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University Bible Fellowship (UBF) is an international evangelical church (non-denominational) and network of house churches dedicated to Christ and his kingdom. UBF is a global ministry that has chapters in 102 countries. UBF missionaries seek to obey Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. UBF especially pray to reach college students and help them grow as his lifelong disciples. Many participants have claimed to become Christians and lifelong disciples through Bible study and discipleship ministry during their college days. Some outside observers and former members describe the group as cult-like, excessively controlling, spiritually damaging and/or abusive.[2][3][4][5] Various evangelical leaders have defended and endorsed UBF despite accusations.

History[edit] The University Bible Fellowship Church (UBF) began as a student movement in Korea in September of 1961, during a time of national turmoil after the civil war. Samuel Lee was a Presbyterian pastor with a passion for helping young people. Sarah Barry was a missionary sent by the Board of World Missions of the Southern Presbyterian Church, USA. Together they shared a common belief that the best way to help Korea and the world was to evangelize college students. The ministry grew into a grass roots movement of Christian students. As of Oct 2015, UBF sent out 1,770 lay missionaries to 102 countries. UBF is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ, with an emphasis on world mission. Beliefs and characteristics[edit] UBF began as a parachurch organization. In time, the ministry became a church and began having Sunday worship services. UBF is conservative evangelical in doctrine and mentorship. UBF affirms the Apostles' Creed and believes that the Bible is the word of God.[9] They also believe in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and they pray to send out missionaries to all nations. They invite students and others to study the Bible "inductively from the point of view of the Bible writers." Bible study in the ministry is primarily carried out on a "one-to-one" basis. The ministry also has small group Bible studies and weekly fellowship meetings.[10] They seek to lead those who study the Bible with them to a "saving knowledge" of Jesus Christ, and to help them to grow as disciples of Jesus.[11] One of the main goals of the ministry is to evangelize college students based on the Great Commission. UBF trains people who have a desire to study and teach the Bible and do missionary work. The organization has a "medical mission" - Bethesda Medical Center in Uganda.[12]

Memberships[edit] University Bible Fellowship is a member of several Christian organizations including the Evangelical Council For Financial Accountability the National Association of Evangelicals, the Missio Nexus , and the Cross Global Link. The ministry has formed partnerships with other missionary organizations, such as the Kingdom Inter-Missions Network and the Evangelical Missiological Society. [16] The ministry also has participated in relief work through relief organizations such as World Vision, Samaritans’ Purse, and the Voice of the Martyrs.

Controversies[edit] –Try to remove. Contact owners While some former members have concerns about the church, many members and observers love it."[17][18] Some observers and former participants characterize UBF's practices as authoritarian, abusive, and/or cult-like. [22] These concerns have arisen at Canadian universities as well as in the United States.[26][27] Some universities have restricted UBF's on-campus recruiting efforts, such as (Ask UIC coworkers to contact the author) University of Illinois.[22] UBF is used as one of the case studies in the book Churches That Abuse, published in 1991 by Ronald Enroth about Christian churches and organizations he perceives as "spiritually abusive" and the effects these groups can have on their members. As of 2012, UBF continues to be on the lists of several cult-watching groups in the United States, such as the Apologetics Index,[31] the Rick Ross Institute,[32] the New England Institute of Religious Research,[33] the Apologetics Research Center[34][35] and the Cult Information Services of Northeast Ohio, Inc.[36] UBF is also listed on the Freedom of Mind website.[37] In China, UBF is on the examination list of CGNER (Concern Group on Newly Emerged Religions).[38] Current UBF members refute accusations on three grounds: (1) personal experiences or misunderstandings of a few ex-members, (2) misappropriated authority by a few leaders, and (3) natural consequences of faithful preaching and living out the gospel lifestyle in a non-Christian environment (Jn 15:20; 2Tim 3:12). UBF leaders initiated an Ethics Committee in 2012 and encourages each local chapter of twenty members or more to establish elders locally in efforts to safeguard against the misappropriation of authority. UBF North America Local Chapter Guidelines, 2015