Andrey Ivanov immigrated from Kiev, Ukraine, to the U.S. in 1990 as one of 13 children raised with strong faith, work ethic, and a heart for service. He spent 10 years at Esco Steel Foundry, rising to project manager after earning a degree in Project Management. His 11 years of military service include eight in the U.S. Navy and a commission as an infantry officer in the Oregon Army National Guard.
In 2013, Andrey co-founded Flash Love, launching youth programs like The Spartan Challenge and Junior Warrior Training to build leadership, discipline, and purpose in the next generation. A father, mentor, and community builder, Andrey leads by example—committed to uplifting others through service, integrity, and action.
Junior Warrior Training (JWT) is a youth leadership training program designed to build confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and character through hands-on learning and mentorship.
📅 New Cycle Begins: Saturday, January 10 ⏰ Time: 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM 📍 Location: Vancouver, WA 👦👧 Ages: • Primary: Ages 9–13 • Ages 5–8 welcome with an older sibling
JWT meets bi-weekly on Saturdays and includes training in: • Leadership & teamwork • First Aid / CPR • Land navigation • Community service • Construction basics • Automotive fundamentals
This program focuses on real-life skills kids carry into school, friendships, family life, and daily decision-making.
Junior Warrior Training (JWT)—our leadership and life-skills program for kids ages 5–13—has once again been a powerful reminder of why we do this work. This year, we watched kids show up unsure of themselves and leave standing taller, more confident, and believing they matter. We saw friendships form, courage grow, and sparks of leadership ignite. Our Saturday’s our filled with hard work, skills based learning, and moments that reminded us just how hungry this generation is for structure, encouragement, and someone who truly believes in them. Investing in these kids has been an honor and seeing who they are becoming makes every sacrifice worth it. I love every one of these youth.
This past year, 44 young people showed up who could not afford the cost of training. 28 of them never found a sponsor.
And we didn’t turn a single one away.
We clothed them. We geared them up. We put tools in their hands. We fed them. We trained them. We spoke life and purpose into them.
We invested in them—fully.
Many of these kids came from homes without fathers. They came all at once, like a wave. And the need was unmistakable. These were kids who didn’t need another program—they needed structure, consistency, mentorship, and someone who would not give up on them.
So we said yes.
And the fruit has been incredible.
All of those youth are thriving. All are growing in confidence, discipline, leadership, and purpose. Almost all are enrolled again for next quarter. Starting in January
This is why we do what we do.
“JWT helped me believe in myself and not be scared to try new things.” Trainee #27
“I made real friends at JWT and learned how to be brave.” – Trainee #3
“Before JWT I was really shy, and now I feel confident at school and with people.” Trainee #43
“JWT taught me skills and showed me I can do hard things.” – Trainee #28
“I feel proud of myself now because of what I learned at JWT.” – Trainee#26
What Saturdays Look Like
Our program runs every Saturday.
Pick-up or drop-off begins at 8:45 AM
Youth are with us until 5:00 PM
We load up together and return them home
During that day, they receive:
Leadership and character development
Ethics and what it looks like to be a functional leader and citizen
Basic construction skills
Land navigation
Community service
Physical challenges and hikes
One-on-one mentorship and counseling
Healthy meals
Consistent love, accountability, and belonging
Every instructor you see is a volunteer.
But even with volunteers, there is still a real logistics and food cost to running this well—and safely.
The Reality We’re Facing
The cost is $250 per youth, per quarter.
That amount does not include salaries or profit. It simply covers food, transportation, logistics, and basic operational needs so the training can happen.
Because we absorbed the full cost for these 15 youth last quarter, we are now reeling financially as we move into the next one.
And here’s the truth:
We cannot turn them away now.
They’ve already said yes to growth. They’ve already attached. They’ve already begun to believe in themselves.
Now is the moment they need consistency, not disruption.
This Is Where We Need You
If you’ve ever asked:
How can I help youth who actually need it?
Where does my donation really go?
How do I invest in the next generation in a tangible way?
This is it.
A sponsorship of $250 covers one youth for an entire quarter.
