The Latest From Chazak

Across Borders Into Crisis

July brought together several parts of Chazak’s work at once. Chazak Rescue teams served in Venezuela, Poland, and Ukraine, while Class 4 moved through the final stretch of specialization training. Some of that training crossed directly into real-world response as Cadets deployed alongside the Rescue team.

One Day In Kenya

...after about a minute of conversation the man grabbed a large stick beside him and began to stand up, which caused everyone with me to bolt for the gate.

Closing Out The Year

December with Class 4 took place within Segment 2.3 of training, which included two weeks of home break! This gave both the Cadets and our Academy staff a chance to slow down and reconnect with family after a demanding stretch of training. During that time, the Academy team was also to finalize all plans for Chazak Foundations, readying our headquarters in PA for the class, as well as finalizing the logistics that come with a new training! We’re so excited as we bring on our first Foundations class, and eventually Class 5 of Chazak Cadets.

Class 4 Graduates Alpha Year

Training Recap & What's Next

Chazak Rescue: Training Minds for Action

December 2024 Update

A quick update on what all has been happening through Chazak Rescue + Chazak Academy  in the month of December!

2024 Year-End Recap

As 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year that was both challenging and rewarding. This was a milestone year for Chazak Rescue, as we successfully operated Chazak Academy and Chazak Rescue simultaneously for the first time. The progress we’ve made this year in training, networking, and responding to urgent needs around the world has been monumental as Chazak progresses in our vision to Finish the Mission.

Class 4 Introduced!

Class 4 has officially been onboarded as Cadets and have come through their orientation and wilderness trip! This team is made up of 7 male Cadets representing Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Canada! Let’s meet the team.

September 2024 Update

As the 2024 academic year has come to a close, we are grateful for how the Lord has provided for us as an organization in this 4th year of Chazak Academy. For example, this year has been our first full year of running Chazak Academy and Chazak Rescue simultaneously!

How Chazak Got Started

In July of 2021, Chazak’s first team started training. Hear the story of how Chazak came about, directly from the perspective of one of our founders, Shawn.

The Making of a Deployment

You’ve already met the Operations Team. This is Chazak Rescue’s team of dedicated individuals who are monitoring world events around the clock...

The First Operational Deployment by Chazak Rescue Guardians - Ukraine

An average of 30 shells hit the city per day. Distant booms from artillery were followed moments later by explosions as shells landed nearby. Some of my teammates watched as rockets soared across the sky towards their intended targets.We woke one morning to smoke curling up to meet the sunrise from a building that was hit in the night. Many have given in to fear and anger in these trying times, but a beacon of hope and light shines from a dilapidated building mere kilometers from the front line. This church, hit months earlier by a drone strike, continues to shed the light and love of Jesus in the darkness and pain of war.

Oksana’s Story

It is November 29, 2023, Ukraine. Today I am sipping instant coffee while listening to the story of a school teacher, Oksana. Her village is in ruins—broken windows, collapsed ceilings and walls, entire homes nothing more than a heap of rubble. Why? This town has seen mass amounts of warfare—fallen victim to a years-long war. The stage is set.

Vasya’s Testimony

It is November 27, 2023. The day is cold. A fresh coat of snow blankets the ground. Myself, and the rest of Alpha team, are in Southern Ukraine. We reside mere miles from Russian front lines. Daily we hear the sound of explosions, as shelling harasses the city in which we reside. Even now, as I type, I hear the blare of air-raid sirens.‍

Meet the Operations Team

Chazak Rescue’s operations team is at the forefront of each deployment. They work behind the scenes to track world events, develop critical connections with countries and organizations, monitor and provide assistance to the team on the ground, and ensure safety throughout the entire deployment process. Meet the team!

Class 3 Introduced!

Class 3 has officially been onboarded as Cadets and have come through their orientation and wilderness trip! This Class is characterized as having a significant amount of overseas experience with various mission organizations.

Class 1 Cadets Become Guardians!

Class 1 Cadets are now Chazak Guardians after passing The Way of the Cross. This is a Chazak Rescue- administered test that combines similar aspects of the Marine Corps Crucible with first responder and humanitarian aid scenarios. This is the final test for cadets graduating their first 2 years of Chazak Academy and becoming official professional first responders with Chazak Rescue.

