Shinja Kenpo Karate isn't just another Kenpo System – it's a transformative journey.  It's designed to immerse your entire family in a process of growth and development. Whether you choose the Warrior Priest Path or the Warrior-Scholar Path, it's not just karate; it's a holistic approach to personal development, fostering character, discipline, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the dojo.  

Shinja Kenpo Karate embodies his core philosophy of the "holistic warrior," blending rigorous physical training with spiritual discipline and mental discipline.

The Shinja Kenpo Karate system is distinguished by its revolutionary teaching method, deeply rooted in the sciences of biomechanics and kinesiology. This approach challenges students to move beyond simple memorization to analyze the core principles of human motion. By understanding the physics and physiology behind each technique, students develop advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, training the mind as intensely as the body. Through this focus on biomechanics, Shinja Kenpo cultivates not just a capable fighter but an adaptable and analytical thinker. Shihan Fusselman is an internationally recognized instructor, holding multiple awards for his leadership and mastery in the martial arts.

Experience the difference a truly discipleship-driven martial art can make – join us and discover the power of Shinja Kenpo Karate.

This patch is a profound representation of the believer's journey in Christ, reflecting spiritual and physical combat, while steeped in the Legacy of Ed Parker's Kenpo Principles.

The Phoenix: The majestic phoenix, reborn from ashes, symbolizes the believer's rebirth and new life in Christ. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17). Its golden hue signifies the refining fire of trials and purification, leading to victory over the enemy, found solely at the foot of the cross. "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as pure gold." (Job 23:10).

The Red Dragon: Representing our adversary, Satan, the red dragon is mostly obscured by the cross, yet its visible elements illustrate its ceaseless attempts to attack. "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8). Its subjugation under the cross signifies Christ's ultimate triumph over evil.

The Three-Striped Flame: This vibrant flame at the base profoundly symbolizes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Triune God. It also represents the "passing of the torch" through true discipleship, as believers share the knowledge of Christ and ignite the flame of faith in others. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20).

The Blood-Red Kanji: Written in the Kanji characters for "Shinja Kenpo Karate" (Believer’s First Law), these characters are rendered in blood red, symbolizing the atoning blood of Christ. "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrews 9:22). This represents the spiritual and physical combat art of the modern believer, empowered by Christ's sacrifice.

The Black Cross: The stark black cross symbolizes the world’s hatred of Christ and the just punishment we deserved for our sins. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18). It serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for our redemption.

The White Background: The pristine white background signifies the sanctification of the believer, who, having turned from the world, is made holy through Christ. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). It speaks of a life set apart for God's purposes."The Black Cross: The stark black cross symbolizes the world’s hatred of Christ and the just punishment we deserved for our sins. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18). It serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for our redemption.

The White Background: The pristine white background signifies the sanctification of the believer, who, having turned from the world, is made holy through Christ. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9). It speaks of a life set apart for God's purposes."

Nearly every historical culture has its conceptualization of the Warrior-Scholar. From the Romans, the Gladiators of Italy, the Spartans of Greece, to the English Knights of the Round Table, each had a concept of a Warrior-Scholar. The Japanese had the Samurai Warrior and the Ronin,  Thailand- their Muay Thai fighters, and other far-away cultures like the ancient Hebrews in the land of Israel or more modern Habbani Jews of Southern Yemen known for their wisdom, weaponry, and warrior spirit. In today’s modern American culture, the Warrior-Scholar still exists in the form of our military officers. The officer corps prides itself on its ability not only to master the art of the battlefield but the conquest of constant refinement of their minds in seeking continual learning.
For us, The Warrior-Scholar is defined as one on a journey of consistently seeking to better themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. It's not only the willingness to fight for what they believe (principles, core values, or faith ) but the deep intellectual understanding of why they believe, embodied by the humility to graciously seek truth rather than opinion.
This includes weekly challenges to think deeper about life and how we live it as well as essays on our core value for each belt promotion. These essays have the intent of helping students interact with and wrestle with each core value on an intellectual level. Warror-Scholars will explore how they experience it, and how they live it both as a martial artist and a member of society, further, how they personally benefit from the core value, as well as how society benefits from the way they live.

The Warrior Priest path is our flagship option of the Shinja Kenpo Karate system as it was forged from the ground up with discipleship and leadership training at its very core. Conceived as a bridge between the physical and spiritual disciplines, Shinja Kenpo Karate isn't just another martial art with religious elements added on; it's a unique design that immerses the entire family in Christian discipleship, progressing step-by-step, belt level by belt level.

Developed by Pastor Spencer R. Fusselman after over 20 years of training in diverse martial arts systems (including Shotokan, Shou Shu Kung Fu, American Kenpo, and Shaolin Kempo), Shinja Kenpo Karate answers the need for a truly integrated approach.  His military experience taught him that a complete warrior is spiritually, mentally, and physically prepared.  Similarly, a complete believer (a shinja) is spiritually disciplined in the Word and prayer, mentally disciplined to discern truth from lies, and physically fit to answer Christ's call.  Shinja Kenpo Karate cultivates this holistic development, empowering individuals to embody both warrior and priest.

信者 Shinja (Beliver, Christian)
拳法 Kenpo (Fist Law, General term for many styles of Chinese or Japanese martial arts)
唐手 Karate (kara, "Tang Dynasty; China” - te, "hand" as the art was originally transmitted from China to Okinawa, and thence to mainland Japan.)

Shinja Kenpo Karate isn't just another martial art – it's a transformative journey.  It's a discipleship-focused art, first and foremost, designed to immerse your entire family in a process of growth and development.  Unlike other systems that simply tack on religious elements, Shinja Kenpo Karate was built from the ground up with discipleship and leadership training as its core.  It's not just karate; it's a holistic approach to personal development, fostering character, discipline, and leadership skills that extend far beyond the dojo.  Experience the difference a truly discipleship-driven martial art can make – join us and discover the power of Shinja Kenpo Karate.