“Who’s going to care for them? Who’s going to teach them?” These words echo even today when standing before the Korean First Baptist Mission. They were spoken by Mrs. Eum Y. Oh. She was the wife of Pastor Sueng Il Oh. He led the Korean First Baptist Mission in Tampa.
The Korean First Baptist Mission is a beacon. It serves the Tampa community. It seeks to encourage others through a life-changing Christian journey. The church strives to be a loving and friendly community. Here, people worship God. They serve others. Teaching from the Bible is a high priority. Following the example of Jesus is key. The vision is clear. It is to impact and renew Tampa. This is done with the transforming message of Jesus Christ. It is shared through words and actions.
Founded in 1986 the Korean First Baptist Church began as a mission. It was supported by West Shore Baptist Church. It became its own church in 1996. Initially the congregation met at West Shore Baptist Church. Later, they bought a sanctuary from Idlewild Baptist Church in 1995.
Back in the early days Mrs. Oh commanded respect. She spoke in Korean. Her audience was a group of teenagers. This took place on a Friday night. She discussed a chapter from Genesis. Afterward, the group socialized. They shared a dinner. It was prepared by the women. Ro Kwon Park was a member. He said they had become like a family.
The mission addressed cultural dislocation. It served as a haven. It was for Koreans in the Tampa Bay area. The services are in Korean. But they are translated into English. This is done through an interpreter.
The church supports various ministries. There is Bible study. There is music ministry. Also there is youth ministry. Women’s and men’s ministries are available. The members support the Salvation Army. They also support the Far East Broadcasting Network. This network brings the Gospel to the Far East.
The church has played a key role. It helped in founding new churches. These include Haitian and inner-city mission churches. Church members have gone on missions. They traveled to Puerto Rico, Haiti, Taiwan and Chile. The Korean First Baptist Mission is part of the Global Priority Mission Church Network.
The Korean First Baptist Mission offers more than just religious services. It provides a sense of belonging. It fosters cultural identity. It helps Korean immigrants. It bridges the gap between their heritage and their new lives in America. The Korean First Baptist Mission continues to be a vital part of the Tampa community. It offers spiritual guidance. It supports its members. It spreads the message of Jesus Christ.