Jeff Durbin Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Ministry, Martial Arts Career and Net Worth

Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Bakare Sherifdeen

Introduction

Jeff Durbin is an American pastor, Christian apologist, evangelist, and former world champion martial artist. He is best known as the planting pastor of Apologia Church in Arizona and the founder of Apologia Studios, a Christian media ministry that produces programmes on biblical teaching, evangelism, theology, and contemporary issues.

Durbin’s journey to pastoral ministry was far from conventional. He began martial arts training as a young child, competed at national and international levels, operated martial arts schools, and performed in entertainment productions associated with Mortal Kombat and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, his life changed after he experienced drug and alcohol addiction and began seriously exploring Christianity.

Following his conversion, Durbin devoted increasing attention to evangelism, biblical study, and Christian ministry. In 2010, he planted Apologia Church, which later developed a broader public presence through online programmes, public debates, and outreach initiatives. He also leads End Abortion Now, a Christian organisation that campaigns against abortion.

Today, Durbin is recognised for his direct approach to Christian apologetics, his public discussions with atheists and people from other religious traditions, and his emphasis on applying biblical convictions to contemporary life. His personal testimony, martial arts background, and media work have made him a distinctive figure in American evangelical Christianity.

This biography examines Jeff Durbin’s early life, Christian conversion, wife and children, martial arts achievements, pastoral career, books and media work, ministry activities, and net worth.

Key Takeaways

• Jeff Durbin is the planting pastor and lead-teaching elder of Apologia Church in Arizona.
• He began practising martial arts at four years old and went on to achieve national and international competitive success.
• Before entering vocational ministry, he operated martial arts schools and worked in entertainment and stunt performance.
• His conversion to Christianity followed a period of substance abuse and personal difficulties.
• He earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Whitefield Theological Seminary.
• He established Apologia Church in February 2010 and developed a wider teaching platform through Apologia Studios.
• He leads End Abortion Now, a Christian ministry focused on opposing abortion.
• He is married to Candi Durbin, and they have seven children.
• His personal net worth has not been established through reliable public financial information.

At a Glance

Jeff Durbin’s life combines competitive martial arts, entertainment, personal transformation, theological education, and Christian leadership. His public ministry focuses on defending Christian beliefs, evangelism, biblical teaching, and social issues viewed through his theological convictions.

His story is particularly notable because he did not initially plan to become a full-time pastor. After experiencing addiction and a major change in his religious beliefs, he began devoting more of his time to evangelism and ministry before eventually leaving a successful martial arts business to pursue pastoral work.

Quick Facts

Quick Facts	Details
Full Name	Jeff Durbin
Profession	Pastor, Christian apologist, evangelist, speaker, and former martial artist
Nationality	American
Year of Birth	1978
Age	47 or 48 years (2026), depending on birthday
Wife	Candi Durbin
Children	Seven
Church	Apologia Church
Position	Planting Pastor and Lead-Teaching Elder
Ministry Founded	Apologia Church, 2010
Theological Education	Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry, Whitefield Theological Seminary
Media Ministry	Apologia Studios
Other Ministry	End Abortion Now
Martial Arts	Five black belts; national and international championship titles
Known For	Christian apologetics, evangelism, martial arts, and public debates

Jeff Durbin’s Early Life and Family Background

Jeff Durbin was born in 1978 and spent parts of his childhood living in different countries because his father served in the United States Air Force. His early years included time in the Netherlands and Japan before his family returned to the United States.

Durbin was not raised in a Christian household. In his personal testimonies, he has explained that Christianity was not a central part of his upbringing and that his early understanding of Jesus and the Bible was limited.

His childhood, however, was strongly influenced by martial arts. He became fascinated with martial arts films and began training in judo at four years old. When his family moved to Japan, he continued developing his skills and studied different martial arts systems.

Living in Japan provided opportunities for intensive training. Durbin has recalled spending much of his time outside school practising martial arts, and this early dedication eventually shaped his education, professional interests, and competitive career.

Although his early life was centred on martial arts rather than church activities, his experiences would later become part of the testimony he shared after becoming a Christian.

Jeff Durbin’s Education and Martial Arts Training

Durbin’s early training in martial arts developed into a serious competitive pursuit during his teenage years. After returning to the United States, he trained under respected martial arts instructors and began competing in tournaments around the country.

His training involved regular practice, physical conditioning, technical development, and frequent travel for competitions. He has described martial arts as the main focus of his life throughout much of his adolescence.

