The Parable of the Mats

There was a man who, by the grace of God, built a gym - not for trophies, not for status, but for transformation. He laid mats down like sacred ground. He prayed over the space and asked the Lord to fill it with warriors - not just of the body, but of the spirit. He prepared a place where the weak could become strong, Where the lost could find direction, Where the broken could be restored, And where Jesus Christ would be honored above all.

Then he sent out the call: “ Come train. Come fight. Come find something real.”

But many ignored it. Some were too busy with their lives. Some laughed. Some made excuses. And some came, but only to play - showing up late, chasing belts, avoiding the grind, disrespecting the rules.

So the man closed the door to the comfortable. And with boldness, he said to his students:

“Go to the highways. Go to the gyms, the homes, the churches, and the streets. Invite the hungry. Invite the humble. Invite the ones who know they can’t do this life alone.”

and they came. Not perfect. Not polished. But ready. Some wore torn gis. Some came with baggage. But they trained with heart. They honored the rules. They embraced the suffering. They bowed to the process - and to the One who gave it all.

One came with pride. He mocked the effort. Boasted in himself. Ignored the code. The man looked at him and said: “this place isn’t for you.”

Because this ground is holy.And this house belongs to the Lord.

UofGF is not a gym. It’s a battlefield for the soul. It’s forge for warriors who know there is no victory without the cross.

MANY ARE INVITED. FEW STAY. FEWER SURRENDER.

But those who stay - those who fight the right fight - will find more than Jiu-Jitsu here. They will find discipline. They will find purpose. They will find brother and sisterhood. And, God willing… They will find Christ.

To God be the glory - on these mats and beyond them.

University of Ground Fighting - Built for the few. Guarded by faith. Led by the Word.