Martial Arts Ministry

Joshua Mason (13), Spencer Slaton (15), and Alex Ratcliff (17) became the first St. Mark United Methodist Church Martial Arts Program Black Belts on Saturday, December 1, 2007. We celebrate our young African-American princes consummating a positive 2 ½-year-plus journey from boys to men. They have pledged themselves to help others to do the same. 

Read their essays: Joshua Mason - Spencer Slaton - Alex Ratcliff 
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 Click here to view our Black Belts in action!

Their guide on this journey to manhood has been Master Maceo D. Pembroke, Jr., founder of East Sea Martial Arts ™ , and director of the Saint Mark UMC Martial Arts Program. The Martial Arts Ministry is part of senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Jon E. McCoy’s vision, to utilize innovative ministries to rejuvenate a flagship United Methodist congregation that was shrinking and growing older, rather than growing stronger and larger, and to reach and serve a community and world much in need of salvation and services.

The specific goals of the martial arts program are to encourage students to resolve conflict productively, avoid participating in gangs, choose drug-free lifestyles, and assist them in identifying their career goals and positioning themselves to gain admission to top universities in their chosen majors. Martial arts training serves as a dynamic vehicle for instilling the values and skills necessary to combat the drug and gang-related peer pressures our youth experience on a daily basis, and teaching them to respect others and themselves, command respect from others, and set and achieve their goals. The core philosophy of martial arts stresses the vital importance of a healthy mind and body necessary to lead a productive life.

 Martial arts classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings.

For schedule information and a listing of events, please visit http://www.EastSeaMA.com

 Copyright©2009 East Sea Martial Arts, Inc. All rights reserved.