Calvin Blaylock first went to Israel with Passages in 2021, one of the first tour groups to return to the country after the pandemic. He later returned two more times to serve as a Passages Trip Fellow.

His Passages experience has had a significant impact on both his faith and future career.

Blaylock described visiting the Sea of Galilee on his first day in Israel.

“While there, I was struck by how God transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. While the Sea is certainly beautiful, to Israelis it’s just a summer vacation spot where they can teach their kids how to swim,” he said. “But because of God’s miraculous work there, the Sea now holds special significance for Christians. Similarly, today God uses His abundant grace to transform ordinary people into extraordinary new creations.”

But the impact of his Passages experience didn’t end with a trip to Israel. What began with a trip has shaped both his spiritual and professional life today.

In July 2023, Blaylock helped to launch Invictus Strategies, which is building a network of principled philanthropists who make strategic investments in high-ROI conservative nonprofits.

“Passages has impacted my career by placing me into an alumni network full of friends who I often collaborate with,” Blaylock said.

Blaylock now works as Chief of Staff at Invictus Strategies and remains actively involved in the fight against antisemitism in the United States.

“My list of Passages memories is long,” he said. From meeting with the Israeli ambassador to celebrating Hannakuh in the home of the embassy minister for public diplomacy to advocating for Israel on the National Mall, Blaylock has continued to stay involved with Passages.

“My Passages journey began with a trip to Israel in 2021 but has continued for years later with a network of solid alumni and a regular slate of opportunities for us to do together,” Blaylock said. “I’m immensely grateful for all that my Passages experience has entailed.”

For Blaylock, his Passages experience strengthened his faith, built friendship with the Jewish community, and formed connections that have benefitted his career today.

It was more than a trip to Israel.

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