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)

Jonathan Clark celebrates 20 years at Baptist Temple

 Guest Blog by Robert Newman

Jonathan was called as Minister of Music to Baptist Temple in January of 2001. He had recently graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Music after earning a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Born and raised in El Paso, Jonathan became a Christian at the age of six and was baptized at Immanuel Baptist Church. He remembers struggling to understand what he was to do to become a child of God. He had sensed God's call into ministry since about the second grade but began to really consider God's call while finishing high school.

Jonathan stepped out in faith and discovered a fantastic world of worship. God called him into the area of music and worship. A call has been continually confirmed throughout his time in college and seminary studies. He discovered within himself a concern for corporate ministry to God, to the people of God, and to the unsaved community.

In 1991, he was licensed at Immanuel and served churches in Oklahoma and Texas. Jonathan is the recipient of several music awards including the 1995 Oklahoma Music Teachers Association Regional Voice Competition. He placed first in the college men’s division at the National Association of Teachers of Singing and was chosen as a member of the National Men’s Honor Choir by the American Choral Directors Association, both in 1995. In 1994, he received Oklahoma Baptist University’s, Helen Gaskin Church Music Award.

Jonathan found his concern for ministry was most effective when applied with concern for the individual. He has best been able to address this concern through creativity in ministry and worship and by organizing and using ministry resources. He believes that the church's responsibility is twofold. One responsibility is ministry. This means ministry to God first, then to the people of God, and then to the lost community.

The church's additional responsibility is making disciples. He believes that evangelism is essential for a healthy church ministry. He is still growing and learning as a Christian and a servant, and desires to be more Christ-like.

During his time as Minister of Music, he worked with choirs of all ages, leading tours and music camps. Purchasing handbells, he formed a handbell choir and took them on tours, and to workshops and festivals. His creativity enabled him to direct Easter and Christmas cantatas and transition our worship to a blended program with a worship band. Jonathan, also, supervised technical upgrades to our worship service including a new sound system, video projector and upgraded lighting.

When promoted to Associate Pastor, in 2009, Jonathan oversaw practical discipleship projects such as Financial Freedom Workshops and Abundant Life University. He supervised several major maintenance projects including a $300,000 air conditioning rebuild, complete roof replacement, upgrading exterior lighting, converting all interior lights to energy-efficient LEDs, installation of the cell tower and solar panels, and remodeling the Chapel. Jonathan was ordained on November 3, 2012.

Jonathan was promoted to Executive Pastor in 2018, which includes supervision of our early learning center. In a short time, he was able to bring financial stability to the early learning center, while raising academic standards and making teacher payrates more competitive.

During the pandemic, he secured a Paycheck Protection Plan loan to ensure our employees would still receive pay. Furthermore, we were able to provide childcare for the children of essential workers, purchase another van and grow our after school ministry.

A significant achievement for Baptist Temple in 2020, under Jonathan's supervision, was the completion of our inclusive playground. A place where children with disabilities can play with their friends of typical ability. The total cost of the project was nearly $250,000 in cash, material donations and volunteer labor.

As we emerge from the pandemic, Jonathan is helping Baptist Temple to expand and strengthen our ministry to the physical and spiritual needs of our community.

Meet Baptist Temple's 2020 Summer Intern Team

Baptist Temple welcomes four Baptist University of the Americas students as summer interns. They will work to help us navigate ministry in these changing times as we continue to reach out to our community with the love of God

Jonatan Solis is a native of Ecuador and is majoring in Human Behavior at BUA. He is called to work with children and youth and will seek to work as a counselor upon completing his education. He has served on many short-term mission teams including multiple trips to the Amazon region of Ecuador. Jonatan plays the guitar.

Valentina Sanchez is from Colombia and is majoring in Human Behavior at BUA. She had previously worked at Baptist Temple during the summer of 2018 as part of the BUA summer mission team. She looks forward to working in the garden and developing Bible Discovery Groups in the community.

Daniela Peña is from Colombia and is majoring in Music and Human Behavior at BUA. Her calling is to work with children and youth and plays the piano. This summer she will be working to develop Bible Discovery Groups in the community.