What Does Chazak Mean to You?

The question took me so off guard that I stumbled around for a bit before I finally came up with something I thought was meaningful...‍

Spring 2023 Update!

The advance team returned from Ukraine on April 23rd having completed the transitioning of responsibilities to class 1 who were deployed to Ukraine on March 21st. The advance team helped to build connections for getting Chazak to the front lines for medical evacuations.‍

Updates from the First 3 Months of the Year!

The advance team returned to Ukraine on Jan. 18 and the plan is for them to stay for a few months and return on April 23rd. Since returning to Ukraine, the Team has continued to help deliver medical supplies and food to high risk areas on the front lines of the war in Eastern Ukraine.

2022 in Review

The first official deployment for Chazak Rescue saw the advance team traveling to Ukraine in August. The Team first invested a few weeks in Kyiv where they conducted technical and medical rescue training for 30+ Ukrainian first responders. One such training they oversaw was Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), a much-needed course in Kyiv where there was a severe shortage of medical trainers.

Deadwood Outfitters

Since the inception of Chazak Rescue, there has been a consistent need for a dedicated training facility that offers remote, rugged, and high altitude terrain for intensive cadet training. God has provided! In early 2022, Chazak’s board of directors made the decision to purchase Deadwood Outfitters, a licensed guide for hunting and wilderness adventures based in central Idaho. You may have noticed the beautifully-rugged landscapes featured

Deployment to Ukraine + Year Two is Underway!

Much has happened since our last post! The Advance Team had the opportunity to deploy to Ukraine. Beginning in Kyiv, they traveled through several regions of Ukraine doing technical and medical rescue training. One such training they oversaw was Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), a much-needed course in Kyiv where there is a severe shortage of medical trainers.

Wrapping Up Year One and Launching Our First Deployment!

Just like that, the cadets are completing their final training segment for their first year with Chazak. It’s been a wild first year of training, learning, growing, stretching, and hard work. The cadets are currently in their sixth week of training at Deadwood Outfitters, our newly purchased training facility in Cascade, ID. With its remote and rugged location, it’s the ideal location for the intensive seven-week segment that makes up 1.5.

Wrapping Up Time at Home + Training in NYC

In an effort to keep cadets connected with their home communities, during year one of training, cadets complete a six-month home study. Currently, the team has just three weeks left of home study before heading west for their next segment of training. Here’s a glimpse into things they’ve touched on during their time at home.

Advance Team Specializations

There’s been plenty happening in the Chazak world. Training, planning, studying, and sometimes just plain hard work are all a part of what’s going down at Chazak this Spring. The Advance Team is currently in their final stage of training. They have completed the training they do together as a team, and now each member will invest in a deeper level of training in one respective area. This stage is considered individual specialization.

1.4 Training is Underway!

1.4 training is currently underway! Phase 1.4 consists of both home study and group training for the cadets. Home study is included in an effort to help each individual stay in contact with their home community and church. As individuals, we can make a big difference in the international setting. However, we can make an even bigger difference when we have the connections and support of the people around us. A night in winter training

And just like that, another year is wrapped up!

And just like that, another year is wrapped up! 2021 was a year of firsts for us. The Advance Team launched, the first cadet team made their debut, there were segments of training and multiple deployments. Truth be told, 2021 held lots of hard work and many successful firsts, for which we are grateful!Over Christmas, the Cadets and members of the Advance Team were scattered in different directions enjoying a much-deserved Christmas break. Training resumed again on January 3rd.

The First Deployment is History!

October found our cadet teams on their second deployment: half the team in Uganda, the other half in Greece. They reported a challenging, stretching, and fulfilling time.

THE CADET TEAM IS LAUNCHED!

It happened! After months of planning and working, the very first Chazak cadet team launched on September 3! During their first segment of training, they traveled to northern Maine for eight days of canoeing and hiking. Their trip included sharing life stories while learning and practicing basic wilderness survival skills. As you can imagine, they encountered lots of sore feet and aching muscles along the way. Already, these cadets are being stretched and challenged.