May 13, 2025

A few months ago, during our annual reunion, ALERT alumni and current students lined up for what we affectionately call "The Snake Walk." As the men sprinted away into the darkness, it may have seemed from an outside perspective that the only thing these guys had in common was the rope they were holding onto. But what drew these men together in that moment was far deeper than a race, a rope, or a challenge. What drew them together was the shared experience they had been through. You see, these men had all been through the forging process of Basic Training, some even through Advanced Training. Lifelong friendships are formed that have lasted for years if not decades. 

In our culture today, it's easy to ignore the impact of godly friendships. Those people who you can call on when times are tough or who challenge you spiritually when you are weak and struggling. As Proverbs 17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  God made us for community, so let's value the godly friendships He has placed in our lives.