Martial Arts Outreach

March 2, 2007

Reading: Martial Arts Outreach
Print This Article


Emmanuel Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan, has found a unique way to reach its community using karate. The church’s Karate for Christ mission statement reads: To use our Martial Arts ability to reach our communities with the Gospel of Christ, while working together as the family of God to become more like Christ.

With so many types of martial art styles and many different types of philosophies that come with martial arts teachings, Emmanuel Baptist’s goal is to teach martial arts—and instead of teaching some other religion or philosophy, to teach students about Christ. The church has experienced a great amount of excitement with this program and can see it making a difference in those that attend.

The program, described as a Biblically-based discipline that emphasizes the development of the spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional being, is open to the public. It stresses a team dynamic that promotes respect for self, others, and authority, all in a spiritual atmosphere. Each weekly session includes a Bible study that is coordinated with the discipline learned that evening. Participants also memorize Ephesians 6:10–18.

Students train in traditional Tang Soo Do and are tested by the Professional Karate Schools of America (PKSA) at the end of each session, receiving rank for successfully completing all requirements. Testing also consists of a Martial Arts curriculum and Bible verse memorization.

Mickey and Mary Tankersley, both of whom hold Red Belt II rankings, serve as the instructors and enlist the help of their two daughters, Shelby and Emily, who also have Red Belts.

The church recently completed its first year of this new endeavor. At the conclusion of the third twelve week session, three Orange Stripe rankings were awarded, twelve Orange rankings were earned, and eleven Yellow rankings were awarded. Those receiving rankings included two of the staff pastors! Two new adults signed up for the new session as White Belt members.

If you would like any information on theprogram you may contact Mickey and Mary Tankersley, (810) 658-6608.

Click here to view a photo gallery of this outreach.