Issuu

THE SAN ANTONIO

J U LY 2019

Be A Light

70 Years of Christ-centered innovation and caring

Trinity Baptist Church celebrates 70th anniversary A legacy continues: Training young people to change a nation for Jesus 6 1

Immersion Outfitters: Real men immerse themselves in the Word of God 9

Village Parkway: Lead pastor risks all to stand up and speak out for a brother 11 w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Crestmont School: World-class academics meets higher calling without stress 13

Tell Your Story: I had every right to be mad at God, but instead I am grateful 15 MPay J uBnYe S2I D0 1L9AW R E N C E H O/T O

INSIDE

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Thank you to our local businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories.

A legacy continues: Training young people to change a nation for Jesus Cassiano Homes kids say, "Yes!" to Jesus after Ethnos takes their ministry to the most needy.

Ministry ‘immerses’ itself in the Word with astounding results Real men immerse themselves in the Word of God and go where He leads.

Taking a stand for righteousness Lead pastor for Village Parkway Baptist Church risks all to stand up and speak out for a brother in arms unfairly accused.

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Be A Light. PUBLISHER: The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS: Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR: Jennie Rosio PRAYER DIRECTOR: Doug Fletcher WRITERS: Amy Morgan, Inez Kirchner, Dana Michea Marquez, Jennie Rosio, Richard Zowie PHONE: (210) 614-8885 ONLINE: www.saBeacon.com MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be a communication and resource tool that reflects God's activity and goodness in our community to ignite a passion for helping those in need in our community.

Combined Palm Sunday worship service

Seven decades of Christ-centered innovation and caring:

Trinity Baptist Church celebrates 70th anniversary BY JENNI E R O S I O BEACON EDITOR

When 94 people gather to pray fervently, more than seven decades can feel the ripple effect.

The birthing In June 1949 — just a year after Israel became a nation, and seven years after the San Antonio airport opened — some prayers started moving mountains in the Alamo City. Marjorie Brake, charter member of Trinity Baptist Church, was 10 at the time. “I was sitting on a stool in front of the sofa where my parents were praying. All I could think was,

Charter members Joe and Marjorie Brake, sharing memories during Trinity's 70th Anniversary Founding Members luncheon.

July 2019

‘Something special is happening. I know it is the Spirit of God moving.' “On Friday night, June 24,” says Marjorie, “we became chartered by the State of Texas Baptist Church. Our first worship service at the church was Sunday, June 26.” Soon, they were breaking ground on a plot that’s a little over five acres, located on a gently rising hill at the corner of Shook and East Mulberry Avenues. They built a beautiful little building. San Antonio’s population at the time was 400,000.

1951, TIME called this gathering a “boom church.” Within two years, it had grown to 1,000 members and was the fastest growing church in America.

Jesus fans the pioneering flame Ten years later, Buckner Fanning, a U.S. Marine turned evangelist, was called to Trinity Baptist. In 1957, Newsweek had compared Buckner to Billy Graham. While he pastored Trinity Baptist for over four decades the membership grew. At one time, there were more 10,000 on its rolls.

Trinity Baptist Church casts a vision The pastor they called in August of that year, the Rev. W.S. McBirnie, affectionately called “Brother Mac,” was innovative and persuasive. This north edge of San Antonio did not offer much in the way of community gathering places in the 1950s, so Trinity provided it. They built a college-size gym, a roller skating rink, four bowling lanes, a kitchen and several classrooms. In w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Trinity Baptist Church is pictured here in a 1950 aerial photo.

Christopher Mack, Minister of Young Adults, greets members and visitors at a Crossings Sunday worship service.

While uncompromising with gospel truths, Buckner continued to welcome Trinity’s community. He partnered with Catholics, Jews, Muslims and other Protestant denominations. Many remember Buckner’s 30-second TV spots; he recorded more than a thousand in three decades. In 1962, as chronicled in Carl Moore’s God’s Lighthouse on a Hill, a woman in the church came to Buckner, saying, “There is no place in San Antonio for alcoholic women who want to find a place of refuge and help. Do something about it!” In 1966, Alpha Home was born, and Trinity became the first church in the nation to create a ministry like it.

