T.J. Gentry

Professor Gentry is a southern Illinois native who began training in martial arts in 1984. He holds Hachidan ranking in Renzoku Ju Jitsu, Godan ranking in Budoshin Ju Jitsu, 5th Degree Black Sash ranking in Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu, Sandan ranking in Kan Shu Kenpo, Shodan ranking in Hakutsuru White Crane Karate, Shodan ranking in Taiki Ryu Judo, and 1st Degree Black Belt ranking in ATA Taekwondo. T. J. is the founding instructor of the sanctioned arts of Shinshi Ryu Ju Jitsu (named Soke in 2001) and Zhan Shi Kung Fu (named Sijo in 2005), and is a certified Tai Chi and Quigong instructor. He is a retired Army Chaplain and has been in pastoral ministry for over three decades. In addition to his work as a pastor, he also teaches as an adjunct professor at Carolina University's Piedmont Divinity School.