What inspired you to start Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu?
I attended a Christian men's ministry weekend called Pursuit with a few of my friends from Jiu-Jitsu. We had an amazing experience that deepened our friendship. Afterwards, we collectively felt inspired to continue that fellowship, but bring as many people into that as we could from the Jiu-Jitsu community. We felt like Jiu-Jitsu was a great environment with camaraderie, but it lacked the depth of Christian fellowship, so we wanted to create an opportunity for that. Thanks to the efforts of my brothers and co-founders Steven Little, JP Dinnell, and Josh Struassberger, we were able to formalize the ministry, set goals, and start organizing events.
What is the mission of the organization?
We formed Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu about two years ago and it exists to build community and fellowship around Jesus and great Jiu-Jitsu. We didn't want it just to be a Bible study that you do after class, we want Jesus to be the focal point of the whole thing while also bringing in world-class Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and competitors to teach techniques.
What types of events do you host?
We have an event about every six weeks and about 240 people attend each event. We have Jiu-Jitsu competitors and instructors, most of who are world or Pan American champions, MMA Fighters, or Olympic wrestlers, who come and teach a free seminar for everyone who wants to come. The instructors teach techniques they are well known for moves such as takedowns, sweeps, and passes. After the seminar, a pastor shares their testimony. Then we spar for about an hour and a half, during which time the instructors spar and roll with participants. We have people who attend who are training for championships and local tournaments, as well as those who just enjoy Jiu-Jitsu as a hobby. They are excited for the opportunity to experience the techniques and expertise of these high-level instructors.
How do you find instructors?
Because of our relationships with academies in the Jiu-Jitsu community, we have access to experienced competitors and instructors. We use our network to reach out to people and extend an invitation. They come and give their very valuable knowledge and expertise, donating it for free, because they have a heart for ministry and because they want to bless that community.
What other programs do you offer?
We have a discipleship group that is like a Bible study that we livestream, and people tune in from all over. We also have a weekly podcast that releases each Tuesday that is hosted by the four co-founders. In the podcast, we talk about some components of fitness, whether it's weightlifting, nutrition, or Jiu-Jitsu. But the main goal [of Jesus & Jiujitsu] is discipleship: to help deepen your faith, to understand the word of God and how to apply it to your life, and to be conformed to the image of Jesus. So then you will live a life that demonstrates Him to the people around you.
What do you love about being part of this ministry?
It has been our greatest honor and joy to witness people coming back to God, or deepening their relationship with God, and finding support within a community of Christ-followers.
What is the most important takeaway for participants?
I want them to know about the gospel of Jesus Christ. People may have heard the word ‘gospel’, but not understand what it really is. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. What we've earned for ourselves through sin is eternal punishment. That's the bad news. The good news is that Jesus died the death that we deserved. His blood was shed so that we might be forgiven if we choose to trust in Him and accept the free gift of salvation. That's the best news that I could ever hope to share with any person.
How does thankfulness play into your mission?
Being intentional about thankfulness turns your heart toward God. I'm extremely grateful for the sport of Jiu-Jitsu because it parallels so much of life. I see Jiu-Jitsu not just as something that we stumbled upon as a hobby, but looking at it as a gift that God gave us to help us understand him more, appreciate life more, and go into deeper fellowship with each other. I’m extremely thankful to God for giving us this platform for connection and ministry.
For more information, visit jesusandjiujitsuusa.com. Also find Jesus & Jiutisu on YouTube, Instagram, and on podcast platforms.
They come and give their very valuable knowledge and expertise, donating it for free, because they have a heart for ministry.
I see Jiu-Jitsu not just as something that we stumbled upon as a hobby, but looking at it as a gift that God gave us.