Servant Spotlight: Jessica French-Scheffield

Personable, perky and passionate about teaching; “I knew I wanted to be teacher since the fourth grade,” said Jessica French-Scheffield who was recently hired as the Baptist Temple Early Learning Center's Curriculum Coordinator. She wants to teach young children the tools they will need to succeed in school and society.

She discovered her love for teaching when she helped a fellow fourth grader correctly pronounce “photosynthesis.” It gave her a sense of accomplishment she still feels when helping someone learn.

She was impressed by Baptist Temple's impact on the community, particularly the inclusive playground, and is eager to be a part of our family of organizations that are bringing needed services to an under-resourced area. Our impact will be magnified as she helps us achieve Texas Rising Star (TSR) certification. A TSR school goes beyond minimum standards to provide a higher quality of teaching that goes well beyond babysitting. There are only two such early learning centers in our zip code.

Her first challenges are to be fully staffed with teachers trained in lesson planning and to make make lesson planning resources readily available. She, also, want to digitize the office and reduce the amount of paper that needs to be tracked.

Jessica graduated from Texas State and seeks to excel at everything she undertakes, which led to her earning a black belt in the Korean martial art form, Kuk Sool Won. She is equal parts computer savvy, success driven and people person; a combination that will lead us to better meeting the needs of our community.

Servant Spotlight: Angel Jimenez

Guest Blog: Robert Newman

Angel, Robert and Terry

Some people have, at least, a little warning that they are going to be dealing with a special needs child, but Terry Jimenez had no warning at all.

Terry's first learned something was wrong when Angel went to daycare, he started biting and hitting other children. Angel was referred to Any Baby Can and was diagnosed as having had oxygen deprivation at birth, due a breech delivery.

As Angel was growing up, he had no access to school playgrounds and played in the classroom. He was not allowed to play with children his own age at school since he acted like a much younger child but was too big to play with the younger students. No one would play with him at the public park.

Terry believes Angel would have benefited from an inclusive playground. He is apprehensive around regular playground equipment − if it doesn't have pictures showing what it is used for, he doesn't know what to do. He doesn't like it if it goes too fast or too high.

Today, Angel is 32 years old and developmentally disabled. He cannot read, write, or understand money. He attends the ARC of San Antonio on Saturdays, learning to tell time and count money. Terry reinforces that training at home.

Angel is called a VIP at the ARC because he is so helpful. He helps push people in wheelchairs, helps with Meals on Wheels, and volunteers at the dog pound. Angel likes to be on the go and enjoys interacting with his peers but is still shy when interacting with strangers.

Angel looks forward to coming to worship at Baptist Temple each week. He feels love and acceptance. He especially enjoys working with the children during VBS. The recent gift of a hat from Immanuel Motorcycle Ministry President Armando Acosta is a reminder that he is an important part of the Baptist Temple family. 

Armando (L) gives Angel an Immanuel Motorcycle Ministry hat,

Servant Spotlight: Tracy Zayasbazan

Guest blog: Melissa Baxter

Shortly after graduating high school, Tracy Zayasbazan went to see a recruiter with her friend who wanted to join the Navy but it was Tracy, instead of her friend, who enlisted. Her dad was a Navy man but, before that day, she hadn't really considered it.

Her walk with Jesus was tough. She hadn't found a place for Christian fellowship and discipleship between boot camp, school and her first duty station. God carried her and protected her through her time in the service.

Tracy's time in the service prepared her for life, giving her structure and a mission. She was stationed in Florida, Mississippi, Bermuda and, prior to her discharge, the Great Lakes Naval Hospital; near her home town.

She married Jorge and served a church where she connected with other believers and really begin to learn what it is to be a true follower of Jesus. Tracy, a cancer survivor, said, “God has always been my rock especially when my health was compromised or our finances weren't aligned to what He would want them to be. My times of trials have drawn me so much closer to my savior and have allowed me to mature and completely depend on Him and live in a way that glorifies Him.”

