LaGRANGE, Ga. (AP) — With just 35 potential congregates, James Yu took a leap of faith moving to this small west Georgia town to preach the gospel in Korean.
But the Baptist minister isn't worried. A $1.2 billion Kia Motors Corp. auto plant under construction in nearby West Point gives him hope for a larger audience for his message.
Yu was recruited by the Georgia Baptist Convention to help pave the biblical way for an expected increase in Koreans moving to Troup County, which lies along the Alabama border about 75 miles southwest of Atlanta. He left a job preaching at a Korean church in Atlanta to start New Heaven Baptist Mission on the Square, a part of First Baptist Church on the Square.
"Its crazy, I know," Yu said. "It's faith."
The church was expected to hold its official kick-off service Sunday.
Georgia's Kia plant is expected to create 2,893 jobs directly and 2,600 more at five nearby plants that supply parts. Cars should begin rolling off the assembly line in 2009.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development estimates the plant will have a $4 billion annual economic impact on the surrounding area, including communities in Georgia and Alabama.
State and local officials cobbled together a $258 million incentive package to lure Kia to Georgia, which was reeling from plans to shutter Ford Motor Co. and General Motors plants in the state. West Point and Troup County are offering up millions in property tax abatements over 15 years.
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