Diego and Destiny Arredondo Answer a Call to Serve

Diego Arredondo was recently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry of the Texas Army National Guard during a ceremony at St. Mary’s University. The following day, he received a bachelor of arts in criminology from the university. A pre-law student, he plans to attend law school in preparation for a career in federal law enforcement or as a prosecutor.

Arredondo graduated alongside his wife, Destiny, who received a bachelor of arts in criminology with honors. She is a member of the First-Generation College Honor Society and completed an internship with the San Antonio Police Department. She will attend the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas State Trooper Academy.

Both are products of the Baptist Temple youth program. While still in high school, Diego wrote the following essay:

Congregating has been a staple in many cultures since the beginning of time. Is congregating part of your cultural identity? The picture I took tells a narrative story about a place of worship and its many years of service to the people, the presence of a spiritual leader and an environment of learning that has taught and exposed many people the Word of God. 

This picture takes place in Baptist Temple Church of San Antonio, which is my place of worship. I have been attending Baptist Temple Church since 2019 when my father was hired as the Minister of Outreach. I have learned the history of the church and have been involved in its thorough and complicated projects to enhance its community's resources. This beautiful church has a deep-rooted history in the east side of San Antonio and has been serving its community since 1911 and has recently celebrated its 111-year anniversary. With a deep history like that it's safe to say that this place has become a cultural site for many of those who attend and congregate here. 

 

There have been thousands upon thousands of messages given at this cultural place. This picture sadly was only able to capture one of these moments. This first paragraph would not be complete without explaining the Baptist culture. Baptist believers trust and believe that Jesus is the son of God and believe that followers should make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The center of the Baptist faith and belief is servitude and this picture represents a service of hope given to the community.

Another beautiful story told in this picture is the presence of a spiritual leader, in this case my pastor Jorge Zayasbazan. This narrative photo displays our Church Senior Pastor Jorge Zayasbazan giving a sermon this morning. The presence and leadership of a spiritual leader has also been around since the beginning of time. Another staple of culture is having a spiritual leader and Baptist Temple has many to grace its community. Every Sunday a message is given and this picture depicts the weekly services and congregation that gathers together to hear the Word of our God. 

Culture can also be a habit or consistent activity but culture is also who you are as a person and as a group and spiritual leaders ensure that a group of people can be given the tools to pursue and help others pursue and trust in God, this is why they are so important to religious culture. This picture captures the story of a man who has dedicated his entire life to spreading the word of God, making disciples and church planting to the masses. The picture is taken from the perspective of someone who has been widely influenced by him as a spiritual leader and is mentored by one as well, spiritual leaders have always been rooted into my culture since birth. 

Although this photo can tell a thousand stories, my final one is that the photo captures a moment of culture in the way of the environment. The main culture idea that this picture captures is the religious environment that is common in the Baptist faith. It displays the colored stained glass windows that has been around for ages, the stained woodwork that flows throughout the church and the pool with the river painting over it where many have chosen to be baptized and give their life to Christ Jesus located right behind the stage area, all these beautiful features are a commonplace in Baptist churches, the instruments used to play music, the colored flags/banners with inspirational quotes and finally the warm colors and warm loving environment you can feel through the screen.

This culture is a big part of my life. Every Sunday and even more through the week I look forward to feeling the beautiful environment which is therapeutic to the eyes, soul and heart. This cultural environment is used to teach and preach the word of God to the mass community, share its overwhelming resources, make disciples and share God’s love. It is a beautiful, warm and inviting site. 

Overall, this narrative photograph tells a story of culture. It displays culture in three ways, one is the history of a place of worship, the importance of a spiritual leader and the environment of worship and its effect.
 

A Legacy of Faithful Ministry

For more than one hundred years Baptist Temple has witnessed the examples of people living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ; wonderful examples of lives that bring honor and glory to Him. Two of those faithful servants were recently added to the honored roll of Deacons Emeriti: JoAnn White and Muriel Persky.

White, a deacon’s wife for many years was ordained a deacon in her own right in 2017. Her emeritus status is granted in honor of many years of service prior to her ordination. Today, she is best known through our ceramics ministry, where with her husband Boyd and her son Robbie, she provides a weekly recreational outlet with a healthy dose of Jesus. But her service record is deep and wide. 

Since coming to Baptist Temple in 1970, her positions include WMU president, Sunday school teacher and department director, Cub Scout den mother and scoutmaster in our Troop 22’s Cub Scout program, and kindergarten teacher in our early learning center. She used her CNA nursing skills in BT’s TOUCH methadone program, working alongside Rose Flynn and Dr. E. J. Gregory. “I took them into the room, settled them down, took their blood pressure and temperature and all that. Dr. Gregory told Rose what to do and she did the medication,” she said.

She served the community as well, serving as PTA president at Kate Schenck Elementary, Rogers Middle School, and Highlands High School, following her children as they grew up.

Like White, Persky had been a deacon’s wife for many years prior to her ordination in 2017. She has taught Sunday school, Mission Friends, and Vacation Bible School. She has cooked at youth camps for as many as one hundred hungry teenagers — and few people are hungrier than teenagers. She worked behind the scenes on our legendary dinner theaters and children’s musicals. She worked with adults, too, teaching Bible study for the Christian Women’s Job Corps—helping women gain a fresh start in life. She even developed and wrote Bible study curriculum for the program.

One of Muriel’s fondest memories was serving with the planning team for the Billy Graham Crusade during the four months of preparation leading up to the San Antonio crusade.

While serving so faithfully in church ministry, she worked many years at Buckner Baptist Benevolences. She began as a cook, advanced to receptionist, then bookkeeper, and eventually administrative assistant before retiring.

Following retirement, she would accompany her husband, Robert, on short-term missions to the border and on Young in Heart excursions. Locally, Robert and Muriel worked on two Habitat for Humanity houses.

In 2020, Persky completed fifty hours of training to become certified as Stephen Minister, enhancing her skills to walk alongside people in need of extra grace.

Hope in the Heart of the City

An organization that prevails is one that adapts to a changing environment in order to meet the needs of people. It does not rest on past successes, nor does it rage against gathering clouds. Instead, it uses the past as a prelude and presses on to greater heights.

Its leaders understand the times, looking for where God is at work—because God is always at work.

For more than 100 years, we have navigated community change. From pastureland to upscale suburbs to the inner city, we have sought to meet the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors.

During the Great Depression, a “Tent City” of homeless people formed a mile east of us. We brought blankets, clothing, food, and medicine. At the same time, we operated a soup kitchen a mile to the north.