Juan David Cabrera is from Colombia and is majoring in Business at BUA. He will be applying his experience in church media to help enhance our current offerings and will be working with the team to use soccer and basketball to reach our community with the gospel.

Deacon Spotlight: Steve Grinnell

Steve Grinnell serving in VBS

Steve Grinnell came to Baptist Temple in 1981 after leaving Texas A&M to work for a local business. He got involved right away by joining the choir. Max and Inez Brunnemann, Steve's Sunday School teacher, took his young family under their wing and helped them acclimate to Baptist Temple.

Over the years, Steve has taught children and adult Sunday school, led Royal Ambassadors and Boy Scouts, served on the bus ministry, building and grounds and more. Steve is always ready to pitch in and help wherever needed but his favorite thing to do is help with baptisms.

Steve's faith was awakened while attending a Passion Play when he was in the third grade. He made a public profession of faith as an adult and was baptized at FBC College station. It was there his faith began to grow and mature.

Recently, Steve started working in the office of the Baptist Temple Early Learning Center. His cheerful attitude and can do spirit has been a boost to morale and is helping to build bridges among the various groups that share our campus during the week.

A deacon for nearly 30 years, Steve's faith grew from the lessons of the deacons who mentored him. He said, “When life seemed like giant waves were about to crash down on me, Jerry Beauchamp taught me that God will carry me through. When I was saddled with a responsibility that I knew I didn’t have time or expertise to accomplish, Bill McCoy and Elton Dudley just showed up, quietly guided me through, and taught me to not give up. When I faced opposition that made me feel like I was battling a giant with only a handful of rocks, Woody Woodall said “stand your ground and fight fair.” Boyd White taught me to pray, and when I was finished, to pray some more. Max Brunnemann taught me to stay faithful and pay attention to the preacher because he is the man God has sent to lead us.”

Steve's love for Baptist Temple is demonstrated in the enthusiastic way he tells everyone he meets about our ministries. His excitement stems from the variety of ways in which God has blessed BT, both in the past and in the present.

Today Steve can say, “When we hear God’s voice and follow in faith, those crashing waves of doubt become ripples in a pond. When we follow his leading, that handful of rocks are perfect for slaying the giants that attack us and keep telling us that we can’t do this. When we follow God faithfully our consistent gifts honor Him and become more than enough to accomplish His will.”

Servant Spotlight: Miguel Garcia

Miguel Garcia is Baptist Temple's Student.Church summer missionary for 2018. This program of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, provides college students to serve CBF related churches around America.

Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Houston, Miguel began to study world religions at an early age. He went from ancient mythology to the major religions with a some side trips into folk religions and atheism. His conclusion was that there is no God and the church was a lie. The idea of God was only useful, perhaps, to comfort the dying.

During a theological debate with a Christian about the virtues of Polytheism vs. Monotheism, he began to wonder about the possible credibility of Christianity. The Holy Spirit had previously used a Christian novel to warm his heart and expand his mind so, Miguel sought out a religious professional (a pastor) to answer his questions.

He went to church dressed in his Sunday best and was pleasantly surprised at the relaxed dress of the other worshipers. It seemed inviting, The pastor answered his questions and invited Miguel to return that evening.

At the youth gathering that evening, he saw students he recognized from school. The lesson that evening was about a God-shaped hole inside us that only God could fill. It touched Miguel deeply and his heart was changed by Jesus that night.

After his high school graduation, Miguel started attending the Baptist University of the Americas. He had received an ad in the mail and was impressed by it's affordability, national recognition and the ability to pursue his life passion, music.

Miguel began his music journey at age 10, learning to play brass instruments, later adding piano, percussion and guitar. He has written 24 pieces of music and finished a symphony by age 17. He has applied his talents to church worship, including playing in worship bands and audio-visual support.

This is Miguel's third Student.Church experience. He will begin his senior year at BUA in the fall and desires to become a music educator. Miguel credits BUA with helping him to understand his strengths and limitations and mature as a follower of Jesus.

Deacon Spotlight: Melissa Baxter

Guest Blog by Robert Newman

Melissa Baxter was born in New Jersey and moved to San Antonio in 1965, which now calls home. She is the second oldest of six children, raised by a single mother only a block from Baptist Temple Church. She is the third of five generations in her family to be members of Baptist Temple. 

