Testimonies and Discussion

We would like to share with others how God has used this ministry to change your life.

Please leave your testimonies here and they will be reviewed and posted below in a day or two.

Also, if you want to comment on something, share your experience, or start a discussion, reply here.  Appropriate material will be posted for all to see.

Comments

Hey Sensai, its Drew. Well the trips going fine and right now we are at a hotel. Well I'll write back later. Drew

Comments

Date:

September 15, 2004

Comments

Dear Steve and KORE Team, Thank you so much for your dedication to teaching kids/adults Karate along with the truth of God's Word. Your program has been a God send - an answer to my prayers. Thanks again and many you be blessed greatly in return. Denise Wood

Date:

June 06, 2004

Comments

Crusin thru the internet media for 2004 VBS materials on Japan, I found this site. Wish you were in southern Louisiana, so you could visit our Bible school in a few weeks! Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless your faithfulness and wonderful witness!! Elaine/Denham Springs, LA

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Date:

April 29, 2004

Comments

Hey ya'll what's happenin'?? This is Airman Brown from Okinawa, Japan...it's been a long time hasn't it? I am doing well...still doing what I do. How's the Karate Class going? I miss you all indeed...it's hard to locate martial arts classes that have instructor(s) that are as dedicated as Sensei Steve was and with no doubt still is...I will continue to persevere and return with more knowledge instilled into my brain. I hope you are all continuing to pray for me as it is hard out here sometimes due to the base being as BUSY as it is 24/7...Please keep in touch and I'm sorry that this is so short, but that's okay I will talk to you all once again...and hopefully see you soon... Love You All -Amn Brown-

Date:

April 14, 2004

Comments

When I was 14 years old God placed a call on my life to reach the lost. At the time I had no speacial talents or abilities but I always told God I would use what he has given me to be a witness that there is a good life in Jesus. Today I can say that because of my devotion and faithfulness, God have given me a World Title in professional fighting "Pankration", inducted into the Hall of Fame, 2 National Pankration Titles, one official Guinness World Record, one Pancrase Title and has given me the role of founder of a christian group called "Lucent". We have been on television around the world and our music has been played on radio stations around the world as well. The amazing thing is, I have never been taught by any martial arts instructor in my life yet because of Christ my only instructor, I have recieved the respect and friendships of some the greatest martial artist in the world. It is true "Through Christ, all things are possible". Stay strong to the call, never give up. Your friend Craig Pumphrey www.lucentrocks.com

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Date:

April 06, 2004

Comments

Saturday April 3, 2004 I had the privilege of seeing Larry Fields achieve a new World Record for the "Most Concrete Slabs Broken in a Single Minute." It was my further privilege to work with Steve Castro and John Kreutzer and the many other wonderful people from Kore Team Karate. As a sanctioning body representative for the International Sport Karate Association (International Sport Karate Association - International Sport Kickboxing Association) I have worked with many organizations around the country. Kore Team Karate is at the top of the list for professionalism and organizational skills. On a personal note, it is wonderful to see a dedicated group of volunteers from different backgrounds come together for common cause in order to help others. That is one of our society's greatest strengths and a tangible part of what true martial arts is about. ISKA Breaking Division Director Chris Lee

Comments

This is a note to say thank you to Sensei Steve for all the hard work and countless hours he puts in to help students. He is always willing to teach and meet us where we are -- whether it is learning a new kata or a technique.

I know KORE has changed my life in many ways and I pray the Lord will return to Sensei all he has given us. This is truly a "lifetime" art and I look forward to studying it the rest of my time here on earth.

God bless,
Ed

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Date:

November 26, 2003

Comments

hello sensei very nice site well put together your katas are simular to the tekkis of shotokan i wish you and your students good luck in your training i am neil dunker and i run a goju and jujitsu school in howard beach ny keep up the good work and may god bless you take care respectfully sensei neil dunker

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Date:

November 04, 2003

Comments

K.O.R.E. Karate has been a huge blessing in my life and in my sister’s life. We started taking karate over a year ago, and we have learned so much. The encouragement and teaching have been tremendous. My confidence and boldness has been boosted as I’ve learned to defend myself. I’ve also been encouraged and strengthened by the “family” atmosphere of the class, where we all know that we can ask for prayer at any time, and see God’s hand move in our lives as the result of that prayer. Joy and I have been blessed to not only be able to participate in karate at the Thursday class, but we’ve also been able to help John teach the class at Rosedale middle school. I can’t say enough about how awesome the kids have been at Rosedale. Every time I leave the class, I walk away excited and encouraged by the kids. I’m looking forward to seeing all that God does through the Rosedale class. Sensei Steve and John, thank you so much for your willingness to set aside time to teach us karate, be real, and share your hearts. I know that God will reward you richly! Janine Bork

Date:

August 25, 2003

Comments

An excellent style. I've been practicing Shotokan for 32 years. I was originally taught by two men who were taught in Japan as part of the original SAC Air Command endeavor to bring karate to the military.

