In the corner of a shopping center at Columbia and Belair roads, between a tanning salon on the left and a day spa on the right, the Seigler family created its ministry. Not everyone who comes here knows that.

Seigler's Karate Center in Martinez is just that -- a karate center. Eight times a day, every day but Sunday, 275 students train with the Seiglers. They practice American Tetsu Shin Ryu martial arts, a system created by Tommy Seigler when he moved to Augusta and started his first martial arts school in the 1980s.

He has called himself a born-again Christian nearly as long.

"I can't do anything without God now," Mr. Seigler said.

Karate included.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." -- 2 Corinthians 10:4

Jennifer Seigler Waters, the center's karate instructor for children, a newlywed and a Christian for most of her 20 years, passes under a wooden cross on her way to a back corner office.

"My dad started martial arts when he was 13. My mom says she knew if she was going to be with him she'd have to get involved," Mrs. Seigler Waters said as she took a seat below framed Bible verses on the wall.

She was 2 years old when her parents began to teach her martial arts.

All three now have black belts, although they're of varying degrees, and all three work at the center. Mr. Seigler is head instructor, while his wife, Rebecca, manages the office.

Their days are long; the last class ends at 9:30 p.m.

"It's hard," Mrs. Seigler Waters said. "But we get use to it."

Having her family here helps.

"It's a different experience to be co-workers and family all at once. I couldn't imagine dealing with all the stress without them. The one thing that keeps us together is our Lord Jesus Christ."

"For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." -- 1 Timothy 4:8

Many of the Seiglers' students are Christians, but then again, Mr. Seigler says, "some couldn't need Jesus more."

He doesn't preach to students or pray in class, but the family's faith is still evident, Mrs. Seigler Waters said. "It's in our interactions. It's in our lifestyles."

She'll often say a quick silent prayer for students when she notices a struggle, or on occasion, invite students and their parents into the office to talk.

"Kids come in with a chip on their shoulder, talking back and letting words slip," Mr. Seigler said. "If they're having a hard time at home or school, we want to give them help."

Martial arts, he said, is often ruled by an "I'm the baddest" mentality.

"Someone is always getting hurt, always getting beaten down," he said. "They're not encouraged. That's not what I wanted. I wanted something different."

Mr. Seigler wanted a ministry.

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.