Faith
Our strength begins with dependence on God.
Free monthly men's Christian Jiu-Jitsu • McKinney, Texas
Christian Jiu-Jitsu
in McKinney, Texas
Strong hands. Humble hearts.
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle.”
Psalm 144:1
The mats are honest. They expose ego, reward patience, and teach a man to stay calm under pressure. Train My Hands for War is a free monthly Christian Jiu-Jitsu Connect Group for men and sons 13+ in McKinney, Texas. We pray, learn, roll, and build brotherhood—so the strength gained on the mats becomes steadiness at home, courage in hardship, and service in the world.
Time until next gathering
--Days
--Hours
--Min
--Sec
Friday, November 27, 2026 • 6:30–8:00 PM • Check-in 6:15 PM
- Free to attend
- Beginners welcome
- Men + sons 13+
- Gi required
- Loaners by advance request
Launch event
The First Round
The First Round · Friday, November 27 · McKinney, Texas
Black Friday, open hands. Trade the line for the mats and spend ninety minutes learning to stay steady under pressure with men who will help you up.
Next session
Friday, November 27, 2026
6:30–8:00 PM • Check-in opens 6:15 PM
Time until next gathering
--Days
--Hours
--Min
--Sec
Friday, November 27, 2026 • 6:30–8:00 PM • Check-in 6:15 PM
Hosted at 3 Embers Grappling Academy
320 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 206
McKinney, TX 75069
Run of show
- 6:15–6:30Arrival, registration and waiver check, loaner gi, questions.
- 6:30–6:36Welcome, prayer, safety theme.
- 6:36–6:48Scalable movement preparation, ukemi, technical stand-up.
- 6:48–7:08Standing skill and controlled drilling.
- 7:08–7:33Ground position: escape, reversal, controlled attack.
- 7:33–7:50Beginner positional lane and experienced controlled-roll lane.
- 7:50–8:00Line-up, prayer requests, prayer out.
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
Why the name?
The name carries steel.
Psalm 144 is a prayer of readiness, dependence, and deliverance. The warrior does not praise his own strength; he praises the Lord, his Rock. The Psalm moves from trained hands to humble hearts and finally to families and communities flourishing in peace. That is our frame. We do not train because we are looking for a fight. We train to remain calm under pressure, govern our ego, protect others when necessary, and pursue peace whenever possible.
Ephesians 6:12 is our guardrail: our struggle is not against flesh and blood. People are not the enemy. Discipline makes strength trustworthy.
Why we train
Readiness with self-control.
We train because the world is not always safe, and because a man who can stay calm under pressure is a man who can serve, protect, and pursue peace. Psalm 144:1 says the Lord trains our hands for war and our fingers for battle — but the same Psalm calls Him our Rock and ends with flourishing families and cities at peace.
That is the tension we hold: capable hands, humble hearts. We do not train to dominate. We train so that strength becomes trustworthy — so that when a moment demands action, our response is measured, our ego is checked, and our neighbor is guarded rather than harmed.
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
The warrior does not praise his own strength. He praises the Lord, his Rock — and then bends his strength toward peace.
“We train because one day someone may try to take what is not theirs. We train so we have the skill to stop them — and the self-control to know when to stop.”
Choose Your Hard
Source: Pastor Keith Craft, Elevate Life Church, McKinney TX
Every man chooses a hard. The hard of discipline, training, and prayer today — or the hard of regret and weakness later. On the mats we learn to choose the first hard, on purpose, alongside brothers.
Public pillars
Faith. Fellowship. Fortitude.
Fellowship
No man trains, struggles, or grows alone.
Fortitude
We remain steady under pressure and do what is right.
Ninety minutes
How a gathering runs.
6:30–8:00 PM • Check-in opens 6:15 PM • 3 Embers Grappling Academy
Works with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook. Reminders included.