There is a strong military tradition in Tracy's family. Her father is a retired naval officer, her brother a Colonel in the Marine Corps and her son serves in the Army Reserve. Her sister, too, is a veteran, serving a tour with the Air Force. She had to lean heavily on her faith when her husband, Jorge, was called to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom; leaving her a solo parent for over a year.

She continues to serve today as a pastor's wife and at the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach, where she helps find housing for homeless veterans.

Servant Spotlight: Mateo Beltran

BUA grad, Logsdon Seminary student and 

Student.Go missionary receives the 

Mary Ellen Long Scholarship.

Mateo was born in Cali, Columbia and came to the US to enroll at the Baptist University of the Americas (BUA). He graduated from BUA in 2018 with a dual major in music and theology. The practical side of his ministry training occurred, in part, at Baptist Temple, where he has served in with children, youth, community ministries and more. During summer breaks, Mateo would serve at different churches across Texas to gain a broader understanding of how churches understand and carry out their missions.

He keeps returning to Baptist Temple because of the creative ways we fund and carry out our ministry to the community. He sees a genuine love for both our neighbor and the members of the church. “I was made to feel welcome,” he says.

This atmosphere of welcome is reflected in the diversity of Baptist Temple's campus community. A diversity reflected not only in terms of race and ethnicity but, also, in economic, social and age as well.

The student body of BUA is around 50% international with students from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. This multicultural mix has served Mateo well in his work at Baptist Temple.

This year, Mateo has returned as a Student.Go missionary; a missions program of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) that provides opportunities for students to serve with our field personnel and ministry partners as they live out CBF Global Missions commitments—cultivating beloved community, bearing witness to Jesus Christ and seeking transformational development.

Mateo is currently enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Logsdon Seminary in San Antonio, where he leads music during chapel and is this year's recipient of the Mary Ellen Long Scholarship. Mateo seeks to apply his training by ministering to communities of need. At BUA he learned about Business as Mission (BAM) and began to develop a concept for supporting himself through bivocational ministry. In this way he will not be limited to serving only those churches that can afford to pay him. 

 

UPDATE 2/25/21 - Mateo will be licensed this Sunday and will join the BT staff as Minister of Outreach

Deacon Spotlight: Willie Ronshausen

Guest Blog: Robert Newman

Willie Ronshausen and his wife Janet came to Baptist Temple in 1996, where he has served in many capacities including Deacon, Sunday School teacher, greeter, building and grounds, administration and more. He as been preaching at the San Antonio Rescue Mission for eight years.

Born on June 22, 1942 and baptized at the age of 10 in a Baptist church, Willie began Assemblies of God from age 12 until he came to Baptist Temple. It was as at Highlands Assembly of God where Willie first served as a deacon in 1987.

What Willie likes most about Baptist Temple is the friendliness and support of the members. This was something that he and Janet felt from their very first visit.

Willie is a cancer survivor and remains cancer-free by God's grace but the greatest miracle in his life came when he was run over by his own truck. He was working under the truck when it began to roll down hill and across his body. He suffered six broken ribs and his collarbone was broken in 3 places but no organs were damaged.

People rarely survive that type of accident but Willie says Jesus was with him then and through the process of healing. He guesses that God had more work for him to do.

Willie and Janet have been married for 41 years. He retired from the Army and civil service in 2002. He enjoys serving the Lord and helping people as well as hunting and fishing.

Servant Spotlight: Michael Barron

 Guest Blog: Robert Newman

Michael Barron is one of the leaders of Sunny Slope Baptist Church; part of the family of churches that meet on the Baptist Temple Campus. He grew up in Cuero, Texas, as part of a devout Catholic family but the direction of his life changed when he began attending a Baptist church. Having committed his life to Christ, he made the decision to study theology in San Antonio at the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary (known today as the Baptist University of the Americas.)

