lives. Knowing that they are saved is what gives me hope, because the situation that most of these children are in is honestly, very desperate. I’ve seen children who have watched their parents shoot each other, thinking that it was only a normal part of life. I’ve heard children tell me about how their parents hit and abuse them. I’ve looked into their eyes, and seen an emptiness, a hopelessness, a sadness, and a pain I never expected to see in such a young child. These are elementary age children, who in our world, are enjoying life. When I was their age, I didn’t have a single worry in my life; my life was perfect and privileged. But when I see these children, their eyes pierce deep into my heart, looking and waiting for that person who they can trust and rely on. We can’t always be there for them, encouraging them for the rest of their lives, but we can leave Jesus Christ living in their hearts forever.

That, I believe is what God has called us to do, to spread His message of love, joy, peace, and contentment to those living in hopelessness and despair. In this dire spiritual condition of our nation, this isn’t a time to think about what WE need to accomplish, but to think about how much we can do for the Lord. I would encourage anybody that has a heart for our Savior to take part in this program and experience the power of God first hand, not only in your life, but in all the lives around you.” -Jeriah Kiang

To learn more about In The Gap visit: www.inthegap.org

For more information about up-coming sessions, please write: Chad Christiansen at cchristiansen@inthegap.org

Upcoming Sessions

Applications for the Spring Semester are due December 9

It may seem as if spring is nowhere near, but the spring semester for Telos is coming up sooner than you might think!  The deadline for early registrations at the lowest price is December 9. 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 spring, act now!
Application and registration forms are available on the Telos Web site at www.telos.edu
Highlights selected from some of our most popular courses:

1. Prepare to earn college credit through CLEP Exams – Telos CLEP Prep courses

Thousands of students every year save time and money by earning college credit through exams offered by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  For the past several years, Telos has offered a variety of CLEP Prep courses to help students prepare for CLEP Exams.  In these courses, you will follow a flexible schedule, working with an experienced tutor who will 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.  After completing these assignments, you will be able to approach the CLEP Exam with confidence. For more details, see www.telos.edu/CLEPPrep.php

2. The next step after WBLA – Telos English courses
The Wisdom Book Language Arts (WBLA) program 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 International 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.
For more details, see www.telos.edu/onlinecatalog/PreparatoryCourses.php

3. The next step after Life Purpose Planning – BLP 080, Personal Education Strategy
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.  BLP 080, Personal Education Strategy, is an ideal way to build on the foundation laid in ATI’s Life Purpose Planning program.

Telos offers this five-week course in 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.

For more details, see www.telos.edu/onlinecatalog/PreparatoryCourses.php
For further information about these courses or any other programs offered by Telos, contact us at:

The Telos Institute International
Phone:  317-923-7301
E-mail:  info@telos.edu
Internet:  www.telos.edu

Verity is excited to offer another NoteWorthy Music course from July 11-29, 2011.

Students will benefit from three weeks of instruction and experience as they learn from expert musicians. Make plans now to attend this rich training opportunity and be sure to submit your application by June 1, 2011! 

The NoteWorthy Music program is a three-week course of study in basic musical concepts.
It is designed to provide young musicians with practical tools that will enhance their home-based music studies and their church music ministries. Students can expect training in theory and harmony, songwriting, orchestration, children’s choir directing, conducting, music history, piano pedagogy, and other subjects.

Students participate in 128 classroom hours in addition to out-of-class assignments. The course culminates in a one-hour concert presentation of choral and instrumental selections for the enjoyment of guests.

Prerequisites: 14 and older; at least two years of music training with basic knowledge of piano; also recommended, the home-study course Basic Materials of Music Theory.
Location: Verity Institute, Indianapolis South Campus
Dates: July 11-29, 2011
Application Deadline: June 1, 2011
Cost: $750
Credit: Introductory class

Application

Mr. Gothard traveled to Malaka, Malaysia to attend their annual ATI Conference, November 2–5, 2010. Over 100 families filled the auditorium for the largest ATI Conference ever held in East Asia!

Congratulations to Esther Lin for winning 2nd place in the primary division of the 2010 National Bible Bee! Esther perfectly recited several long passages in the King James Version to capture the 2nd place prize last Saturday. The Lin family has been in ATI for four years and lives in sunny San Jose, California. We enjoyed visiting with the family when they visited our Chicago Headquarters today.