Durbin eventually opened a martial arts school while he was still young. The business became successful, allowing him to teach students and continue working in a field in which he had considerable experience.

His later theological education took a different direction. After becoming a Christian, he began studying the Bible more seriously and preparing for ministry. He eventually earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Whitefield Theological Seminary.

This combination of practical business experience and theological study helped prepare him for the responsibilities of leading a church and developing a Christian teaching ministry.

Jeff Durbin’s Martial Arts Career and Championships

Before becoming widely known as a pastor, Durbin established himself as a competitive martial artist. His official ministry biography describes him as a world champion with five black belts.

He competed in tournaments associated with organisations including the North American Sport Karate Association, the National Blackbelt League, and the International Martial Arts Council. His achievements included national, international, and world championship titles, as well as Grand Champion awards.

Durbin has also discussed qualifying for and participating in the Junior Olympics, where he earned medals. His martial arts career required years of intensive training and frequent travel to competitions.

His experience was not limited to competing. He operated martial arts schools and trained thousands of students over the course of his career. Teaching martial arts required him to explain techniques, develop students’ abilities, and manage a business.

Although his later work became focused on Christian ministry, martial arts remains a defining part of his biography. It was the professional field in which he first developed his reputation, built a business, and gained opportunities in entertainment.

Jeff Durbin’s Entertainment Career

Durbin’s competitive martial arts background opened doors to work in live entertainment, stunt performance, and action productions.

One of his best-known roles was Johnny Cage in the live world-tour production of Mortal Kombat. The production adapted the popular fighting-game franchise for the stage and included martial arts performances and choreographed action sequences.

Durbin also performed characters associated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, including Michelangelo and Donatello. His work included fight-scene and stunt coordination, drawing directly on his martial arts training.

He participated in action-related projects connected with video games and appeared as a fighter on MTV’s martial arts programme The Final Fu. These projects exposed him to audiences outside the tournament circuit.

His entertainment career is a distinctive part of his life story because it preceded his better-known work as a pastor and Christian apologist. The contrast between these professional environments also illustrates how dramatically his career changed after he began pursuing Christian ministry.

How Jeff Durbin Became a Christian

Durbin’s conversion to Christianity followed a period of personal struggle that included drug and alcohol abuse. He has spoken publicly about how his life changed after he began taking drugs in early adulthood, despite previously having little interest in that lifestyle.

In interviews, Durbin has explained that his substance use escalated and began affecting his relationships, responsibilities, and family life. He has described a period when he became deeply involved in addiction and made decisions that caused serious harm to his marriage and personal stability.

During this period, he began reconsidering his life and his understanding of Christianity. He has described encountering Christian teaching through television and later reading the Gospels, which led him to think more seriously about Jesus, sin, forgiveness, and salvation.

His conversion became a turning point. Durbin has said that he developed a strong interest in reading the Bible, learning about Christian theology, and telling other people about the message he had come to believe.

His testimony is often used in his ministry to illustrate the possibility of significant personal change. He does not present his past as proof that life becomes free of every difficulty after conversion. Instead, he describes it as the beginning of a different direction, shaped by Christian belief and a growing commitment to serve others.

Jeff Durbin’s Recovery and Decision to Pursue Ministry

After becoming a Christian, Durbin continued operating his martial arts business while becoming increasingly involved in evangelism and Bible study. He participated in ministry activities and developed a particular interest in Christian apologetics, which involves explaining and defending Christian beliefs.

At first, he did not expect to become a full-time pastor. He has recalled believing that he could continue running his business while serving the church in other ways.

However, his responsibilities gradually changed. He began teaching in church settings and took on more ministry work. He also served as a hospital chaplain at a facility that treated people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

That chaplaincy work placed him in regular contact with people facing serious personal difficulties. His experience with addiction gave him a personal understanding of some of the challenges faced by people seeking recovery, although each person’s circumstances are different.

Durbin eventually left his successful martial arts business to pursue vocational ministry. This was a major professional change because it meant stepping away from a business he had built in order to focus on pastoral work.

His decision illustrates a central theme in his testimony: he came to believe that his long-term calling was not simply to run a business or compete in martial arts but to teach the Christian faith and help others encounter the message of Jesus.

Jeff Durbin’s Theological Education

Durbin pursued formal theological education as his ministry responsibilities increased. He earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Whitefield Theological Seminary.

The qualification is relevant to his work because his ministry involves biblical teaching, theological discussion, pastoral leadership, and public debates about Christian belief. These activities require familiarity with Scripture, Christian doctrine, and the interpretation of theological arguments.