As a child and in her youth, Melissa was involved in many ministries at Baptist Temple. She accepted Christ as her Savior as a teenager at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment youth camp, and began serving at Baptist Temple as a youth in the bus ministry. Along with adults, she went out on Saturdays to visit the families who were picked up in Baptist Temple’s bus. She was also active in GA’s where she learned to love God’s word and to share God’s love with others. Her passion for music came from being a part of the very active youth choir at Baptist Temple. 

After high school, Melissa was told by her mother that she had three choices: get a job, get a college scholarship, or go into the military. With no job skills and no response to her applications for scholarships, her only choice was to join the army. It was there that she met the love of her life, Billy. They married and celebrated 38 years together until his death in 2013. 

From her childhood, Melissa dreamed of traveling, but that had to wait. It wasn't until her youngest was in high school that she was started on the path to international travel. She and her family hosted 13 exchange students over the years, some for just a few weeks, but most for 10 or 11 months. She made many lifelong friends who have opened their hearts and homes to her on several trips to Europe. The students she hosted and gotten to know over the years have made a lasting impression on, and have forever changed, the way that the Baxter family looks at the world. 

Melissa has three grown sons, Billy, Brandon and Brad, all of whom grew up in Baptist Temple. She has five grandchildren. Two of them, Landen and Sydney, often accompany her on Sundays. 

Melissa and Billy were coaches of the youth volleyball teams and played on adult softball and volleyball teams. Melissa has taught Sunday school, from the nursery level through adult, and loves to serve wherever there is a need. Her ministry extends to her work environment as well. She leads a Bible study each week for her coworkers.  

Having served a year-long internship, Melissa was ordained as a Deacon on May 27. She is an exemplary servant of Jesus Christ, encouraging the sorrowful, visiting the sick, recruiting and developing leaders, serving wherever needed and supporting all the ministries of Baptist Temple. 

Deacon spotlight: Ernest Cruz

Guest Blog by Robert Newman

Ernest Cruz is our current Deacon Chair. He was raised in a Christian home with five brothers and a sister; attending Prospect Hill Church of God.

Ernest’s love of music was inspired by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Bertha. He excelled at playing the trumpet at Brackenridge High School, starting his first band in 1973, but had no real success. Not knowing what else to do, he joined the Marines in 1974.

While in the Marines, Ernest was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal. He was stationed first in Washington DC, then at Camp David under President Ford. Ernest tried out for the Marine Corp Band, but was not accepted.

He was discouraged by his lack of music education and, on returning to San Antonio, he enrolled at St Mary’s University, where he majored in music and minored in education. While there, he met many local artists, and joined and soon took over his second band, “Amity Band”. He then began a long, hard road of success and failures in the music industry.

Ernest played in bars, clubs and private parties, and soon found work as a DJ. In a world of dark and dangerous situations, sin filled his disappointing life. His first marriage ended because of the musician’s lifestyle

His parents never gave up on him. They prayed continuously, knowing that Jesus was his only hope. When he met Charlotte, Ernest's father helped both Ernest and Charlotte commit completely to the Christian life. They were married at Hot Wells Baptist Church, and became immersed in church life.

It was while Ernest was at Hot Wells that he started his music ministry and taught himself to play the guitar. God eventually led Ernest and Charlotte to Baptist Temple, where he leads the band. Ernest wrote the words and music to the song, “Welcome to the House of the Lord”, which he often sings to start the service.

Ernest was ordained a deacon at Baptist Temple, and has served as the Deacon Chair for the past three years. He also leads worship and preaches at the Lighthouse Rescue Mission downtown.

Ernest is a living testimony of how the power of prayer can take a life that is out of control and change it to a life of service to God.

Ready to serve where needed

David Sexson joined the Baptist Temple Family last month and went to work right away. He started in the thrift store sorting clothes, helping folks with groceries and was soon doing client interviews. He might have set a record by serving 16 clients in one day.