Diversity leads to strength Although Buckner’s retirement from Trinity in 2002 brought a decline in membership, the Holy Spirit was at work. Charles Johnson took the helm next and led the way to a more diversified Trinity. Under his leadership, the church purchased what’s now called TriPoint — A Center for Life, giving Trinity a perfect spot to reach out to people in America’s fastest growing city in unique ways.

Trinity heals, grows and pulls the arms of Christ around San Antonio more than ever In 2009, Dr. Leslie Hollon came to be Trinity Baptist’s fourth pastor. He had always seen Trinity as a church who put the arms of Christ around the city of San Antonio. His mission was to bring healing to a church struggling to rebound. Regarding his call to Trinity, Pastor Les says, “I felt challenged. My 4

Trinity Baptist's 70th Anniversary Celebration Service featuring former pastors and staff, and a reunion choir concert on June 22.

Trinity Baptist, One Church, Three Campuses. clockwise from the top, TBC Sanctuary on the Mulberry campus, TriPoint Campus on 281 and St Mary's, and the Ruble Center, the headquarters of Alpha Home.

excitement to take this call really has flowed out of loving Trinity and San Antonio. And though feeling the ache for the church’s recent pain, I believed in God’s future for Trinity. “As we are healed and made strong, we have this great mission of partnering with the gospel and sharing God’s love. That’s across the streets of San Antonio and that’s in regions around the world. It’s been hard but rewarding work. I am grateful for the church’s membership and staff for their great ministry.” The work continues to be walking by faith and pioneering nonconventional approaches.

Trinity Baptist has long been recognized as a leader in global missions. TBC has served with mission partners in Eastern Europe and Russia, Western Europe, Central America, and Africa.

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“We are one church with three campuses working synergistically together,” Pastor Les says. What are the three campuses? East Mulberry Avenue. The expansive campus on 319 East Mulberry Avenue is more diverse than first meets the eye. Few know that through its doors is Logsdon Seminary; currently, 63 students attend. The ISAAC Project offices through the Mulberry campus also. Legal immigrants find someone to guide them through the difficult process of obtaining legal documents for their status so they can succeed in America. At the Mulberry campus, anyone can attend the 10:15 blended service, or one of the 9 a.m. Bible classes of all kinds for kids and adults. For example, if you are a youngish adult, you could choose the Illuminate class, led by Minister of Young Adults Christopher Mack along with the Brachers and the Dawsons. Also in the Illuminate class is August Higgins, Trinity's Executive Research Assistant. The Illuminate class does a great job guiding his class to create outreach projects and encouraging people to know Jesus in a personal way. Arthur Queen, who’s been attending Illuminate over the last year, recounts how August and many of the other members at Trinity have been used by God to bring a fresh sense of joy to his life. “Our class is wonderful and open. It’s a genuine feeling of joy that’s not forced. They’re not doing it out of, ‘I have to.’ They’re doing it because ‘I want to.’ Because they’re passing on the joy that God had given them, J u ly 2 0 1 9

Thank you LORD for making this story possible to share.

Trinity Baptist honors Pastor Les (center) and his wife (far right) on their 10th anniversary at Trinity Baptist Church.

Trinity Baptist Church

and we can really feel that.” Arthur recalls that he had fallen away from pursuing God in his life. He’d been to college, gotten married, had three children. He was longing to get back to the Lord; it was during a season of looking for human approval and not finding it. One day in October, though, he came to the chapel alone. “I’d let Him down,” he recounts. “My life had gone so far away. I was just repenting and saying ‘I want to change. I want to accept you as my Savior.’ And that was the turning point in my life of putting my identity as what God tells me, and not what people tell me.” Ruble Center. Trinity Baptist Church’s Ruble Center on 419 E. Magnolia is a place where some of the church’s most dramatic life changes take place. Alpha Home, housed there, leads women to recovery from chemical addictions after following a 12-week treatment taking a faith-based approach. TriPoint Center. Mulberry, Highway 281 and St. Mary’s all converge together at TriPoint. The building, home to the D.R. Semmes Family YMCA and state-of-the-art business meeting rooms, is a three-minute drive from the Mulberry campus. It’s also home of a unique place to worship called, “Crossings.” Pastor Les preaches there three Sundays per month and Christopher Mack preaches there once a month. Crossings service attracts Summer Moon Coffee Bar customers as well as many neighbors and those who used to shop at the Albertsons which operated out of that building for years before closing. Also, many of the July 2019

