There has been a development that has been under radar of the church community in Koreatown of Los Angeles for the past decade. Because the number of Korean language churches have remained high in Koreatown, there has been an assumption that Gospel has been preached to all Korean Americans, however, the real truth is that Korean community has been unable to reach younger adults in Koreatown. Younger adults – younger Koreans who are studying at language schools to improve their English proficiency, and those who have moved into Koreatown for its nightlife – are increasingly growing up without church experiences as children.
Informal conversations with younger people have revealed that while they are involved in spiritual inquiry, this does not include a church. Many have said they are interested in learning more about God, but they are not interested in learning about a church. Those who have grown up in Korean American communities may have been exposed to churches in their pre-teen years, but they have walked away from these churches in their early teen years. Overall we are seeing growing number of Korean Americans without previously meaningful religious experiences or affiliations.
A new type of ministry effort will be needed to reach these young adults in Koreatown, an organic effort to build relationships with younger people on their terms apart from “churchy” programs.
