Sensei Carl A. Matthews is the head instructor and founder of the Faith Fighters Martial Arts Academy, one of the few Christian Karate school in the Maryland area. He is a 20 year veteran of the Army/National Guard and is also a retired police officer of 21 years.
Professor Matthews has been a student of the martial arts for 40 years. He began his training at the age of 11, in Baltimore, MD, under the direction of Mr. Paul A. Books (Shogun Karate Club). At age 17, he began training in the Karate Style of Moo Kwon Do (under Sensei Gerald Jackson) at the Warlords Academy of Martial Arts in Baltimore, Maryland. After receiving his black belt in 1983, he opened his first Karate School at the Calverton Recreation Center.
In 1984, one year later, at the age of 20 he entered the United States Army. While stationed in Giessen Germany he met, and began training with, the late Master Ronald Parks and the late Shihan David Bauzo at N.A.T.O Force Karate School. During the course of that tour in Germany, he became the assistant instructor and received a 2nd Degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
After returning to the United States he resumed his role as a Moo Kwon Do instructor at the Warlord’s Karate School where he eventually attained a 7th Degree black belt. During that time, he became an officer for the Morgan State University Police Department. A few years later, he moved on to become an officer (and firearms instructor) in the Maryland Natural Resources Police Department.
In 2004 he received a 1st Degree black belt in the martial arts style of Chidokwan under the direction of Masters Billy and James Booker of Booker’s Martial Arts. One year later, in 2005, he began training in the martial arts style of Sho Ko Jitsu (founded by the late Professor Chris Miller), which encompasses a blend of Karate, Judo, and Jujitsu. He attained his black belt in Sho Ko Jitsu in 2011.
Over the course of 40 years, Professor Matthews has trained countless students in over 10 martial arts schools in the United States and abroad.
Over the course of 40 years, Professor Matthews has trained countless students in over 10 martial arts schools in the United States and abroad. He believes that Martial Arts is not just hobby but a way of life, and his passion for teaching comes from his deep belief that building strong moral and spiritual character enables a person to better deal with life’s challenges. His Martial Arts school, his “Ten-Do” art, and his principles are all the result of his vision from God and he continues to teach with the Spirit of Christ as his foundation.
