Feedback to UBF
More feedback can be read here: UBF Endorsement Letters
Also, some discussions can be read here: WikiPedia talk section about UBF
"UBF has been the recipient of some criticism and I have investigated some of these matters firsthand. I find the charges against UBF to be essentially baseless. Most of them are rooted in culture and practices that some Americans do not like. They have proven themselves to be honest in their relationship with me and have also shown the clearest financial and moral integrity at every point."
"There can be no doubt that UBF is conservative evangelical in doctrine and conservative in Korean values of leadership and mentorship. Unfortunately, some have misunderstood their Korean cultural roots, as part of their leadership style, and have wrongly associated them with cultic practices. Nothing can be further from the truth. They are very loyal, humble, and highly respectful to those in authority – qualities that are weak in many American 'conservative' churches."
"As an American who lived abroad in Africa for a decade, and who has taught contextualization and intercultural communication for over 20 years, I see UBF as a thriving contextualized effort to develop a body of committed believers who desire to reach the world for Christ. The fact that so many Korean Christian groups (such as Campus Crusade for Christ Korea) fellowship with UBF and hold it in high regard supports this view. Thus I highly recommend that UBF be seen as nothing more than a strongly-disciplined Christian ministry that makes high demands of its membership…"
"One of the bases for the cult allegations are the church's active participation in arranging marriages of their members. We witnessed this first hand as UBF was involved in Sarah Wang's decision to marry Phillip Brown, whom she had met in China before coming to the USA to study. Several in the CBS family were not familiar, nor comfortable, with the church's active involvement in Sarah's decision to marry, but she affirmed that her decision to marry was indeed her own."
"I recently lectured again in Chicago for a UBF sponsored meeting. I was pleased to discover that among so many new faces were also a large number of individuals I had become acquainted with more than a decade earlier. In many Christian organizations, there is a large turnover in leadership as key individuals come and go. But UBF has brought in new leaders, while retaining many who have served with the ministry for decades."
"What stands out to one is their sense of mission and commitment to the Great Commission. They take seriously Christ's command to "make disciples of all nations." Whatever I may think about their disciplined way of going about it, no one can fault the sincerity of their motive or the obedience of their lifestyle."
Feedback to priestlynation.com
Since first publishing this website in November of 2002, I've personally received both positive and negative feedback. Below are some quotes sent to me...
"I am grateful to you. I realze that it can be a long and involved job. I'll be glad to help in any way I can, but I think that you are really on top of this. It's an answer to prayer. I hope you and your family are well." - sent 5/22/2008
"Thanks for your struggle on this. God will defend. If we are serving him then he will protect and everything will ultimately work out fine. I have confidence that raising disciples is the way - we are not perfect and we have a lot of cultural changes to make. But maybe it will be our kids and thier kids that will carry on the good fight. We need to think long term. But whatever we should get on and raise disciples. When i remember this I realise that even if UBF vanished we would have to get up in the morning and do the same!" - sent 4/30/2008
"May God bless Detroit ministry and multiply your efforts in the Lord.God bless." - sent 4/3/2008
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" Jn 16:33 I wanted to thank you for your good work on the internet...Your work is appreciated. May God give you wisdom and grace and a forehead of flint! - added 2/5/2007
"Thank you for your prayers for me and my family. Please continue for us to pray and grow into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In the past many bad things, and what I realize now were slander, were said against UBF and so wounded us and our hearts. I realized what a great mistake I made taking such things to heart, whether true or false. Regardless of the imperfections I know that the work of God occurs and God is working things out...Thank you for your love for Jesus and your love for his work." - added 9/24/2005
"Thank you for living for Jesus, and for standing up for the church. UBF isn't perfect, but I know that God works here." - added 9/24/2005
"I thank God for your labor of love, time and effort in producing your thoughtful and prayerful response on your website." - added 4/20/2005
"I do see where you're coming from. Your desire to see all Christians living holy lives is Biblical and commendable. The Bible says that grace of God teaches us to say no to sin (Titus 2:11-12) and that God has called us to live holy lives (2 Tim 1:9). In Ephesians 2, right after Paul emphasizes how we are not saved from our sin by our own works, he points out that God created us in Christ Jesus to do good works (once we are saved). May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through (1 Thess 5:23)." - added 4/14/2005
"To God be the glory! Actually, I really like your website and appreciate your courage...Continue to speak the Truth with gentleness and respect...May God bless your ministry, as well, and make you a blessing not only to Detroit students but the world through your apologetic work online." - added 4/12/2005
"Thank God for your bold living for Christ! May God be with you." - added 4/12/2005
"I just wanted to tell you how I was deeply encouraged by your website... I just wanted to say I am extremely thankful for your voice. I will be praying for you. God bless you!"
