Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."
Jesus Christ
"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
The Apostle Paul
Here is a special message from Master Robert Xavier of Confident Kid Martial Arts Evangelism.
"This past year has been more than challenging to the youth of our nation. The incident in the Columbine High School in Colorado left people across the nation stunned and grasping for solutions, answers and remedies. Families are asking, "How do we FIGHT?"
Confident Kid Martial Arts Evangelism has been an extremely effective tool to assist both the non-churched and the churched young person to recognize his/her need for God-confidence. The activities stimulate positive Christian peer pressure and help young people to acquire and maintain a heightened personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. From years past, when I served as a Fourth World Missionary in Key West, Florida, a few of the young people who I involved in Martial Arts Evangelism became very serious about the Lord. Some now are third and fourth-term missionaries and pastors. One is a Greek professor at the Greater Grace Bible College in Baltimore, Maryland.
Unless or until a young person recognizes his/her need to exchange self-centered confidence for God-centered confidence, he/she always will be trapped in striving for love, acceptance and forgiveness, rather than living freed from the performance and approval trap. Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." " You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." "If Christ sets you free, you are free indeed." The Lord Jesus Christ set us free from trying to be self-confident. He freed us from performing for approval and acceptance. He freed us from all of the condemnation and guilt that self-confidence and sin-addiction produce. Self-confidence teachings are the emphasis of the secular humanist. These teachings have been accepted by too many of our church leaders and undermine the finished work of the Gospel of Christ.
We, who have received the truth of God's unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness, have been given God-confidence by the Son of God. It is a process for most Christians to recognize that it is God who is working in and through them to will and to do of his good pleasure. The self-confidence trap will lead to the performance trap, which leads to a multitude of sin-addictions, bondage and depression. The Christian youth of our nation who know the Grace Message need us to join together and boldly proclaim our God-confidence. Please, continue to pray for our Fourth World, cross-cultural ministry of reaching a few kids, who will reach their unreached friends with the Gospel of the Grace of God's finished work on the Cross of Calvary. Thanks!
(Master Xavier is also a co-founder of Grace Martial Arts Fellowship.)
This note from Pastor David Havard is in response to a question from a GMAF member. David pastors a Grace Church in Wisconsin and is a professor at the Berean Bible Institute. He is a 4th Dan and a co-founder of GMAF. Pastor Havard has been involved in Christian Martial Arts ministries for almost 20 years.
"We started our classes with prayer, then taught a "normal" class. The last 5-10 minutes of class was spent teaching a short lesson about the gospel or Christian living using the martial arts as illustration material. Also, for each belt testing, students were required to memorize a Proverb about self control. Later, I developed a different curriculum that had physical (form, sparring, one-steps, etc), mental, (memorizing of form and character development concepts) and spiritual requirements (emphasizing spiritual and Biblical things that paralleled the mental theme such as self-control, integrity, honor, etc). Then they had assigned verses that they had to recite at their rank testing.
In over 5 years I had only a couple of complaints. As I recall, only one family left because of it. One complained, but when I explained by position they stayed. I said that they were free to leave, no hard feelings, but likewise, I was free to teach my "philosophy" just as other instructors were free to teach their pagan philosophy in their schools. Most parents liked it because while they and their kids are looking for answers, no one will step out and give definitive moral answers.
It was neat to see how God worked both in and outside of class. A few families joined the church who had been nominal Christians -- one is now an elder and actively involved; a few other were saved, and more were just guided to live a better life.
I'll just conclude by saying that you should start your school as boldly as possible. When you start you have a clean slate and can make it as obvious or subtle as you want. Just remember that you are setting the precedent. It's hard to bring the gospel in later if you start without it. Some will feel ambushed and feel deceived. Be upfront about it from the beginning.
Please let us know if you have moved, changed jobs, received a belt promotion, started studying a new martial art, etc. We want to be sure your listing in the GMAF Online Directory is all you want it to be.
The following are notes to us about Christian Martial Arts ministries. We appreciate your prayers for every GMAF member and their Gospel outreach.
Here's a great note about summer ministries from Confident Kid Martial Arts Evangelism Director and GMAF co-founder Master Robert Xavier.
"This summer we had seven weeks of youth camps, with evangelism as the central theme. Confident Kid Martial Arts Evangelism was a very effective and fun ministry tool. Our camp's emphasis was to present Christian kids with the challenge of evangelizing their peers with the Gospel of the Grace of God. Many kids who regularly attend church invited their non-churched friends to their camp. The ministry camp excitement was very high. My fifteen-year-old son Jonathan and two of his friends were a tremendous assistance. Every day of camp we had many skits with Biblical applications to live Godly that challenged kids to have the Lord be the center in all areas of their lives. Both the parents and the kids continue to express their enjoyment for the camp, as well as to request that we have an ongoing ministry outreach."
