Sensei Angel Casiano holds a Third Degree Black Belt by the Gospel Martial Arts Union, Second Degree Black Belt in Kick Boxing by The Christian Martial Arts Association. He also holds a First Degree Black Belt with The American Tae Kwon Do Association.
Mr. Casiano began his fighting experience on the streets; however, formally began his training as an Amateur Boxer during his teenage years in Yauco, Puerto Rico. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in July of 1991 after graduating with a Bachelors’ Degree in Sociology and a Minor in Education from The Inter-American University of San Germán, Puerto Rico. It was in Jacksonville where he began his Martial Arts career. Mr. Casiano studied with great Martial Arts instructors such as Master Anthony Arnett. With Sifu Arnett, Mr. Casiano was introduced to Wing Chun; a Martial Arts Style created by Master Arnett; and successfully represented The Cheung Style Wing Chun Academy. Mr. Casiano also briefly studied Shotokan with Master Bryan Porter and many other respectful instructors and lovers of the art.
During the summer of 1995, Angel Casiano, by the request of some of his Nephews and Nieces, started teaching Taekwondo to a group of fifteen children and teenagers. Most of these children were part of Angel's family. That was the beginning of Angel's teaching career in Martial Arts.
Angel had a spiritual encounter with his Creator that changed his life forever. Shortly after that, he retired from Martial Arts. In a night under the presence of the Spirit of God, Angel destroyed all of his trophies and photos and promised to serve One God; his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. For five years, Angel did not kick nor punch in any school or Tournament. During the winter of 1999, Angel received a phone call from one of his lovely Nieces, Karen Martinez. She wanted to lose some weight and feel better about herself. At that time, Angel did not have any desire to teach nor to exercise himself; however, his wife wanted to exercise also, so he obeyed! Three times a week in the Family Room of his home, Angel would teach. Later, some of Angel's sisters-in-law and friends joined the class. He began to see God touching people as he prayed for them and for the first time he saw that it was not such a bad idea to use Martial Arts for God's glory.
During the year of 2001, Angel was selected as the Young Adult's pastor at his church, "The Father's House International.” During one of his Bible Studies, Monique Bosque, the Senior Pastor's daughter, asked Angel to teach a Karate Class just for fun. The first class was scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2002; so the karate began. In May of 2002, Angel became a member and a Taekwondo Certified Instructor with The Christian Martial Arts Association under the leadership of Master Robert Graham. In August of 2002, Angel officially registered the name "Good Fight Ministries" and initiated the process to create a Non-profit Martial Arts organization.
In July 16, 2002 the ministry expanded its territory to The Carpenter Shop Church in Jacksonville, Florida. In January first of 2003, Mr. Casiano moved to his own ministry building at 1540-2 Monument Road. The Ministry grew to 115 students. During that time, Mr. Angel Casiano was actively involved in preaching, teaching and giving demonstrations in Churches, Florida State Prison Work Camp, Communities, Schools and Preschools.
The Florida Hall of Fame of Martial Arts selected Mr. Angel Casiano as one of Florida's Instructor's of the Year for the year 2003. Also, in May of 2004, Mr. Angel Casiano was inducted into the prestigious USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and received The Christian Spirit Award, given for the first time in history by this organization. Later, Mr. Casiano united his ministry with a local Christian Martial Arts school with Master James Pierce. They formed United Martial Arts, as it continues to stand today in Jacksonville, Florida. In July of 2004, Mr. Casiano answered the call to Pastor a bilingual church in Winton, North Carolina and had a short period of teaching at The Carpenter Shop church in Ahoskie, North Carolina.
In December of 2004, Mr. Casiano’s wife was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in December of 2005, just six months after accepting the call to be a pastor. That was the beginning of a great valley of suffering for Mr. Casiano, who later remarried and divorced. Through all those experiences, Mr. Casiano has learned profound life lessons.
Currently, Mr. Casiano teaches at The Gates County Community Center in Gates County, NC, at Vidant Wellness Center in Ahoskie, NC at New Vision Church in Murfreesboro, NC and at Ahoskie Christian School in Ahoskie, NC. Mr. Casiano combines Boxing, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Practical Self-Defense and some elements of Ground Fighting.
Mr. Casiano is first a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then a Martial Arts Instructor. With Mr. Casiano, you will experience a great Martial Arts Program, but also more than that, you will experience the manifested presence of God.
For more information on Sensei Angel Casiano please visit:
Facebook.com/gatescountymartialarts
http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=586814936&targetid=profile or visit his Blog at: angelcasiano.com
