History of the FOUNDER

Founder R. Tottingham, PhD began studying martial arts in 1963 under an off-duty marine sergeant. At that time Tottingham was a new US Marine waiting transportation to his first duty with the Third Reconnaissance Battalion in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In Hawaii, from late 1963 to February 1965, he studied in a Kung Fu style, spent a short time studying Aikido under a 5° master, and was introduced to Savate. In February 1965 he was transferred to Okinawa, Japan in route to combat action in Vietnam, now an infantry machinegunner with 4th Marines. While at Okinawa he was briefly introduced to Japanese stylists. Upon returning from Vietnam he spent a few months as a Military Policeman at Barstow, California where he further practiced martial arts.

In 1974, now living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he became an active student of Taekwondo for a short time. Then, for the next twelve years began merging various technique which slowly evolved into a personal style now called the Jehovah Way Defense Order.

The Jehovah Way Defense Order (formerly named “Kirisuto Shinsei Ji Ei Budo”) formed in earnest in 1980 when Dr. Tottingham was attending a meeting in the Chicago area. It was there that he met a student of Dr. Clement Riedner, founder of the Christian Black Belt Association and Soke of the Shiho Karano Ju-Jitsu system. After being totally intrigued by the concept of a Christian martial art, he began searching for Soke Riedner but was unable to locate him. After a couple of years Soke Riedner wrote Tottingham, having received his address. This began a relationship between them including attending many of Soke Riedner's clinics as a student.

Another strong influence was Dr. Kent Haralson (now Soke of the Seigi Bushido Ryu) who lived in Rochester, Minnesota, a four hour drive from Tottingham. The Gospel Karate Team was well known for their clinics and demonstrations. Tottingham and his students attended many of these clinics. Tottingham joined one Gospel Karate Team demonstration, and held other demonstrations in Canada, Mexico and in the Sioux Falls area.


During those years Tottingham's book "Christian Martial Arts" was published, and in 1991 he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Then in 1993 he was recommended to the the largest and most prestigious Grandmaster group in the world, the World Head of Family Sokeship Council for membership and was accepted.


Only after studying traditional martial arts for 30 years did Jehovah Way Defense come into existence. The Jehovah Way Defense is Order is the expansion of its Founder’s philosophy, spirituality and physical skills.