In the late 1960s, the construction of I-10 and HemisFair ’68 radically changed the neighborhood. Homes were demolished. People and financial resources migrated north. But we stayed.

Sewing classes, ESL instruction, a medical clinic, a methadone program, sports and recreation for all ages, and an early learning center emerged to meet community needs. They were later joined by a food pantry, clothing closet, and counseling ministries.

Today, we serve in a community where life expectancy is ten years lower than in some neighborhoods on the north side of San Antonio.

Yet, in the middle of this so-called under-resourced area, stands this magnificent facility: eighty thousand square feet on three acres. We are located on I-10 near a major exit, close to Interstates 35, 37, and 410, just one block from two bus routes, with ample parking and a dedicated cadre of workers—many from this very community.

Around us stands a growing network of churches, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and individuals committed to breaking the bonds of generational poverty.

There are many success stories. The hungry are fed. The homeless are housed. Addicts are finding sobriety. But some of the greatest victories are among our youth.

Let me tell you about Coby. He grew up in our children’s and youth ministries, nurtured by caring adults who faithfully brought him and his sister to church. He became one of the 60 percent in our community who graduate from high school and later received a full scholarship to the University of the Incarnate Word… as a saxophone player.

Though he attended a high school often viewed as less competitive than those in more affluent communities, he was given the tools, encouragement, and support needed to succeed at a major university.

Then there is Meosha, who lived in Denver Heights as a child, and went to college om an athletic scholarship.

This month, another of our students, Diego, will graduate from St. Mary's University and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Texas Army National Guard. Destiny will also graduate from St. Mary’s this month.

There are many others who have continued their education beyond high school thanks to the John and Mary Ellen Long grants. There is hope.

We have also provided internship opportunities for students from Baylor University, Our Lady of the Lake University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and Baptist University of the Americas, along with a workforce training program for special-needs students through SAISD.

This summer, we will host the Texas Baptist Deaf Conference for the second time, along with a two-week camp for children with special needs.

Each month we:

    •    provide 623 boxes of groceries,
    •    serve 775 free dinners,
    •    distribute 182 lunch bags,
    •    provide 83 clothing changes for homeless individuals, and
    •    serve 2,620 free school meals.

But we offer more than handouts. We offer friendship and dignity. We provide support groups, counseling, and classes in life skills and health.

From the Early Learning Center to Funeral Caring USA, we care for our community from cradle to grave. In between, we provide respite care, Empower House, Divine Women, ceramics classes, and five churches working together in a multifaceted, holistic approach to loving our neighbors.

We receive generous support from foundations including the Baptist Health Foundation, the Charity Ball Association, the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, and H-E-B Tournament of Champions. Their support has helped fund major repairs and improvements, including our inclusive playground—where children with disabilities can play alongside their typically abled friends—and our gymnasium, where six youth basketball teams practice. Sports help keep young people healthy, engaged in school, and out of trouble. Children and adults alike use these facilities.

Support also comes from individuals, churches, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. During COVID, a government grant allowed our Early Learning Center to remain open and continue serving the children of essential workers.

As the needs have increased, so have the resources. This year, HP CAN became a Texas nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3). We are preparing to bring in additional partners, expand our services, and increase the number of people we serve.

More Than a Game: A Testimony of Baptist Temple’s Sports Ministry

Guest Blog by Roland Bazaldua

The sports and day care ministries are the reason I have been a member of Baptist Temple since I was 9 years old...almost 40 years! The day care introduced me to BT, but it was the sports ministry that drew me in.

I watched Pete Burton coach a women’s softball team at South Side Lions Park. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I found out one of the women from that team would be coaching a youth boy’s softball team. Wanda Phillips was the coach. Cleta Foster, Evelyn Walker, and Marcia Frazelle served as assistant coaches. These women taught us more than how to play a game. They used each practice and game as an opportunity to witness to us and teach us life lessons. I’m not saying it was a religious service or devotional time. What I am saying is that they would show us love, patience, encouragement, and strict discipline should we need it.

Here’s one life lesson that remains with me to this day. To be eligible to play in that week’s game a player could not miss Sunday School for two weeks in a row. Coach Phillips had me so scared to miss Sunday School that I would attend the First Baptist Church of Sinton and bring back the bulletin to show I had been in Sunday School when we went there to visit my grandmother.

On one occasion, our pitcher and best hitter, Steve Hartsfield, was “benched” because he had missed Sunday School for two weeks in a row. Coach Phillips could have chosen to “overlook” his absence. Instead, she announced at practice that Steve would not be playing that week. These are the kind of life lessons we learned from these women.

As teenagers Mike Edwards and I moved up to the men’s team. There was one small problem for me. I wasn’t as good as most of the men on the team. I would only be put in the game in the late innings when the game was usually out of reach. That’s when Max Brunnemann and I developed a relationship that I cherish to this day. Max was the catcher. He took me under his wing and showed me how to play the position of catcher. Our pitcher was Mr. Ray Black. Max taught me how to place the glove just the way Ray wanted it.

During some games, at the objection of some of the players, Max would take himself out of the game so that I could play. If you know of Max’s competitive nature, you might think this was a tough decision for him. However, if you really knew Max, you would know a man full of love and compassion. He realized that softball was a ministry and that all should be included.

Even though I wasn’t athletically gifted, the men on that team made me feel as if I belonged. The greatest game in the history of Baptist Temple softball is the one that never was played! At practice some of the men talked about how much fun it would be to play a practice game against the women. The reason the men gave for not playing the game was that they “did not want the women to get hurt.” Between you, me, and the fencepost, I think the men knew the Baptist Temple women might have won.

The sports ministry is an important part of Baptist Temple. I’m sure glad that Pastor Jorge is supporting the various sports and extra-curricular activities here. You never know if one of the kids you are ministering to today will make a profession of faith, join Baptist Temple, and spend the rest of their life loving and worshipping the Lord. I know that is what happened to me.

Published in the Baptist Temple Church Bulletin on May 15, 2011 in recognition of BT’s sports ministry during our centennial celebrations.

Baptist Temple’s Witness in Changing Times

Researchers estimated that 15,000 churches would close in the United States in 2025, the highest single-year total on record. Most closures were expected among mainline Protestant denominations—Methodists, Presbyterians, and Lutherans—churches that had been shrinking for years.

Among evangelical churches, the picture was more complex. Large congregations, particularly those with regional or digital reach, remained stable. Some even grew. However, many small evangelical churches closed. These closures reflected demographic shifts, changing patterns of participation, and the long shadow of the pandemic.

Some churches sold property and relocated; others gave birth to new churches before disbanding. Some created community spaces, partnered with other ministries, or repurposed facilities to serve broader needs. It was a year of honest questions about mission, stewardship, and presence.

