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.

A good and faithful servant

David Sexson at the
SABA Hunger Walk

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I first met David Sexson in the loading area of the San Antonio Food Bank. He was there with a crew from Mayfield Park Baptist Church. I was picking up for Baptist Temple’s Food Pantry. We would talk as we waited for our food, comparing notes about serving the hungry families of our respective communities.

David was an unchurched teenager who had come 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’s been on numerous mission trips both near and far, 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 first time worshiping 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.

He loved to work in our food pantry. We would meet at the Food Bank and load up our vehicles. I was amazed as to how much he could fit into his small car. David would pick up food, stock the shelves, and speak with each client as they came in. He would take time inquiring about their physical and spiritual needs, praying with them, if they requested. Afterwards, he would restock, clean up, and update records.

David had to step back when his health began to fail. The cancer that slowed him down soon took his life. His fellow workers stepped up to help, but the Food Pantry clients missed David. They missed his gentle spirit, warm smile, and genuine concern. And so do I.

Then the King will say to those on his right,
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…”
Matthew 25:34-35

Are you ready to fight hunger?

According to a recent CNN report, there are 13.1 million children in America who are food insecure. They are not sure when their next meal will be; they don't get enough to eat; and the food they do get is often of poor nutritional quality. On the other hand, the US is not only the world's leading exporter of food but, also, we throw away 40% of our food (enough to feed 25 million people.)

There is plenty of food in the US and, locally, The San Antonio Food Bank has demonstrated a phenomenal ability to collect and redistribute surplus food to over 500 agencies. The problem seems to be distribution. We need to get food into the mouths of the hungry.

There are many theories regarding the causes of poverty but I like what the Bible has to say, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV)

I know that I don't have the ability to end poverty but I know I can feed some hungry people right now.

Baptist Temple operates a client choice pantry 3 days a week for 3 hours each day. People in need of assistance come in and visit with a volunteer who helps them through the process and determines if there are other needs for which we can provide guidance and resources. In addition to food, we also have used clothes and other items available. We, also, frequently offer classes in health, finances, nutrition and gardening. Can you give a few hours a week or a month so that we can help more people?

Being open an afternoon or evening each week and on Saturday each month will help us serve the working poor. If you want to organize a crew, we will need five people to run a shift for three hours. Once a week, once a month, once in a while... whatever time you have to give will be appreciated.

Contact me at rev.jorge@yahoo.com if you'd like to help us fight hunger.

A Day at the Food Pantry

Clients who come to us looking for food are struggling with a variety of issues. Some are visible and some are hidden from the casual observer. Mental and emotional disabilities, problems at home, chronic illness or just plain hard times, whatever the struggle, it drove them to seek help.

One young, very petite, woman told me she was being treated for chronic depression. She was a victim of domestic violence who had recently moved out of a shelter and into a subsidized apartment. Last week four teen girls attacked and robbed her, leaving fearful and alienated.

An older woman had been recently widowed. She used her husband's modest life insurance to purchase a mobile home. It turned out to be a bad deal. When she fell through the rotting floor, she had to move out. The San Antonio Housing Authority was able to place her in an apartment but she was left with nothing.

One of our regulars came in and loaded up on cookies and soda. He struggles with addiction and says the sugar helps him with his cravings.

A new client found herself needing help with food after her mother recently suffered a stroke. She heads a household of seven that includes a disabled brother and two disabled children. She is familiar with the help that is available to her and has filled out all the applications but, in the meantime, she lacks food and other needed items. We were able to supply her with groceries and medical equipment.

Along with help for physical needs, we pray with our clients and offer community through free meals, small group Bible studies, recreation and worship. God sent these people to us so we can show His love to them. In a world of hardship and sorrow we can be an oasis of hope and comfort.

It takes a lot of folks doing a lot of things to make it work. We are always looking for new workers.

Churches Partner to Create a First-Rate VBS experience in the Inner-City

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is the highlight of the year for Baptist churches. It is an opportunity to teach children about Jesus and make contact with new families. This year we had a spectacular VBS on the Baptist Temple campus. Not because of our enrollment, 249, nor the number of workers, 96, not even the 32 professions of faith. Many churches have eclipsed those numbers. What was remarkable was that four churches sharing an inner-city campus joined forces to provide a top caliber VBS experience. The congregations included a Spanish language and a Deaf congregation. A 30 member short-term mission team from Houston added to both the success and the extraordinary nature of this bold ministry endeavor.

The stories are even more noteworthy than the numbers. The 32 professions of faith included children whose families are hostile to the gospel. This is not a dark cloud overshadowing a joyful event. This is the light of Jesus penetrating the darkness. “This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,” will be the theme song of these young lives.

One woman, who recently committed her life to Christ, asked for a copy of the adult VBS class picture. It was her first Bible study. Ruby, one of our seniors, attended the adult class. She was not sure why God led her to attend until she gave away a Bible on the first day. She brought a Bible to give away each day of VBS.

Our mission project this year was to prepare emergency meal bags. One child overheard another telling us he had no food at home. He decided to give his bag to the hungry boy.

Hunger is a problem in our community. Over 90% of the children in our three closest elementary schools qualify for free and reduced lunches. We provided a free dinner each night for the folks involved with VBS, along with a healthy snack.

VBS helps us to minister to both the spiritual and physical needs of our community. Moreover, we created new relationships through which we can share God's love to the families in our community.

Bread of Life

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

One of our food pantry clients noticed a stack of booklets with Bible verses and asked if she could have one. A couple of other clients heard and, likewise, asked for a booklet. Then they asked if I would bless the booklets. It was a God moment that allowed me to pray over these ladies and listen to concerns about family members who needed to be touched by Jesus.