What started out as a summer job in Cuero for Michael, turned into a 38 year career with HEB, where he currently works at the help desk. HEB helped Michael purchase clothes in high school, support his ministry training and continues to provide support as he serves God through the ministry of Sunny Slope. One memorable event that combined his roles at HEB and as a Baptist minister was when he gave the opening prayer at an HEB Recognition Ceremony.

Michael served an internship at Baptist Temple in 1982 and, upon completing his education in Christian Service, began serving at Sunny Slope. He has served as a teacher, preacher and administrator and has officiated more weddings and funeral services (in English or Spanish) than he can recall. For the last five years he has been involved in hospice, providing comfort and counseling to patients and their families that are nearing the end-of-life.

Although he has amassed a collection of Bibles and religious books that fill a room, you might be surprised to learn that his other hobby is finding souvenirs and visiting places related to the movie The Wizard of Oz. His hobby has taken him on tours and to museums all over the United States. His favorite character is Glinda, the Good Witch.

Michael Barron is one of scores of people who began their ministry as an intern at Baptist Temple. Sunny Slope Baptist Church was started in 1945 and is one of 15 new church starts sponsored by Baptist Temple.

Deacon Spotlight: Ernest Alvarez

Guest Blog: Robert Newman

Born and raised in San Antonio, Ernest Alvarez showed an early interest in music, singing in his middle and high school choirs. He studied electronics at San Antonio College, served a tour in the Army, and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone from 1974 until his retirement in March 2009.

On June 17, 1976 Ernest committed his life Jesus Christ at Lakeview Baptist Church under the ministry of Pastor Johnny Hutchins and later joined First Mexican Fundamental Baptist Church, where met met Bertha. They were married in 1979.

His early ministry involved driving the church bus and teaching children's Sunday School. Later, he would lead worship at Pyron Avenue Baptist and Hot Wells Baptist Church. In 2008 he joined Baptist Temple where he was ordained a deacon and is currently attending Stephen Ministry Training. At BT Ernest has sung in the choir, played in the praise band and worked the sound board among other ministries.

Recently, Ernest was elected chairman of the board of directors of KBIB, a-Spanish-language Christian Radio Station in San Antonio. This reflects an entrepreneurial spirit that has led Ernest to start a graphic arts business and a Spanish language Christian book store.

Ernest believes that being a deacon fulfills his desire to help people in times of need and appreciates how Baptist Temple encourages and empowers people to serve. "I like the fact that there are so many opportunities to join in different ministries to serve the church and the community,” he said.

Servant Spotlight: Cleta Foster

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

A child of non-church going parents, Cleta Foster began walking to church at about ten years old, where she enjoyed GA’s and Vacation Bible School.

While in college, Cleta was part of the the Baptist Student Union. She committed her life to Jesus Christ during a Freddy Gage revival at 22 and was baptized at Lamar Baptist Church in Wichita Falls.

Cleta moved to San Antonio in 1961 with her husband, Marvin. Baptist Temple was the first (and last) church theyt visited. Cleta attended Blu Kingston’s Sunday School as well as Sunday evening discipleship classes, then known as Training Union. In her younger years, she played on Baptist Temple’s 1973 championship women's softball team.

For over 30 years Cleta was a public school teacher. She taught one year in Oklahoma, fifteen years in the San Antonio Independent School District and fifteen years in the East Central Independent School District.

Through the years, Cleta has served on many Baptist Temple committees, including two pastor search committees, personnel and social/hospitality. She was the first woman to be elected trustee. She taught children's Sunday school for many years. Currently she lends a hand where needed and still serves on committees.

Cleta is a widow with two grown children, Krisie (married to Bennet) and Kevin (married to Christy), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

1973 softball champions, Cleta Foster front row, center.

Deacon Spotlight: Charlotte Cruz

Guest Blog: Robert Newman

When Charlotte was a teenager, her mother died. She then faced many difficulties and did not feel loved by her father. Drinking and recreational drugs only made her feel worse. She suffered through two failed marriages but with prayer and repentance, she fully submitted herself to the Lord and things became much brighter having Christ in her life.
 
