Friends In Your Corner Community VS Grief and Isolation

For over 15 years, Combat Ministries has been more than just a martial arts program. It has been a sanctuary of healing, resilience, and community support in Anderson, Indiana. We are fortunate to have had some amazing people with us since the beginning. One of those families is the Nevins family.  

Brian Nevins, known on the mat as Coach Stryker, and his wife Lisa Nevins (Coach Eternity), have a powerful story of growth through tragedy, and finding strength in community. Combat Ministries helped them find a deeper purpose in service to others, while also having others love on them when they needed it most. They found a home away from home, and the deepest of friendships they never knew they were missing.  

This is their story. 

It Began with a Tank 

When Brian’s father, Mike, joined Combat Ministries, it was still at LivRite Fitness in Anderson. Mike found the Taekwondo class, and he was hooked. Soon after, Mike did some research and found that martial arts classes are often helpful for focusing children with ADHD. Brian and Lisa have a daughter, Grace, who struggles with this. It didn’t take long to convince Brian and their daughter Brianna to join, but Lisa and Grace weren’t onboard yet. 

Lisa’s father-in-law frequently told her how wonderful the people were at Combat Ministries. We were already holding true to our core values, and it showed. Lisa couldn’t make sense of any of it, but didn’t consider joining herself until tragedy struck.  

In 2012, Mike passed away. Through that pain, Lisa’s eyes were opened to much more at Combat Ministries. She saw how people like Gene, Tabitha, Mike (S.), Isaiah, and others really loved Brian and their family. Even more, she saw how much everyone loved Mike, whom they called “Tank”.  

From Loss to Leadership: Lisa's Journey 

The loss for the family was intense. Brian grieved the hardest. Lisa wasn’t sure he would ever fully recover from it. That’s when she started going to practices with Brian. She built relationships of her own and realized how her husband had become part of something much bigger than himself. 

By 2014, Grace and Lisa joined the Taekwondo class with Brian. Lisa also started teaching the “Little Warriors” class. Lisa’s passion for teaching kids to realize their potential and overcome their fears was the perfect fit here! Seeing the whole Nevins family training, growing, learning, and leading together brought Brian back to life. “Combat Ministries helped heal my entire family and gave us a new family that cared deeply for each of us,” Lisa says. 

A common trend at Combat Ministries is that families that train together, remain together. We have seen it many times. The Nevins family was healing, but the bumpy road wasn’t over. They needed each other, and this community, more than they thought.  

Eventually, another family tragedy struck, testing the foundation of the Nevins family. This time, Brian, Lisa, and the kids had the Combat Ministries family to fall back on. They pushed through with the support of their new friends, until the next hurdle; COVID.  

In 2020, the world came to a screeching halt. Lisa’s 20-year career as a preschool teacher in Pendleton was suddenly on-hold as well. When Combat Ministries director Gene Fletcher approached her about helping with administrative responsibilities, she knew she couldn’t turn it down. Combat Ministries shifted all training to online video formats. Lisa found herself in a unique position to help more than expected.  

One night, she joined Brian in class from their basement (on video). She started training again and never looked back. In 2021 she retired from teaching. She poured all her time and focus into her role at Journey Church, and now new responsibilities at Combat Ministries. By July 2023, she made one of the biggest achievements of her life. She earned Black Belt in Taekwondo! On top of that, Lisa became a coach. She loves sharing her hard-earned knowledge and skill with new students.  

Everything around her kept growing, and she was right in the middle of it. Lisa knew God had a plan, even when it didn’t quite make sense to her. Mike saw this coming and planted the seed years before.  

Combat Ministries has had a very significant impact on the Nevins family. Lisa said, “I never would have dreamed that I would switch careers at the age of 47 and become a coach at the age of 50!”  Where all this goes from here is unclear, but Lisa believes that her family needs to trust God’s plan for them. All they know is that it absolutely involves Combat Ministries every step of the way.  

Finding Strength and Purpose: Brian’s Journey 

The Nevins family has now had 3 generations pass through Combat Ministries. Though it started with his father, “Tank”, Brian continues to lead his family and all of his students with humility and integrity.  The grief of losing his father left a powerful wound in Brian. Nothing can replace his dad, but Combat Ministries gave him exactly what he needed to get back on his feet, purpose, community, and support.  

Their family’s emotional scars have become stories. Those stories made them who they are. That character, hardened on the battlefield of life, fuels his mentoring on the mat. He very quickly saw that Combat Ministries is far more than martial arts education. Our principles prepare you for the real world, physically and mentally. Brian focuses on emotional readiness and mental toughness with his students. He is living proof that life can throw you a left-hook when you least expect it. Be ready! 

Surprises will come, but having a supportive community, a family of friends around you, can make all the difference. Brian found that at CM and has done his best to give it back to those who come in behind him. The whole family eagerly recommends Combat Ministries to people whenever they can. 

Always Growing 

Both Brian and Lisa see a bright future for Combat Ministries. There are already plans to expand into new locations, grow community outreach programs, and continue providing a safe, encouraging space for people of all ages. There truly is something here for everyone, no matter what your interests or skills are. 

This organization is built on Biblical faith in Jesus, and an unwavering dedication to helping people be the best they can be. Like the Nevins family, we live to support and guide people through all the ups and downs of life.  

Lisa said about her CM family “We have lived life together for around 14 years. We watched our kids grow up, grow through good times and hard times together. Helped each other move. Watched a couple of us get married and have children. I know without a shadow of a doubt if I called anyone from Combat they would come running and help with whatever I needed! They helped my husband at his lowest point in life after Tank passed and they continue to be our family! This place is bigger than just Martial Arts.” 

Brian’s view of Combat Ministries is about creating the next generation of bold leaders. He said, “I am committed to being a part of Combat Ministries for the rest of my life, and I hope to leave a legacy that will continue to inspire and motivate others even after I am gone.” 

What is it about Combat Ministries that makes the Nevins family certain that this is a lifelong commitment they can pass on to their grandchildren? Why is fellowship and community worth more than just the classes we offer? Sure, we have Martial Arts, Cooking, Art, Finances, and even a chess club, but what are we without the classes?  

We are a home. We are a family. Whether you’ve been here for over 12 years like the Nevins, or it’s your first time through the door, we will love and respect you like one of our own. Just ask Brian, Lisa, Brianna and Grace what they think. They’re here all the time! 

[EASTER EGG: Check out the Combat Ministries logo. Do you see Mike?]

Written by Eric Farrell of TheWordKitchen.com