Team JesusStrong
JesusStrong Martial Arts; a ministry based in the Martial Arts. 1st Corinthians 9:24-27. Classes (open to everyone) are held at Lakeshore Baptist Church in Cicero NY on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00-7:00. We teach a mixed martial arts style based in Washin-Ryu, American Kenpo, Muay Thai, American Kickboxing, Kobudo; as well as fitness with our A.M.P. program.
Pastor/Renshi Chris Sackett -
3rd Degree Black Belt (Sandan)
Head Sensei
Board Director for Yeshua-Do
Renshi Chris Sackett has trained in the martial arts for over 30 years in American Kenpo, Washin-Ryu, Full Contact Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and other styles. He trained in American Kenpo Karate in the late 80's and early 90's under Kyoshi Steve Lavallee and Sensei Jeff Iannuzzo at Lavallee’s Sport Karate Studio. In the 90's he trained in Washin-Ryu under Sensei John "Terry" Mulhauser. During the late 80’s and early 90’s, Chris grew in experience as a tournament fighter and amateur kickboxer participating in several local and regional tournaments. In the early 2000's, Chris worked in professional wrestling and continued training at the Old School Dojo under Marc Mandrake and at the Tyger's Den under Tyger Smith; sharpening his kick boxing skills and adding elements of taekwondo and Muay Thai, while working in the independent wrestling scene throughout Buffalo and Rochester NY, and in Canada (2001 to 2007). Chris is a member and Board Director of the Christian Martial Arts Association International; Yeshua-Do.
Renshi Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership and Ministry from Ohio Christian University. He serves as the Worship and Outreach Ministries Pastor for Lakeshore Baptist Church, Cicero NY.
Sempai Caitlin Phillips
"Baby Stamp"
Assistant Instructor/A.M.P. Trainer
E.L.I.T.E. Team Captain
JSMA Muay Thai
Hunter Sackett
"The Mighty Chihuahua"
Junior Apprentice
Junior Division Captain
E.L.I.T.E. Team
Sempai Caitlin trained in kickboxing for 2 years before coming to JSMA; originally joining the team as the Assistant A.M.P. Instructor. Dedicating herself to full time training under Renshi Chris, Sempai Caitlin has quickly grown as the Assistant Instructor/Elder Student in the karate program, Instructor for A.M.P., and team Captain for the E.L.I.T.E. Demo Team and JSMA Muay Thai. She competes in amateur kickboxing and Muay Thai, and is currently soliciting sponsors for her competition career.
Hunter is our Junior Division Captain, and an Apprentice Black Belt. He began his Apprentice Black Belt training under Hanshi John Annable and Sensei Matt Barnell at Karate John's Martial Arts Center where he trained from the ages of 6 to 9 before joining his father Renshi Chris and his mother Rebecca in starting JSMA. Hunter is an excellent example of what kids martial arts is all about. He also enjoys skateboarding and other sports giving definition to the term "natural athlete".