That means:
A full Saturday program
Meals
Transportation
Mentorship
Training
Stability
You can sponsor:
One youth
Multiple youth
Or partner with others to cover a group
We Are Asking—Because It Matters
We believe deeply in these kids. We believe the cost is worth every penny. And we also know we were never meant to carry this alone.
If this program resonates with you, if these kids matter to you, now is the time we need your help.
Please consider sponsoring a youth this quarter.
You are not just funding a program. You are helping shape a future leader.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in them.
These kids have already said yes. Now we’re asking you to say yes too.
We cannot pause this momentum. We cannot tell them to wait. And we cannot do this alone.
If you are able, please sponsor a youth today. For $250, you cover one (or more) child for an entire quarter of leadership training, meals, mentorship, and belonging.
This is not a handout. This is an investment in a life that is already changing.
You’re Invited to Join the Mission – Flash Love Christmas Tree Delivery 2025
Every year, there’s a moment when our community is called to rise a little higher—to step beyond comfort and choose purpose. Flash Love was built on that moment. Not on big speeches or lofty ideals, but on real people showing up with real heart for someone else.
Our annual Christmas Tree Delivery is one of the simplest things we do… and one of the most powerful. A tree, a string of lights, a knock on a door, sing the some Christmas songs—these might seem small, but when hope arrives wrapped in community, it changes people. It reminds families they’re not alone. It reminds children that goodness still visits homes. And it reminds us that we’re at our best when we’re giving ourselves away.
This year, we’re inviting you to be part of this tradition.
📍 Meet at Brewed – Downtown Vancouver 🕕 Gather at 6:00 PM SATURDAY DEC 13th 🚌 Bus loads at 7:00 PM
We’ll load the bus together, pray, laugh, organize, and then head out as one team to deliver Christmas trees across our city. No special skills needed—just a willing heart and the courage to show up.
And here’s something important:
We still have 5 open nomination spots. If you know a family who could use a Christmas tree and a surprise delivery filled with kindness, nominate them here: https://form.typeform.com/to/Ag3hRVfy
We already have trees and decorations covered this year—thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and partners. But we would love to go a step further. We want to include gifts for these families, especially for the children, to make this holiday even more meaningful.
If you’d like to help us make that possible, you can donate at: flashlove.org
Your generosity goes directly to families in our own city—families who could use hope, support, and a reminder that they matter.
This night is fun, family-friendly, meaningful, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of experience that shifts something inside you—because when you choose to bring hope to someone else, it ignites hope in you as well.
This is your invitation. Not to watch. Not to applaud from the sidelines. But to step in—to be part of something bigger than yourself, to help carry light where it’s needed most.
Flash Love is more than a nonprofit. It’s a movement of people learning to love boldly, serve humbly, and live with purpose.
And on this night, we’d be honored to have you with us.
You’re Invited to Join the Mission – Flash Love Christmas Tree Delivery 2025
Every year, there’s a moment when our community is called to rise a little higher—to step beyond comfort and choose purpose. Flash Love was built on that moment. Not on big speeches or lofty ideals, but on real people showing up with real heart for someone else.
Our annual Christmas Tree Delivery is one of the simplest things we do… and one of the most powerful. A tree, a string of lights, a knock on a door, sing the some Christmas songs—these might seem small, but when hope arrives wrapped in community, it changes people. It reminds families they’re not alone. It reminds children that goodness still visits homes. And it reminds us that we’re at our best when we’re giving ourselves away.
This year, we’re inviting you to be part of this tradition.
📍 Meet at Brewed – Downtown Vancouver 🕕 Gather at 6:00 PM SATURDAY DEC 13th 🚌 Bus loads at 7:00 PM
We’ll load the bus together, pray, laugh, organize, and then head out as one team to deliver Christmas trees across our city. No special skills needed—just a willing heart and the courage to show up.
And here’s something important:
We still have 5 open nomination spots. If you know a family who could use a Christmas tree and a surprise delivery filled with kindness, nominate them here: https://form.typeform.com/to/Ag3hRVfy
We already have trees and decorations covered this year—thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and partners. But we would love to go a step further. We want to include gifts for these families, especially for the children, to make this holiday even more meaningful.
If you’d like to help us make that possible, you can donate at: flashlove.org
Your generosity goes directly to families in our own city—families who could use hope, support, and a reminder that they matter.