They are, also, part of the crowd that gathers on Wednesday nights for our free community dinner. The gathering of such a diverse group is a picture of the banquet God has prepared for us. The people who were part of the “in crowd” had better things to do than attend the banquet, so the master invited the poor and the disabled. He wanted his house to be full.

Wednesday nights are filled with people who are hungry for nourishment; hungry for fellowship; hungry for God. Last month we baptized a person we met through our hunger ministry. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.” (John 6:35)

Muriel Persky lives the gospel as the hands and feet of Jesus. She works in our thrift store and teaches the Bible to women in a job readiness program (Christian Women's Job Corps). Last week, during her Bible study, one of the women declared that she wanted to be a follower of Jesus.

The gospel is good news! Whenever we serve people on the margins of society, we are serving Jesus Christ.

Highland Park Community Assistance Network

Pastor Dan Trevino got us off to a good start 

with a hearty breakfast;  assisted by

 his son Eli and Leroy and Vivian Reed.

Baptist Temple is preparing to take ministry to the next level. We offer many opportunities for people to improve their spiritual, emotional, financial and physical health. This is the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. Along with our traditional church ministries we offer nutrition and fitness classes, quality education for babies through 8^th grade, food and clothing ministries and so much more. We are assisted in these endeavors by a family of churches, non-profits and government agencies.

God has opened some doors that will allow us to help people on a deeper level. We will be able to address the underlying issues that cause people to be in poverty. Most importantly, we will work with people on a personal level. This will naturally create opportunities to share the gospel.

When I first came to BT I saw the potential of the Brunnemann Building as a center for community ministry but the task seemed daunting. Instead, we began a modest clothing ministry and mobile food pantry at the Fritz building. The success of the ministry became a catalyst for the restoration and naming of the Brunnemann Building.

The full potential of the Brunnemann Building will soon be realized as we create a permanent food pantry in the back half of the building. Also included will be a space for talking one-on-one with clients in a private setting.

The heart of our system will be a mentoring-based, client choice food pantry. Client choice means that people will select the items that they want from our store. It will be a shopping experience that preserves the dignity of our clients and reduces both waste and abuse.

The mentoring portion is the key factor of the program. It allows us to partner with our clients in developing a proactive plan to become self-sufficient. Mentoring is mandatory for continued access to our food pantry. Clients earn points for every thing they do to improve their lives. This includes attending classes, worship and volunteering.

Another important piece of this program is the Christian Women's Job Corps. This program equips women for life and employment. We will be able to leverage our daycare, kitchen and office to provide on the job training that will give our clients the skills they need to get a job. This program will launch in January 2015.

Our bottom line will be people completely transformed by the power of the gospel. Jesus said, “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)

A Christian's health, finances and relationships ought to reflect the power of the Holy Spirit. The church needs to teach people how to make that happen.

Join us in this task. You can volunteer short-term or long-term. You can contribute finances or material goods. Be a part of transforming lives.

Click here for ways that you can serve.

Feeding Hungry Children

“We are providing free lunch and snacks for 180 children every day, plus nearly 100 free breakfasts,” reports Associate Pastor Dan Trevino, “This includes 60 children at the Rosemont Apartments.”

This is Baptist Temple's sixth year offering free lunch to the children of our community through the USDA's summer feeding program. In 2009, we served lunch three times a week for five weeks. This year we serve breakfast, lunch and a snack all week at the church and set up a satellite location.

Over 90% of the children in our neighborhood are eligible for free or reduced lunch during the school year. They can receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch during the school week but are at risk for hunger on weekends and during the summer.

A 2012 Feeding America study discovered that Texas leads the nation in the number of hungry children. According to the San Antonio Food Bank one out four children in Bexar County live in poverty and struggle with food insecurity. Food insecurity means that when food is prepared, it is usually of poor quality or an unbalanced diet leading to malnutrition and health problems.

God cares about the hungry.

• Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen… Is it not to share your food with the hungry… Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV)
• John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Luke 3:11 (NIV)
• When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Deuteronomy 24:19-21 (NIV)

Baptist Temple is concerned about the hungry, as well. The summer feeding program is one way we fight hunger in our community.

“Arise, cry out in the night,

At the beginning of the watches;

Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.

Lift your hands toward Him

For the life of your young children,

Who faint from hunger at the head of every street.”

Lamentations 2:19

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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Children Eating Garbage

San Antonio pastor, Dan Trevino, was surprised to find two boys in his church's dumpster. He had arrived at the church at dawn one Saturday to prepare breakfast for his men's group. The two boy's had sneaked out of their home before their parents awoke in search of something to eat. They were hungry and had no food in their home. Pastor Dan brought them inside to enjoy a hot and wholesome breakfast.

Children who live in poverty are able to get free breakfast and lunch at school but are on their own for the weekend. For many, these school meals are the only nutritious meals they are sure to receive. Some will go hungry over the weekend.

Baptist Temple's backpack program provides nutritious snacks to children at risk to be hungry over the weekend. Children identified selected by school staff, discreetly receive the snacks every Friday.

During the summer, we provide free lunch to children in our community, a large percentage of whom are on the free or reduced lunch program in their schools.

Texas is the second hungriest state in the US. One out of six people in San Antonio struggle to afford food.

Last year, Baptist Temple distributed more than 200,000 pounds of food; providing groceries to over 200 families per month in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, the San Antonio Baptist Association and the Texas Hunger Offering.

Baptist Temple works with the Texas Hunger Initiative to seek a long-term solution to food insecurity in San Antonio.

Your contributions help Baptist Temple continue to fight hunger in our community.

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