David was an unchurched teenager who came to know the Lord at age 14 when a church planting missionary invited him to a new church start. David's life was headed in the wrong direction but he found a new life in Jesus that set him on the right path.

Serving 26 years as a Dental Technician, David retired from the US Air Force and, then, worked for another 21 and a half years at the UT Health Science Center Dental School. He greatest joy, however, comes from serving God. “I consider it a privilege that He works through me,” David said.

David has served churches in a variety of administrative and teaching capacities, always ready to pitch in when needed. He has been on mission trips to the border and Illinois but the most memorable one was to a leper colony in Thailand. There he witnessed a level of human suffering that he had never seen before or since.

Baptist Temple made a strong first impression on David. He said, after his worship service with us, that he truly felt God's presence and that the people were very welcoming. He was also impressed by the level of activity and the many opportunities for him to serve. “I'm not going to a church where I can't do things,” he said.

From Prison to Praise

Armando took some wrong turns in life and wound up doing 17 years in prison. Gangs, drugs and violence were destroying his body and soul. It was at what he remembers as the lowest point in his life that his brother led him to Jesus through the ministry of Outcry in the Barrio. Today he lives out the words found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “The old has gone, the new has come...”

He has been a servant of the Lord for 12 years and started Immanuel Motorcycle Ministry (IMM) to bring the gospel to others who are on the path to destruction. Twice a month he preaches at prisons in Hondo and Cuero. Armando feels a call to minister to people behind bars and the families they have left behind.

His wife, Rosalinda, serves alongside him as a leader in IMM. She began her ministry caring for women coming out of a life on the streets. Her assignments ranged from cooking and cleaning to street evangelism and leading Bible studies. Rosalinda is a member of Kairos Prison Ministry, serving at the women’s prison in Lockhart.

I met them last both last year when they attended a lecture I was giving on church marketing at Baptist University of the Americas (BUA). They had some questions about organizing and leading their motorcycle ministry. They also were interested in the ministries of Baptist Temple. Armando lived near Baptist Temple as a child and remembers the generosity we showed his family in those days. He felt that the ministry of BT meshes well with that of IMM and started working with us right away. In the last few months he has led a memorial service, a blessing of the bikes and brought a large number of volunteers for our hunger fighting efforts.

I recently received a letter from a man who will soon be released from incarceration in Hondo. He grew up in our neighborhood and remembers driving past Baptist Temple many times. He became a Christian last year and is part of a discipleship program inside the prison walls. He will be released in a few months and wants to find a church to help him in his walk with Christ. He came across some information about our church through a series of circumstances that were sparked by IMM. The Acostas will help us to disciple this man and others like him who have been born again.

Armando and Rosalinda will serve in the outreach ministries of Baptist Temple as we follow our Lord's command to “Go to the highways, and the hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house may be full...” (Luke 14:23). Their primary ministry will through Immanuel Motorcycle Ministry which will become another of the BT Campus' numerous outreach arms.

Baptist Temple Founding Member was an Oil Pioneer

Andrew Brownlow Slimp was born to a prominent family in East Tennessee on June 15, 1862. His father, Frederick, was an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War and a Tennessee State Representative. 

Following success in iron smelting, Andrew Slimp relocated to Sour Lake, Texas, where he found great success in the booming oil business. Slimp moved to San Antonio and helped start the Dixie Oil and Refining Company. When that company was sold to Humble Oil in 1916, he became president of Pioneer Oil and Refining. In 1922, he was one one of five San Antonio oil men who met with the Texas Attorney General to protest Humble Oil's alleged attempt to choke competition by cutting the price of gasoline by five cents per gallon.

Slimp was also a founding member of Pegue's Memorial Church (which would be renamed Baptist Temple). His son, Chester, would become a prominent leader at Baptist Temple and the San Antonio Baptist Association as well as a prominent oil man in his own right. Chester's wife, Helen, was a prominent artist who painted the mural that still stands behind the baptistry at Baptist Temple.

Andrew Slimp died in San Antonio on November 2, 1944. A few years earlier he had witnessed the placement of the time capsule in the cornerstone of the brick sanctuary that's still in use.

He was laid to rest at Roselawn Memorial Park (now known as San Fernando Cemetery #3.)