This night is fun, family-friendly, meaningful, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of experience that shifts something inside you—because when you choose to bring hope to someone else, it ignites hope in you as well.
This is your invitation. Not to watch. Not to applaud from the sidelines. But to step in—to be part of something bigger than yourself, to help carry light where it’s needed most.
Flash Love is more than a nonprofit. It’s a movement of people learning to love boldly, serve humbly, and live with purpose.
And on this night, we’d be honored to have you with us.
Every parent dreams of raising children who grow into strong, confident, and capable adults. But let’s be honest—the world our kids are growing up in isn’t helping. Screens keep them distracted. Convenience keeps them soft. A culture of comfort is teaching too many young people to avoid responsibility instead of embracing it.
That’s why we created Junior Warrior Training (JWT).
JWT isn’t just another after-school activity or weekend hobby. It’s a proven leadership program for kids ages 9–13 that equips them with real-world skills, mental toughness, and a strong sense of purpose. Every child who walks through our program is challenged to rise above mediocrity and discover their own potential.
Upcoming Field Day – See It for Yourself!
We know that seeing is believing. That’s why we’re hosting a Field Day on Saturday, September 20th.
Drop-off for kids: 8:45 AM at US Digital (Vancouver, WA)
Parents & Friends Join: 1:00 PM at Lacamas Lake for a potluck lunch and to watch the kids in action.
Pick-up: 5:00 PM at US Digital (1400NE 136th Ave Vancouver, WA 98684)
This event is open to parents, friends, and anyone curious about JWT. It’s your chance to experience firsthand the kind of training and community that is shaping the next generation of warriors.
👉 Information Sign up
Ready to Get Started?
The next official JWT cycle begins October 4th, 2025. Spots are limited because we believe in intentional, hands-on training with each child.
✅ Ages 9–13 (with “Mini-Me” entry for siblings ages 5–8) ✅ Runs every other Saturday year-round ✅ Located in Vancouver, WA ✅ Training in life skills, leadership, and responsibility
Together, we are raising a generation equipped to face the world with confidence, discipline, and compassion.
What Is Junior Warrior Training?
At its core, JWT is about developing the next generation of leaders. Through hands-on training and team-based challenges, kids learn the value of discipline, responsibility, and resilience. They don’t just hear about leadership—they practice it.
Some of the key training modules include:
First Aid & CPR – Building confidence to respond in emergencies.
Land Navigation – Teaching problem-solving and resourcefulness in the outdoors.
Automotive Basics – Learning practical skills every young adult should know.
Construction & Building – Working with their hands to create and understand teamwork on projects.
Community Service Projects – Instilling empathy and responsibility by serving others.
Rescue Training Missions (FTX) – Putting their skills to the test in team-based field challenges.
Each session is designed to strengthen both body and mind, building kids who are capable, courageous, and compassionate.
Why JWT Matters
We live in a time where many youth lack direction. Without challenges to overcome, confidence never forms. Without responsibility, character never grows. JWT closes this gap by creating an environment where kids are pushed to their limits, supported by mentors, and surrounded by peers striving for the same growth.
The results speak for themselves:
Children develop confidence and courage.
Families see their kids becoming more responsible and disciplined at home.
Kids learn how to work as a team while also growing as individuals.
Parents gain peace of mind knowing their child is gaining skills that will last a lifetime.
How JWT Works
JWT runs every other Saturday year-round from 8:45 AM–5:00 PM in Vancouver, WA. Each session is structured like a mission: kids show up in uniform, train in a new skill, and then apply it in team challenges that stretch their abilities.
Every quarter introduces a new cycle of training, building on what they’ve learned before. This keeps returning trainees challenged while giving new kids a strong foundation.
✨ Special Family Option – The “Mini-Me’s” If an older sibling is already in JWT, younger siblings ages 5–8 can join as “Mini-Me’s.” These young warriors get to participate in age-appropriate parts of the training, shadow their older siblings, and begin learning the discipline, teamwork, and resilience that JWT instills. It’s a fun and powerful way for families to grow together while giving younger children an early start.