Baptist Temple remained, committed to presence over numbers and content to be smaller if it meant staying rooted. Old memories—revivals, full choirs, packed Sunday schools—no longer defined the present reality. Yet they remained witnesses, reminding the congregation that faithfulness is measured in obedience rather than numbers. BT’s story is about a sanctuary that remained open, a congregation that refused to surrender its calling, and ministries that adapted rather than disappeared—a story of resilience.

The neighborhood changed, attendance dipped, and the pandemic disrupted familiar rhythms. What emerged was not retreat but resolve. The church learned new ways to serve the community, simplified programs, leaned into relationships, and reclaimed the basics of worship, teaching, and care. BT learned that strength is not measured in size but in presence.

Attendance did not return to former highs, but engagement deepened and baptisms followed. New leaders emerged. The church remembered that it did not exist to preserve a building or a legacy but to bear witness to the gospel in this place and time.
BT remained faithful in a neighborhood shaped by poverty, transition, and displacement. Success came to be measured in food served, prayers offered, and doors kept open—a place of continuity in a continually changing neighborhood. Victory looked like persistence: a church still gathering, a pastor still preaching, a congregation still praying for its neighborhood.

Baptist Temple’s story is not one of decline but of survival shaped by faith—a church that weathered cultural change, economic pressure, and seasons of uncertainty and still remains. Still worshiping. Still serving. Still standing.

Hammering Hope

Among the most celebrated ministries Baptist Temple’s storied history were the two Habitat for Humanity houses built in 1999 and 2000. Mark Newton, who was pastor during those years,  said, “These were two of the most incredible ministries in my forty plus years of pastoral service. I recall the entire process with such joy and emotion. I have never been a part of such an inter-generational, church wide supported, prayerfully covered, God ordained, and physically draining experience.” 

Melissa Baxter added, “It brought the young and the old together on a project, working together as a church body for a family who was there working alongside us.”

“The first family in particular was so engaged and so appreciative. I still maintain contact with the homeowner and drive by the home often when in San Antonio,” said Newton.

BT raised some of the funds, but the money came primarily from a grant from Wells Fargo Bank, where church member, Carol Gray, worked. Church members provided the labor. 

Shad Purcell, youth Minister at the time, remembers that the experience shaped his understanding of ministry. Working side-by-side with church members, sharing physical labor and common purpose, embodied the kind of communal faith he valued.

Prior to the laborers’ arrival, the site would have a slab poured, utilities connected, and a pile of prefabricated walls ready to be assembled. For several weeks a work crew would be on the site hammering, roofing, drywalling, painting; lunch would be prepared in the church kitchen and brought to the site. Robert Persky said that a group of retirees were there every day. “I remember Aurelia Newton on the roof nailing in shingles,” said Robert’s wife, Muriel, who was also at the work site daily. 

“I will never forget standing in the yard and glancing at the home on that final Saturday afternoon... children were hauling grass, women who had been on the roof and hanging Sheetrock were now inside cleaning. Eighty plus year old men were finishing up the wooden fence and I'm almost certain I heard God proclaim, ‘Well done my good and faithful servants!’” said Newton.

Sobriety, Baptism, and the Call to Serve

For Jarrett Leeth, sobriety was not the end of a journey but the clearing of the fog. 

Leeth’s parents were pillars of Baptist Temple. Morgan and Lynn were deeply involved in teaching, music, and community ministry. But Jarrett was drifting in the opposite direction. “I was getting out of the church scene and going my own ways. Not good ways, doing bar scenes and such and going the wrong way,” he said. What began as casual drinking hardened into habit, and habit into dependence. He would later describe those years plainly: hurting other people, hurting himself, using friends and even his parents for money, and watching alcohol quietly dismantle both his work and his integrity.

He was a licensed journeyman plumber who learned his trade in the Navy as a Seabee. Plumbing was the one steady thing in his life. But even that began to erode. After a diabetes diagnosis, he refused to change his lifestyle. Medication came; the drinking continued. He let his plumbing license lapse and tried to begin again at Home Depot, imagining a steady career until retirement. Instead, he found himself working part-time at night stocking for modest wages, barely covering fuel costs.

He pivoted again, this time into sprinkler fitting. The work suited him. The drinking did not stop.

Then came the physical consequences. Diabetes advanced. Sores appeared on his feet and would not heal. A toe was amputated and still he drank. His nights blurred into mornings as he drank himself into brief unconsciousness only to begin again. Finally, it got so bad he was hospitalized for liver failure.

That was three years ago. “I don't even have the slightest thought of alcohol in my mind anymore,” he said. 

Leeth quit cold turkey. No gradual taper. No negotiated compromise. March 14 will mark three years without a drop of alcohol. The early weeks were difficult, but the cravings eventually fell silent. Sobriety did more than restore clarity; it restored memory. With painful vividness he began to see the damage he had done—to himself, to others, to the life he might have lived.

Then he began to pray. He began to feel the Holy Spirit working in his life; a quiet conversation between him and God. He had been thinking about baptism for months before he spoke it aloud. He even considered marking the occasion on the third anniversary of his sobriety. Yet his deeper questions were not about ceremony but about direction. About following the way of Jesus.

He was baptized on February ninth, not just as a testimony of what he left behind but, also, a declaration of where he hopes to go. At fifty-five, Leeth describes himself as “wide awake.” Plumbing was his identity, the one thing he stuck to. But now, sober and alert, he feels the weight of larger questions: Where am I headed? What is the purpose of the years that remain?

He reads Scripture and seeks deeper understanding. He searches the stories for answers about life and eternity. He is seeking a way to make a difference. “Serving others, that’s probably what I'm looking for right there,” he said.

And the questions that once haunted him—about death, about direction, about meaning—are gradually giving way to something quieter and more enduring: the desire to belong to Christ and to spend what remains of his life serving others.

Youth Ministry in a Season of Change

“My first week was trial by fire,” said Shad Purcell, Baptist Temple’s new Minister of Youth and Activities (1999—2001).

He hit the ground running. He took the youth to Centrifuge his first week. The following week featured a mission trip to the border town of Van Horn with VBS and construction work all day, followed by worship in the evening. He was surprised to find out at the first worship service for the Spanish-language church that he was to be the preacher. He gave them a fifteen-minute message (including translation) and, on his guitar, played the one song he knew in Spanish—twice. 

