Maine Church’s Karate Camp Is an Unconventional Approach to Ministry That Teaches Youth Some Life Lessons of Discipline and Hard Work
Anna “loved breaking the boards and working on kicks.” She was part of Central Church’s 2025 Karate Camp. Photo courtesy of Erika Bush.
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 February 17-20. Glen Fitzmaurice, a church member and owner of the Mika martial arts dojo in nearby Randolph, taught the classes.
A strong advocate for martial arts, Fitzmaurice brought more than forty 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.
The closing ceremony, for instance, which was held at the church on Friday, February 21, gave parents and others “the opportunity to recognize students that went above and beyond in different categories. Ultimately, we were celebrating each and every one. They earned their belt by breaking a board which they have been working up the skill and technique to do all week.”
We got another chance to connect with our community on that night, really pouring into them, and sharing the hope that we have found in Jesus. Glen [Fitzmaurice] not only loves karate and connecting with his community, but he loves sharing the gospel and that is what he got an opportunity to do through his testimony. It is always so awesome to see each one at that moment and their excitement as well as the families’ encouragement!” the pastor commented.
Eighty children attended the karate camp and, added Morgan, an Augusta native, “a very high percentage of students and families” indicated when they registered that they don’t attend Central Church.
Two sessions were held each day at Mika, a full-service family dojo. One class was offered for ages 5 to 7 and another for ages 8 to 12.
Building Confidence While Breaking Boards
On the flyer that Central Church distributed through the Augusta public schools, the pastor said, “We make the statement that, if karate is something that your child’s never had a chance to try and really has wanted to give it a shot, this is a camp for you.”
Levi was “very nervous” when he joined Central Church’s 2025 Karate Camp, but by the final class he said “it was so much fun.” Photo courtesy of Erika Bush.
“When I first went there, I was very nervous but it was so much fun! I was scared at first because I didn’t know what was going to happen, but then we broke boards and I got to take them home,” said Levi, who is age 7.
“I had a great time. I loved breaking the boards and working on kicks. I really liked the instructor too,” commented Anna, who is also age 7.
Both children attend Central Church. The boards were partially cut through so that every participant could succeed in breaking the boards. [Their families asked that we omit their last names.]
Each student received a uniform that was theirs to keep, which gave them “the true training ‘feel' throughout the week. The students not only got to have fun learning the art of karate, but got to build their confidence in things that they may have never thought they could do,” Morgan noted.
Each year students come in to the dojo “a little hesitant, a little unsure of their confidence, and a little low in their ability, but each day we get to see that start to shift to smiles and assurance when they see that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to with discipline and hard work,” he added.
“Our mission is to love Jesus, love others, and help others love Jesus. This is why we do all the things throughout the year that we do, including our Karate Camp. Three years in the books for this camp and I am already excited for what next year will bring and who will come to enjoy camp with us,” he concluded.
Some 900 people attend one of the three worship services each weekend at Central Church, which affiliates with the Maine Baptist Association and the Baptist Churches of New England. Central Church has another campus twenty miles Northeast in the Town of China, Maine.
Karate ministry is certainly not unique to Central Church and any church can plan an outreach program similar to the one at the Augusta church. Outreach magazine offered ideas on how to “Kickstart a Karate Ministry,” Karate for Christ International held their annual “Homecoming” in October, and the Christian Karate Association ministries “blend physical discipline with spiritual guidance, offering a path to Christ while honing self defense skills and improving physical conditioning.”