The Gospel Martial Arts Union believes that martial arts, like other arts (music, visual, theater) have a righteous purpose. The primary goal of the GMAU Academy is to cultivate mature Christian students. This goal is attained through;

· Spiritual Discipleship
· Mental Discipline
· Physical Development

The Gospel Martial Arts Union teaches it's students HOW TO LIVE.

Many people want to practice martial arts today, some for self defense, some for competition and others just for exercise or to make new friends. However, many Christians also worry about the possible influence of Eastern religions. The GMAU is a Christ based alternative to secular martial arts academies and their philosophies.

The GMAU believes that Christians can study martial arts and do so in holiness as unto the Lord. We do, however, recognize the strong occult powers entrenched in many Asian martial arts academies. We also understand that the martial arts predate the Oriental martial arts. An example of this is the story of Abraham found in the 14th chapter of the book of Genesis, Abraham rescues his family with the help of 318 of his trained servants. It is our goal to reclaim the martial arts for Christ.

God is the standard for everything we do, including the martial arts. Therefore the GMAU takes the position that, although offering many parallels to Christianity, the Asian philosophy is a counterfeit of the original "righteous way" of God. This is a dangerous trap, set by the enemy of Christ's Church - Satan. God in His Word has made it very clear that Christians are not to "learn the way of the heathen." Hence the GMAU and it's members are to practice martial arts in accordance with God's standard, the Bible.

The GMAU is accountable to the church, we place ourselves under it's spiritual authority. All instructors and coaches must be active mature members of a local church , under the authority of it's leadership and part of a local church ministry.

About the Judo Ministry:
Judo is a martial art involving throwing and grappling similar to wrestling. Judo was designed to be an exercise and a sport, it was developed from several ancient Japanese styles of unarmed combat known as Jujitsu. In 1964 Judo was the first Asian martial art to become an Olympic Sport. Today, Judo is the second most practiced sport in the world, after soccer.

Begins: August 11, 2003.

We will offer 2 Judo classes at Eastgate, both on Monday evenings.

Children: 6 - 12 Years old: 6:20 - 7:20 PM
Youth and Adults: 13 and Up 7:30 - 8:45 PM

Tuition:
Child $25.00/Month 0r $7.00/Week
Adults$50/Month Or $15.00/Week
Family: $65/Month

Place: GMAU Ministry Center located on the first floor of the Eastgate Mall, near Dr. Tavel One Hour Optical.

About the Instructor:
Paul Tarrant is a 5th degree black belt with 27 years experience. He has competed nationally and internationally and is currently a National Referee.

Paul became a Christian in 1982 at the age of 24 when he realized that knowing about Jesus was not the same as having a personal relationship with Him.

Paul and his family currently attend Eagle Creek Community Church in Indianapolis. He and his wife are also part of a team that are starting a Japanese language church in Carmel, where he serves as an Elder.