About Us

Disciples Edge Karate's goal in teaching your child is three-fold:

1st – Teach your child karate. Karate will help your child become STRONGER and more COURAGEOUS. We believe for our children to be more successful in life they need to be strong and courageous. My favorite memory verse is Joshua 1:9.

2nd – Karate will challenge your child physically. We believe that we need to be actively engaging our children in EXCITING EXERCISE. The benefits of exercise are huge. Today it is very easy to live a life without much exercise, and that is not healthy for children or adults!

3rd – To actively impress LIFE SKILLS on our students! A few of the life skills we discuss on a regular basis are RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, CONFIDENCE & FOCUS. 

It is important to engage the students in discussions and actions that promote the understanding and use of life skills that the students will use in all aspects of their life.

Jeff Rupp - 5th degree Black Belt in karate, green belt in Judo, Level 3 Krav Maga instructor, and a certified Cobra Self Defense instructor.  Jeff has been a student of Toushi Kan Martial Arts for over 25 years and he continues to train with Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto (Kancho).  

Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto is the founder of the Toushi Kan M.A. Institute a 9th degree Black Belt in Karate and holding belts in 4 other styles (TKD, Judo, Hapkido and Iaido).

Shihan Jeff is active in the Christian faith and believes strongly that your faith is something that is part of everything you do.  As such, Disciples Edge Karate incorporates discussions of Christian beliefs and principles.

Shihan Jeff believes Martial Arts is a lifestyle and a wonderful family activity, as such his entire family have achieved black belts and believe their life is to be lived as a Kingdom Family.  

The Toushi Kan system of Karate Do is a unique blend of Japanese and Korean styles of techniques, including karate, taekwondo, judo, and hapkido.  The institute was founded by Grand Master Shigeki Umemoto (Kancho - means Head of School), who has studied martial arts for over 6 decades and began his Institute over 5 decades ago.  His objective for the Toushi Kan Institute is development of strong character, accomplished through the nurturing of a positive attitude, improved physical fitness and health, self discipline, increased self confidence, good will, and the gradual perfection of each person's unique character and personality.