Faith Fighters For Christ

Christian Martial Arts Ministry

Don accepted Christ at age thirteen, having been impressed by the changed lives of several teenagers who were on fire for Christ. At the time of his conversion, Don noticed many of the advantages he had received as a boy growing up in a Christian home. Through regular church attendance, he had developed a fair knowledge of Scripture and basic Christian doctrine while still a youth.

Don studied ceramic engineering at Ohio State University. While in college he became involved in the ministries of King's Way Fellowship held at King Avenue United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Don continued to serve in churches during his twelve years working as an engineer. In 1991 after a move to a new engineering position, he and his family joined a Southern Baptist Church and he was immersion baptized in Lake Erie. In 1996, Don answered God's call on his life to enter pastoral ministry. He enrolled at Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, Ohio and earned a Master of Divinity degree. After graduating in May 1999, he pastored Bethel United Brethren Church outside Fremont, Ohio for just over a year. Currently, he pastors Hilltop Chapel Church of God just south of Canton, Ohio. In August 2002, Don was ordained by the Great Lakes Conference of the Churches of God General Conference.

Don began his martial arts training as an adult. He initially trained under Sensei "Doc" Watson in Okinawan Shorinji and earned his 1^st Dan blackbelt. After two years of teaching under Sensei Watson, he separated from Sensei Watson over integrity issues. In 1996, Don joined United Combat Martial Arts Association and was promoted by Dr. Kemp to 3^rd Dan blackbelt in the Shorinji martial art system. In 1997, Don and his wife Charlaine founded their own system, Stratiotia Christou, that has been approved by Blackbelts of the Faith and Koinonia Combat Martial Arts and Self Defense Ministry.