- Block 1
First 30 — Prepare
Welcome, prayer, safety theme, scalable warm-up, breakfalls, stance, and controlled standing skill.
- Block 2
Middle 30 — Learn
One ground position, two or three connected techniques, cooperative repetitions, and directed resistance.
- Block 3
Final 30 — Apply + Pray
Beginner positional rounds, experienced controlled rolling, line-up, prayer requests, and prayer out.
Brand photography for Train My Hands for War. Not a photograph of a specific session, organizer, or attendee.
First time
Come clean. Come coachable.
You do not need to be in shape, know the positions, or prove anything. We will show you how to stand, fall, move, tap, and train safely.
- Arrive by 6:15 p.m. for check-in and both waiver checks.
- Bring a clean gi, water, and sandals for off-mat areas.
- Wear a fitted rashguard or athletic shirt and compression shorts under the gi.
- Trim fingernails and toenails. Remove rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, and piercings that can catch.
- A mouthguard is strongly recommended for live rounds. Clean ear guards are optional.
- Loaner gis require advance request and are subject to size and availability.
- Do not train with fever, vomiting or diarrhea, an unexplained rash, ringworm, draining wounds, herpes-like lesions, or another suspected contagious condition.
Mat code
Discipline. Honor. Sacrifice.
- Leave ego at the door.
- Every round requires consent.
- Tap early. Release immediately.
- Protect your partner.
- Help your brother up.
Who leads
Lead instructor and organizers
Professor Justin Wood, a second degree black belt and Judo Shodan, is our Lead Instructor for every gathering. We publish names, photos, and credentials only after they are verified in writing.
Professor Justin Wood
Lead Instructor
Second degree black belt and Judo Shodan who leads instruction on the mat, directs the youth Jiu Jitsu and Judo programs at 3 Embers, and oversees youth safety.
Professor Justin Wood earned his black belt from Professor Alan Shebaro in 2019 and is currently ranked as a second degree black belt under Professor Alex Martins. He is also a Judo black belt (Shodan) under the guidance of Ken Scialo, Ken Patteson, and Russ Hogan. He serves as Jiu Jitsu Youth and Judo Program Director at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Beyond jiu jitsu he has coached karate, boxing, and judo, and holds a black belt in freestyle karate. He has trained extensively in kickboxing and MMA across more than 18 years in martial arts. Justin has a passion for working with kids. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor & Director at Citychurch McKinney, a Christian youth outreach serving local at-risk youth and families. As Lead Instructor for Train My Hands for War he leads the technical portion of each gathering and holds the safety standard for youth and beginners.
Felipe Soares
Organizer and host liaison
Purple belt, husband, and the organizer who coordinates the host academy, mat space, and the run of show each month.
Felipe started training BJJ in 2010 under Keiser Girao at Minotauro BJJ as a white belt. He received his blue belt under Michael Medley at RCJ Machado in The Colony in July 2017, and his purple belt from Allan Shebaro at Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base in September 2023. He currently trains at 3 Embers Grappling Academy in McKinney, TX under Michael Anderson, Justin Wood, Misty McMillan, and James Campbell. His wife, Jeralin Soares, is a blue belt. He serves with MightyMen at Elevate Life Church.
Eric Kelly
Organizer and check-in lead
Blue belt who trains with both of his sons and runs check-in, waiver verification, and partner pairing on the night.
Eric is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt under the Caveriniha Jiu Jitsu Family (CJJF). He trains alongside his two teenage sons, Gunner and Tucker, who are both active in BJJ competition. At Train My Hands for War he runs check-in, verifies signed waivers and the hygiene checklist, pairs newcomers with experienced partners, and keeps the session's safety standards enforced. He serves with MightyMen at Elevate Life Church.
Venue
Hosted at 3 Embers Grappling Academy
We gather on their mats with gratitude. We do not own or operate the academy, and every session follows their rules and etiquette. Logo use will appear only after written permission.