"Thank you so much for the personal Q and A. One of my Bible students was linked to an anti-UBF website. This is a good and personal resource and testimony of how God works- in addition to my own testimony. Thank You!! It was so good to see all of you at conference. May God continue to bless you as you transform Detroit into a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation!! Amen!!"
"I stumbled across this webpage and was impressed by your conviction and honesty towards Gods work you've experienced and witnessed in UBF. Keep up the good work and I hope God blesses your ministry!"
"May the God and Saviour of our Lord Jesus Christ give you His Spirit to be holy ministers of the new covenant initiated by the shedding of Jesus' blood."
"Praise God who gave us His One and Only Son Jesus Christ and called us as disciples of Jesus Christ in this generation! May God richly bless your pioneering work and your children."
"May God bless your labor of love for college students."
"May God bless Detroit to be a holy city, sending missionaries to the ends of the earth!"
"I just wanted to thank you for your encouraging website that I stumbled across. I am genuinely moved by your love for Christ and your website. Many second gens are very confused and have many questions and your website has been an answer to prayers. I will remember to pray for you."
"We live in a part of the world where Christianity has lost relevance. All since the great impact of people like John Wesley. Dallas Willard makes a lot of sense therefore. When we visited the village church, we were amazed to find that we were the youngest ones there. It was obvious to us that if we planned to live here, we'd be the last ones to worship there and we might as well plan to turn out the lights in the place just before we died. There are plenty of young people in our village, but they find church irrelevant. We're working to change that, and we've managed to convince most of our congregation that we're all called to see that Christianity in our village doesn't die out with us. You have our complete support in your ministry and think you're doing a fabulous job."
"Thanks for your reply concerning my question of honesty and telling the truth. I appreciate the fact that you seem to rely on the Bible to shape your thinking."
"I visited this web-page and I was so moved by your personal Q&A. I pray that you may serve Detroit UBF by the Holy Spirit and God's wisdom. Most of all, I pray that you may learn only Jesus as like your life key verse."
To be objective, here is a sampling of other feedback I've received. Some of the negative feedback is not worth publishing...
"It sounds like you need professinoal help, possibly a psychologist and medication." 4/17/2005
Professional help may be useful, but I am in my right mind.
"Karcher is like the "Baghdad Bob" of UBF." 10/19/2004
I suppose you could call me that, if you think UBF is a political government that needs to be overthrown with force.
"he seems to be doing little more than mucking up our discussion. He avoids what we are discussing, posts alot of misinformatoin." 10/20/2004
True, I did "muck up" the discussion, but I do not avoid issues. I face issues directly and make every effort to speak truthfully at all times.
"Brian, are you so silly?" 10/19/2004
No, but some have told me I am humorous.
"Brain is a Bald Faced Liar!" 8/3/2004
I may be balding, but I am not a liar.
"Karcher continues to rail against former UBF members who question UBF practices and its response to abuse. Rather than questioning UBF, he blames the victims. He thinks everyone who raises an issue is "out to get UBF." He seems to think that all those who point out UBF think it is evil and wish to destroy it." 6/18/2004
No, I do not "rail against" anyone on this website, though some portions will be offensive to some. I do not think everyone is out to get UBF, but some have stated they are. And yes, I have questioned UBF ministry, nearly every day since 1987, and found it to be the genuine work of God in our generation.