One of Batesville’s hidden gems can be found after hours at The Grace Place on Petit Street.
Although Team Chapman Karate school boasts award winning students and elite- level
instructors, its primary focus is to build a stronger community.
Rev. Don Chapman, Sr., is a Batesville native who returned home after 40 years of living and
raising a family in Milwaukee. While in Milwaukee, he and his sons all became black belts in
Kempo-Goju, a Japanese style martial art founded by Charles Warren in the 1970s.
Kempo-Goju takes a holistic approach to instruction, training both the mind and the body.
Kempo-Goju is dynamic because of the way it is taught; it is taught in the Japanese style with
military discipline and focus on training as a unit.
Special attention to detail such as perfecting techniques, punctuality, and clean and crisp
uniforms create an atmosphere of personal discipline and self-control.
Team Chapman’s program began in Mr. Chapman’s church basement in Milwaukee, where he
mentored young people who needed support. He was able to find connection with them through
physical training, and as the program grew, it became a fully-fledged karate school.
Chapman originally returned to Batesville to plant a church, but feels that God also sent him on
assignment to work with children again. Through his work with The Grace Place and Team
Chapman, he spends most of his day with young people. Fortunately, Team Chapman has an
extraordinary support system through Mr. Chapman’s family. His sons C.J., Tarance, and
Donnell, Jr., are all black belt instructors who have helped him start and run this branch of the
karate school in Batesville.
The mission of Team Chapman’s Karate program is to train leaders and be a positive influence
in the community. Chapman believes the program helps make our community safe by providing
positive role models to children and giving children structure. He believes in the power of
change that Christian influence in teachers and community leaders can provide, and that
mentoring through a well-structured karate program is an ideal way to model those principles.
In his long teaching experience, Chapman has found that many children find great benefit from
being part of a group or team outside of the family structure.

“In these challenging times, children are often left without structure or a good foundation in self-
discipline. The karate program is a good way to help the children to raise their self-esteem, raise

self-awareness, learn sportsmanship, practice integrity and build character. The program
enhances work ethic, physical fitness and self-defense, while giving them the opportunity to be
part of something positive.”
His long-term goal is to leave a legacy. “I’ve been around a long time through the grace of God,
and He’s blessed me to see what this program is capable of doing.” The program has produced
positive community role models for decades.
He believes that this influence applies to Batesville as well, saying, “This program supports the
community by producing positive role models. When our community members live out the type
of training taught at Team Chapman, it makes our community safer, more friendly, and a better
place to live and work. Our students improve in school as well as in life.”
Team Chapman Karate School currently has a few openings. The classes are primarily for
children, but are open to all ages. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings and first and
third Saturday mornings.
The Team Chapman Open Karate Tournament will be held at the First Baptist Church Family
Life Center on April 19. All are welcome.