When Purcell arrived at Baptist Temple, he was young and still discerning the shape of his ministry. BT called him to be the full-time Youth and Activities Minister after Danny Johnson’s departure. He had been the part-time minister of youth at Dellview Baptist Church while completing his Master of Divinity at the San Antonio extension of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Purcell’s early years in ministry would be shaped under the leadership of Pastor Mark Newton. “He was a great mentor to me,” Purcell said.

Purcell quickly developed an affection for the church’s south-side location and long history of community presence as he entered a congregation already navigating complex transitions—demographic, theological, and cultural. The youth group reflected those tensions. Some students came from long-established BT families, commuting from neighborhoods north and east of the city. Kids from the neighborhood were drawn by open gym nights, the promise of food, and a place to belong. But integrating students from different social worlds proved uneven. While open conflict was rare, true unity was lacking. The church could gather young people into the same room more easily than it could draw them into a shared identity. “They were rough,” he said.

At twenty-five, Purcell found himself working with young people who faced challenges and influences beyond the church environment. In one case, he recalled sensing a struggle between competing claims on a young man’s soul—between the pull of gang affiliation and the faith-based community offered by the church.

The gym continued to be one of the church’s most effective outreach tools, particularly through volleyball leagues and recreational programming that kept the campus active throughout the week. Purcell credits Cathy Peeler and her daughter, Linzi, with keeping the gym full and the leagues organized.

As meaningful as the work was, Purcell increasingly sensed a separation between his own developing convictions and the church’s institutional culture. BT, responding to broader currents within Baptist life, placed consistent emphasis on denominational identity and distinction. While Purcell affirmed those commitments, he found himself longing for a ministry less about tradition and more about the joy of the gospel. Worship services were too formal and reinforced a model of church life that seemed distant from the community the church hoped to reach.

One incident stands out. It was in the wee small hours of the morning when Purcell finished replacing the chairs used for the Fiesta Saturday Night Parade fundraiser. He went home for a nap and showed up for worship without a suit and sat with his wife rather than on the platform with the rest of the staff. “I caught so much grief for that,” he remembers.

These dynamics seemed misaligned with the immediacy of the gospel work he was encountering among students and in the surrounding community—an expression of larger questions facing the congregation. Could BT function as a neighborhood church again? Encounters with students navigating gang pressure, economic instability, and broken family systems sharpened that question. 

Purcell’s time at BT was also marked by moments of deep affirmation. The Habitat for Humanity build stands out as a highlight. Working side by side with church members, sharing physical labor and common purpose, embodied the kind of communal faith he valued. The experience would shape his understanding of ministry long after he left.

In cooperation with his home church, Crossroads Baptist Church, Purcell was ordained at BT. It was an occasion made especially meaningful by his father’s public expression of pride and affection. “He's from the generation where you just don't say that out loud,” he said.

Shad Purcell remembers his time at Baptist Temple as formative rather than frustrating. The church tested his assumptions, refined his priorities, and shaped his calling. The lessons learned there, amid both affirmation and strain, would continue to shape his ministry for decades to come. Today he serves as Pastor of Discipleship and Assimilation at Alamo Community Church.

Baptist Temple was faithful to who it had been, even as younger ministers and emerging communities pressed toward what the church might yet become. 

A Seasonal Job Becomes a Lifetime Calling

It was meant to be temporary. As the Christmas season approached, Baptist Temple was without a Minister of Music for the usual holiday worship events. Experienced and available, Kirby Follis was invited to lead the church through Advent and Christmas.

It worked out well. The choir was talented and musicians were already in place. “We had a great celebration,” said Follis.

The church, pleased with the results, invited Follis to remain on staff full-time. Follis had a promising career in banking and prayed fervently before accepting the call. He said, “The Lord fulfilled my call to step fully into ministry.” 

Although he had been a worship leader for five years, this was his first experience leading a big program. There were choirs, handbells, a worship orchestra, and dinner theater, but he grew into the job. “I had complete freedom to lead and try new things or evaluate and revise old things,” he said.

Follis served during the final years of Bill Perdue’s pastorate and was part of the team of staff that led the church during the interim months between pastors. The team which also included Gary Bradley, Danny Johnson, and Guillermo Rolando ensured that the spiritual vitality of BT remained undiminished and yielded eleven baptisms during this time.

When Mark Newton was called as pastor, the next phase of Follis’s service began. A five-year period where his additional duties changed from children’s ministry to missions. A highlight of this era was BT’s active participation in the Billy Graham Crusade held in San Antonio. Follis helped mobilize volunteers, counselors, and follow-up teams. He was one of sixty BT church members who sang in the crusade choir.

Training sessions brought together participants from a range of congregations, including meetings hosted at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Follis remembered the remarkable cooperative spirit among churches in the city at that time. Legendary Billy Graham Crusade music director Cliff Barrow lead the choir. “To be under his guidance is something you remember your whole life,” said Follis.

One of the most popular worship-related ministries during his time was the dinner theater. Follis inherited this program that was created by Mary Ann Stevens, whose leadership had expanded children’s choirs, introduced handbells and instrumentation, and developed resources to support music education. Building on that foundation, Follis and co-director Nancy Pennington continued the ministry and oversaw a stylistic shift toward musical theater productions with Christian themes. 

Kirby Follis was at BT from 1993—2000 and today serves as Executive Pastor of Cityrise Church in Houston but still remembers the joy of serving a vibrant San Antonio church “with a desire to embrace, love, and serve as changing community.”

“Baptist Temple has long been 

a beacon atop the I-10 freeway.

May her light continue to brightly shine!” 

Kirby Follis

Rooted in Friendship, Renewed in Service

Bobann Moore returned to the church of her childhood to help serve the Tuesday night community dinner after retiring from a long career in clinical research. With newly available time, she made a decisive commitment: Tuesdays would belong to Baptist Temple.

"Bobann is a great cook but has been happy to help in any way she can,” said Kay Richardson, who leads the community dinner crew. “She preps vegetables, butters bread, cuts and plates desserts, and gets ice in cups. She also provides some of our desserts when needed. And she is always ready and willing to serve our community from the line.” 

With a constant smile on her face that reflects her inner joy, Moore makes it a point to greet and speak to community members and is an encouragement to the other volunteers. Soon her service expanded to organizing neighborhood donation drives, collecting clothing and household items, and delivering them weekly to the church’s thrift store. Her car—and often her garage—fill quickly.

Her story at Baptist Temple spans nearly a lifetime. She first arrived as a child of nine, when her family moved from Oklahoma to San Antonio. Her father, Bill Leikam, was Pastor Loren White’s college roommate at Oklahoma Baptist University and was invited to serve as BT’s minister of music while also teaching full-time at San Antonio College. 