Every day, human potential is wasted. Buried. Forgotten. Squashed by distraction, by broken systems, by environments that sedate instead of ignite.
Look around—prisons are full, graveyards overflow, and institutions that should empower people often do the opposite. The church has lost its fire. Colleges have radicalized generations but left them aimless. Movements have stirred people, but rarely toward anything constructive, lasting, or good.
And yet—history shows us something powerful. When tapped correctly, human beings are capable of extraordinary things. The military has done it. Tyrants like Hitler and Stalin did it for evil. But no one has ever done it, sustainably, for good.
Until now.
Standing at the Epicenter of Change
We are sitting on a gold mine. Not of wealth or resources—but of raw human potential. Youth who feel directionless. Adults stuck in cycles of distraction and destruction. Men and women carrying gifts they’ve never been taught to use.
What we are building through Junior Warrior Training, The Spartan Challenge, and SALT (Spartan Advanced Leadership Training) is nothing less than an engine for transformation. It’s a system designed to harness, charge, and direct people’s lives into lanes where they can solve problems, serve their communities, and rise to leadership.
This isn’t theory. It’s already happening. SALT trainees are preparing the next Spartan class. Spartan graduates are becoming future business owners. Junior Warriors are growing into young leaders. Every cycle births the next. Every class strengthens the foundation.
And now, the proof is undeniable—last year’s graduates are stepping into apprenticeships with ethical businesses across our region, while SALT graduates are being launched into business ownership with continual mentorship. They are building on our backs, supported every step of the way, so their success compounds into the next generation.
We are not just training individuals—we are constructing an ecosystem of leaders ready to tackle housing, farming, transportation, disaster relief, and beyond.
The Proof: Voices of Transformation
The most powerful evidence is not what we say—it’s what the trainees themselves say:
“This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I am so glad that I didn’t quit.”
“I found my purpose here. Before this, I felt like I was drifting. Now I know I’m meant to lead and serve.”
“I’ve never been pushed this far mentally, physically, and emotionally. But through it, I discovered strength I never knew I had.”
These aren’t just quotes. They are lives redirected. They are the voices of young men and women who stepped into the fire of training and came out sharper, stronger, and ready to make an impact.
Why This Moment Matters
Movements like this are fragile. They can be derailed by division. They can be stopped if we allow distractions to take over. But if we stay focused—if we lock arms and commit to the mission—this will spread like wildfire.
We have the ability to create a contagion of good that stirs the hearts of humanity. Starting here, in our region, and spreading across the country.
This is bigger than a program. This is bigger than an event. This is about rewriting the story of what human beings are capable of when their potential is not sedated or destroyed—but unleashed.
The Invitation
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something bigger than yourself, this is the moment. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Right now.
We are building something the world has never seen—an unstoppable network of ethical, competent, and courageous leaders who will tackle the challenges of today and build the communities of tomorrow.
Join us. Stand with us. And together, let’s unleash human potential for good.
“This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I am so glad I didn’t quit.”
Those words weren’t spoken by an adult or a battle-hardened soldier. They came from a teenager.
On August 17th, 28 teens climbed onto a bus with their rucks and left behind their comfort, phones, and excuses. Hours later, they stepped onto the cold sand of Camp Rilea to begin 168 straight hours of the toughest youth leadership training in America—The Spartan Challenge.
What They Endured
For seven days, these young men and women were stripped of every crutch and tested in ways most adults will never experience.
Boat carries and log pt at dawn on the cold Oregon coast
Night rucks with blistered feet and aching backs, guided only by grit and teammates
Rescue missions under relentless pressure
Teamwork and leadership where quitting was easy, but perseverance was expected
Every hour pressed them to the breaking point—then pushed them further.
What They Discovered
But here’s the truth: The Spartan Challenge isn’t about how far you can run, how much you can carry, or how fast you can climb.
It’s about breaking chains.
Chains of fear. Chains of excuses. Chains of “I can’t.”
And when those chains shatter, something powerful happens. Teens stop drifting and start living with purpose. They stop fearing struggle and start craving growth.
