The Rev. Tom Lyda,
Dressed in a black tae kwon do uniform, conducts a Bible study before leading his tae kwon do class at New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 12000 N Rockwell, where he is senior pastor. Photo by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman
The Rev. Tom Lyda, dressed in a black tae kwon do uniform, conducts a Bible study before leading his tae kwon do class at New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 12000 N Rockwell, where he is senior pastor. Photo by Carla Hinton, The Oklahoman
Ministry and martial arts go hand-in-hand at one northwest Oklahoma City church.
At 5:30 a.m. each weekday, the Rev. Tom Lyda dons his martial arts uniform to teach a tae kwon do class at New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 12000 N Rockwell Ave.
By Sunday, he’s in the pulpit delivering sermons as the church’s senior pastor.
Lyda, a tae kwon do black belt, is one preacher who packs a powerful punch.
“This is soul, body and mind — it’s the whole thing,” he said of his martial arts class.
Lyda said he started the free tae kwon do class about two years ago.
The men who currently participate said the early morning class time was the only time they could all get together. Lyda said the class has proven to be popular despite its start time.
Lyda said the class is affiliated with Team Chip Tae Kwon Do centers, based in Abilene, Texas, where he was taught. The school’s co-owners, Chip and Glyn Ann Townsend, visit the Oklahoma City group every couple of months to certify and test the participants, Lyda said.
The group begins each class with prayer and Bible study using the “Jesus Calling” devotional series. Then, Lyda leads participants through stretches before they begin practicing tae kwon do techniques such as defensive one-steps.
The preacher said they also do some cross training, and the goals of the class are to learn personal safety while becoming physically fit.
“It’s wonderful because we pray for one another and that support bonds us,” Lyda said. “We start with a spiritual connection, then in class through tae kwon do, we are connecting physically and pushing each other to be a better person.”
Friendship and fitness
About six men are taking the class, and they have different reasons for participating.
Nick Nicoll, 63, said he was fascinated by martial arts when he was a child but never got the opportunity to try it.
He said the class is beneficial in more ways than one.
“It gives you pride in learning new things. My goal is to get my black belt by the time I’m 65,” Nicoll said.
Ethan Allen, 60, said the class has helped him maintain his physical fitness.
“The camaraderie and the physical exercise is great,” he said. “I dropped 30 pounds, and everyone else has too.”
Brad Swartout, 59, said he ran track at the University of Oklahoma and likes to work out, so the martial arts class is one more way to keep himself in shape.
“It’s a challenge for me,” Swartout said.
Faith connections
Lyda said the congregation considers the martial arts class an important outreach ministry. Not only does it bring men together for Bible study and physical fitness, it also brings them together to support a church ministry called Widow’s Walk.
Lyda said tae kwon do class participants gather on a regular basis to perform needed tasks for the women in the widows’ group. They also gather for other service projects including painting the church and serving at a pancake breakfast.
Lyda said women in the congregation wanted to learn tae kwon do, so he started an evening class for them. Now, men from the early morning class take turns teaching the women’s class, and the church is considering beginning classes for youths soon.
“Respect for one another, self control — there are a lot of connections to our faith here,” Lyda said.
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