Martial Arts Ministry Promotes Self-Esteem and Cross Cultural Understanding

Rev. Dr. Jon McCoy, Senior Pastor at St. Mark United Methodist Church, visited two public elementary schools, Pirie Elementary and Dixon Elementary in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago where his church is located. He met with school principals and learned that they were concerned about self-esteem among their students. He thought about a way for the church to offer something to the community and contemplated developing a martial arts training program for youth in the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, half way around the world, St. Mark member and martial artist Maceo Pembroke, Jr. was living and working in South Korea. Pembroke had grown up in Chicago, one of two sons of a distinguished pastor, the Rev. Dr. Maceo Pembroke and June G. Pembroke, an educator for the Chicago Public Schools. Pembroke, Jr.’s life journey had taken him away from home for twenty-four years. He had moved to California to attend Stanford University, where earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and first became intrigued by the land of Korea while watching the 1984 Olympic games. After graduating from college, Pembroke spent a year in South Korea in a program similar to the Peace Corps. He returned to America and was living in Los Angeles when he noticed a major problem between Korean immigrants and African Americans. He wanted to try to bring cultures together, and so he returned to South Korea, where he lived from 1996 to 2004. During this eight-year stint in Korea, Pembroke taught English and communication at Han-Yang University and Sook-dae Women’s University, but he also became proficient speaking the Korean language and understanding Korean culture. And he became a fifth degree black belt in the ancient Korean martial art of Tae Kwan Do.
When two hearts and minds are thinking about the same thing half a world apart, one cannot really call it a coincidence. Most Christians would acknowledge that it is the spirit of God at work on something important! Both Rev. McCoy in Chicago and Maceo Pembroke, Jr. in Korea came to believe that developing a martial arts program at St. Mark would be a wonderful contribution to the youth of the Chatham community. In January 2005, a new ministry was born at St. Mark under the direction of Martial Arts Master Pembroke. In the beginning, the idea of the church teaching martial arts was not an easy sell to the congregation. Some people think of martial arts as a means of violence or aggression, rather than a disciplined study that trains not only the body but also the mind. Each student is required to adhere to a strict code of conduct known as “The Student Creed.” Tae Kwon Do students demonstrate self-confidence and self-control. They gain the ability to focus, become more motivated for achievement, and improve their grades. According to Pembroke, students also “learn how to leverage their strengths,” because they learn that “the real battle is within, not outside.”
Martial Arts school grows to over 50 students in second year and offers programs for adults as well.
Currently, the St. Mark martial arts program trains children and youth at three levels: Little Dragons, who are 3 ½ to 5 years old; TKD Dragons I, who are 6 to 11 years old; and TKD Dragons II, who are age 12 and over. Over 50 students are actively involved in the program but according to Pembroke, there is room for twice that many. Less than a year after the program opened, Pembroke took a group of three students to a national tournament in Seattle, Washington. The students won eight out of nine possible medals – five gold, two silver, and one bronze. But according to Pembroke, the way “the young men from St. Mark conducted themselves” was even more significant than the medals. This December, the black belt, the highest rank in Tae Kwon Do, will be awarded to several St. Mark students. He acknowledges that not “all children will become black belts but even if they become promoted one time, there is value in what they have accomplished.”
But martial arts for children was just the beginning of this ministry at St. Mark. Tai-Chi classes are also offered for the neighborhood’s older residents, who are concerned about exercise, flexibility and mobility. Pembroke has also added the ancient art of Haidong Gumdo, which is Korean swordsmanship. It is a graceful and powerful form of self defense. In addition, a program called LACES was begun last fall which focuses on cross cultural understanding. This program connects three United Methodist Churches: St. Mark, the Latino congregation from Amor de Dios, and the Korean congregation from First Korean Church in Wheeling. There are exchanges of music and now also Korean and Spanish language and cultural classes, which are open for anyone who wants to learn. Master P’s philosophy is simple: “When we understand each other better, we are more tolerant. More knowledge helps us avoid misunderstanding that come from cultural and language differences.”
Rev. McCoy reflects on what this ministry has meant to St. Mark. This program has helped the church to “be in ministry every day” and has become an “integral part of the life of the church.” It has also provided an effective outreach. One mother who runs a catering business provides desserts at martial arts classes. A young mother, who saw a notice for the martial arts program when she was dropping off her dry cleaning in the neighborhood, brought her child for martial arts and then joined the church. Every fourth Sunday at St. Mark is Youth Sunday. Martial arts students come in their uniforms and, according to Pastor McCoy, “make visible that what happens during the week has a direct connection to what happens on Sunday morning.”
Master Maceo Pembroke, Jr. is available for consultations on how to start a martial arts or cross cultural ministry.

For more information visit the St. Mark Web site at www.stmarkumcchicago.org or email masterpembroke@eastsea.ma.com.