Testimonial

By Master Bernie J. Fritts

I began the martial arts due to my school life.  During my pre-high and high school years, I was the victim of bullies on more than one occasion. Getting revenge became my number one priority.  I planned to learn martial arts, then find the people that bullied me and show them how it felt to be bullied.

After enrolling in the martial arts, I quickly learned that it was not about fighting or revenge, but about controlling your anger and yourself. After I had this revelation, I had a change of heart. It became my passion to teach children to defend themselves so what happened to me would not happen to them.  I had a dream and nothing was going to stand in my way.

I love doing demonstrations and it became my secondary passion. When I performed, I felt alive like I had never felt before.  I went to every single demonstration practice and performance that I could.  I wanted to show people that they did not have to be afraid of bullies.  I did not look like the martial artists on TV, I looked like an average person who was able to kick and punch in a way that they thought only Superman could do.   

When I was a red belt, the unthinkable happened.  I was doing a demonstration at a local community civic center.  We had about eight demos to do that day.  On the second or third demonstration, I was doing a jump roll over about 7 people.  I was on fire that day and cleared enough for 9 people.  Jumping so far brought me to the edge of the mat and when I came up, I had some extra momentum, so I added a small hop to keep from falling.  Unknown to me, someone had just spilled a Coke on the floor.  My left foot hit the spot and my ankle shattered on the gym floor. My dream was over.

I come from an incredible family.  My parents (Herb and Shirley Fritts) are still married and love each other very much.  My grandparents (Joe and Cora Cooper) helped raise me and taught me right from wrong. I always live by my Grandmothers words,  "Love everyone no matter what they have done to you."  The only time I really disagreed and went against their wishes is when they told me to quit Taekwondo after my accident. However I didn't listen to them.

I went to the doctor, and I was referred to a specialist.  I was told that if there had been any further damage, they would have had to operate.  I was very lucky.  The doctor also said that my martial arts career was over.  Can you imagine? My dream was over and there was nothing I could do about it.

I was raised in the church but I fell away.  I didn't know until years later when I heard someone say, "The Devil speaks to your head.  God speaks to your heart", that I finally understood what happened.   You see, I was going to quit martial arts.  One night, I was lying in bed feeling sorry for myself, wearing this Robocop looking cast on my leg, when something amazing happened.  I cannot really describe it, but I had this lifting feeling in my heart and in it grew a determination not to quit.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP!  I yelled into the dark.  Luckily at the time, I was living alone or I would have scared everyone to death.  I decided that night, that no matter how hard it was, I would not quit.  I would not give in to the voice in my head.  I would follow my heart.

For six months I wore that cast to class and worked on what I could.  My blocking and hand techniques improved considerably.  People thought I was insane, but I just said "I have a dream and I will not quit."

Many years later, I owned my own school and was in search of an instructor.  I was once again down and wanting to give up but still following my heart.  I got a phone call one afternoon that would change my life forever.

This man on the other end of the phone identified himself as Grandmaster Edward B. Sell, a 9th Dan Black Belt and ordained minister.  He was headed to a prison in the area and wanted to put together a team to go with him.  He told me that he was in an issue of the Taekwondo Times about a year before and I might have seen him there.  Now normally I like to read magazines once or twice and then throw them away, but the funny thing was I still had this magazine after a year.  I had thrown away all other issues I got but for some reason this one remained.

I met Grandmaster Sell and we went to the demonstration at the prison. During his testimony I heard him say "The Devil speaks to your head.  God speaks to your heart."  Things started falling into place.   I got to know him and his wife Grandmaster Brenda while in prison. Afterwards, we went to a local Pizza Hut and talked for awhile.  I had found my instructors.   

I began going to Sell Team demonstrations with them and went to Korea for an incredible ministry trip.  The first day we were there, Grandmaster Brenda took me off to the side and I recommitted myself to the Lord.  At that exact second, I understood why I did not quit when I busted my ankle.

The Lord had a plan for me even though I did not know it.  I have become a permanent member of the Sell Team ministry and even moved to Lakeland, Florida in order to work more with the ministry.  The Lord has provided for me in more ways than I can imagine.  

Today, I am an internationally certified Master in Taekwondo.  I hold the rank of 5th Dan Black Belt and teach at the Sell Team National Headquarters.  If I had given up at red belt, none of these things would ever had happened.

If you ever have a time when you are at the end of your rope or just want to give up on your dream.  Turn to the Lord and don't give up, for no dream is unattainable.

God Bless

Master Bernie J. Fritts

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.