Charlotte was saved, baptized, and married to Ernest Cruz in 2007 at Hot Wells Baptist Church. She felt God guided her to Baptist Temple and became a member in 2008. “I felt the warmth and love from everyone right away and it felt great,” she said.
 
In her time at Baptist Temple, Charlotte has served on the Floral committee, VBS, Young in Heart, Hospitality, and as a substitute Sunday school teacher. Her passion has been working with the Ordinance committee for the past 11 yrs.
 
Charlotte became a Deacon in 2017 and realizes that she has much more work to do. Charlotte is shy but warms up quickly.She likes that she gets to meet and help people, pray for them and lead them to the Lord; in church and in the community.
 
Charlotte and her identical twin were born and raised in San Antonio and graduated from Highlands High school. Charlotte has 3 children and 5 grandchildren and has been married to Ernest for 12 years.
 
She likes archery and glass sculpture. Her favorite bible verse is: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make you path straight.”

Youth Spotlight: Shaylynn Fisher

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

Shalynn Fisher is a graduate of Highlands High School, class of 2019. She has been part of Baptist Temple since 2002 with her brother Zachry, parents John and Heather and her great-grandmother, Jean Vance. She committed to faith in Christ at age six and was baptized at Baptist Temple.

She is a strong Christian and credits the Lord and the prayers of her fellow Christians in getting her through her surgery in 2008. She knows the Lord watches over her, even though things are a bit more difficult for her than most. She realizes that she is blessed in different ways and keeps her focus on that.

A faithful Sunday School member, Shalynn has been a part of BT's children and youth ministries and looks forward to going to Centrifuge for her final year of youth camp. She has sung in the Sanctuary Choir since age 12.

Shalynn has been a Girl Scout for the past 12 years, beginning with Brownies and continuing through Ambassador Scouts and will bridge to being an Adult Scout this summer. She has numerous badges for learning new skills and experiencing new things. She loves working with the Daisies, the youngest members of the scouting family.

She lettered in choir at Highlands High School, participating all four years and recently sang a solo in the end-of-year choir program at school. She will attend San Antonio Colleges this fall.

Youth Spotlight: Dylan Zayasbazan

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

A senior at East Central High School and one of Baptist Temple's Youth Dylan Zayasbazan has accomplished much in his 18 years. He is class valedictorian and received the Academic Achievement Award twice in 2018, from both the English and the Computer/Technology Departments. He was nominated for the Princeton Book Award in 2018. His participation in the Art Club, the Green Team, Envirothon and the Math & Sciences team and his service as a Vice President of the National Honor Society have helped him to develop his public speaking skills. 

Dylan has a black belt in karate, plays the piano, climbed Mt. Katahdin and has a love for pottery and sculpture. An industrious worker, he spent a summer working Shaw's Hostel, tutored math and currently works at Chick-Fil-A and the Baptist Temple nursery.
 
Last summer, Dylan completed basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and serves with the 228th Combat Support Hospital in the U.S. Army Reserves.
 
Next Fall Dylan will be attending the prestigious Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. Cockrell is ranked first in Texas and eighth in the country among engineering schools.
 
Dylan received Christ at a young age. His favorite scriptures are Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
 
And James 1:12, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Dylan's parents are Pastor Jorge and Tracy Zayasbazan.

Servant Spotlight: Edwin Dyer

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

Born in 1926, Edwin Dyer has been a member of Baptist Temple almost 70 years. Nearly every Sunday he is found sitting in the second to the back row on the right side with a bright smile and kind word.

During WWII, Edwin’s family had a café that was required by the government to stay open every day to feed the Kelly Field workers. Although this wasn’t ideal, his family did get extra rations to make up for the inconvenience.

