“Brothers with Southern Baptist pastors.” That’s how the executive director of the Korean Council described Korean Baptist pastors. Right in front of us stands the Korean Baptist Church. It is a testament to faith and community.
The Korean Baptist Church’s story is deeply intertwined with the growth of Korean churches. The Southern Baptist Convention plays a major role. More than 760 churches provide worship services in a Korean context. This makes the SBC the largest denomination of Koreans in the United States.
The six Southern Baptist seminaries played a major role in the growth of Korean churches. The denomination’s theology also helped. Dan Moon was a longtime SBC Korean church starting strategist. He noted the Korean Christians are mostly very fundamental. Their belief is in and commitment to the Word of God.
Southern Baptist churches work together. This appeals to Koreans. The number of churches isn’t the issue. It is more important that each one is engaged in reaching out for the Lord.
Several noteworthy Korean churches exist. Berendo Street Baptist Church in Los Angeles is considered the “mother church”. Global Mission Church of Greater Washington is in Silver Spring MD. Korean First Baptist Church is in Dallas. Tacoma First Baptist Church is another one. San Jose Korean Baptist Church is also important.
The Korean Council of Southern Baptist Churches in America is similar to the SBC. It has domestic and foreign mission boards and an education board. They also have a Woman’s Missionary Union and Brotherhood.
The Korean Council was organized in 1981. This was 30 years after the first Korean Southern Baptist church in America started in Washington D.C. It later cancelled its affiliation with the SBC. Today no Korean SBC church remains in D.C.
Korean churches balance two cultures. They minister to those born in Korea and the United States.
The Korean Baptist Church stands as a symbol of faith. It also shows the strength of community. It is a place where traditions are honored. New generations are prepared to conquer the world. It is a place where Korean Baptist pastors are brothers.