Swords and ministry? Local park outreach has students buzzing

By Steven Barrera, Staff Writer

If you are looking for something fun to do on a Saturday mornings, Sword of the Christian Ministries has the perfect thing for you. 

Sword of the Christian Ministries teaches the team martial art of Evach Lahak, which started in the 1980’s in southern California. Lahak focuses as much on teamwork and tactics as individual abilities. All meetings are free, and equipment is provided. 

On a typical Saturday, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. at Bouquet Canyon Park and ends around 1:30 p.m. A typical match consists of teams battling each other until all of one team’s players are eliminated. There are other types of games as well, where teams agree on specific objectives that must be met to win. 

Towards the middle of the session there is a break for Bible study and prayer. 

 From a martial arts aspect, Lahak’s approach it is not a kendo or fencing group, nor is it a LARP or medieval reenactment group. Although it shares some things in common with these other arts or groups; it is unique. 

With Sword of the Spirit Christian Ministries,       Lahak has created an opportunity for outreach and fellowship for a number of reasons. At Sword of the Spirit Christian Ministries, participants believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. For individuals who do not know God, it is an opportunity to learn about God and interact with a Christian community.  

Another reason for the ministry is that with the teamwork required to play it gives all participants a better chance to interact and develop interpersonal relationships. The team aspect also allows new members to join and contribute almost immediately. 

Jeremy Meagher, who founded the organization, began his practice in the arts in the mid 90’s. In 2011, a few people from the group he was a part of broke off and started their own group in Santa Clarita as a ministry activity. That group lasted five years and ended in 2016. Later that year, Meagher started the current ministry activity. 

There are also groups in Spokane, Wash. and Atlanta, Ga. Anyone interested in more information can go to their website http://www.sotscm.org or on Facebook and Instagram at sotscm.

Steven Barrera can be reached at barreralopezsa@masters.edu