Visit the academy siteFellowship
Elevate Life Church Mighty Men
Built for men and sons who want brotherhood with substance. Train My Hands for War is a Connect Group with Elevate Life Church.
- Honor All
- Love Brotherhood
- Fear God
- Honor the King
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV)
Athlete resources
Help that exists beyond our mats.
Two organizations we think our visitors should know about: one funds Jiu-Jitsu training for combat veterans, the other runs free events and ministry inside the grappling community across Dallas–Fort Worth.
Important: no affiliation · no ownership · no involvement
We have no affiliation, ownership, partnership, sponsorship, or involvement with the organizations listed below, and they have no involvement with us. Nothing here is an endorsement — these are unbiased informational pointers for our visitors. Verify all details, eligibility, dates, and requirements directly with each organization.
We Defy Foundation
Jiu-Jitsu scholarships for combat veterans
Who it serves: Combat veterans with military-connected disabilities
We Defy Foundation is a nonprofit that provides combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities a long-term means to overcome their challenges through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Their scholarship program covers training at an approved academy, so an accepted veteran can train without paying tuition out of pocket.
What they do
- Athlete scholarships that fund Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for approved combat veterans.
- A nationwide network of approved training facilities, searchable on their site, so scholarship recipients can find a gym near them.
- Community, mentorship, and events built around veterans training together on the mats.
- Fundraising and ambassador programs for people who want to support the mission rather than receive a scholarship.
Scholarship windows, eligibility rules, and facility lists are theirs to set and change. We do not process, influence, or track applications, and we cannot answer questions about your application status.
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu
Ministry on the mats, with free events in Dallas–Fort Worth
Who it serves: Anyone in the grappling community, believer or not
Jesus and Jiu-Jitsu describes itself as missionaries to the mats: a ministry built to create community and fellowship around Jesus and world-class Jiu-Jitsu. They are based in North Texas and host free, high-level Jiu-Jitsu events, several of which land in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
What they do
- Free Jiu-Jitsu events and instructionals with high-level instructors, including dates around Dallas–Fort Worth.
- A growing national gym network for people looking for a training home with believers on the mats.
- An eight-week discipleship pathway study, released on a rolling schedule (subscription-based on their site).
- The Jesus & Jiu-Jitsu podcast, weekly devotionals, and a prayer-request team.
- Volunteer opportunities, sponsorships, and gear that funds the ministry.
Their events, statement of faith, teaching, pricing, and schedule are entirely their own. We do not organize, co-host, staff, or vet their events, and attending one is not part of our gathering.
Mighty Men
Every Saturday at 7 AM · Elevate Life Church
Who it serves: Men of any age or season who want discipleship and brotherhood
Mighty Men is the men's ministry of Elevate Life Church in Frisco, Texas. It is primarily focused on discipleship with an emphasis on fellowship, brotherhood, leadership, maturity, and biblical masculinity. Their key scripture is 1 Peter 2:17 — "Honor all people. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." Mighty Men meets every Saturday at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church, and men's groups meet immediately after the gathering. New men can join at any time.
What they do
- A weekly Mighty Men gathering every Saturday at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church in Frisco, Texas.
- Men's groups that meet right after the Saturday gathering, plus Bible studies, freedom groups, and connect groups.
- Mighty Men Path, a year-long discipleship program built around the Word, accountability, service, and stewardship (sign-ups open at the start of each year).
- The Ultimate Warrior Conference, an annual two-day challenge for men, with registration handled on their site.
- An interest form for men who are new and want someone to help them take the next step.
Mighty Men is run by Elevate Life Church, not by us, and attending it is separate from our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Confirm meeting times, locations, program dates, and any costs on their site.