In Their Own Words
Here’s what some of them said:
“I learned that I can keep going even when my body says stop. I never thought I had this in me.” – Austin, Trainee 4
“I came in scared, but I left with confidence. I know now I can take charge when it matters most.” – Aiden, Trainee 24
“This changed how I see myself. I want to live with purpose, not just go through life.” – Ezra, Trainee 21
“It hurt, but it made me strong. I know now I can face anything life throws at me.” – Daniel, Trainee 22
Every single one walked away different. More resilient. More confident. More alive.
Why Parents Are Choosing This
If you’re a parent, you know how fast the world is pulling our kids in the wrong direction—endless screens, shallow influencers, depression, drifting without purpose.
The Spartan Challenge is the antidote.
Parents tell us their teens return:
Respectful of authority and family
Resilient in the face of pressure
Courageous when it’s time to speak up
Confident without arrogance
They don’t just come home tired—they come home transformed.
Fine-Tuning for Maximum Impact
This year, we are fine-tuning our program to an even higher level. We’re cutting back on numbers, limiting spaces so that every trainee gets more intentionality, attention, and mentorship from our instructors.
That means fewer spots, deeper growth, and more life-changing transformation for each young man and woman who makes it in.
This is Your Moment
Spaces are already limited—and now they are even more rare.
If you want your teen to discover their strength, break through their limits, and step into leadership, sign up today for the Spartan Challenge Information List.
This could be the turning point—the moment your son or daughter looks you in the eye and says: “I didn’t quit. I found out who I really am.”
When your body quits, your decisions speak louder than muscle
If Day One felt like stepping into another world, Day Two sealed the deal.
The trainees woke before dawn, thrown straight back into the grind with no time to shake off the exhaustion from yesterday’s 22-hour gauntlet. Muscles were already screaming, blisters forming, but the body has no say here—the willpower calls the shots.
From the sand to the classroom to the field and back again, they were pushed to think faster, move smarter, and lead under strain. The lessons were not just physical—they were mental maps, new tools, and unfamiliar terrain both in their hands and in their minds. Every mistake carried weight. Every small victory carried pride.
Teamwork became less of a slogan and more of a survival code. By evening, when the sun dipped and the cold ocean wind cut through their uniforms, they were still being tested. Heavy loads. Broken rhythm. Men down. Chaos staged with precision—forcing hard choices under pressure. Leadership is forged in that furnace.
When they finally returned to barracks, sand still clinging to their gear, silence fell heavy. Exhaustion? Yes. But deeper than that—clarity. They now understand: this is no camp, no game. This is a crucible.
Yesterday was only the first day, but it felt like a full week.
Out of 24 hours, 22 were occupied. Time blurred to the point that even the cooks didn’t know if they were making breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Trainees got only three hours of sleep before being pushed into nonstop training that lasted until midnight.
They covered 7 miles on foot, knocked out countless push-ups and sit-ups, and sat through 5 hours of intense class instruction. In that classroom, they were tested on their strengths and weaknesses, confronted their own limits, and began to learn what true leadership requires. They were taught first aid, and trained in search and rescue—the kind of skills that save lives when everything is on the line.
Day 1 was designed to strip away comfort, to break the illusion of normal, and to show them that leadership is forged in exhaustion, pressure, and responsibility. Alone, none of them could have endured it. Together, they did.
If the first day feels like a week, then this week will feel like a lifetime. And when it’s over, they will not be the same.
If the first day feels like a week, then this week will feel like a lifetime. And when it’s over, they will not be the same.
There is much to report on today… but at 1430, the day is still young…
At 1730 tonight, we gather at U.S. Digital, load the buses, and head for Camp Rilea. These final hours are filled with finishing touches—gear checks, last words with family, final adjustments to a plan that has been months in the making.
This moment represents more than a departure. It is the culmination of sacrifice, preparation, and investment—time, money, and effort poured out by families, volunteers, and leaders who believe in what these young men and women are about to step into.
The Spartan Challenge is not a camp. It is a forge.
For the next week, these youth will be tested in ways they have never experienced. They will discover grit, resilience, and leadership inside themselves that comfort could never produce. Every detail, every dollar, and every ounce of preparation has been aimed at this: awakening the next generation to rise with strength and purpose.
Tonight, we launch—not just buses toward the coast, but leaders toward their destiny.