A hard worker, Edwin’s first job was running a projector at the movie theater making about $200/month (a lot of money back then!) As a high school senior, he was named the best paper boy in San Antonio for delivering the most Express-News papers and was awarded a $25 war bond.

He graduated from Hot Wells High School at 16 and was drafted into the Army at 18 as an infantry man, training at Ft. Hood. He served in the Philippines with the 32^nd infantry on a crew that cleaned up after the major battles during the liberation of the islands from the Japanese. He said “It wasn’t easy.”

Finding a job was difficult after leaving the Army but Edwin was in the 52/20 club. The US government paid $20/month for a year while veterans looked for work. He finally went to school to be a lithographer/typesetter, a job he enjoyed for 41 years.

Baptist Temple's pastor at the time, Vernon Elmore, had lunch at Edwin's parents café with Sam Prestige, Minister of Music, and church member, Walter Lynn. This led to an invitation for the Dyer family to visit Baptist Temple. The family joined Baptist Temple together when Edwin was about 24 years old.

Edwin is a Shriner and his proudest moment came when he was able to facilitate the treatment of a young boy with club foot. He feels that he was a vessel for the good work that was done for that boy and his family.

Deacon Spotlight: Boyd White

Guest blog: Robert Newman 

Deacons Boyd and JoAnn White

Boyd was saved in 1946 at the age of 13, but drifted from the faith for a time. He joined the Air Force at 19 and met Jo Ann at the age of 20. She was already a Christian and better grounded in the faith. She helped him to mature.
 
Boyd had an opportunity to travel around the world with the Air Force. “Everywhere I went people had heard of Southern Baptists,” he said.
 
He attributes that to the missionaries that were sent out out by the Foreign Mission Board and supported by churches like Baptist Temple. When Boyd was stationed in Torrejon, Spain, he worked with a chaplain and his wife to help start a church.
 
Boyd White first came to Baptist Temple in March, 1969.
When one of our deacons, Jimmy Walker, and our pastor, Loren White, visited the Whites, Boyd liked both of them immediately. He and Jo Ann visited Baptist Temple the next Sunday and were impressed with the church, the people, and Baptist Temple's worship style.
 
From the time Boyd came to Baptist Temple, he has been involved in community ministry. When Forrest Smith asked him if he could drive a bus, Boyd said that he could drive almost anything with wheels. The next Sunday he was driving the bus and picking up people for church.
 
Now, after all of these years, what Boyd likes best about Baptist Temple is the many loving and caring people who are concerned about the other members and for the welfare of the church. 

Boyd, enjoys being a deacon as it ties service to the Lord together with giving direction, and support to him personally and to the church as a whole.
 
Boyd, JoAnn, and their son Robbie have been an integral part of the Ceramics Ministry which reaches both church members and non-members in the community.
 
Boyd has been a deacon for 44 years, and was made a Deacon Emeritus in 2016.

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: Cathy Peeler

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

Born, raised and educated in Louisiana, Cathy Peeler moved to San Antonio and joined Baptist Temple 43 years ago. Her three children, Greg, Robert and Linzi, grew up coming to church here and her grandchildren, Robert (Jr.), Meosha, Jacob, Nora, Julian and Serenity, fill the ranks of our children and youth.
 
Cathy has taught Sunday School in the pre-school, 2nd and 5th grades for over 42 years at Baptist Temple and always helps with children's ministry outings, events and fundraisers. Today we are honoring Cathy for her many years of service in children's ministry.

Some of her service includes

• Nursery Coordinator
• VBS Director
• Children’s Committee Chair
• Youth Committee Chair
• Coached high school boys’ basketball
• WMU Director
• Coordinated the men’s basketball league
• Coordinated the volleyball league often coaching a team
• Served on many committees over the years

Generations of families at Baptist Temple have been blessed by Cathy's love of Jesus and willingness to serve. She has been a consistent presence through decades of change, helping to smooth transitions as Baptist Temple continually found new ways to reach our community.

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.