The Gospel Martial Arts Union Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Professor Keith Yates has accepted the appointment of Chairman. Yates will be inducted as the 3rd Chairman of the Board at the Gospel Martial Arts Union National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, scheduled for October 23-24, 2009.
“After much consideration and prayer it is with great humility that I accept the invitation to become the next Chairman of the Gospel Martial Union. I have been involved with this dynamic ministry for almost fifteen years now, and I have always been impressed with the dedication and skill levels of every person I have met within the GMAU. But in an organization like this, physical skills mean little if they are not balanced by depth of character and, even more importantly, with a love for our Savior. The GMAU has been led by men and women of vision, and we will continue to build on that solid foundation as we seek to grow and serve as examples of Godly servant-leaders in the world of martial arts. This is certainly a community that needs salt and light. I hope and pray that you will join me in that endeavor. I want to add my appreciation and support for Dr. Kent Haralson for his continued example. Because of him and men like Dr. Ron Tottingham, we can make a difference for Christ.” –Keith D. Yates
BRIEF BIO & TESTIMONY
Keith D. Yates accepted Christ as his Savior in 1961 when he attended a Christian youth camp, Sky Ranch, in Texas at the age of ten. More than ten years later, Yates would return to Sky Ranch in 1972 as a youth counselor (already earning his 1st degree black belt) and
see for the first time how his martial arts and his devotion to Christ could dovetail into a unique ministry.
Yates’ formal martial arts training began in 1965 at the age of fourteen. Yates attended his first martial arts class with world champion Allen R. Steen. Yates went on to become the youngest student to attain black belt ranking with Steen when he earned 1st degree black belt in 1968 at seventeen during the “Blood & Guts” days of Texas Martial Arts. For more information on his extensive martial arts background, earned rank, and titles go to http://www.akato.org/about/.
Yates earned his baccalaureate degree at Southern Methodist University—where he would start the first karate for college-credit program in the Southwest in 1972. By 1983, Yates had earned a Masters in Biblical Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. His master’s thesis was on the spiritual aspects of the martial arts.
Yates competed as a black belt for a number of years in Texas and across the Southwest against some of the most famous fighters in the country. While he held his own in sparring contests he became known as one of the earliest kata (forms) champions. He won or placed in most of the early tournaments in the late sixties and early seventies in his part of the country. Yates’ expertise in kata led him to write the classic text “The Complete Book of Tae Kwon Do Forms.” This book, still in print to this day, has been used by thousands of tae kwon do martial artists.
Professor Yates has written ten additional books and authored close to four hundred magazine articles and columns in all the major martial arts publications. His latest book, which will be offered through Amazon as well as GMAU Publications, is designed as an explanation of biblical martial arts in layman terms. This book will serve as an important tool when engaging those who are well outside of the martial arts realm and unfamiliar with the lingo.
In the early 1990s Kent Haralson read one of Yates’ books, “Warrior Secrets,” and called him to discuss his philosophy of teaching and the integration of faith and the arts. Haralson invited Yates to a GMAU clinic in Florida in 1995. Soon thereafter, Yates began to attend and teach at GMAU events in Florida, Minnesota and Indiana.
In 2004, Yates was appointed to the GMAU Executive Council. Earlier this year, the GMAU Board of Directors invited Yates to serve as a governing director on the Board.
Yates serves on the advisory board of Chuck Norris’ Kick-Start Foundation. Specific goals of the Kick-Start Program are to encourage students to resolve conflict productively, avoid participating in gangs, choose drug-free lifestyles, and remain in high school until they graduate.
Yates also serves on the board of the American Karate Black Belt Association-Chin Sook Hage Kwan and is the founder and president of the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization (AKATO).
Professor Yates has worked at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) for more than 30 years where he serves the Lord as Director of Creative Services and Publications. Yates also serves as an adjunct professor in the Pastoral Ministries Department where he teaches Graphic Design and Communication Studies courses.
Keith and his wife Linda, a special education teacher, are the parents of four grown children and six grandchildren.