She was baptized at age eleven by Loren White and grew within the full rhythm of church life—Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday nights—at a time when the sanctuary was full and the ministries were thriving.

She was married by BT Pastor Bill Purdue, and later her daughter was dedicated at BT. Generations overlapped naturally; friendships formed in childhood extended into adulthood.

Moore is part of a group of friends who get together once a month for dinner, sustaining bonds formed in pews and classrooms long ago. They grew up at Baptist Temple and have kept ties throughout the years even though many now attend other churches. “Since seven of us still attend BT, when we get together, we talk about what's going on at BT,” said Richardson.  

Although her church home is at Cornerstone, Moore has always shown particular interest in BT's ministries to the community and the homeless. She understands that volunteer-driven ministries depend on faithfulness across generations. “I want to keep this place going as best I can,” she explained, mindful that seasons change and servants age. Her commitment is steady, practical, and deeply relational.

Her memories of Baptist Temple are shaped by leadership and mission. She recalls the warmth and kindness of Loren White, the energy and vision of Mark Newton, and the organizational strength of Bill Purdue. She remembers bold ministries—the methadone clinic, the bus ministry, and outreach to housing projects—that embodied a willingness to serve neighbors even when such efforts made some uncomfortable.

In the past, Moore had served faithfully BT for years as nursery coordinator during a season when the church overflowed with young families. She volunteered to work church events and spearheaded a fundraising drive that raised thousands of dollars to assist a family in need. Her service was usually behind the scenes, but always effective.

Today, Moore continues to encourage generosity within her circle of longtime friends—redirecting gift exchanges toward donations, organizing care bags, and quietly modeling what it means to remain invested in a church that shaped her life. Baptist Temple, she says simply, “means a whole lot to us.”

For Bobann Moore, Baptist Temple is not only a place of memory but a living mission—one worthy of time, effort, and faithful presence. “Bobann has a giving, servant's heart and I am blessed to call her my friend and serve alongside her,” said Richardson.

From the Sanctuary to the Mountains: A Church That Sent Healers

BT Team in 2004. Megan is second from the right.

 

Megan Pieniazak Dove came to Baptist Temple as a child, joining the congregation with her family while she was in the fourth grade. From the beginning, the church became a formative space for her spiritual and personal development. She was immersed in the rhythms of congregational life—Sunday school, choir, GAs, and especially Acteens, a ministry she later described as central to her growth in faith. Looking back on those years, Dove recalled feeling so “bubble wrapped with love and assurance that she could dream big,” an environment that nurtured both confidence and calling.

With the encouragement of Pastor Mark Newton, she enrolled at Baylor University, where was active in the Baptist Student Ministry and deepened her sense of vocation. It was also at Baylor that she met her future husband, Stephen.

Dove’s time at Baylor included two semesters in Mexico, undertaken to strengthen her Spanish language skills. Experiences that would later prove essential. 

After completing her education, she returned to Baptist Temple in 2002, at just twenty years old, to serve as minister of children and youth, later just focusing on children.

In 2003, Megan and Stephen responded to a call to missions, relocating to Chiapas, Mexico for a year, to serve at Clínica Peña de Horeb, an eye clinic established by Good News Friends to bring medical care to some of southern Mexico’s most impoverished and geographically isolated communities. Dove’s earlier language training enabled her to work effectively with patients. She and Stephen assumed responsibility for the clinic’s administrative operations, coordinating medical teams, staffing, and daily logistics. 

The clinic’s work unfolded through three primary avenues: periodic medical campaigns during which U.S. physicians provided free ophthalmological surgeries; year-round eye exams and distribution of donated glasses; and regular outreach trips to remote villages scattered across the mountains. “Stephen and I would go on at least one or two remote trips a month to deliver glasses,” said Dove.

BT sent several mission teams to the clinic beginning in the late nineties. In 2002, BT prepared 5000 pairs of donated glasses to take to the clinic. 

Kirby Follis, BT Music and Missions at the time, recalled one trip to the clinic when the mission team combined medical care with pastoral presence. Physicians, nurses, and specialists treated many types of eye conditions, while others offered what Follis, described as “spiritual triage”—praying with patients, listening to their stories, and offering encouragement alongside physical care. “The need was immense” said Follis, “People walked for miles—sometimes for days—descending from remote mountain villages to wait in long lines, hoping for the chance to see a doctor.”

Melissa Baxter contributed to this article.


 

2025: The year in review

THE YEAR IN PICTURES 

It was a year marked by need—and faithfulness.

Across San Antonio, rising food insecurity pressed itself into daily life. Baptist Temple felt that weight not as an abstraction, but as faces, names, and empty hands. With the help of our hunger fighting partners, the church responded. Over the course of the year, more than seven hundred homeless meal bags were distributed, groceries were provided to over 3,500 families, and more than 4,000 hot meals were served. Each number represented a conversation, a prayer, a quiet act of dignity restored. God provided and the number of volunteers increased, as did the number of food sources—clear signs of God’s grace.

Hunger relief efforts intersected with learning, laughter, and shared life. Community events filled the calendar and the campus with energy: the Dollars and Sense seminar led by George Long offered practical guidance; the Charity Ball Association children’s party transformed the grounds with clowns, inflatables, pony rides, and a petting zoo; and the Boo Bash, cosponsored by the Early Learning Center and Respite Care, welcomed families into a safe and festive celebration. Even Vacation Bible School bore fruit, as two children made decisions to follow Christ—small moments that carried eternal weight.

The year was also marked by transition—hellos and goodbyes that reshaped the rhythm of congregational life. God’s Will Ministry began gathering for Sunday worship at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel adding to the five congregations already worshiping on the BT Campus. Divine Women expanded their services and relocated to the Long House. Respite Care launched a parent’s day out program on campus, offering rest to weary caregivers of special needs kids. At the same time, the Henry Ford Academy did not reopen in the fall, closing a chapter that had once held promise and purpose.

Worship remained the steady center. The sanctuary echoed with special services and sacred moments: the Southern Plainsmen worship concert, Adult and Teen Challenge leading worship with testimony and song on two occasions, and musical presentations on Palm Sunday and during Advent. Easter was celebrated with the flowering of the cross, a visible sign of resurrection hope. The Early Learning Center presented its strongest Christmas program to date, and Christmas Eve was marked not by spectacle but by simplicity—scripture read, songs sung, Christ remembered. In a moment of affirmation and gratitude for faithful service, Linda Moos was ordained as a deacon.