In addition to his formal education, Durbin has continued to study and discuss religious and philosophical questions through his public teaching and media work.

He is associated with the Ezra Institute as a Fellow for Evangelism and Apologetics. This role reflects his interest in explaining Christianity and engaging with people who question or reject Christian claims.

His theological background informs the approach he takes to preaching, evangelism, and cultural issues. He frequently argues that Christian beliefs should shape both personal decisions and how Christians understand public life.

Jeff Durbin and Apologia Church

Jeff Durbin planted Apologia Church in February 2010 in Arizona, where he serves as its planting pastor and lead-teaching elder.

The church emphasises biblical teaching, Christian discipleship, evangelism, and apologetics. Its ministry seeks to equip Christians to understand their faith while engaging with people who hold different religious or philosophical beliefs.

Durbin’s role includes preaching, teaching, helping guide the congregation, and participating in outreach activities. The church also has other elders and ministry leaders who contribute to pastoral care and its wider work.

Apologia Church developed a public profile through its media programmes and its involvement in debates and discussions about theology and contemporary issues. This allowed its teaching to reach people beyond those who attend services in person.

The church’s identity is closely connected with Durbin’s interest in defending Christianity and applying biblical convictions to questions about culture, morality, and public policy.

Jeff Durbin’s Christian Apologetics and Public Debates

Christian apologetics is one of the most recognisable parts of Durbin’s ministry. The term refers to the reasoned explanation and defence of Christian beliefs.

Durbin has participated in public debates and discussions with atheists, members of other religious traditions, and people who disagree with evangelical Christianity. These engagements address questions about the existence of God, the authority of Scripture, the identity of Jesus, salvation, and the moral implications of religious belief.

His approach places considerable emphasis on the Bible and the coherence of the Christian worldview. He encourages Christians to understand their beliefs well enough to explain them and respond to objections.

His public discussions have helped him develop an audience among Christians interested in theology and apologetics. They have also exposed his views to criticism from people who disagree with his interpretations or approach to contentious topics.

Religious debates can involve disagreements over fundamental assumptions about authority, evidence, morality, and truth. Durbin’s work reflects his conviction that such disagreements should be addressed through direct conversation and reasoned argument rather than avoided.

Apologia Studios, Apologia Radio, and Apologia TV

Durbin established Apologia Studios as a platform for producing and distributing Christian media. Its programmes cover biblical teaching, theology, evangelism, apologetics, and cultural issues.

The studio has helped extend the reach of Apologia Church by making its teaching available to audiences who may never visit the congregation in Arizona.

Apologia’s media work includes both long-form conversations and programmes focused on particular questions or events. Online distribution has made it possible for the ministry to reach listeners and viewers across the United States and internationally.

Apologia Radio

Apologia Radio is a discussion programme associated with Durbin and other members of the ministry. It covers Christian theology, apologetics, cultural developments, and questions affecting the church.

The format gives participants an opportunity to discuss complex subjects at greater length than a short interview or public appearance might allow. The programme has also helped establish Durbin as a recognisable voice in online Christian discussions.

Apologia TV

Apologia TV provides video-based Christian teaching, interviews, debates, and discussions. It supports the ministry’s wider aim of communicating Christian beliefs and engaging with contemporary issues.

Through these media platforms, Durbin’s work reaches audiences beyond the local church. The programmes also provide material that Christians can use to explore theological questions and become more familiar with the arguments associated with Christian apologetics.

Jeff Durbin and End Abortion Now

Jeff Durbin leads End Abortion Now, a Christian ministry that campaigns against abortion and advocates legal protections for unborn children.

The organisation works with churches and volunteers who share its pro-life convictions. Its activities include public outreach, church training, advocacy, and efforts to influence abortion-related legislation.

Durbin argues that the protection of unborn life is a moral responsibility rooted in Christian teaching. End Abortion Now encourages churches to participate actively in the issue through public engagement and organised advocacy.

The ministry has worked with churches in the United States and other countries. Its activities have included engagement with lawmakers and support for legislation intended to prohibit abortion.

The organisation’s goals are controversial because abortion involves deeply contested questions about bodily autonomy, fetal life, law, and religious belief. Supporters view its work as defending unborn children, while opponents disagree with its legal and political objectives.

End Abortion Now is a significant part of Durbin’s public identity because it connects his theological convictions with organised social and political action.

Jeff Durbin’s Wife, Candi Durbin

Jeff Durbin is married to Candi Durbin. Apologia Church’s published profile states that the couple have been married for more than 26 years.

