Metro Life Church and Julio Anta, a member of the church and owner of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense are hosting a Free back to school community service event “Middle School/High School Survival Workshop” in an effort to help kids survive an encounter with the school bully and negative peer pressure. The workshop is being held at Metro Life Church’s Infuse Youth Group, 10045 NW 19 St, Doral, on August 13, at 7 PM. This workshop will empower kids before they return to school by introducing them to mental and non-violent conflict resolution to defend against the school yard bully. The workshop will cover bullying, peer pressure, drugs, building self esteem, improving study habits through lectures, skits and self defense applications to empower the middle school/high school student. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released some disturbing information regarding teens in fear of violence at school on July 29, 2004. More than 10,000 public and private school students were interview in the CDC survey. The report states that teen’s fear of violence is up. The number of teens skipping school for fear of getting hurt has sky rocket over the past decade. It is believed that these students are skipping school due to a heighten sense of vulnerability due to the school shooting of the nineties, terrorist acts and violence in schools. Teen violence is on the rise. 44 % of rape victims are under 18. Most Middle School and High School kids go home after school to an empty household since most parents are still at work. The workshop will also cover home safety through awareness and reality based self defense. Anta believes that just like in the Renaissance era where music, the arts, inventions and innovations started in the church that the church should again become the innovators and teach life skills and self defense. Through the vision of the Anta’s and Metro Life Church of empowering kids this workshop came about. They believe that the church should not only meet the spiritual needs of the community but also the physical and psychological needs. Anta a Hung Gar Kung Fu Master (Chinese street fighting), Haganah F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand to hand Tactics) instructor, a retired Prison Guard at a maximum security prison, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Martial Arts for Peace Bully busters instructor will share his diverse experiences in this workshop. He has conducted numerous reality based street defense and crime prevention seminars throughout USA. Anta believes that all Christians should lead a peaceful life since the Bible tells us that those that live by the sword shall die by the sword. He also believes that Jesus wanted his disciple’s to protect themselves. In Luke 22: 36-38 He tells his disciples to buy swords to protect themselves the disciples answered. Lord we have two swords. If two swords were good enough for the 12 disciples than hand to hand combat should be good enough for Christians. Starting middle school is cultural shock to most 6 graders. Elementary school is in a control environment. Yet, in middle school the child is given so much liberty that is hard for them to handle it, the same can happen in high school. Some kids will bully and others will be bullied. This workshop will help a child acclimate to middle school/high school and make new friends. Anta says “Our goal is that upon completion of this workshop that students attending will be empowered to walk in peace. For more information or to set up a seminar for your church or organization call 305 599-3649 or log on to www.antakungfu.com.
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