worshippers at Crossings come from Alpha Home (a two-minute drive in the other direction on East Magnolia). T.A.C.O. Tuesday meets in The Hub at TriPoint, offering free food, child care and fellowship. About 40 come weekly from all walks of life. The study focuses on truth, assurance, commitment and obedience and is “designed for men and women of all ages who want to explore the foundations of the Christian faith.” When I visited the Crossings service at TriPoint one Sunday, three of the members from Alpha Home Ministry were in the front row, robed in white and ready to be baptized. Their hands were clasped together and held high, singing with all their hearts. Two women who’d moved from Alpha Home into Universal City sat behind me. I asked them how they liked Crossings services. One of them said, “It’s a little drive, but it’s definitely worth it.” The other chimed in: “Nothing compares to this church.” Seventy years. Seven thousand souls saved. Nothing compares to the love of Jesus at Trinity Baptist Church and the power of the Holy Spirit, which is still going strong.

www.trinitybaptist.org

Mulberry Campus 319 E. Mulberry Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 733-6201

Tripoint Campus 3233 N. St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 738-7786

Ruble Center Alpha Home Ministry 419 E. Magnolia San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 733-6201

Be A Light. Visit. Plan your next visit by first checking out the many opportunities at Trinity’s website. Meet the friendly people! Jump in. Volunteer your time; boredom is the only thing you have to lose with their innovative approach and eagerness to try new ministry ideas. Pray. Or ask for prayer. Ask God to multiply disciples through Trinity’s members. Or ask for prayer at their roundthe-clock prayer ministry: (210) 738-PRAY (7729).

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God's Grace and the past and current members of Trinity Baptist Church

Debbie Potter, Minister to Children teaching during TBC's summer Art Camp.

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A legacy continues

Training young people to change a nation for Jesus BY DANA MICHEA MAR QUEZ BEACON WRITER

Cassiano Homes is one of the poorest and largest communities on San Antonio’s west side. Almost 500 apartments span across the 54 acre property. Hanna Hunter, Cassiano Homes Property Manager, says that it’s the oldest public housing in our city. The bigger apartments are often filled with up to twelve children, she explains, and adds that “about 85 percent of these families are single mother households.” The community is a hotbed for drugs, gangs and dysfunctional families — a perfect opportunity for ministries like Ethnos Missions to become a light for a broken community. In 2007, Pastor Marty Gaines, his 6

wife Imogene, sons Gabe and Joshua Gaines and Joshua's wife, Tiffany, traveled with a team of 20 people to Jamaica on a mission trip where they met a child who was deaf. They prayed for the child and God healed him. The Gaines ended the second week of this special trip seeing over one thousand children give their lives to Christ. When the Gaines came back to San Antonio, they realized that they had to change. “After Jamaica, the Lord showed us that we could not do church the same,” Tiffany says. “Meaning that we had to get outside the four walls. We had to go to the poor and disadvantaged. We took church to the streets.” Pastor Joshua continues, “This lit a righteous fire in my dad! That was w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

when my dad started questioning, ‘How can we become better at reaching our community for Jesus?’” The family continued to pray; Pastor Marty started looking around San Antonio. “My dad drove down Poplar Street on the west side of San Antonio. There was a house being

Pastor Josh and Tiffany Gaines receive two NAHRO community service awards from SAHA management. One is for the state of Texas and another is for all of the southern states in the U.S. J u ly 2 0 1 9

Pastor Joshua Gaines asks if anyone would like to say "yes" to following Jesus.

