WESTON – Never let it be said that Pastor Scott Carman’s views on religion don’t pack a punch.
Carman is starting martial arts classes at Weston United Methodist Church – the same kind of classes
that, he says, helped him find the right path.
"I was in martial arts in my early 20s," said Carman, who is also pastor at Grand Rapids United
Methodist. "I got into boxing and kickboxing, and then" more exotic martial arts like Muay
Thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu.
"As a teenager, I had a lot of anger issues and fought all the time. And martial arts changed me,
helped change me, along with church. It gave me something else to focus on. And I learned
discipline."
That discipline held him in good stead – in 2001, Carman became the Ohio amateur kickboxing champion.
"I always had this dream of using martial arts to help the youth," he said. Carman thought that
martial arts classes, in addition to helping kids, could also bring more folks into church.
"There’s this fear of what’s going on inside the building," he said of dwindling church
attendances. The classes, he reasoned, could help build relationships and lead people back.
Carman soon met Darren Grubmaer, who runs the Black Swamp Martial Arts Academy in Grand Rapids.
"He’s also Christian," said Carman, "and he was telling me he has a dream of bringing
martial arts to those who can’t afford it."
Grubmaer was already looking for a second site to hold classes.
"We decided that we can have both of our dreams all in one," said Carman. "That’s how that
came about."
The classes, held on Saturdays from 12 to 1 p.m., will feature Jeet Kune Do, an adaptive martial art
pioneered by Bruce Lee. Located at the Weston church, the classes are for ages 10 and up and are $32 per
month, or $10 per class. Those interested may call 419-654-1659 or send an email to [email protected].

Carman acknowledged that, to some, the combination of martial arts and religion may seem
counter-intuitive.
"People look at is as fighting, it’s violent," he said. "What they don’t see, if they’re
not involved in it, is the self-confidence. The focus, the discipline, the respect. It’s not about
fighting, it’s about control" and team work.
"And I think that those are the aspects that marry with the church."
"And it becomes a community," he said.