Rooted in Faith, Forged in the Fight The Newkirks' Journey

Every student who walks through the doors of Combat Ministries brings their own life story. When you’re with us, your story helps write ours. Like any good story, there are elements of struggle, growth, and sometimes, even redemption.  

For Andrew and Kelly Newkirk, decades of martial arts training, divine timing, and a relentless calling to serve others brought them to Combat Ministries. A lot of faith and a passion for fight-science have made this coaching couple a core part of our growing family. Their story will inspire you to watch closely for open doors in life. You might find the best thing you never expected. 

A Life of Martial Arts 

Andrew Newkirk started his martial arts training in Japanese Jujutsu at age 17 with Master Young Park, eventually earning his first black belt with Master Park at age 22. Back then, he was also studying Jeet Kune Do and his instructor Paul Vunak required students to also learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He knew nothing about it at the time but soon fell in love with the style. In an effort to find a BJJ instructor he got reconnected with his friend James Clingerman of Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy whom he originally met when training with Master Park. James was a purple belt under Andrew’s first BJJ coach Mario Roberto. About five years later Mario’s association dissolved and Andrew was without a coach.

     At the time he met Gene Fletcher in 2012 at Strength Martial Arts in Anderson, Andrew had progressed to a four-stripe blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after he met Marcel Louzado while he and Kelly were vacationing in California and Andrew doing some Jeet Kune Do training. Today, he teaches BJJ along with Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Wing Chun at Combat Ministries.

Kelly’s journey began alongside her husband Andrew at the age of 33 when Andrew got his purple belt and started teaching small classes at Strength Martial Arts. She earned her blue belt under Marcel Louzado and her purple belt under Coach Max Burt. It was Andrew who was always her immediate and number one coach, but now, her Professor.  (In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, coaches who earn their black belt are then called Professor.) From the beginning, their training wasn't just about personal achievement—it was about helping others grow through martial arts. Helping fellow students both on and off the mat has always been a key part of who Andrew and Kelly are. 

The Newkirks are not your average instructors. For them, martial arts is essential in their walk with Jesus. They believe they were created to love the sport but also driven to find unique ways to share the Gospel through that art form. Andrew and Kelly teach more than techniques. They reach for deep relationships with their students, the way Jesus leads his disciples. “It’s really about making meaningful connections with people,” Andrew says. “The martial arts are just one part of the ministry side of it.” 

There is an apex where students, instructors, sports, and ministry meet. That is where Combat Ministries exists. That’s what keeps Andrew and Kelly Newkirk so committed to this organization.  They want the world to understand the heart of this place. Much like the Church, the people are what’s important, not the facility. Andrew and Kelly have trained in all kinds of places with people from all over the world. A humble gym in Anderson Indiana is where they choose to stay. They believe in this place, and we are so grateful to have them here. 

The Ministry That Chose Them 

Andrew and Kelly have been part of this ever-evolving project for nearly 13 years now.They have seen the struggles, but also the beauty, in building a non-profit organization. Fortunately, God has been with us in mysterious ways through it all.  

One night, as they stood outside after class at Journey Church with Gene Fletcher, a man walked up to  them unannounced. He handed Gene a small token. It was an Icthus, a “Jesus fish”, with the words  “The Way, The Truth, and The Life,” written on it. The man muttered what they assumed to be a  blessing over them, and was suddenly gone. The group had no idea where this mysterious man came from, or escaped to, so quickly. “I truly believe it was God-ordained,” Kelly says. 

That moment was a clear sign to the Newkirks. It cemented something in their spirits. For years, they would be involved in different forms. They have learned, led, and been taught. They had stepped away briefly to start their own thing, but eventually returned.  

A few years in, Andrew and Kelly helped build another program at the YMCA in Anderson. They started their own dojo. At the time, it seemed like the right move. But COVID changed everything. The YMCA shut down most of their programs. Like many others, Andrew and Kelly were forced to re-evaluate what really mattered. Trained fighters are always ready to change their tactics. For the Newkirks, they went back to their foundation. 

Andrew recalls, “When COVID hit, I really felt a call. God started calling me back here for a reason. I  didn’t know why, but Kelly and I prayed, and we just felt the Holy Spirit lead us here.” There was a calling to this place that felt like home to them. In many ways, they never really left.  

It wasn’t all easy during that time. Kelly had her own battles to face. Their time away was filled with  personal trials, including a long season of depression. “I struggled mentally,” she says. “But I kept going to church. I never stopped training. Even when I couldn’t hear or feel God’s presence, I just kept showing up.”  