Their family life has continued alongside Durbin’s work in pastoral leadership, apologetics, and media production. Although Jeff is the more visible public figure, his ministry responsibilities exist alongside his role as a husband and father.

The couple have generally kept many details of their private relationship out of the public spotlight. Reliable public biographies identify Candi as his wife but provide limited information about their wedding ceremony, how they first met, or other personal details.

It is therefore appropriate to focus on the publicly established facts about their marriage rather than speculate about private aspects of their relationship.

Jeff Durbin’s Children and Family Life

Jeff and Candi Durbin have seven children: Sage, Immagin, Saylor, Stellar, Augustine, Norah, and Piper. Apologia Church’s published profile also reports that they have six grandchildren.

The family is part of Durbin’s life outside his public responsibilities as a pastor, speaker, and media host. However, the couple have not made every aspect of their children’s lives public.

Information about the children’s individual birth dates, education, occupations, and private relationships is limited. Their names are included here because they appear in the church’s public profile, but further personal details should not be assumed.

Durbin’s public biography is primarily concerned with his conversion, ministry, martial arts career, and public teaching. His family’s private experiences should be respected where details have not been made public.

Jeff Durbin’s Influence and Public Significance

Jeff Durbin’s influence comes from the combination of pastoral leadership, apologetics, media production, and public advocacy.

Through Apologia Church, he teaches and leads a congregation. Through Apologia Studios and its programmes, he communicates with a much wider audience. His participation in public debates also places him in conversations about the relationship between Christianity, philosophy, and contemporary culture.

His work with End Abortion Now gives him a role in a prominent area of Christian political activism. This has brought support from people who share his pro-life convictions and criticism from people who oppose his policy goals.

His earlier achievements in martial arts and entertainment make his background different from that of many pastors. His personal testimony about addiction and conversion also shapes how he presents his ministry and explains his commitment to evangelism.

Jeff Durbin’s Net Worth

Jeff Durbin’s personal net worth has not been established through reliable public financial disclosures. Although he has worked as a martial arts business owner, pastor, speaker, and media producer, those professional roles do not provide sufficient information to calculate his personal wealth.

His earlier martial arts business was reportedly successful, but there is no dependable public record establishing the value of that business at the time he left it or the amount of money he personally retained.

Likewise, the finances of Apologia Church, Apologia Studios, and End Abortion Now should not be confused with Durbin’s personal assets. Organisations may receive donations, pay operating costs, or manage ministry budgets without those amounts representing the private income or wealth of their leaders.

No credible, well-supported numerical estimate of Durbin’s net worth was established for this biography. A specific dollar figure would therefore be speculative.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

1. Who is Jeff Durbin?

Jeff Durbin is an American pastor, Christian apologist, evangelist, speaker, and former competitive martial artist. He is the planting pastor of Apologia Church in Arizona and the founder of Apologia Studios.

2. How old is Jeff Durbin?

Jeff Durbin was born in 1978. In 2026, he is 47 or 48 years old, depending on whether his birthday has passed.

3. What is Jeff Durbin’s nationality?

Jeff Durbin is American. He spent part of his childhood living overseas because his father served in the United States Air Force.

4. Who is Jeff Durbin’s wife?

Jeff Durbin is married to Candi Durbin. Apologia Church’s published profile states that they have been married for more than 26 years.

5. How many children does Jeff Durbin have?

Jeff and Candi Durbin have seven children: Sage, Immagin, Saylor, Stellar, Augustine, Norah, and Piper.

6. How many grandchildren does Jeff Durbin have?

Apologia Church’s published profile reports that Jeff and Candi Durbin have six grandchildren.

7. What church does Jeff Durbin pastor?

He is the planting pastor and lead-teaching elder of Apologia Church in Arizona, which he established in February 2010.

8. What is Apologia Church known for?

Apologia Church is known for biblical teaching, evangelism, discipleship, Christian apologetics, and public engagement with religious and cultural issues.

9. What is Jeff Durbin known for?

He is known for pastoral leadership, Christian apologetics, public debates, martial arts achievements, Christian media production, and his leadership of End Abortion Now.

10. Was Jeff Durbin a martial artist before becoming a pastor?

Yes. He began martial arts training at four years old and later competed nationally and internationally. His ministry biography describes him as a world champion martial artist with five black belts.

11. What martial arts achievements did Jeff Durbin accomplish?

Durbin won national, international, and world championship titles and earned Grand Champion awards. He also participated in the Junior Olympics and earned medals.

