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Testimonials
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Testimonials
Here's what, parents and students, have to say about the ministry
Hi, Mike. Thanks for your diligence with the students in KFC. Meg seems to maintain enthusiasm for this better than I have seen with other activities, and for that I am grateful.
-Kathryn S.
When a friend told me there were karate classes held three nights a week at the Tabernacle Church and the kids and I could be in the same class, I was very excited. I had been looking for lessons we could take together. We all wanted to study self defense and we were truly desperate for a family sports activity. Since we joined the ministry, we realized many more benefits. I had been searching for an overt way to model self-discipline, obedience, and studiousness to my 7 year old daughter. I also wanted both kids to see my efforts to stay physically fit, so they would know how important it was. Participating in this ministry fulfilled both goals. I got less resistance from my daughter when I asked her to work hard in school, treat me with respect, or do her chores cheerfully. She realized I was not asking anything of her that I didn't do myself.
This ministry has been good for my 5 year old son as well. He gets the quality of social interaction he needs from Sensei Lewis, the Kohai's and his fellow students. Sensei Lewis and the Kohai's are firm and kind with him in a way that is entirely compatible with our family's values. This allows me to relax and be a student, instead of worrying about parenting him during class. It has been good for me to get exercise three nights a week while doing something for my children at the same time. Before we joined this ministry, I went to the gym three days a week. I had to waste at least two hours on each one hour workout, and it took me away from chores I needed to get done. I'm glad to have an exercise plan that doesn't take anything away from my family.
Responding to the weekly Bible verse has enhanced my Bible study. I did it cheerfully at first because I knew it was good for the kids to see mom do "homework". Then I realized that articulating written responses to the verses was forcing me to think longer and harder than I do in my daily readings. We're very happy with our three nights a week studying Seishin-Do Karate. It's been good for us and we look forward to many years of study. -Elizabeth C. (Student and Parent)
How has Karate for Christ helped my children?
Well, it is teaching my children (Lois and LaMonte') that God's people are made up from many different church bodies and backgrounds. That we are joined together by our common faith in Christ, our love for one another and our commitment to our community and our world. By showing that we can worship God in all the positive things we do daily and reminding our children to put the Holy Spirit in all our endeavors. As always, giving God the praise!!
A Parent who believes in the great work that began with Sensei Mike Lewis and Karate for Christ!
Everlasting at It,
-Sandi Luipage (Parent)
I have been going to this ministry school for a year now, and I have found it to be a great spiritual boost to my Christian faith, a constant supply of the living Word. What makes it so different is that, the "Word" is taught as it is written, not some watered down version to try and turn us into something that we are not. Christian men were never meant to be some pacifist mascot. We are supposed to be bold warriors for Christ. This doesn’t mean we are supposed to by brute force, convince those who are not Christian to become Christian. We are to love all men as brothers, but at the same time, fight Satan on all levels - in every part of our life.
I believe that by preparing the physical body for battle we're also shaping our mind and hearts for battle, this is the great part about this ministry, it teaches that all power comes from GOD, and that all things are possible through Him. With out this ministry, I don’t believe, I would be able to fully realize what can be accomplished through prayer, action, and follow through in my life. I have gained many new skills through this karate-do ministry, that not only help me daily in my Christian walk but too, has made me a better employee, father, husband and son. This ministry has had a great and positive effect on so many parts of my life, it’s hard to put into words.
I truly beleive - I was led into this ministry program and not by chance, and after one year here, that is very apparent to me now. I pray that in the years to come, GOD will reveal to me why he led me here; but for now, I know this is where I am supposed to be. There has not ever been a place, time or thing in my life with the exception of my wife and family, that I have ever felt GOD has so directed me into or better yet forced me into. This ministry, its teacher, and students, have transformed me into something I thought - I might not have a chance of becoming, a true servant of GOD and a warrior for the kingdom.
Patrick Crowe-Kohai. (Class Leader)
The Karate for Christ ministry at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk is AWESOME. Sensei Mike Lewis and I go way back to the days when we both worked at the Department of Defense Police Precinct in Norfolk, VA. Little did I know then the impact he'd have in my life today. My children have been studying under him and enjoy the classes. Under his tutelege, they learn not only martial arts and self-defense techniques, but also discipline. More than that, the program takes the Eastern philosophy out and replaces it with sound Biblical teaching. What could be better than that? - Don Miskel
Posted 8 Aug 06 |
