Beneath this roof, a story of faith and community unfolds at Young Nak Church. It began with a small group of Korean immigrants in 1973. They sought a place to pray together.
Young Nak Church started in a humble house. It was a haven for those seeking connection. These immigrants from Seoul longed for a familiar spiritual home. The name Young Nak means eternal happiness.
By 1975, the congregation had grown. They moved to a former synagogue in the Fairfax area. Even that space became too small.
In the mid-1980s, Young Nak Church acquired land. This 4.8-acre triangle at North Broadway and Pasadena Avenue cost $4.5 million. Construction began in 1987. In June 1989, the sanctuary opened. The education building followed, costing $6 million.
Young Nak Church became a spiritual and social hub. People traveled from far away to attend services. Palmdale, Palm Springs, and Oxnard were all represented. The church offered more than just worship. It provided a sense of belonging.
The church served diverse needs. Some members understood English well. Others primarily spoke Korean. Young Nak provided bilingual support. Church elder Chong Hee Yim carried Korean and English Bibles. He also had a Korean hymnal.
Young Nak Church grew rapidly. In 1986, it was the fourth-fastest-growing church in the US. It added 1,421 members.
Senior minister Rev. Dr. Hee Min Park noted the growth slowed by 1989. Still, 350 adults and 300 children joined that year. The church was regularly ranked among the top 100 fastest-growing Protestant congregations in the United States.
The church has around 4,000 adult members. It also has 2,000 children. Each Sunday, thousands attend services. There are three Korean-language services. There is also an English service. An elaborate Sunday school program caters to all ages.
Rev. Paul Yang led the English-speaking program. He noted a diverse, often affluent, membership. BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes filled the parking lot. Weekly donations averaged $50,000. The annual budget reached $3.2 million.
Young Nak Church ministers recognized a challenge. They needed to meet the needs of different generations. Language and worship customs varied.
The church offered both traditional and modern elements. The Korean services featured clerical robes. The English service was more informal. Modern praise songs and guitars were used. Congregants read scriptures.
Younger members often identified as “one-point-five”. They were born in Korea but raised in the United States. They navigated both Korean and American cultures. Esther Cho described them as bicultural.
Rev. Yang crafted sermons that explored Korean history. He aimed to connect faith and heritage. Henry Lee, a “1.5-er”, valued learning about his heritage.
Young Nak Church strives to maintain unity. It connects different generations. The goal is to preserve traditional values. Separating congregations could lead to losing these values.
Today, Young Nak Church continues its mission. It welcomes all to worship God. It encourages love within the community. Young Nak continues its journey. Its vision is to serve and impact others for God’s Kingdom.