In Clarksville, Tennessee, the Body of Christ Church of the Nazarene stepped up to provide Korean language classes to meet the needs of the growing Korean community.

Eunice Lee, a member of BCCN and the organizer of the Korean School, says that the school’s mission “is not only to teach students about Korean culture but to teach non-believing students about the love of God.”

The school began in 2015 in response to an increasing Korean population in the area, fueled by Korean companies like Hankook Tire, LG Electronics, LG Chemistry, and Dongwha Electrolyte and a nearby military base, Fort Campbell.

BCCN learned about a desire to cultivate and preserve a Korean identity for those who immigrated to the area. So, thanks to a partnership with Community of Hope First Church of the Nazarene, BCCN’s Korean School began to meet.

About 25-30 students meet each Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. to learn about Korean culture, food, and language from five volunteer teachers. Because of the growth in popularity of K-pop (Korean pop music), many non-Korean students have begun to attend the Korean School.

The school organizes several activities each year, including a visit to nearby Austin Peay University during Korean New Year for the students to perform songs they learned at Korean School.

“When the Korean community watched their performance, many reported that they felt proud and were given a reminder of Korean culture,” Kim said. “Many of them left South Korea several years ago. And seeing [the students] performance of Korean culture touched them.”  

Lee says that as parents send their children to BCCN’s Korean School, it naturally steers students and families to the church.

“BCCN has saved many spiritual souls and made disciples through families that attend church through Korean School,” Lee said.

Lee believes that the school has made a positive impact on the Korean community in Clarksville and is thankful to Community of Hope First Church for sharing its building.

“I pray that this Korean School will continue to have a good influence in our community and continue saving spiritual souls,” Lee said.