“ My dad drove down Poplar Street on the west side of San Antonio. There was a house being raided for drugs. My dad looks at me and says, 'I think we are home!' We have been here ever since.” — Pastor Joshua Gaines raided for drugs. My dad looks at me and says, 'I think we are home!' We have been here ever since,” Pastor Joshua says. “By this time, we were calling ourselves 'Ethnos,' which is Greek for Nations.” Ethnos Missions Center was birthed and anonymously sponsored through a connection from the Jamaican Mission Team. They had 22 paid staff and three community outreaches in the San Juan Courts, Lincoln Courts and Cassiano Homes. “We would wear the yellow shirts that we had from our Jamaican trip and go knock on doors. We would let them know, ‘Kids Club!’ The parents would tell the kids to come outside,” says Pastor Joshua. “We would have games, Bible study and snacks for them in the grass by their apartments. We pretty much did vacation Bible school on steroids. We built relationships with the children.” One young man they worked with, Mark Stuart of San Juan Courts, met Jesus in an amazing way. Mark was known as the “bad boy” in the commuJuly 2019

nity. “All we heard were negative reports about Mark from everyone we talked to,” Tiffany says. “As the oldest of three siblings while being raised by their grandmother, he was a little rough around the edges but we poured our love and the love of Christ into him.” Mark started attending Kids Club and became part of the youth group. He graduated from high school and went on to college — something few children coming from the Courts ever accomplish. The enemy does not like it when we take new ground. Still young and healthy, Pastor Marty suffered a massive stroke in 2015 for no medical reason. Of course, his family and those he served were devastated. He was not even supposed to live. But God had other ideas. Pastor Marty is slowly recovering from this near fatal attack. Imogene had to step up as his caregiver and encourager. Joshua and his wife Tiffany have immediately stepped in as the new executive directors of Ethnos, and kept the vision alive. There is a profound new hope and passion as they continue the work of the ministry as leaders. Above: Cassiano kids enjoy Ethnos outreach. Left: Ethnos Missions Center west side headquarters are on the Cassiano Homes' property.

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“ We have become so immersed in the lives of the families we minister to. This has not changed. We are very relational. We get that from Joshua’s dad, Pastor Marty. Relationship is key in showing the love of Jesus and seeing the transformation in people’s lives. That is what makes us so successful!” — Tiffany Gaines, Ethnos Missions Center Imogene and Pastor Marty Gaines enjoy a hug. Pastor Marty and Imogene founded Ethnos in 2007.

Current funding enables them to focus their efforts in the Cassiano Homes. Ethnos provides multiple services for the community: Kids Club, clothes distribution and family Bible studies. They also pass out mattresses and linens donated from various hotels as well as food that comes from Daily Bread Ministries, and other ministries as well. “Some of these families have nothing when they move into their apartments.” Tiffany says. “We have become so immersed in the lives of the families we minister to. This has not changed. We are very relational. We get that from Joshua’s dad, Pastor Marty. Relationship is key in showing the love of Jesus and seeing the transformation in people’s lives. That is what makes us so successful!” “I have worked in various housing developments throughout San Antonio,” says the property manager, Hannah. “I have never encountered an agency that is committed to a property and is as successful as Ethnos. A lot of agencies come in and help, but after a length of time they leave. Before Ethnos started working with the children at the Cassiano Homes, our own property maintenance crew would spend two hours every morning removing graffiti from buildings and sidewalks. Now, I only have one person spending 30 minutes. Ethnos Missions made a commitment here. They signed a lease with us for their own building in order to continue to serve the community. I am the blessed one to have them here.” The building Hannah’s referring to has four apartments with four full bedrooms. The ministry’s direct need now is to furnish the building in order 8

Ethnos Missions www.gotoethnos.org P.O. Box 592348 San Antonio, TX 78259 (210) 858-9600 Caleb, Jaiden, Dakota, Tiffany, Joshua and Asher Gaines stand together; their legacy continues as the kids pour their lives into the ministry too.

