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San Antonio Church selected to be “Key Church”

SAN ANTONIO, Sep. 17,2009: Baptist Temple Church of San Antonio was recently approved for the Key Church program of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). As a Key Church, Baptist Temple agrees to develop ministries that serve community needs, start new congregations and send short-term missionaries to needy areas.

For their part, the BGCT provides training opportunities, on-site consultation and funds to assist in paying the salary of a full time Minister of Missions. The BGCT wants to encourage churches to elevate the role of Minister of Missions to the same level as the more familiar positions of Music, Youth and Education ministers.

“Baptist Temple was ready to make this move,” said Pastor Jorge Zayasbazan. “The church has a long history of ministry to the community and missions support. The Key Church program seemed the logical next step.”

The 98-year-old church has an impressive record of community service over the years including hosting a methadone clinic and building two Habitat for Humanity houses. This summer Baptist Temple offered free lunch to community children in cooperation with the San Antonio Food Bank.

 Baptist Temple has a passion for reaching our community for Christ. Their large, well-maintained facility is located on the south side of San Antonio where many of the neighbors are working poor and unchurched.

 The buildings were built during a time when the church had more money and members than they do now. “I believe that the congregation that built and paid for this building did so with prayer and in obedience to God. I know that God was not surprised at the current condition of our community. It is part of His plan to have a witness in this corner of San Antonio. He has provided us with a great facility from which to operate, resources to use in blessing others and a network of partners to help us love our neighbors in practical ways that show God’s love,” said Zayasbazan

Recently called to be senior pastor of Baptist Temple, Zayasbazan, has been ministering in urban communities for over 30 years including Miami, New Orleans and Metro Chicago. He has developed sustainable ministries that connect with the needs of the neighborhood and builds bridges between well-resourced suburban church members and under-resourced people surviving in pockets of poverty.

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