Josh Thomas · The Lifted Mindset
Free Lifted Faith 5 AM Club · Every Saturday at 5 AM · Frisco, TX
Who it serves: Anyone who wants to train and pray before the sun is up — all fitness levels, all ages welcome with a parent
Josh Thomas is a personal trainer and coach behind The Lifted Mindset, a fitness and nutrition coaching practice in Frisco, Texas. His work pairs strength and conditioning with mindset and faith: training the body honestly while the man behind it grows up. Most importantly for our people, he hosts the Lifted Faith 5 AM Club every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco — completely free, open to anyone, and finished in time to drive over to Mighty Men at 7 AM. It is a full morning of brotherhood: sweat first, then the Word.
5 AM Club flyer
Lifted Faith 5 AM Club flyer — every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco, TX, free and open to anyone. Contact Josh before your first visit to confirm the meeting spot.
What they do
- Lifted Faith 5 AM Club: a completely free workout every Saturday at 5 AM in Frisco, Texas — no membership, no fee, nothing for sale.
- Timed so you can finish, clean up, and still make Mighty Men at 7 AM at Elevate Life Church in Frisco.
- Scalable group training — lifting, conditioning, and bodyweight work adjusted so first-timers and seasoned athletes work side by side.
- Faith woven through the session: encouragement, accountability, and prayer with the men who showed up.
- Paid one-on-one and online coaching through The Lifted Mindset for people who want individual programming and nutrition help.
- Daily training and mindset content on Josh's Instagram, including clips from the 5 AM Club itself.
Josh Thomas and The Lifted Mindset are independent of us. The 5 AM Club is his gathering, not ours, and it is separate from our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Confirm meeting time, location, and any coaching pricing with him directly. Training carries physical risk — clear new exercise with your physician.
Contact Josh Thomas to attendVisit theliftedmindset.com
Website: https://theliftedmindset.com/?utm_source=trainmyhandsforwar.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=athlete-resources&utm_content=josh-thomas-website
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The Impossible Life Podcast
A rally cry for men to remember who they are made to be
Who it serves: Men and women who want purpose, discipline, and faith off the mats
The Impossible Life is a podcast hosted by former Navy SEAL Garrett Unclebach and marketing leader Nick Surface. Their stated purpose is to unleash men and women to live fearless lives full of purpose as God made them to be. Episodes challenge listeners to rise above mediocrity through a Biblical lens, covering mindset, discipline, leadership, and the practical tools behind a courageous life — the same off-mat work that shows up in how a person trains.
What they do
- Weekly episodes on faith, discipline, mindset, leadership, and purpose, with 250+ episodes in the archive.
- Teaching drawn from a Biblical framework, aimed at men who want to lead their families and communities well.
- Conversations and interviews on hard training, recovery from failure, and building courage under pressure.
- Episodes organized by theme on their site — mindset, discipline, and tools and tactics — so you can start anywhere.
- Video versions on YouTube plus audio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so you can listen on the drive to the mats.
Where to listen
Their teaching, doctrine, guests, sponsors, and any paid offerings are entirely their own. We do not produce, review, or vet episodes, and listing the show is not an endorsement of every view expressed on it.
86Hours Water Fast
Prayer · fasting · surrender
Who it serves: Anyone willing to set aside food and seek God — believers and seekers alike
86Hours is a free, semi-annual guided Christian water fast and, like this Connect Group, a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience. The fast runs roughly 86 hours — starting after dinner Monday and ending Friday morning at breakfast — with daily 30-minute prayer Zooms, Scripture, day-by-day guidance, and group encouragement throughout. The next fast is January 4-8, 2027, beginning at 7:00 PM Central on January 4. There is no cost, no coaching, no program, and nothing for sale. The focus is not performance; the focus is surrender.
What they do
- A free semi-annual guided water fast: Monday after dinner through Friday morning breakfast (about 86 hours).
- Daily 30-minute prayer Zooms with encouragement and accountability, plus a gentle break-fast Friday morning.
- Day-by-day guidance, Scripture, and devotion for each stretch of the fast.
- Open signups and calendar reminders for every session — free, online, and open to all.