to expand the vision for Cassiano Homes. They are actively looking for financial resources to finish out the new building. They also need Bibles, deep freezers, refrigerators, nursery items and office supplies. They are praying for a new van. Tiffany says, “We have a van, but it has 400,000 miles on it. We use the van to transport the children to the pools and field trips. Most of the children we work with have never been outside the Cassiano Homes. We want them to see that there is life outside their community.” As they continue the legacy left to them by Pastor Marty and Imogene, they do have one new financial partner. Now living in Corpus Christi is Mark (the former “bad boy”). He sent Ethnos a recent donation with a message: “Keep making world changers and history makers! I’ll keep donating as much as I can because God changed me through what Ethnos does. I want everyone on the west side of San Antonio to know God and feel His love!” w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Be A Light. Give. Consider helping Ethnos finish out their new building. Join them as a consistent financial partner and be a part of transforming the community. Pray. Consider joining their prayer team for the families of the Cassiano Homes. Volunteer. There are many ways you can help. Go to their website and fill out the form to become a volunteer. Schedule. Have Pastor Joshua and Tiffany speak with your Sunday school class, small group and even bring them in to speak to your church.

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Ministry ‘immerses’ itself in the Word with astounding results BY RI C H AR D ZO W I E BEACON WRITER

Calling themselves “Bibles and Bows” due to their love for the Word of God and for archery-style hunting, Josh Jones and longtime friend Dusty Alexander hosted a Bible study for a group of San Antonio men in 2011 in his garage. Now called Immersion Outfitters and headquartered in San Antonio, it may well be the best kept secret for changing lives. The group has grown to several chapters across Texas, including a women’s chapter and a satellite group in the West African nation, Liberia. It serves over 300 men. Eventually, a man named George Ramirez providentially became involved after beginning a men’s Bible

George Ramirez, Community Pastor for Immersion Outfitters, visits in the small West African village of Buchanan with young ones. The village lost many men after a civil war and an Ebola breakout, leaving many single moms. July 2019

study out of his house in 2014. He first met the two men after their other founding member, Josh Senneff, invited him to an event at a South Texas ranch. Quickly, Josh and Dusty saw the fruit of George’s ministry efforts and invited him to work at Immersion full time. Since March, he has served as a community pastor. “I think there’s a tremendous need here in San Antonio for men’s ministries,” George says. “Like churches, we host fishing and golf tournaments for men, but our main focus is teaching men the Word, outfitting men with the Word and plugging them into studying the Bible and learning Scripture.” Besides hosting Bible studies, Immersion partners with other local ministries working with the homeless and disadvantaged in the community to help apply what they are learning from the Scriptures. One man attended reluctantly and grumbled consistently for a year before becoming touched by the needs he saw. He sold his pride and joy, his new boat, and used the funds to buy supplies for the homeless. Immersion Outfitters recently received a further blessing: six and a quarter acres of land on Braun Road. It’s being set up as their headquarters. They are sharing what George described as “this miraculous land gift” with other churches and ministries across the city. Originally, the “Old Braun Barn” was w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

on the market for $1.5 million. The owner was Hank Daughtry, the grandfather of Megan Daughtry Dybowski, who had attended an Immersion conference. “We met her grandfather and told him what we wanted to do with the property — use it for the ministry as a prayer garden, coffee shop, bookstore and outreach venue," George says. “In short, bring the property back to life and invite God’s presence.” After money was exchanged and further funds were raised, Hank told Immersion he had prayed about it and decided to give them the property free and clear to serve the Lord, under one condition: they could never sell it. “Yes, and amen,” was their answer. This miraculous blessing is currently undergoing renovations to the buildings located on the property. Immersion is planning to open the property to the public in early July. Because the buildings were so old, Immersion hired help for the Natura, we look for organizations that are making a “ Atdifference and sharing the Good News. This makes Immersion Outfitters a perfect fit for our company. Immersion outfits people for life in Christ. It’s for the churched and unchurched. They focus on sharing the truth in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way. I encourage you to invest in what really matters and Immersion matters to so many here in San Antonio, in our country and across the globe.

”

Josh Senneff, President and COO, Natura.

Thank you NATURA for making this story possible to share.

