A New Era in Youth Ministry at Baptist Temple

Baptist Temple has a long and storied history of ministry to young people. We have church members in their 70's who were part of Baptist Church's youth ministry.

In its heyday, our youth outreach efforts would pack the church on both Breckenridge and Highland High School days. Enrollment reached its high point when D. Ray Taylor was youth minister (1971-77). Peak enrollment reached 344 in 1974; Kay Richardson (who chairs the youth committee) and Melissa Baxter were youth during this era.

“I remember every Sunday evening we had training union and youth group which, I think, included choir. The parents would take turns fixing dinner for the youth on Sunday nights and we would meet in the youth lounge for dinner and Bible study. I remember the Bible studies that we did, especially the book of Ecclesiastes,” said Melissa.

Times have changed. Although we have fewer people of all ages at our worship service, our ministry to youth remains strong. We have 400 kids on the Baptist Temple Campus every day attending our charter school and early learning center. Nine youth basketball teams use our gym for practice and occasional games. These are vital with the limited resources of our community.

The Southside of San Antonio ranks as a very low opportunity area for children (according to DiversityDataKids.org.) This takes into account proximity to employment, public assistance rate, poverty rate, foreclosures, proximity to healthcare, proximity to fresh food markets and high school graduation rate. To counter this reality, government, business, church and non-profit groups are working to provide resources that will break the generational poverty that has trapped our youth. Baptist Temple's role is to help the children in our community access these resources to stay in school, stay at home and stay in church.

Our early learning center provides quality, Christ-centered care for the children of working families in our community; providing a strong foundation for success in school. Jubilee Highland Park provides a high quality education within a culture of excellence. The youth basketball leagues promote health, teamwork and other soft skills that lead to success in school and beyond.

It is possible for children from the Southside to succeed against the odds. Coby and John grew up attending Baptist Temple. Both graduated high school (Highlands and McCollum, respectively) and both received full scholarships to local colleges (Incarnate Word and Our Lady of the Lake, respectively). We want more success stories like these.

In times like these, Baptist Temple is providing essential ministries showing God's love to the next generation. Leading the to the abundant life Jesus promised.

The thief does not come 

except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Angello Sanchez joins the BT ministry team

Angello Sanchez joined the Baptist Temple family this year to develop our campus youth ministry. Along with Luis Juarez, from Sunny Slope Baptist Church, Angello ministers to the youth of our four Sunday morning churches (Baptist Temple, Betel, Family Deaf Church and Sunny Slope). On Wednesdays, Angello leads a program for the youth of our campus churches and the community.

Twenty five teens attended our first youth worship night led by Angello. The teens came from our campus churches (including Community Bible Church of Highland Park) and the community. Ministers from the Church on Congress Avenue, Austin, helped lead worship.

Future plans include youth worship nights every 4-6 weeks and a number of activities to build community and develop slow growth. In due time our youth will be part of an outreach effort to the youth in our community.

Angello was born in Venezuela and came to the US on a student visa, enrolling at the Baptist University of the Americas (BUA) to learn English. He started attending the Church on Congress Avenue, in Austin, where he played bass and led the youth ministry.

A follower of Jesus since he was 14, Angello felt the call to ministry while at BUA and enrolled in the theology program. Working with youth fills Angello with hope. He not only wants to teach but, also wants to learn from them.

Angello has a demonstrated passion for urban youth, is fluent in English and Spanish and is comfortable ministering in a multicultural environment. When you factor in the mission-oriented education he is receiving at BUA, Angello is in position to carry the BT campus ministry to a new level.

Urban Youth Help West Get Back on it's Feet

“The best mission camp trip, EVER,” is how Jessica Morgan (15) described this year's summer youth trip to West, Texas.

Ten youth and two adults from Baptist Temple/Family Deaf Church/Betel family of churches took part in Texas Baptist's first student disaster recovery ministry, BOUNCE. This new, pre-packaged student mission experience provides youth the opportunity to assist communities in their efforts to BOUNCE back from the devastation that exists after disaster has struck.

In West, Texas a fertilizer plant explosion in April 2013, killed 15 people, including a dozen first responders, and injured 160. More than 1200 Baptists joined the army of volunteers who have converged upon this small town from the beginning. A year later, the cleanup phase is done and the rebuilding is underway.

The Baptist Temple team joined several other churches in a variety of projects. One group framed a new house, while another group finished a house framed last week. Others worked on repairs, roofing and other projects.

Days were filled with meaningful work and evenings featured times of worship and reflection designed to help participants encounter and respond to God. Brianna Haddock (17) said, "I can't believe I took part of such an amazing project. The work in one week is absolutely astounding! If you're wondering, God is good and West is blessed!"

Team sponsor, Steve Grinnell reports that the town's people expressed gratitude for the Bouncers presence. FBC West's pastor told the teams, "You are doing more than just painting a wall, you are restoring lives. You are demonstrating what real Christian love looks like."

Heather Fisher, also a team sponsor, said that the teens felt they were doing something worthwhile in helping West recover. Carmen Zayasbazan (15) suggested that we register for next year right away so we can reserve a spot.

Click here for pictures of the event.

In addition to West, BOUNCE will also go to flood damaged Austin and Moore, Oklahoma, where a tornado struck last year.