KATY, TX (July 11, 2011) – More than 500 people attended a major Jiu-Jitsu and grappling tournament for charity put on by Mission Covenant Church.
“The (Fight 4 Faith) tournament took our church outside our walls into our community in a unique way,” said Pastor Bryan Beaver, who recently competed in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. “It also blessed the community of MMA with the gospel in a way not done before.”
Beaver also competed in the tournament and gave a brief evangelistic message before the main event. Proceeds from the event benefitted the church.
Spectators were asked to bring canned foods or clothing in place of tickets. Donations were given to Katy Christian Ministries. All money raised through registrations and sponsorships benefit the founding of Fight for Faith Ministries and contribute to the work of the church.
Top-flight athletes in the sport, including seven-time world champion Andre Galvao, competed. “I wanna say thank you to my Lord Jesus Christ and everyone who brought me down here to Texas,” said Galvao, who won his division. “Pastor Bryan did an excellent job with the tournament!”
Galvao also elected to participate in the open class of both the GI and NO-GI divisions in a field that included 2011 Worlds Absolute third placer Alexandre Ceconi, Eduardo Ramos, Jorge Macaco Patino,
Attendees gave rave reviews of the event. “I don’t compete as I had a career-ending knee injury and can’t risk another injury, but if I was going to compete, I would consider it an honor to compete in a tournament that puts my Lord and Savior in the limelight,” said one. The tournament sparked at least one person’s desire to attend the church, saying, “I think it’s probably my kind of place.”
The tournament was held at a local high school on June 18. The Cage Door website declared, “The Fight 4 Faith Tournament lived up to its high expectations and more. I know every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner was happy to help out the church and had a great time.”
To watch videos of the tournament, click here. To watch one of Beaver’s matches, click here.
Fight for Faith Ministries partners with the local church in community events designed to especially attract men under the age of 30. According to the ministry website, 49 percent of men under 30 have stopped attending church in the last 20 years.