In the 1990's I learned from Mark Long over in Independence.

May God bless your efforts!

Ken

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Date:

June 25, 2003

Comments

Dear John and K.O.R.E. team members, We were very impressed with your Karate Outreach Evangelism assembly for our elementary students in May. The students were not only wowed by the breaking of bricks and boards, but more importantly they were excited about the message. The stories held powerful truths that resonate with all humans whether they are young or old. I applaud your commitment to present "truth, strength, and integrity" to young people. We hope you and the team will return for another assembly next year. Thank you and God Bless you,

Laura Burch

Elementary Principal Maranatha Academy

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Date:

May 26, 2003

Comments

Before I say my goodbyes and leave off for the Air force on June 3rd, I would first I like to thank MY Lord in Heaven for opening the doors of opportunity for me to acquire such a "merit badge" from a great man. His name is Sensei Steve Castro...not very instructors these days go the extra mile to ensure perfection in their students, devote so much time into making sure that we are enjoying this art, and furthermore showing us the love of Christ regardless of mistakes we commit. I have learned so much from this man and I appreciate this immensely. He's given me a new, more mature outlook on martial arts altogether. I've now found a new appreciation for a new perspective on fighting and how to take care of a situation in different manners...verbally or physically. I've made new friends, laughed, had a good time, and learned a new kind of martial art. I want to say see you later, but not GOODBYE...because I feel that we will continue to stay in touch. I have more to say...but I will continue this before I leave until then...with much love from the man above Jesus Christ through me...AIRMAN Jay Brown

 

Date:

April 10, 2003

Comments

My grandson & I take the classes. He loves to go and this helps to motivate me to keep going. Ever since I was attacked by 2 men at the age of 16 I have wanted to defend myself. This class has made it possible. I never thought I could afford classes,& I thought I wasn't strong enough...But with God all things are possible. He made it affordable and I only need to have strong faith in Christ. The classes are enjoyable, we have a loving caring teacher in Steve and in Christ.

Date:

April 02, 2003
 

Comments

    I used to think that Karate of any kind was only for either the elite, the very young, or "special" people of a certain ethnic group. I've always wanted to learn Karate, but because of the above reasons, I thought it was unreachable, and that I would never be qualified to learn it. But when Karate was introduced to our church group and I began to attend the classes, I soon found out that Karate was for everyone regardless of age, social status, economic status, personal or family background, or even ethnic background. Even a person's physical build, weight, or level of physical fitness could not prevent them from learning. Karate is for anyone who wants to learn, which means you and me!

    The class is fun, I learn so much, and I have found myself doing things that I never thought I could do. There is always more to learn, and I have to be patient. The Bible truths, and codes of discipline learned in class can transform us in every single area of our lives. Karate makes you want to be a better person, inside and out. Our instructor, or "Sensei", always creates an atmosphere that resembles the love of God. Everyone is treated with unconditional love, respect, and acceptance, and everyone is appreciated for the individual person that they are when training. Karate takes a lifetime to learn.

    God's love is shown to me through Karate. Karate, just like God, accepts you where you are, but it doesn't want you to stay that way. It will take you as far as you wish to go. God's love is the same way. This is the wonderful effect that learning Karate has on me.

Date:

March 17, 2003

Comments

    I have a 6 year old son who has been taking the class for about 4 weeks. In that time he has learned the Bible statement, the 5 tenents (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverence, and Indomitable Spirit), the "3 F's" (Finagle, Flight, Fight), John 3:16, and the first kata Naihanshi Shodan. You might think that to a 6 year old that this really doesn't mean anything, but the other day when I picked him up from school he had a little bit of a stressed look on his face so I asked what was wrong. He told me that someone hit him in the back during school and he had a bump where they hit him. So I asked him what he did. I wanted to know if he told the teacher or did he just hit them back. He said he didn't do either. He just walked away.

    I told him that I was very proud that he didn't hit the person back even though "I" thought that he probably really wanted to and then he cut me short and said "no Dad I didn't want to hit them back because that's not what we are supposed to do. We are supposed to talk our way out of it and then walk away, so that's what I did." Then I became really proud of my 6 year old son who not only learned the "3 F's" but also put them into practice. I think I can learn a lot from him. (By the way, I did tell him to let his teacher know if it happens again!)

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Revised: 08/27/06.