A Life-Long Passion, A Fork in the Road & A God Who Never Fails

Some journeys in life take unexpected turns yet still lead us right where we are meant to be. For one longtime martial arts instructor, that fork in the road led directly to Combat Ministries. Though Combat Ministries is just pushing past 15 years old, Tammy Sorg’s path to us started with a vision from her neighbor, almost 30 years ago. 

More Than Just Judo Mats

Long before she ever joined Combat Ministries, Tammy Sorg had a rich history in martial arts. She started judo in Anderson, Indiana at 9 years old under Sensei Bud McCorkle. In High School she competed in several National Championships where she won Gold.  After Graduating High School, she moved across the Country to San Jose State University to be on the San Jose State University Judo Team in pursuit of her Olympic Dreams. It was there that she learned from some of the top coaches in the Nation, including the “Father of American Judo, Sensei Yosh Uchida”. 

Tammy represented the U.S. Judo Team in several International competitions, some of which include the World Championships in 1991 and 1995, the Pan American Games in 1991 where she won a bronze medal, and two World University Games. She was able to go to Japan on several occasions to train and compete in the country judo was founded in. She was on track to take her skills to the Olympics, more than once. Even though her Olympic dreams did not come to pass as she had hoped, God had great things in mind for her future with judo. 

When she met Gene and Tabitha Fletcher, more than 20 years ago, they were teaching Taekwondo at South Meridian Church of God. At the time, Tammy was leading Judo classes at the same church. They all shared a deep love for their Christian faith, and for martial arts. This common bond would later help build Combat Ministries.

When Gene and Tabitha had to pause their Taekwondo classes for awhile, they entrusted their students to Tammy to train in her Judo classes. One of those students now serves as Combat Ministries’ head Taekwondo instructor.

It’s rare to see something like that come full-circle, but that’s one of the things that makes us so unique. Every person in our lives is there by divine appointment, even if we don’t know it yet. The Combat Ministries family is full of similar legacy stories. 

Years later, when her own health challenges forced her to close her Judo club, she knew exactly where she wanted her mats to go.

“I wanted the mats I had to go to another ministry where they would be used well,” she recalls. “So, I called Gene and asked if they would like some Judo Tatami as well as Crash Pads.”

Those mats, one of our first donations, quite literally became part of the foundation of Combat Ministries. Tammy had no idea she would eventually return to teaching on them herself. Sometimes God prompts us to give. When we obey without concern for getting something in return, He often gives it back to us bigger, better, and more beautiful than we could have imagined. That’s exactly what happened for Tammy.

A Vision That Changed Everything

While martial arts has been a lifelong passion, her involvement with Combat Ministries reflects something even deeper. There was a calling she could not ignore. 

Years ago, after training for the 1996 Olympics at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Tammy moved home to Indiana. She found herself searching for greater purpose and direction in life. “What Would Jesus Do was the movement at that time. I began asking myself that question” she said. Tammy was seeking a deeper relationship with the Jesus and was willing to follow His lead. 

She was preparing to move back to San Jose, California, where she had already been accepted to graduate school and she planned to train for the 2000 Olympics. Just before leaving, something happened that made her reconsider everything.

After a great deal of prayer, Tammy felt led to witness to her neighborhood about Jesus. Although she was hesitant to go out the door of her home to start this new life calling, it was only minutes before she ran into her elderly neighbor, Mr. Mavis, who had a guest at his home needing to hear the gospel. 

There was a homeless man from the local Christian Center who was helping Tammy’s neighbor move some heavy things. She got the chance to share the Gospel with this man, and it planted a seed with Mr. Mavis that would change her life. 

A few days later, Mr. Mavis told her about a vision he had. This vision was of Tammy working with people in a community sports center. “He asked me when I was going to give back to my community, since I had been around the world with judo, and graduated from college. Now it was time to give back” Tammy explains.  

Mr. Mavis was right, and she knew it. Her number one priority was to follow where the Lord was leading her. Tammy had a heart to live like Jesus, serving others and taking no glory for herself. She let go of the Olympic dreams and committed to a humbler journey. That adventure was only just beginning.

Despite the fact that she had everything planned, even who her roommate would be in California, she canceled her plans to move back to San Jose. She stayed in Anderson and enrolled at Ball State University to get a Master’s Degree in Sports Management. That would help her better understand how to work in a community sports center setting. She also became the Head Judo Instructor at Ball State.

“Having a vision come to pass through Combat Ministries has been totally significant in my life, and shows how God is faithful to His promises,” she says. “Combat Ministries is where I can share two things I love so dearly: my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Judo, the martial art I have grown to love since I was 9 years old.”

Combat Ministries is where all that talent, skill, and passion has come to life for her. She is able to pass on her knowledge and love for the martial art and sport to new students. She is part of not just a team of martial arts enthusiasts, but a family who puts Jesus first.

A Ministry Built on Faith and Relationships

We pride ourselves on being about much more than martial arts training. Sensei Tammy, as she is known in the dojo, believes in that mission too. She loves that Combat Ministries always seeks to lead, and serve, from Biblical principles. That mindset is what has created this unique melting-pot of faith and flaws, relationships and growth. Leaders are forged here! Sensei Tammy helps us heat that forge every week!

“I know the leaders are picked with careful prayer and thoughtfulness of how Jesus is a part of their life first and foremost,” she says. “Then the quality of leadership is built upon from there.”

We are grateful that Sensei Tammy has played such a key role in the beating heart of Combat Ministries for so long. Along with teaching judo, she has coached students through competitions in Indiana and out of State, helping one student earn a state championship title. Some of her other students claimed silver and bronze medals. She has also enjoyed watching one of her young students grow into a promising referee, learning directly from seasoned officials at major events.

“I’ve seen experienced referees, some of them international-level officials, take this young man under their wings to teach him great skills as a referee,” she says.

She’s seen firsthand how Combat Ministries meets people right where they are — whether they’re learning self-defense, exploring creative outlets like art, or simply seeking connection and support.

“It’s becoming a great community center, reaching out to people who need Jesus in their life,” she says. “People can share their gifts and talents as leaders, and then have students who are eager to learn and grow in any of the areas being taught here.”

Combat Ministries aims to be a blank canvas for creativity, a library for learning, a proving-grounds for growth, a catalyst for community impact, and a happy home for all who want to be part of this family. 

What’s Next For This Sensei?

Tammy plans to do more coaching, more serving, and more growing (herself) with Combat Ministries as long as she can. Though she doesn’t control the timeline, she is committed to this Community Center, and our people. 

“I see myself involved so long as it is the Lord’s will and He gives me His grace and strength to carry on in His service here,” she says.

From donating her mats to teaching on them years later, her journey with Combat Ministries is a testament to faith, perseverance, and purpose. For Sensei Tammy Sorg, this is more than a place to train. It’s a community where lives are changed, leaders are made, and God’s promises are fulfilled.

Written by Eric Farrell of TheWordKitchen.com