Unity Baptist Church: A Story of Growth and Community

The story of Unity Baptist Church begins with its mother congregation, Korean Unity Baptist Church of Nashville. This congregation was formed when two smaller Korean churches decided to merge, embodying the spirit of togetherness in its eponymous name, “Unity.” At its peak, Korean Unity was the largest Korean fellowship in the city.

A pivotal moment in Unity Baptist’s story occurred when Dan reached out to the Asian American Christian Fellowship (AACF) on the campus of Vanderbilt University to offer partnership and support. In an unexpected turn of events, the entire fellowship began attending Unity Baptist. This year, the daughter church that began as a ministry for children and youth has now surpassed its mother church in attendance, though not yet in membership.

Unity Baptist initially started as a children’s program, consisting of 12 children and youth, along with 12 single adults. After three or four years of operating as a ministry, the group expanded to include an English-language service. With the foresight of a deacon, they also drew up plans to renovate the preschool building into a dedicated Next Generation worship facility. Now, in 2024, the daughter church regularly sees an attendance of around 80 people, with 56 members and an additional 11 individuals in the membership class.

Dan emphasizes that healthy ethnic churches require a foundation of solid preaching and consistency in leadership. Other essential elements include faithful tithing, monthly communion, and strong teaching. A key strategy for Unity Baptist has been the establishment of house churches. These small groups meet weekly in homes across the city, fostering transparency and life-on-life discipleship through short devotions, fellowship, and shared meals. The church follows the model outlined in the book of Acts:

Pastor Dan Eum credits the house church ministry as a driving force behind the church’s growth. According to him, second-generation Asian Christians seek fellowship with others who share similar cultural backgrounds more than they feel the need to worship in their mother tongue. “Yes, I am an American, but I need a community of people that look like me,” Dan explains a common sentiment. This perspective has shaped the church’s mission and community outreach.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42-43

Unity Baptist Church stands as a testament to the power of community and the importance of adapting ministry to meet the unique needs of its members. Under Pastor Dan Eum’s leadership, the church continues to thrive, nurturing the spiritual growth of its congregation and reaching out to the broader community.