Watch Fight Church

Fight Church is a documentary that explores an unusual and controversial form of Christian ministry in America: the promotion of martial arts and fighting as a way to spread the Gospel and help people find faith. The movie follows several pastors and fighters who are involved in this movement, including Pastor Paul Burress, a former professional fighter and founder of the New York-based Victory Church, Pastor John Renken, a passionate MMA enthusiast who runs the Razor's Edge MMA gym in Iowa, and Nahshon Nicks, a young fighter who is trying to reconcile his Christian values with his love for combat sports.

The film begins by introducing the viewer to the world of Christian fight clubs, where men and women of all ages and backgrounds gather to train in various martial arts disciplines, from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to boxing, kickboxing, and MMA. We see the pastors leading the classes and preaching the Gospel, using physical training and sparring as metaphors for spiritual growth and character development. We hear testimonies from the fighters, many of whom have found a sense of purpose and community through their training, and we witness some of the intense and often violent battles that take place in amateur and pro fighting tournaments.

As the movie progresses, however, we also see the potential conflicts and contradictions inherent in this fusion of religion and combat. We hear criticisms from skeptics and opponents who argue that martial arts have nothing to do with Christianity, and that promoting violence as a means of evangelism is misguided and dangerous. We also witness some of the moral dilemmas faced by the pastors and fighters, such as the tension between forgiveness and revenge, the temptation to use violence for personal gain, and the question of whether fighting can ever be truly "loving thy neighbor" as Jesus commanded.

Throughout the film, we get to know the main characters and their personal stories, as well as their perspectives on the relationship between faith and fighting. Pastor Paul Burress, for instance, is a charismatic and controversial figure who has faced a lot of criticism for his unconventional approach to ministry. He sees fighting as a way to reach out to people who might not be interested in church, and to teach them respect, discipline, and faith through physical training. As a former drug addict and criminal, he believes that his own experience of redemption can inspire others to find God as well.

Pastor John Renken, in contrast, is a more reserved and scholarly pastor who sees MMA as a way to honor God and his creation, by testing the limits of the human body and spirit. He believes that the discipline and sacrifice required by fighting can help us understand the nature of sin and salvation, and that the physical pain of training can be an opportunity to offer it up to God. He also recognizes the risks and downsides of the sport, such as the potential for injury, addiction, and idolatry, and tries to balance his passion with his responsibility as a pastor.

Nahshon Nicks, on the other hand, is a young fighter who is struggling to reconcile his Christian values with the violent nature of his sport. He feels torn between his love for MMA and his desire to honor God, and wonders if he can still be a good Christian while punching and choking his opponents. He also faces personal challenges, such as a difficult relationship with his father and a knee injury that threatens to end his career. Through his story, we see the human side of the fight church movement, and the complex and sometimes conflicting motivations that drive its members.

Overall, Fight Church is a thought-provoking and engaging documentary that sheds light on a little-known aspect of American Christianity. It raises important questions about the relationship between faith and violence, the role of physical training in spiritual growth, and the limits and possibilities of ministry in a secular age. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, a fan or a critic of martial arts, the movie offers a unique and challenging perspective on the intersection of two seemingly incompatible worlds.

Fight Church is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.