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Mondays | 16 -Adults - 6:00-7:17 PM
Mondays | 16 & 17 yr olds - 6:00-7:17 PM
Thursdays | Age 8-11 - 5:30-6:15 PM
Thursday | Ages 12-15 - 6:30 - 7:15 PM
Thursdays | Age 8-11 - 5:30-6:15 PM
Thursday | Ages 12-15 - 6:30 - 7:15 PM
Iron Sharpens Iron Martial Arts
Martial Arts Ministry School in Lebanon, PA at Calvary Chapel Lebanon | 740 Willow St. Lebanon, PA 17046
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Eph. 3:20) This was the verse that the Lord placed in front of Mandy Leigey as she sat in a changing room of a martial arts studio as she asked the Lord to do whatever He willed with her martial arts journey.
Matthew Derr has been practicing martial arts since he was a child. He’s been an instructor since he was a teen. Matt currently holds the rank of a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. As an outreach to the community Matt provided demonstrations to local schools and other group organizations that taught children the proper ways to handle bully situations. Matt has helped many students reach their goals. He recognizes that each beginner has their individual needs and he provides the support that is required for every student to succeed. Matt loves helping others realize their talent and then equipping them to action. Matt loves using his passion and experience in the martial arts along with his growth in Christ to help build the Kingdom of God.
Mandy Leigey has been practicing martial arts on and off since 1994. She has been consistently practicing since 2016, and instructing since 2021. She currently holds a 3rd degree black belt. She has a background in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. God has given Mandy a passion for loving others and for the martial arts. She feels called to bring that to the church and beyond to love others and point them to Christ and their relationship with Him on and off the mat.
God forged a connection with Matt and his family to Mandy and her family when the Leigey family became Matt’s students in 2016. God used Matt to help the Leigey family grow in the martial arts, and God also used the Leigey family to help Matt grow in his relationship with Christ. This is where the Lord did more than the Derrs and Leigeys could “immeasurably ask for or imagine” - and thus the dream of Iron Sharpens Iron Martial Arts came to fruition.
Matthew Derr has been practicing martial arts since he was a child. He’s been an instructor since he was a teen. Matt currently holds the rank of a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. As an outreach to the community Matt provided demonstrations to local schools and other group organizations that taught children the proper ways to handle bully situations. Matt has helped many students reach their goals. He recognizes that each beginner has their individual needs and he provides the support that is required for every student to succeed. Matt loves helping others realize their talent and then equipping them to action. Matt loves using his passion and experience in the martial arts along with his growth in Christ to help build the Kingdom of God.
Mandy Leigey has been practicing martial arts on and off since 1994. She has been consistently practicing since 2016, and instructing since 2021. She currently holds a 3rd degree black belt. She has a background in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. God has given Mandy a passion for loving others and for the martial arts. She feels called to bring that to the church and beyond to love others and point them to Christ and their relationship with Him on and off the mat.
God forged a connection with Matt and his family to Mandy and her family when the Leigey family became Matt’s students in 2016. God used Matt to help the Leigey family grow in the martial arts, and God also used the Leigey family to help Matt grow in his relationship with Christ. This is where the Lord did more than the Derrs and Leigeys could “immeasurably ask for or imagine” - and thus the dream of Iron Sharpens Iron Martial Arts came to fruition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q - What style of martial arts is this?
A - A blend of both Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do. They are sister martial arts out of South Korea.
Q - Do I need to be physically fit or are there physical requirements?
A - No! If you have limited physical abilities, we will be able to adapt to your needs.
Q - What is the cost for this?
A- The price of T-shirt, uniform pants, and belts. This could be $25-35 depending on current market pricing. Continued cost would be for the cost of your next belt and any boards you break for your test. This could be $10-15 depending on market pricing. *If you wish to donate to this ministry - you are certainly welcome to do so!
Q - What if I can't afford the cost to participate?
A - Do not let this deter you from coming! Just let us know that you cannot cover the cost for yourself/family members. We can work around that.
Q - Is there a rank advancement and how does it work?
A - Yes! Based on your instructors' evaluations of your growth, there will be regular rank advancement tests. Your rank will start at white belt and will continue through multiple levels of black belt pending your desire to continue your martial arts journey.
Q - Hot often do I need to come to class? Are classes mandatory?
A - Classes are NOT mandatory but strongly encouraged if you have desire to rank advance. The more classes you take, the more training you receive. Multiple classes are encouraged to receive the most out of your training.
Q - Martial arts tend to aim toward New Age and Eastern philosophical principles - will you be teaching that?
A - No! You will simply be taught martial arts techniques and self defence. Along the way, you may pick up Korean words and phrases but that is simply some of the language used for techniques and numbers.
Q - How can martial arts be a ministry to its students/community?
A - Provers 27:17 proclaims: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another". This simple statement has been a calling for all these years to understand that no one is alone. That in order to make yourself better, there is a mutual benefit making others better through mentorship, followership, and leading.
A - A blend of both Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do. They are sister martial arts out of South Korea.
Q - Do I need to be physically fit or are there physical requirements?
A - No! If you have limited physical abilities, we will be able to adapt to your needs.
Q - What is the cost for this?
A- The price of T-shirt, uniform pants, and belts. This could be $25-35 depending on current market pricing. Continued cost would be for the cost of your next belt and any boards you break for your test. This could be $10-15 depending on market pricing. *If you wish to donate to this ministry - you are certainly welcome to do so!
Q - What if I can't afford the cost to participate?
A - Do not let this deter you from coming! Just let us know that you cannot cover the cost for yourself/family members. We can work around that.
Q - Is there a rank advancement and how does it work?
A - Yes! Based on your instructors' evaluations of your growth, there will be regular rank advancement tests. Your rank will start at white belt and will continue through multiple levels of black belt pending your desire to continue your martial arts journey.
Q - Hot often do I need to come to class? Are classes mandatory?
A - Classes are NOT mandatory but strongly encouraged if you have desire to rank advance. The more classes you take, the more training you receive. Multiple classes are encouraged to receive the most out of your training.
Q - Martial arts tend to aim toward New Age and Eastern philosophical principles - will you be teaching that?
A - No! You will simply be taught martial arts techniques and self defence. Along the way, you may pick up Korean words and phrases but that is simply some of the language used for techniques and numbers.
Q - How can martial arts be a ministry to its students/community?
A - Provers 27:17 proclaims: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another". This simple statement has been a calling for all these years to understand that no one is alone. That in order to make yourself better, there is a mutual benefit making others better through mentorship, followership, and leading.