Life together mattered, too. Game day fellowships and shared meals created space for laughter and conversation. Valentine’s Day brought “A Night of Romance,” featuring great entertainment, laughter, and a catered dinner. Eighteen members walked together in the San Antonio Hunger Walk, embodying in public what they practiced daily. Homecoming stood above the rest—a celebration of the church’s 114th birthday, the largest worship attendance of the year, and an even larger gathering afterward at Comanche Park, where former members and staff returned from near and far to reminisce about the past and to rejoice about the present.

The year also witnessed new life in Christ. Baptisms marked turning points and testimonies of grace: Manuel; Kelsie; Elijah; Thomas; the Estrada family—George, Ana, Mia, and Fabian; Ralph; and Adelina. Their stories joined the long stream of faith that has shaped Baptist Temple for generations.
The year carried loss. We mourn and give thanks for lives of: Louise Stuteville, George Martin, Mary Lee Shelton, Ken Muenzler, and Robert Newman. Their absence was felt, their memory honored, their faith remembered with gratitude and hope.

Looking back, 2025 was a year marked by faithfulness—by hands extended, tables shared, voices lifted in worship, and lives changed. In the face of need, the church did what it has always done: it stepped up.

Celebrating 55 Years of Faithful Ministry

Baptist Temple's desire to meet the needs of our community set the tone for what became the longest-running community ministry in San Antonio’s South Side: the Baptist Temple Early Learning Center. In 1970, it was not yet evident that the program would endure decades of change. The first day, just three children arrived. But founding director Bea McEntire saw something much larger taking shape. “It was a chance to teach the children about the love Jesus has for them and to teach them to get along with each other,” she said.

Teachers like Billie Anderson, who would later serve as assistant director for two decades, remembered the spiritual atmosphere. “I loved sharing Bible stories, verses, and songs about Jesus with the children,” she said. “Hearing them sing... I was blessed.” 

By 1975, enrollment expanded, kindergarten and summer programs were launched, and the center’s license grew to serve 110 children. Children who attended sometimes came back years later as parents.

Serving families quickly became more than childcare—it evolved into a broader community ministry. It marked an era when Baptist Temple began to focus on ministering to a neighborhood that was rapidly transitioning, in keeping with the words of Jeremiah 29:7: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you.”

When McEntire retired in 1988 after 18 years of service, her successor, Audrey Good, continued the Christian-centered model of care. Good ensured that faith remain the thread running through everything. “We are a Christian program that provides songs, prayers and other activities that acknowledge God’s love for children,” she said.

The Early Learning Center (ELC) adapted across generations: remodeled facilities, expanded age groups, after-school programs, accessible playground construction, and the acceptance of CCS vouchers for working families.

But no challenge was greater than COVID-19. Kathleen Lanzalotto, became the center's director just as shutdowns began. With medical workers and first responders needing childcare to perform essential tasks, closing wasn’t an option. She re-trained staff, created safety protocols, and reopened after a two week break. Under her leadership, the center grew, bought a new van, expanded after-school care, and earned a dramatic jump in its online ratings.

The program has reached the highest distinction available from the Texas Rising Star program: a Four-Star rating, recognizing excellence above state standards. “We are aiming for best practices,” said Baptist Temple Executive Pastor Jonathan Clark. 

For many parents, the difference is obvious the moment they arrive. “It looks and smells clean,” said Assistant Director Cindy Mendez.

One parent, Eric Estrada, said he once planned to keep his baby at home. But after enrolling, he changed his mind. “It feels like she’s with adults who care about her as much as we do,” he said.

Staff say their philosophy is simple: you can teach skills, but you can’t teach a heart for children. “If you love kids, you’re paying attention to them,” said a staff member.

What sets the ELC apart isn’t only the curriculum or the professional standards. It’s the consistency of mission. Faith remains central, with chapel services every Wednesday to honor the Proverbs 22:6  imperative to “Train up a child in the way he should go...”

After more than 25 years of service to ELC, Pat Mejia became director in 2025.She started at ELC as a teacher in 1999 and became an office assistant in 2020. After completing the required courses, she was promoted to assistant director in 2023. 

Through neighborhood transformation, economic hurdles, changing family needs, and even a global pandemic, the Early Learning Center’s 55-year story is not just a timeline—it’s a testament to endurance, faith, and the generations who shaped it.

Deacon Spotlight: Linda Moos

Growing up in church set the foundation for Linda Moos’ lifelong ministry. She started her spiritual journey at Ashley Road Baptist Church where she went with her parents as a baby. As a young adult she taught in their children’s Sunday school department. 

Linda first came to Baptist Temple in 1998, where her parents were now attending. The church had an average worship attendance of 450 at the time and Linda had trouble fitting in. She said, “Coming in new felt hard because there were cliques.”

She eventually found her place teaching children’s Sunday school and singing in the choir, but after several years, she moved away. 

Upon returning to San Antonio, Linda found her way back to Baptist Temple where she was enthusiastically welcomed. She described the current atmosphere as more of a community than her earlier experience and greater than in the other churches she had visited. She felt especially embraced by Melissa Baxter and Karen Newman. She said, "I was welcomed back with open arms."

Wanting to serve God through her church, she once again sang in worship and started teaching Sunday school --this time to adult women. Karen was one of her mentors and led Linda through the “Multiply Movement” discipleship course. Another mentor is Melissa, with whom she co-teaches Sunday School. 

Baptist Temple recently ordained Linda as a deacon, an office she has always held in high regard. She recalls the times the church has been without a pastor and the deacons provided stability. She named Robert Newman and Steve Grinnell as role models for their dedication and involvement in church activities.

She’s faced some tough times in her life but recognizes that her personal difficulties strengthened her ability to bless others. She feels that her experiences enable her to offer compassion and kindness to people in pain. Linda emphasizes that the essence of being a deacon is caring for people. Her commitment is to be present for others. “I've had people call me at three o'clock in the morning who couldn't go to sleep and they needed prayer. And it's like, fine, let's go, let's pray. It's being there when someone needs you,” she said.

Homecoming at Baptist Temple

Homecoming is an American tradition celebrated by high schools, colleges, and churches. It gives an opportunity for people to reconnect and reflect on shared memories. Given Baptist Temple's rich history, we decided to have one of our own. It seemed long overdue.

While the 114th anniversary is not particularly significant, it did mark five years since the COVID shutdown. God sustained us during those challenging times but many of our campus partners did not survive. Over the last year, we have experienced a renewed spirit, a fresh wind as God is moving us in new ways. God sent new non-profits and churches to the BT campus to replace those that did not survive, and baptisms have been increasing. New workers and leaders are emerging. It was time for a celebration.