12. Did Jeff Durbin work in entertainment?

Yes. He performed as Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat live world-tour production and played characters associated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. He also worked on stunt and fight-scene coordination.

13. What is Jeff Durbin’s educational qualification?

Durbin earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Whitefield Theological Seminary.

14. How did Jeff Durbin become a Christian?

Durbin has explained that he began taking Christianity seriously after a period of substance abuse and personal difficulties. Reading the Gospels and reconsidering the message of Jesus became central to his conversion.

15. Did Jeff Durbin struggle with addiction?

Yes. He has publicly discussed his past struggles with drug and alcohol abuse and described how those experiences contributed to his decision to turn toward Christianity.

16. What is Apologia Studios?

Apologia Studios is a Christian media platform founded by Durbin. It produces programmes and discussions about biblical teaching, evangelism, theology, apologetics, and contemporary issues.

17. What are Apologia Radio and Apologia TV?

Apologia Radio and Apologia TV are media programmes associated with Apologia’s ministry. They feature Christian teaching, discussions, interviews, and conversations about theology and cultural issues.

18. What is End Abortion Now?

End Abortion Now is a Christian anti-abortion ministry led by Durbin. It works with churches and advocates who seek legal protections for unborn children and campaign against abortion.

19. What is Jeff Durbin’s net worth?

Jeff Durbin’s personal net worth has not been reliably established in public sources. There is no dependable numerical estimate that can be confirmed, and ministry finances should not be treated as his personal wealth.

20. Did Jeff Durbin own a martial arts business?

Yes. Before entering vocational ministry, he owned or operated martial arts schools and trained thousands of students. He later left that business to focus on pastoral work.

21. Was Jeff Durbin a hospital chaplain?

Yes. He worked for many years as a hospital chaplain at a facility serving people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

22. What theological tradition is Jeff Durbin associated with?

Durbin is associated with Reformed, Scripture-centred evangelical Christianity. His teaching emphasises biblical authority, Christian apologetics, evangelism, and the application of Christian beliefs to public life.

23. Does Jeff Durbin participate in public debates?

Yes. He has participated in moderated public debates and discussions involving atheism, other religions, and questions about Christian belief.

24. Where does Jeff Durbin live and minister?

Durbin’s pastoral ministry is based in Arizona, where he leads Apologia Church. His speaking and media work also reaches audiences outside the state and internationally.

25. What makes Jeff Durbin’s biography distinctive?

His biography combines international martial arts competition, entertainment work, a personal testimony of addiction and Christian conversion, pastoral leadership, apologetics, and public advocacy. This range of experiences distinguishes his career from that of many other Christian pastors.

Conclusion

Jeff Durbin’s life reflects a significant change in direction, from competitive martial arts and entertainment to Christian ministry and public apologetics. His early dedication to martial arts led to championship achievements, business ownership, and opportunities in live productions. Later, his experience with addiction and his conversion to Christianity reshaped his priorities.

After theological study and years of ministry involvement, Durbin planted Apologia Church in 2010. He subsequently developed Apologia Studios and its media programmes, giving his teaching a broader audience. His leadership of End Abortion Now also demonstrates how he connects his Christian convictions with public advocacy.

Durbin’s marriage to Candi, their seven children, and their six grandchildren form part of his family life, while his public ministry continues to focus on biblical teaching, evangelism, and apologetics. Although his personal net worth has not been reliably established, his professional background and public activities are well documented.

His story remains distinctive because it combines competitive achievement, personal transformation, church leadership, and a strong commitment to communicating his Christian beliefs.

Explore More on BelieversBio

• John Bevere Biography – Learn about the Christian author and speaker known for teaching on discipleship, spiritual growth, and biblical principles.
• Jim Cymbala Biography – Explore the life and ministry of the Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor, particularly his emphasis on prayer and spiritual renewal.
• Russell Evans Biography – Discover the Australian pastor’s contribution to contemporary church leadership and worship ministry.
• Wayne Alcorn Biography – Read about the Australian Christian leader and his work in church leadership and ministry.

References

1. Apologia Church: Meet the Team
2. Apologia Studios: Jeff Durbin Biography
3. Ezra Institute: Jeff Durbin, Fellow for Evangelism and Apologetics
4. Plain Speech Podcast: Jeff Durbin, I Never Thought I’d Be a Pastor
5. SermonAudio: Jeff Durbin’s Testimony
6. God Reports: Overdosing Christian, Jeff Durbin, Cried Out to God
7. Apologia Studios: Should Christians Do Martial Arts?