About T. J.

Most importantly, I am married to Amy, and we have five children and two grandchildren! My study of martial arts began in 1984 in Kung Fu, expanding to Ju Jitsu in the early 1990s. Since then, I trained in Tai Chi, Qigong, Judo, Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, Silat, Krav Maga, Kali, Army Combatives, and White Crane Karate. I am the founder of Senshi Ryu Ju Jitsu and Zhan Shi Kung Fu and a certified Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. I earned the following dan-level rankings: Renzoku Ju Jitsu (Hachidan), Budoshin Ju Jitsu (Godan-earned through cross-certification), Five Animal Kung Fu (5th Black Sash), Kan Shu Kenpo (Sandan), White Crane Karate (Nidan), Goshin Ju Jitsu (Nidan), Taiki Ryu Judo (Shodan), and Songham Tae Kwon Do (Ildan). I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors and as the Treasurer of the International Alliance of Ancient Warrior Arts. In addition to teaching martial arts, I am a pastor and seminary professor and served in the Army Chaplain Corps as a Chaplain Assistant and a Chaplain. I received my B.A. in Political Science from Southern Illinois University, M.A. in Philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, M.A. in Apologetics from Luther Rice College and Seminary, M.A.R. in Church Ministries/M.Div. in Chaplaincy/Th.M. in Theology/Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University, D.Min in Pastoral Counseling/Ph.D. in Leadership/Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Carolina University, and Ph.D. in Theology with Missiology from North-West University. I hold board certification as a Pastoral Counselor and have several published books and scholarly articles. I am the President and Founder of Illative House Press, a Vice-President of Bellator Christi Ministries, and my personal ministry site is tjgentry.net.