Here is a wonderful update from Master Joseph Lumpkin of the Christian Hapkido Federation.
"Well, our anniversary party came and went. There were 170 people in attendance. The pastor almost choked when he walked in and saw the crowd eating cake and getting to know each other. We promoted 18 students to green belt, but before we did that we had prayer and gave a fifteen minute message to the crowd. We strung all of the scriptures together that the kids learned through the year and presented it in sermon form. At the end of the sermon we simply said, "these words are the most important things that your children learned this year." Starting with John 3:16-17, Eph. 2:8-9, and James 2:14-20, we taught on salvation, faith, and the fact that belief yields action. A most heart warming moment came when I address the class and asked, "Class, what does it take to be saved?" and in unison 60 young voices yelled FAITH!!!!
What this past year has done to my heart is beyond language."
Joseph Lumpkin
Here's another note from Master Lumpkin about a special visitor last month.
"On Oct. 18th we were privileged to have Ron Shively, founder and head of Karate for Christ, visit us here in Alabama. Master Shively was able to make an appearance in our three classes. With a bit of fast driving we were able to say hello to the class in Snead, Alabama, and then race to the classes held in Blountsville. Sensei Danny Morton had 50 students on his third class of our new outreach at Snead, and the Blountsville classes were rocking and rolling. The kids were excited about their visitor and loved to show off by diving over a belt held at the level of their head or shoulder, turning over on their backs in mid air and landing in a breakfall on their backs. The adult class was working on wrist techniques and throws so Master Shivley did a demo on how to avoid being caught in an unwanted wrist technique. He also presented us with a beautiful book on Hapkido which we will certainly put to use. Master Shively met with our Pastor and the head of our board. He was a great encouragement and told them that the class was a true outreach, touching children of all social and spiritual conditions. I want thank Master Shively for the time and effort it took to make the trip to visit us. Thank you Ron, for your encouragement."
Here is a question from a member of GMAF. Please send me your thoughts about his question and I'll forward them.
"I'm beginning my Christian Martial Arts/Self Defense Program in 3 weeks at my local church on Long Island. I'm going to be incorporated into our "Boys Brigade" Program for possibly (4) 1 1/2 hour classes this first trial year. My background is wrestling, aikido, ju jutsu and ninjutsu.
I plan on starting each class with a 10-15 minute lesson on the application of martial arts while still remaining a good Christian. I'll then teach some very basic self-defense techniques for the remainder of the classes. I've got a pretty good idea as to how each class will go, however, if you or anyone you know have any suggestions or course outlines for beginner boys age 8-12 I could review it would be greatly appreciated."
Here's a note from Master Jim Mahon. It's great news for Christian martial artists in Kentucky.
"This is Master Jim Mahan. My family and I have just completed a military move to Ft. Knox, Kentucky. I have not found a dojo/dojang to train in yet and we are currently church visiting/hunting. If there are any people who wish to train free of charge and live in the Elizabeth/Radcliff/Ft. Knox, Kentucky area please give me a call or email. 502-942-9564"
Here's a note about a great service from INCMA.
"The International Network of Christian Martial Artists is now online and accepting members. Membership is FREE! You can start networking with other Christian martial arts practitioners and instructors from all over the world by joining now at:
Here's a question for GMAF members.
"I have heard that there is an organization called "The Christian Blackbelt Association," but I have been unsuccessful in trying to locate them. Can you point me to any organizations or individuals that might help me with this task? If so, phone numbers or web sites would be very much appreciated."
(If you know how to contact the Christian Black Belt Association," please let me know and I'll forward your information.)
A brother who just moved to Los Angeles is looking for Christian martial arts instruction. Please let me know about the teachers you know in the LA area.
Here is a note from one of our new GMAF members. Please let me know what ideas you may have and I'll forward them.
"I am now trying to find a book which takes a balanced look at the martial arts from a Christian perspective, analyzes what benefits may be derived and what should be avoided. I would also like to find something I could give to the two sensei's to introduce the concept of a more Christian perspective, and the avoidance of the eastern religions. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated."
Kevin Beamon lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two children.
We appreciate your Fellowship in the Gospel of the Grace of God. We are praying for you and your opportunities to serve Christ. Please let us know about ways GMAF can help you in your service. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, please ask them to e-mail Mark McGee. We'll be glad to put them on our monthly mailing list.
You are invited to read previous GMAF Newsletters.
If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.
Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©is a service of GraceLife(tm) Ministries
Taking God's Grace to the World!
Visit The GraceLife(tm) Menu Page for studies about the Gospel of the Grace of God.