Fighting, punching, kicking . . . oh yes, Christianity too. Such is the combination of elements found in the Academy of Martial Arts. Walking into ATA is like walking into a room filled with family members. That is not just because Dane and Denise have their son and daughter there ready to participate in the next class. It is because you are greeted with a warm smile by a couple who have dedicated their lives to helping young people be the best they can be.

Dane has been training and instructing in the martial arts for nearly 25 years. His interest in martial arts began in junior high school. Dane could see it as a career and pursued it. Dane and Denise met in high school and have been married 11 years. They own the Owing’s Academy of Martial Arts located in Sacramento, California. In addition, they opened a second location in Rocklin, California three years ago.

Dane grew up in a Christian home and attended parochial and public school. When Dane and Denise got married they began attending a local Christian church and the whole family enjoyed it. When they moved to Rocklin, the family began attending Adventure Christian Church and became involved in ministry there. Both Dane and Denise own and teach at the Academy with a goal of maintaining structure and respect among their students. While ATA is not a Christian academy in name, it is run by Christians and incorporates Christian principles. “How we live our lives with a Christian background makes a difference,” they affirm.

While they do not incorporate the Bible in class, principles like honesty, honoring your parents, courage, and confidence are taught consistently. Dane and Denise strive to make their academy positive and family oriented based on biblical values. As they say, “We are changing lives one black belt at a time.” As they teach young people throughout the week in two facilities, they work to believe in their students and help them become the best they can be.

Dane and Denise understand the importance of being role models as instructors in the academy. They will see a number of their students at church. The students are learning biblical values not just from their parents, but also from teachers they respect. Dave and Denise observe, “When our students see someone they respect believing the same things they have been brought up to believe, it deepens the understanding and acceptance of those values.”

Although other martial arts academies have different belief systems, there have never been any conflicts between these academies and the teachers. “Some martial arts academies make you believe a certain way or push a certain religion, like Buddhism. It is something to be aware of when taking one’s child to a Karate or martial arts academy. Question the religious persuasion of the owner and coaches to discover the focus.” For the Owings, their focus is to teach values in order to help kids make good decisions in everyday life.

As students arrive for the next class, their appreciation, admiration, and respect for Dane and Denise are obvious. To emphasize the values they strive to live and teach, their students repeat the same thing each time they meet. The students stand evenly spaced in their white uniforms and recite, “Each day I will live by honoring my parents and instructors, practicing to the best of my abilities, and showing courtesy and respect to everyone I meet.” |L

Dane and Denise Owings live in Rocklin, CA with their son and daughter. For more information, visit owingtkd@sacglobal.net.

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

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