The Galveston County Daily News

LEAGUE CITY — Master Ghassan Maghames came all the way from Lebanon to teach with and learn from Master Al Garza at Premier Martial Arts in League City.

The eight-time Lebanese national champion — it could have been more but the association refused to let him compete after winning eight straight years — went in search of the American dream. Though he had his own place and founded several federations in Lebanon, political strife, along with the economic situation, limited his opportunities.

Maghames could have chosen several instructors. But he thought Garza’s studio provided the best atmosphere. He credited it to Garza’s emphasis on Christianity within martial arts.

“The sense of Christianity here, it makes a difference,” Maghames, who started learning English in 2005, said. “The kids here are the best behaved of any place I’ve ever been. And I (have) been in France, Spain, England, other places in the United States.”

The Christian emphasis at Premier Martial Arts is not blatant. One could walk into the studio and not even notice.

No crosses or scriptures hang on the wall. Karate classes appear as normal as any studio.

But the curriculum and teachings reveal a tie to Christianity. Students must memorize a passage from Corinthians, chapter nine versus 24-27, as one of their first tasks.

The scripture says nothing about God or prayer. It focuses on training for a purpose, for meaning.

Garza said he has Jews, Muslims and Buddhists in his classes. He maintains that he never tries to force Christianity upon anyone, but there are lessons to be had — much like the passage from Corinthians.

“We’re not overt about the Christianity, but we don’t try to hide it either,” Garza said. “It’s who we are and what we believe — a spiritual Christian martial arts academy.”

Some might consider mixing martial arts and Christianity a paradox or an anomaly as martial arts is often associated with Eastern religions.

Garza doesn’t think so. He believes they work in unison. Garza ticks off discipline, confidence, respect, character and perseverance as tenets that can be found in both. Christianity and martial arts complement each other, according to Garza.

That’s how it worked for Garza. The Dickinson native grew up with a single mother. He roamed the streets until 10 p.m. looking for trouble.

Until he found karate in high school. He trained under Ishmael Robles in Galveston.

Garza then, as just a brown belt, opened his school in Dickinson in 1976 at age 20. He called it a mistake, but it worked out.

Garza credits his success to Christianity, which he returned to in 1979. It taught him to be focused and persistent

“That combination has led me to here,” Garza said. “And I think that’s important to teach. There are lessons, life lessons.”

Ones that Maghames, students and parents appreciate. And after spending some time in Garza’s studio, they become apparent.

Every student who walked past Garza bowed with respect, even when they were not in a class. Garza responded with the same action by bowing back.

Ashley Smith, of League City, conducts a weapons class at just 16 years old. She’s a black belt who’s trained for eight years under Garza.

Smith teaches students older than she, and entrusts other pupils who are just 6 or 7 years old with weapons. It’s not age that matters, but an understanding of principles, usually associated with Christianity.

“I would never be where I am now with out this place,” Smith said. “I had no confidence before, but now I can speak up and teach a class. And I think it really starts with me understanding the need to believe in myself, to push myself. That’s one of the first things you learn with that (Corinthians) verse.”

To reach a black belt level under Garza, students must work three hours a day Monday through Saturday. Thirty minutes to an hour are devoted to Bible study. Garza runs boot camps, too. They include a daily devotional study.

Melody Clay, also of League City, recently got her black belt. She started karate at a young age, but her original studio said she was too young to go any further at age 7.

Garza didn’t look at her age, but at her ability and understanding. He put her in an advanced course right away.

“I was able to focus on the right things,” Clay said. “If you take on the right things, Master Garza has faith in you.”

Garza said he’s never been criticized to his face about his inclusion of Christianity. He’s not worried, though. He’s travel to several countries spreading his philosophy to interested grand maters. The business is better than ever as Garza opened a new Dickinson location just this last week.

Students and teachers like Maghames buy into the system. So do parents like Kelly Holt. Both her kids, Savannah and Stephen, take classes.

The tenets — particularly, respect, confidence, self discipline and character — taught by Garza extend to life beyond the studio. It’s not just a skill, it’s a way to live.

“I didn’t even know there was a Christian environment when we signed up,” Holt said. “But it’s really been an added bonus. The kids don’t just learn how to kick, but how to act. And it extends outside the studio.”

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Premier Martial Arts

2047 W. Main St., League City

281-332-5425