Elizabeth Cruz Joins the Baptist Temple Team

We welcome Elizabeth Cruz as new Program Director. She will be coordinating our community ministry efforts through our Highland Park CAN ministry. She has already made arrangements for social work students from Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) to serve as interns at our food pantry. Working with Wesley Nurses, Nancy Parker and Sandy McKinney, she will arrange for healthy living classes on Wednesday evenings and health screenings on Tuesday mornings.

Elizabeth has a wealth of experience in the social services field. She has worked with the homeless, foster children, and food pantry clients. While at Christian Hope Resource Center (CHRC), she was instrumental in developing a case management program designed to help individuals become more self-sufficient. She, also, introduced the client-choice pantry to CHRC.

I met with Elizabeth three years ago to learn more about mentoring-based food pantry operations. She graciously offered to help us develop our program. I took her up on her offer a few months ago. She was ready for something new and was excited at the prospect of leading a program she had designed. Moreover, this would be an opportunity to use her skills in a church setting.

Elizabeth earned a BSW from Texas State University (TSU) and an MSW from UTSA. She, also received a Nonprofit Management Certificate for Veterans Service Organizations through the San Antonio Area Foundation.

She has worked for SAMMinistries, Casey Family Programs and, most recently, Seton Home.

Elizabeth has been leading Zumba classes twice a week at BT and is adjunct faculty at OLLU.

Jose and Karla Morey

Jose and Karla Morey joined Baptist Temple last year. Jose is a native of Venezuela and a student in the Baptist University of the Americas' School of Business Leadership. Jose ministered to university students through Misión Ultima Frontera in Venezuela.

Karla is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned the Master of Divinity. She was appointed by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to minister to university students in Venezuela.

In San Antonio Jose and Karla serve as chaplains the Marketplace Chaplains, USA. They provide pastoral support to the employees of Surlean Foods, HEB Warehouse and Kielbasa Sausage in San Antonio. They also serve Baptist Temple by teaching health and finance classes from a Christian perspective on Wednesday nights are an integral part of our upcoming urban summer missions program.

Jose and Karla have a vision to develop Christian housing for university students in Latin America. The lack of campus housing creates a need and an opportunity to reach young adults with the gospel.

Deacon Emeritus: Jerry Shelton

Jerry Shelton (R) with his father on the date of Jerry's ordination.

Guest blog by Jerry Shelton

There have been a few times in my life when I have found myself almost speechless, so, I ask you, in advance, to forgive my humble attempt to respond to the honor you have bestowed upon me as Deacon Emeritus.

When I stood before God, in the company of my two dearest friends, Jimmy Walker and Marvin Triesch, and the Body of Baptist Temple, on January 26, 1969, little did I envision such an honor would come my way. That sort of thing was reserved for those who stood head and shoulders above me in their service to the Lord.

Their names I shall never forget. I am looking forward to our reunion in heaven. Manuel Barrera, Hub Ferguson, Marvin Foster, Weldon Frazelle, Ralph Gonzales, Russell Hildebrand, John Kight, Bobby Kingston, Alton Newell, Jim Shelton (my dad), Crockett Thigpen, Doug Woodall and so many others.

I have to admit referring to “Webster's” in order to determine the definition of emeritus. I found that the word is both a noun and an adjective. Plainly spoken, “one retired from professional life but permitted to hold the rank of his last office as an honorary title.”

My parents placed on the cradle roll of Calvary Baptist Church when I was a week old. On September 29, 1946 as a young lad of 11, I gave my heart and my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and I promised to serve Him all the days of my life.

On December 11, 1955, while working at Alamo Iron Works, I joined Baptist Temple alongside Don Barnet (Bill's brother). Don had bid me to come to Baptist Temple for two reasons: 1. There were no more young people at Calvary; 2. He had a dear friend, Mary Lee Graham, he wanted me to meet. Mary Lee and I had our first date at that year's New Year's Eve watch-night party and the rest, as they say is history. We were married in 1958 and had two children and five grandchildren. We have been blessed beyond belief.

