A Hot Meal, a Warm Welcome, and a New Beginning

Linda “Qween” Davis has always worshiped God. “I’m always praying to God, asking him to help me and take care of me,” she said, “but I have a long way to go.”

Her first encounter with the Highland Park Community Assistance Network (HPCAN) came when she and her husband, who died a year ago, attended one of the Tuesday night community meals. He suggested they go out for a hot dinner.

“And I’m like, where?” Qween remembered, “and he said, ‘At the church.’”

She remembers the warm welcome that came with the hot meal, especially from Kathy Lopez.

Later, Qween became part of the Monday ceramics class, where she met Angelina Guajardo, program director for Divine Women, a support ministry for women. At Guajardo’s invitation, Qween participated in the group for a while.

Eventually, she began volunteering in the kitchen for the Tuesday meals, the same ministry through which she first encountered HPCAN. “I’ve always liked to cook, and I like to help people as much as I can,” she said. “I try not to miss. I’m there helping in the community, serving the food and everything.”

Daniel Arredondo, Minister of Outreach, calls her a great worker. “She’s a valued member of our kitchen team,” he said. “Her heart is growing.”

Coworker Bobann Moore agreed. “When we’re in that kitchen, she will do anything, anything at all to help,” Moore said.

Vernon Liverett remarked on Qween’s cheerful attitude and the way she relates to guests. “Qween has a good relationship with the people that come through the line,” Liverett said. “She makes them comfortable. She makes it feel relaxed and kids around with them. And then just makes the whole interaction very positive.”

“When I’m up there serving the food and stuff, I’m always telling them, ‘Welcome. Have a happy Tuesday. Don’t forget to thank the good Lord for this day,’” Queen said. “I know half of the people that come and eat at the church.”

Among the Tuesday night volunteers, Qween has found more than a place to serve. She has found community. “We’re always laughing and joking and playing around with each other,” she said. “And whenever something’s wrong with me or I’m sick or something, they always check up on me.”

That kind of care stood out to her. It was not what she had experienced in churches as a teenager. “That’s what made me give up on churches until I found this one here,” she said.

Arredondo has seen growth in her life. “She’s come a long way,” he said. “She was very unreceptive at first, but over time, she’s learned to take the Word of God and let it discipline her and purify her and conform her.”

Qween eventually started attending worship and Bible study. The Bible study is led by Liverett and Kay Richardson, who coordinates the Tuesday night meals. Qween appreciates the way the teaching is easy to understand and the opportunity to ask questions. “With Miss Kay, I’m learning stuff that I never knew about,” she said. “And she makes it so simple.”

Recently, Qween was baptized and committed herself to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. For her, baptism marked an opportunity “to let go of all my sins and move forward with the help of the good Lord to do better.”

Rooted in Friendship, Renewed in Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A holiday lament

"…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Two members of our extended family were found dead, along with their two dogs, due to carbon monoxide poisoning, earlier this month. Paul and Rinessa were living in a tent across the interstate from the Baptist Temple campus. They had been homeless for four days and had been among the folks who join us for our community meals on Tuesdays. They were well known among our folks who work in our Highland Park CAN ministry. The tragic deaths hit hard. Although we were unable to rehouse them, nor fix the issues that led to their eviction, we were able to give them a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name (in this case a hot meal).

Baptist Temple has a long history of working with the homeless in our city dating back to the Great Depression. During that era, we had a homeless encampment a mile to the east of our campus. Our folks would bring blankets, clothes, and food to the residents of “tent city.” A mile to our north, we operated a soup kitchen on Walters and Vine.

Today, homelessness and poverty have moved closer to the church, and we provide food and clothing through our Highland Park CAN (community assistance network) ministry located on our campus. Both physical and spiritual needs are met by our team of caring ministers. On Tuesday nights we provide a free hot meal to everyone.

The 2024 San Antonio homeless count revealed 3372 homeless people, 75% were sheltered, leaving 882 on the streets. In 2023, 332 homeless people died, including a former member who was found dead in the apartment that had been provided for him. The issue is complex and there are many smart people working on it from different angles. For our part, we will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, invite the stranger, and, of course, offer a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” Deuteronomy 15: 11

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