- Six stated reasons for fasting: seek God first, quiet the flesh, sharpen discernment, build discipline, reset body and mind, and pray in community.
86Hours is a separate Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not part of our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy, and this listing is informational only. Extended water fasting carries real health risk: consult a physician before fasting, and stop if you are unwell. Confirm current dates and details on 86hours.com.
Eagle Rock Rise
Fall down. Get up. Keep walking.
Who it serves: Men willing to prepare, endure, and rise — no experience level advertised
Eagle Rock Rise is a yearly men's wilderness ministry backpacking trip on the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. The 2026 trip runs November 10-12 from the Winding Stairs Trailhead: roughly 26.6-29.1 miles, about 3,986 feet of elevation gain, four serious climbs, river crossings, cold mornings, campfire Scripture, prayer, and brotherhood. It is free to attend, with no offering, nothing for sale, and no upsell — each man is responsible for his own gear, food, transportation, and preparation. Like this Connect Group, it is a Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, and Felipe Soares is the contact for the trip.
What they do
- A three-day, free backpacking trip on Eagle Rock Loop, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas (Nov 10-12, 2026).
- A published itinerary, trail safety notes, weather guidance, and a full packing list so you can prepare honestly.
- A real scout report and tracking video from Felipe's solo run of the route — pace, splits, elevation, and hike time.
- Wilderness comms planning: no cell service on the loop, with a satellite phone carried for emergencies.
- Campfire Scripture, prayer, and brotherhood for men who want to endure the trail and encounter the King.
Eagle Rock Rise is a separate Fall 7 Rise 8 Ministry Experience, not part of our monthly gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Backcountry travel carries real risk: distance, elevation, river crossings, weather, and no cell service. Confirm dates, requirements, and current trail conditions on their site and prepare accordingly.
The Armory
Gear for the men on our mats.
Rashguards, grappling shorts, shirts, hats, gi patches, and stickers carrying the taped-hand crest and Psalm 144:1. What we wear should remember what we stand for.
Participants only. Gear is for men and sons who train with us — there are no outside public sales.
- No outside public sales
- No shipping, no online delivery
- Pickup only, in person at a gathering
- 100% of net proceeds go to charitable giving
Gear is always optional. The gathering is free, and nothing you wear changes that.
How it works
- 1 · Train with us
Show up to a gathering at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. That is the only entry. - 2 · Give your size
Sizes are collected in person and ordered in small batches. - 3 · Pick it up on the mats
Handed off at a gathering. Nothing is shipped, ever.
FAQ
Questions we get every month
- What happens at the 6:30–8:00 p.m. gathering?
- We meet for a guided 90-minute session: welcome and prayer, a scalable warm-up and breakfalls, one standing skill and one ground position, then beginner positional work or experienced controlled rolling. We close with prayer requests and a prayer out. Arrive by 6:15 p.m. for check-in.
- How is the Mat code practiced?
- Our Mat code is lived, not just read. Leave ego at the door, protect your partner, tap early and release immediately, train in your assigned lane, and help your brother up. Every round requires consent and anyone may stop at any time. Read the full code on our Mat Code page.
- Is this an open mat?
- No. It is a guided 90-minute gathering with prayer, instruction, drilling, and controlled live work led by a qualified instructor.
- Do I need experience?
- No. Beginners get their own lane with positional work and coach-directed drilling.
- Does it cost anything?
- No. It is free to attend. This is a Connect Group, not a membership.
- Can my son train with me?
- Yes, sons 13 to 17 may train with a parent or legal guardian present, with both required releases completed by that guardian.
- Will I get a belt or stripe?
- No. We award no rank and we honor every member's home academy.
- Where do we meet?
- Hosted at 3 Embers Grappling Academy, 320 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 206, McKinney, TX 75069.
Meet me on the mats.
One Friday. Ninety minutes. One brotherhood growing one percent at a time.