The homecoming event drew attendees from near and far. Former staff members Philip and Mary Ann Stevens, Gary Bradley, and KQ Scott returned to take part. More than two hundred people attended the picnic, and 170 gathered for worship. The worship service featured heartfelt testimonies from Mary Ann Stevens, Gary Bradley, and Steve Grinnell. Musical contributions came from Karen and her sister Susan on a piano duet, and Philip Stevens performed a beautiful solo. Campus partners were part of the celebration, as well. Many others had expressed their desire to attend but were unable due to prior commitments, as the event was planned on short notice.

The celebration was made possible by the hard work of the Baptist Temple community. Our team worked diligently to prepare and serve food, organize the worship service, and ensure everything was ready. During the worship service, one team was in the kitchen preparing the meal while another was at the park decorating and setting up.

A big THANK YOU to all who gave of themselves and for the generous financial contributions from our members and friends that enable us to continue to serve this community in which God has placed us.
 

The success of the event has sparked conversations about making homecoming an annual tradition to celebrate God’s ongoing work through Baptist Temple.

A life well lived

Robert Newman didn't start out at Baptist Temple but he got here as soon as he could. He began attending South San Baptist Church after his teacher invited him to an after school Bible club. The pastor's son worked on him until he walked down the aisle to be baptized but he says his faith truly came alive during a summer camp at Alto Frio. He started attending Baptist Temple when his family moved two blocks down the street.

He strayed away from Baptist Temple during his college years, disillusioned by the the ugly behavior of some people at church business meetings. Years later he would caution church leaders, “Be careful what you say or do at a church business meeting. It could negatively influence a new Christian; chasing them away from church.” 

After college, he returned to his church upon the invitation of Charlene Purdue, the pastor's wife, and he never strayed again. In 1985 he was ordained a deacon, serving as deacon chair on multiple occasions.

Robert knew his church wasn't perfect. He had a clear understanding of its flaws and shortcomings but his commitment was strong. He couldn't understand why people would leave the church because they had been somehow offended or in search of one that better met their needs. He personified Jesus' words, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

He once said that if he was going to get married, God would have to send his future wife to Baptist Temple. And God did. Karen Clemmons came to Baptist Temple to play the piano, and Robert and Karen were married on June 8th, 1985. 

Baptist Temple was a family business for the Newman family. Robert's mom, Elaine, worked for years as a cook at Baptist Temple. His wife, Karen, plays the piano and became the bookkeeper. Robert became Minister of Pastoral Care after a long career as a camera repair technician for Havel Camera Service.

Robert wanted to serve. He wanted to be useful. He wanted to be used by God. Robert loved to sing and lead music but his greatest gift was caring for people. He would follow up on our home-bound seniors and send cards on, seemingly, all occasions. He made sure no one was forgotten. He would visit staff and volunteers throughout the campus, listening to problems and offering encouragement.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” and Robert was indeed a child of God in that regard. One who would pour oil on troubled waters. He was chairman of deacons when I was called to Baptist Temple and his job was to keep me out of trouble. We would meet for lunch on the Wednesdays before church conference and go over the agenda lest I step on a land mine. He would run interference, fielding complaints, defending me, and shielding me from the most severe abuse. Years would pass before I realized how important he was to my longevity at Baptist Temple.

He had a keen intellect and a curious mind, especially with technology, always wanting to buy the latest gadgets and staying on top of technological changes. He was fluent in German and spoke Dutch, Russian, and Swedish, too. He took care of our computers, cameras, and phones, both hardware and software, and, even, changed our watch batteries.

He worried a lot but always had faith that God would prevail and believed that Baptist Temple would endure. Like his beloved church he was flexible and adjusted to the needs of an ever-transitioning neighborhood.

It is poignant that he died on his day off. He hated to miss work. He didn't like to take sick days or vacations. It was more than a sense of duty. It was a true calling; a knowledge that he was making a difference. 

He is already missed by so many but enjoying the presence of God.

“For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

Ben finds a home

“We have a bum sleeping on our porch,” said a thrift store volunteer early one morning as the manager walked through the door.

“His name is Ben, and God sent him as a guardian angel to watch over our store at night,” said the thrift store manager.

Ben* had been sleeping under the awning by the front door, next to a shopping cart filled with everything he owned. He had come to the Baptist Temple Food Pantry seeking food. He sat down with a pantry minister who asked questions designed to help get to the roots of why he needed help and help him to develop a plan towards greater independence. It turns out Ben, a veteran, was living on the streets and has disabilities. He probably had benefits available.

Everyone who comes into the pantry sits with a minister to fill out the needed paperwork and match the needs of the client to available resources. More importantly, they offer a listening ear, words of comfort, and prayer in an unhurried atmosphere. Often people who find themselves in grim circumstances feel unwanted and unheard.

After a little research, the minister determined that Ben did have benefits available. But for Ben to receive his benefits, he needed a bank account in which to deposit funds. That required an ID card. Another hurdle.

Once the ID card was acquired, the next hurdle was a mailing address to receive his debit card. So, Baptist Temple became his mailing address, and we diligently awaited the arrival of the plastic card that would lead to housing for Ben. Meanwhile, he slept under the awning.

It took a lot of steps to find housing for Ben. This would have been an overwhelming task to tackle alone. People living on the streets lack the connection of friends and family to help them through tough times. Life can be challenging to navigate alone as problems and setbacks snowball into catastrophe.

Networking is a key element in business success, but it is essential for survival. Baptist Temple stepped in, becoming that network for Ben. Of course, the issue of homelessness is complex, especially when addiction and mental illness come into play, but there are some things we can do to help. Jesus taught us, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (MT 25:40)

God, grant me the serenity to

Accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr

*Not his real name.

Click here to donate now to support 

our fight against generational poverty.

Baptist Temple’s Early Learning Center receives top rating

Often praised as among the best childcare centers in San Antonio, Baptist Temple Early Learning Center’s (ELC) has raised their level of care. They recently received a Four-Star Texas Rising Star program rating (the highest) from the Texas Workforce Commission. This means that they have been recognized as being above and beyond the strict minimal standards for licensed childcare facilities. “We are aiming for best practices,” said Baptist Temple Executive Pastor Jonathan Clark. “These include additional training for teachers and staff, optimizing the environment for children, and a focus on teacher/child interactions.”
 

Director Corchelle Mabry and her staff performed well as they prepared for the evaluation. “It’s a step in the right direction,” Mabry said. “It's only the beginning. Now we have to maintain it. I know we can do it. I have the right staff. They're willing to get the training that they need, and we'll keep it going.”

Pat Mejia, who has been working at the ELC since 1999, expressed excitement over receiving the highest grade. “We all worked very hard,” she said.