Faith is a muscle. It needs the workout of discipline plus action, just like how martial arts requires control of body and mind. Kelly put in the work and saw brighter days because of it.  

A Strong Comeback 

Their return to Combat Ministries was a breath of fresh air and some new beginnings for the Newkirks. Their classes began to grow, as did their bond with students and staff here. “It’s been one of the best decisions,” Andrew says. “We’ve seen some of the best growth, some of the best programming. I now understand why God called us back.” 

Andrew views Combat Ministries as a home away from home. It’s more than a gym to learn  techniques. It’s a lifestyle for him. “When I get off work... sometimes I get burned out,” he shares. “But when I come here, everything just begins to melt when I get my gi on and step onto the mat.” 

For Kelly, it's just as much about the people. "This ministry has been God-ordained," she says. "It's impacted my life just being here with family and how our family has grown." 

That sense of family became even more real to them when Andrew had double knee replacements in  2024. The dear friends they’ve made in this place rallied around the Newkirks with more support than they could have asked for. People delivered meals, gifted them grocery money, or just sat and talked  with Andrew while he was stuck at home while Kelly was at work.  

Kelly covered Andrew’s responsibilities in classes. There were students and even parents helping out at every angle. In a very tangible way, they saw that “family” is not just a generic word around here.  When you’re part of Combat Ministries, you truly are part of our family. Every instructor here gives their best, both on and off the mat.  

In the Bible, there are two main Greek words translated to the English word “love”. Phileo is “brotherly love”, like in close friendships. Agape is more of a sacrificial, selfless, and  unconditional love for others. Both of those concepts are at the core of Combat Ministries. During  Andrew’s recovery from that surgery, the Newkirks experienced so much of that love from this family.  They will be the first in line to pay it forward when someone else here is in need.  

Built to Serve 

The Newkirks believe Combat Ministries is for everyone. You get more than fitness or skills-training  here. There is real healing going on in this place. “I think the programs are designed for those people in need, who may be seeking a family,” Kelly says. “Those who are lost, broken, and need a Savior, and that's Jesus Christ.” Their professional careers as certified behavioral counselors also drives their focus on friendship over fight-training. Life is hard. They help their students through it together, in very real ways. 

Andrew, known on the mat as “Arrow”, and Coach Kelly, nicknamed “Prodigy”, are truly dedicated to their craft. Martial arts isn’t a hobby for them. It’s a true passion, but also a vehicle to build connections with people. They often teach moral and ethical life-lessons, especially to the younger students. Though some may view Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts as a form of  violence, Andrew and Kelly always teach true relational conflict resolution first. They believe in reaching the heart of the person, not leveraging a physical advantage. 

We have the flexibility to offer multiple martial arts styles  to help people explore who they are and where they belong. Andrew points out, “Some people really like to strike... others have a natural propensity to wrestle and grapple. That’s the beauty of having  multiple arts.” Everyone can find something to enjoy at Combat Ministries. If you pick BJJ, you’ll get  hands-on lessons from Arrow and Prodigy, and a big helping of their kindness and humor as well! 

This ministry works hard to exemplify so many different elements of what we believe to be necessary  to living a good life, and following Christ. Those foundational tenants are part of what has kept the Newkirk family here for almost 15 years now. “It’s about ministry first,” Andrew says. “It’s about helping. It’s about learning to serve people first.”  

The Next Lesson 

This humble, but mighty organization, has been through a lot over the years. The bold dreams of our  leaders are fanning the flames of progress every day. Kelly hopes to see Combat Ministries grow into multiple locations, with more daily classes in each program, and even dreams of a church being planted through the ministry. 

Andrew has a simpler, yet equally powerful goal. “When people say martial arts around Madison County and Anderson, I want them to say Freedom Martial Arts or Combat Ministries.” He wants Combat Ministries to gain much broader recognition in both the martial arts communities, but also as a community outreach ministry. 

And will they still be involved five years from now? There’s no doubt. “I will continue to train no  matter how old or decrepit I get,” Andrew jokes. “I came into this world on my back, and when I go out, I want to go out on my back wearing a gi.” 

Combat Ministries is built on the sweat and steady faith of leaders like Andrew and Kelly. Through dark seasons, they stayed the course. Through burnout, they kept teaching. Through  self-doubt, they kept showing up. They put in the work and believe they will reap what they sow. You can count on the Newkirks being a fixture here indefinitely.  

For them, this isn’t just training. It’s ministry. It’s family. It’s faith in motion. 

And they’re just getting started.

Written by Eric Farrell of TheWordKitchen.com