When Central Church decided to minister to youth in Augusta, the capital of Maine, during the winter school break, they chose what some would consider an unconventional approach. They chose to teach Isshin-ryū, a martial arts practice that is not inherently Buddhist, but some of its traditions are influenced by Japanese Buddhism.
The Okinawan style of karate that Augusta campus pastor Jeff Morgan implemented beginning in 2023 was offered again this year in late February. Glen Fitzmaurice, a church member and owner of the Mika martial arts dojo in nearby Randolph, taught the classes.
Character development
A strong advocate for martial arts, Fitzmaurice brought more than 40 years of experience in karate and, said Morgan, “he was thrilled for the opportunity” to partner with his church to bring a sport that he loves to so many other youth in the community.
Fitzmaurice’s karate method is an empty-hand self-defense technique that focuses on character development.
The word Isshin-ryū means “one-heart method,” as in wholehearted, according to an online description. In Ezekiel 11:19 (ESV), God promised the remnant of his people that: “I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.”
“The biggest outreach we do is our soccer camp but that’s just because it is held outside. The numbers are a little bit smaller for our karate camp because we’re working out of a dojo. I think the karate camp has been the catalyst for a lot of different things that we have changed up for our sports camps,” Morgan said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Dan Nicholas and originally published by the Baptist Churches of New England.
