December 9, 2024
STATESBORO, Ga. — What does it look like to ‘Love Your Neighbor?’ For First Baptist Statesboro, one way to love their Korean neighbors is by providing them with a safe place to meet and fellowship.
For the past 25 years, FBC Statesboro has had a Korean Mission in the city. Initially intended to reach Korean immigrants brought in to work at poultry plants, the fellowship is seeking to make the most of the opportunities created by the construction of a Hyundai metaplant in the area. The South Korean automaker is expected to bring as many as 5,000 Korean families to work there and at its subsidiary auto parts suppliers.
Pastor Kang Taekgoo, who leads the Korean Mission, and his wife, Mira, came to Statesboro from Atlanta in 2012. Kang said the couple prayed for a place to minister, and “God led us here.”
The mission, Kang said, is the only Korean church in Statesboro, and it serves as a kind of community center for Korean immigrants. The mission meets in a house next to FBC Statesboro for meals, small groups, and discipleship. Kang said about 40 people gather weekly for the Korean worship service.
On Friday, Nov. 9, volunteers from FBC Statesboro and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board undertook the task of renovating and remodeling the building to better serve the needs of the community. The work included landscaping, painting, replacing window treatments, remodeling the kitchen putting in a new water heater, and more. Keith Hagan, executive pastor at FBC Statesboro, said, “It’s going to be a fantastic place when we get through with it.”
W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the GBMB, who was one of the volunteers working at the mission, said “Praise God for Georgia Baptists. Mission Georgia is making a difference all across our state.”
The opportunities are not without challenges, Kang said that most of the Korean workers are single, and their very busy work schedule often keeps them from church either because they work Sundays or because they are tired. Kang’s vision is for the fellowship house to serve as a hub for Korean immigrants, even those who don’t come to church. He wants to provide a place where they can find support from fellow Koreans to deal with illnesses, financial difficulties, and other situations. Providing that support, Kang said, will open the door to sharing the gospel.
In addition to showing Jesus’ love locally, Kang said the church supports six missionaries overseas. He would like to see that support grow, and for the church to plant other Korean churches.
Kang and Hagan are excited about the future outreach of the Korean fellowship, and they are grateful for the support of the GBMB and Mission Georgia in helping to make that happen.
“Without the partnership of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board,” Hagan said, “we wouldn’t be able to do this. We are deeply grateful for that. It’s going to make a huge difference.”