Mabry has only been director for a little over a year, but she brought a clear vision of building on past successes to improve the ELC image as more learning center than daycare. Her thirty-six years of experience in the childhood education field have prepared her well for this task.

“This is a learning center”, said Mejia. “Lessons begin at four months.”

It begins with classroom decoration. “The wall decorations need to reflect the curriculum and change with the lessons,” Mabry said.

The appeal of our facility is immediately noticeable. “It looks and smells clean,” said Cindy Mendez, who has been employed at the ELC since 2008. “It is a pleasant place to work.”

Parent Eric Estrada (not the actor) is particularly pleased by the almost daily pictures he receives of his child while at the ELC. He was initially impressed by the quality of facilities, the longevity of the staff, and the noticeable way the teachers cared about the children.

“Our original plan was to keep the baby at home with a family member. When that didn't work out, we found the ELC. Here, it feels like she's with adults who care about her as much as we do. We should have done this from the start!” said Estrada.

Loving children goes beyond just liking to be with children. “I'd rather have people here that love to do the job because anybody can come in the door and say I love children,” said Mabry. “If you love kids, you're paying attention to them.”

That’s the reason why generations have been served by the Early Learning Center. It is not unusual for someone who received care from us to return with their own children and find their teachers still here.

Faith lessons are also part of our teaching, with age-appropriate lessons that focus on God as Father, creator, and Lord of all. There is a chapel service every Wednesday in each classroom.

The ELC was established in 1970 to meet the growing need for childcare in our community as moms were entering the workforce in increasing numbers. Over the years improvements continued to be made. The building that houses the ELC was gutted and remodeled in 1989, updating the 1930s era classrooms to contemporary standards.

In 2012, the ELC began accepting vouchers from Child Care Services (CCS). These scholarships are available to help working parents who make less than a living wage and those who are searching for work or attending school. This allowed the ELC to increase the level of service to our community. Furthermore, they started accepting infants and offering after-school care, in response to community needs.

The ELC continually expands its scope to fill unmet needs. Grants from the Charity Ball Association, the Baptist Mission Foundation, Baptist Health Foundation, HEB Tournament of Champions, fundraisers, local businesses and individual donors helped them build an accessible playground where children with disabilities and typical abilities can play together. It was the first of its kind in the Southside.

Perhaps the biggest challenge came during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ELC retooled and retrained and remained open to serve the needs of parents who were essential workers. In the aftermath of COVID, many childcare centers failed to reopen, and it became difficult to find childcare workers. Grants from the Small Business Administration, the United Way, and others helped them to stay open and fill the gap that was creating a crisis across the nation.

Mabry says our next growth step is NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) certification. The goal of NAEYC is for the early childhood profession to exemplify excellence and be recognized as performing a vital role in society.

2022: The Year in Review

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

 2022: The Year in Pictures

God has given Baptist Temple many good and perfect gifts in 2022. The largest of these was a grant of $653,668 to help our Early Learning Center with the labor shortage and pandemic-related losses, thus enabling us to continue our vital service to the community. The grant was a result of federal funding provided to answer the national childcare crisis which has threatened to leave 6.5 million U.S. families without stable childcare. Once again, the Baptist Temple Early Learning Center has stepped up to meet a community need.

Often, God’s gifts come as people. Our new daycare director, Lakita Oats, brought 14 years’ experience and an MA in early childhood education combined with a passion for service and a desire to be used by God. Her cheerful countenance and steady leadership have kept us moving forward through troubled times.

Sometimes, God’s gifts come disguised as trouble. When the Early Learning Center’s van was stolen and vandalized this fall, several folks responded financially (including one large gift of $30,000) to help us recover. Most of the contributions came from strangers who learned of our plight on the news. While it is sad that there are people who would perpetrate such a senseless act of destruction, it became an occasion for joy as God demonstrated His provision. “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

More financial blessings came from the Charity Ball Association ($110,000) and the Baptist Health Foundation ($118,000) to help renovate the gym. Over the last ten years, the gym has been used more than ever before. Jubilee uses it during the day, youth basketball teams practice at night, and adult recreation groups use it on the weekends. That’s a lot of wear and tear. Work has already begun and will include the floor, lights, staircase, locker rooms and bathrooms.

The gym renovation is not the only maintenance task we undertook in 2022. The roof of the Brunnemann Building had to be replaced after it started leaking, we changed all the exterior locks on the campus, and a SAGE grant (San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside) helped us to replace more exterior windows.

God is a wise investor. The servant who invested the master’s money received more. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

The fellowship hall looks more cheerful now with the replacement of our worn-out chairs. The new chairs are blue and are made of more durable materials. The Baptist Student Missions group from Baylor assembled the chairs while on a mission trip to San Antonio. They also painted the exterior of the Fritz Building.

Another mission team, the middle school choir from FBC Garland, stayed at BT this summer and ministered throughout San Antonio. They sang at a senior center and our Tuesday night community meal, distributed flyers and sorted food at the San Antonio Food Bank.

Fighting hunger is Baptist Temple’s most visible community ministry. Each Tuesday night and one Sunday a month, we provide a free meal to all who come. Our food pantry provided groceries for 4608 people in 2022. This is made possible by the generosity of Woodland Baptist Church, the Fellowship of San Antonio, San Antonio District 3 Councilwoman (Phyllis Viagran), Jubilee Highland Park Academy, the San Antonio Food Bank, Daily Bread Ministries, funding from the BGCT World Hunger Offering and the SABA hunger walk, and individual food donations.

We enjoyed four worship concerts throughout the year. The Southern Plainsmen, Westward Road, Don Wallace, and Simply Blessed communicated the gospel through music, while providing an occasion to invite new folks to our church. A fellowship meal helped to create bonds of friendship in an atmosphere of welcome.

This year we said goodbye to The Message Church and Rise Above Ministries but welcomed three new churches to our campus. One Voice Praise and Worship meet at one PM on Sunday in the main sanctuary and the Spanish-language church they sponsor meets at five PM. World Healing Church meets on Saturday evenings at six.

As the new year began, an eighth church joined our family. Casa de Oracion has begun to meet Sundays at 3 PM in the chapel. With Family Deaf Church, New Direction and Sunny Slope Baptist church and our new congregations the Baptist Temple Campus displays a diversity rarely witnessed in the American church.

The recovery from the COVID disruption continues. We have made a lot of progress but there is still room for growth. The community garden and Fritz Building are underutilized ministry assets. Our worship numbers remain 30% below the pre-COVID days but God is still at work. New people are coming every week. Increasing our efforts at discipleship continues to be the key to kingdom success.

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:33-34