Inspire, Summer 2000

What really pushed Herschel to establish his own evangelical martial arts school were the limitations on sharing the gospel that he encountered while working in security."I really felt a need to share my faith with many of these criminal types, but my company warned me that it was against their policies," he explained. Herschel knew there had to be a way to combine his interests and heart's desire into one package. In time he realized that his business degree would come into play as he would have to start up and operate his own business. This proved to be a perfect union for Herschel."By owning my own business I combine my many interests into one," he noted."I still train police and security personnel at my schools so that part of my past is still there. I[now]have the freedom to share Christ non-stop. I have a captive audience in my schools!" Herschel added,"Being a full-time martial arts instructor is the most rewarding thing I've ever done." Career satisfaction has not come easy for Herschel. His path has been lined with many dangers, obstacles, and trials. There were times ofindecision and uncertainty, but through it all Herschel knew that God was with him. His wife Kate"Kathy" (Tompkins)'74 and son Nathan have stood by him,encouraging him along the way. During his years in corporate security, Herschel faced many dangers. He recalled capturing an escaped prison convict who was on a seven-state crime spree. 14 Spring The convict should have been "armed and dangerous," but at the moment Herschel encountered him,the convict had left his weapons in the car that he had stolen along the way."The Lord was really looking out for me that day!" Herschel stated. There was even a time when Herschel and Kate thought that missions was their ultimate pursuit, but when those doors closed they began to sense that God had a purpose for them locally. While he loved security (aside from the spiritual restrictions), Herschel found himself pondering the road ahead. He thought back to his days at Cedarville College when he met a fellow martial artist named Pat Crain '78.Through Pat, Herschel was introduced to Karate for Christ—an evangelistic martial arts demo team that was founded by Pat's brother, Mike. That experience, along with the realization that evangelical martial arts is a mission field, inspired Herschel to start a similar group called Sidekicks for Christ. During their intermissions they witness to the audience.The three goals of Sidekicks for Christ are to reach people with the gospel,remind Christians that they can use any skill to reach others, and use life for God's glory."Everything in life can be an object lesson to share Christ," explained Herschel. Herschel coordinated Sidekicks for Christ along with operating a martial arts center(dojo)in Orrville, Ohio on a part- time basis. His wife Kate saw a bigger picture and kept encouraging him to relocate his dojo and to pursue his passion for evangelical martial arts full time. "Over the years, Kate kept saying that I needed to move my karate business to Wooster.This is the county seat and the most populated city," Herschel stated. In time things worked together and in 1991 Herschel and Kate opened a large, two-floor dojo in Wooster's north end. "Guess what? My wife was right," Herschel conceded."The business took off big-time and I was finally able to go full-time!" Besides being a security expert,a martial arts instructor, and a salesman, Herschel is also a licensed chaplain. All of these roles along with his Cedarville education are now interconnected in his position as"Soke"(Grandmaster). Herschel said that he believes the Christian service project he completed while at Cedarville has also been instrumental in his martial arts ministry. "I ministered at ajuvenile detention center," he shared."[That experience] helped me to deal with teenagers and to be bold in witnessing." At his dojos,Herschel trains with a wide range of people who have an assortment of burdens: children with learning difficulties, teenagers with peer pressure problems,and adults with personal and marital problems. Consequently, Herschel often finds himself doing a lot of counseling along with physical training."God has given me a very sobering position and I look to Him daily to keep me spiritually pure and on fire," Herschel commented. Having entered Cedarville as an "infant Christian," Herschel remains grateful that he had the opportunity to fellowship and grow with mature Christians. He shared, "My mental, physical, and spiritual education at Cedarville taught me what the possibilities were in life, how I was to go after them,whatI needed for the journey,and how I needed Christ to be my guide for the trip." "Committo the Lord whateveryou do,and yourplans willsucceed"—Proverbs16:3 Note:For more information on CMAU and its affiliates, contact Herschel Schenck at330-345-7579.