In 1970 I accepted the nomination as teacher of the Adult men's Sunday school class. For 42 years those men were my joy and inspiration. Their faithfulness, prayers and love were more than anyone could ask.

I retired from teaching in November 2012 to care for Mary Lee's mounting health problems: stroke, mastectomy and Parkinson's. I felt that her physical condition demanded my full-time presence. I think the Lord understands.

I had the joy of singing in the adult choir for 52 years and the barbershop/gospel quartet for 32 years. The Pipe Creek committee, with its Pipe Creek Posse, was one of the highest points of my life.

In the past 57 years, since joining Baptist Temple, I have, perhaps, been placed on every committee of the church; including two terms as chairman of the Deacons.

Soren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forward. None of us have come to where we are today by ourselves. Many people have people and events have contributed vital sparks to our lives that have blessed us.”

Each of you, in your own way, has touched me. I have grown. I will never forget you. I shallproudly be a deacon all of my days.

Leaving a Godly Legacy

Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation,
he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 

Acts 13:36 

Deacon Emeritus Max Brunnemann was laid to rest yesterday. He was part Baptist Temple Church of San Antonio for the 88 years of his life. He was born in the house located next to the church's community ministries building that bears his name.

Brunnemann was many good things: family man, decorated WWII veteran, sportsman, athlete and businessman. He, also, served Baptist Temple in many capacities over the years but his legacy is more than a list of accomplishments. He “served God's purpose in his own generation.”

His legacy is seen in his family whom he raised to love and serve the Lord. Last year, his great granddaughter, Alexis, became the fifth generation of his family to be baptized at Baptist Temple.

His legacy is seen in a new generation of church leaders that he mentored. A group that is a able to connect a rich past with a promising future.

His legacy is seen in Baptist's Temple's fourth building, which houses the gym. As chairman of the building committee he led Baptist Temple into a major building project at a time when others were moving to the north side of the city. As the neighborhood began to transition, Brunnemann was among the leaders who sought ways to reach out to the community.

 He was known as a superior administrator and consensus builder. His wisdom and love of the lost enabled him to lead the church through troubled waters as they wrestled to make a decision to start a methadone clinic and ministry to addicts. Although there were some loud voices of dissent. The church voted with a greater than 75% majority to launch this ministry.

 In 2011 the building that once housed his father's dry goods store was renovated and named after him. The building would now house Baptist Temple's community ministries; beginning with a thrift store. 
 
Max Brunnemann served God in his own generation. We honor his memory when we serve God in ours.

Dan Trevino Joins the Baptist Temple Team

Dan Trevino

The Reverend Doctor Dan Trevino started serving Baptist Temple as Associate Pastor earlier this week. Trevino recently left his position at Harlandale Baptist Church after 11 years of faithful service.

A native of San Antonio, Trevino earned a BS from Howard Payne University and an MSW from Our Lady of the Lake University. Furthermore, he earned both a Master's and a Doctor of Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary.

Trevino worked for Baptist Child and Family Services for many years in a variety of progressive roles working his way up from house parent to campus administrator and serving as interim president.

God has used his combined experience and training in both the pastoral and social service worlds to lead churches in serving their surrounding communities. His expertise has been much sought after by Texas Baptists where Trevino serves on the Texas Christian Life Commission Board of Consultants. He also served on the boards of the Christian Women's/Christian Men's Job Corps and Zephyr Baptist Encampment.

At Baptist Temple, Trevino's primary role will be to administer our food programs and hunger ministries, especially our relationship with the San Antonio Food Bank. Trevino will continue and expand the work started by Joe Guinn in developing our church as a Community Partner site. This will enable us to directly enroll members of our community in government programs for which they qualify. Our goal is to be a place where we can help people with both their physical and spiritual needs.

Trevino will lead a multifaceted approach to the issues of nutrition and food insecurity that include a food pantry, emergency food supply, weekend food packs for children at risk and free or reduced breakfast and lunch for children throughout the year. Last year, in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, we distributed over 17,000 lbs. of groceries per month to our neighbors. Our participation in summer feeding program, which began in 2009, will expand to multiple sites this year.

Baptist Temple is part of a family of urban churches and non-profits that share a campus to show God's love to our community in practical ways.

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