Liberian kids get a break the whole month of July for vacation Bible school! Many are employed making cement bricks or selling homemade meals, and don’t attend any kind of school at all.

makeover. One man was particularly moved. “Still on his own spiritual journey,” says George, “it was clear that he was willing to sense and see what the Lord could do. He has wept over what he’s seen God do with this ministry. I told him God would make Himself known to him,” says George, adding that this man has a Christian wife. “I believe God gave us this property for a reason. His presence is very real.” Immersion Outfitters also hosts an annual men’s event called Man Up. Originally, it consisted of bringing in “dynamic speakers from all over,” as George puts it. “The last two years things have changed,” George says. “We pray a lot more now and give a platform to local pastors and ministries to connect men at the event with a local person. We also prayed over a guy whose back was injured. He had needed surgery, but he was healed.” They also gather, Immersion Outfitters’ as did Nehemiah and Liberia children’s ministry his people, and read office is housed in an abandoned U.S. air base. scripture.

One man at Man Up became a Christian on the spot and was baptized after seeing his friend baptized. Immersion Outfitters also hosts mission trips to its satellite ministry in Liberia, partnering with Faith Comes By Hearing. This audio Bible ministry translates the scriptures into recordings. “This chapter is really one that changed our ministry,” George says. “We visit remote areas. We sleep on the floor in huts. Some of the villages we visit have never heard the gospel. Wherever the men go, the whole town goes in that area of Africa.” Another George, one named George Monten Toe, leads the Liberian branch. He serves orphans at Village of the Americas, an old, abandoned U.S. air base. They also do vacation Bible school there for the children, so generational change takes place. “We teach them to read and write,” George says. “Two members of ministry live full-time with the kids to teach them.” George described himself as “excited” by this upcoming trip since he has ordered 40 new radios in five new languages to be dispersed to various tribes. “Simple obedience can lead us to do things we never dreamt of before. Then God shows up and you experience His might and His power.” Immersion has a simple biblical model seeing lots of fruit: preach and teach the Word. Disciple and then send them out to serve. It looks a lot like what we read about the early church in the book of Acts.

employees are involved in transforming our community “ Our in a variety of ways including providing audio Bibles that Immersion distributes in Africa. We serve an awesome God and Immersion Outfitters is acting as His hands and feet in so many incredible ways. I personally invite you to learn more about this amazing organization and the difference they are making.

”

Josh Senneff, President and COO, Natura.

Immersion Outfitters www.immersionoutfitters.com 9599 Braun Road, San Antonio, TX 78254 (210) 837-9069

Be A Light. Give. Your gifts go to the staff who live totally by faith, the mission teams being sent to Africa and the renovations to finish out the property. Their faith goal is for $300,000 to be provided in the coming months. Prayer. Immersion also needs prayer for wisdom to understand the fullness of the vision that God has for the property. Join. Check out their website so you can visit one of their Bible studies or even the property. Talk with George about their upcoming mission trip. Invite. Schedule George to speak to your Sunday school class, small group or even your church.

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www.naturahq.com 888-284-2257 6436 Babcock Rd. San Antonio, TX 78249 Natura is an interior horticultural design, installation and maintenance firm servicing all major markets in Texas. We care for plants and people within the built environment. Our purpose and passion is to create environments where people thrive — and we do this by designing innovative ways to reconnect people with nature. We incorporate live plants, greenwall systems and holiday decor packages in the spaces where we live, work, learn and play. We not only provide environments where people thrive but also give back to our community in a variety of ways. Faith is a big part of everything we do at Natura. Please contact us to learn more about why we are leading the way in enhancing built environments.

Last year, Immersion Outfitters partnered with Natura to deliver 100 printed Bibles; Faith Comes By Hearing ministry supplied 40 solar powered audio Bibles in four different languages. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

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Taking a stand for righteousness Village Parkway Baptist Church, San Antonio DE NI S E R. MAR CO S BEACON WRITER

"Stand up for truth and walk in that faith with certainty." These are the words Dr. Steve Branson, Lead Pastor for Village Parkway Baptist Church in San Antonio, lives by every single day. He recognizes that taking a stand has an influential effect on the community. It is the main reason he continues to be a voice for Christians across the country. It is the reason he has done so on many occasions, for multiple reasons. And today, in the midst of attacks on Christians and Christian businesses, the chances are increasing that you too will need to stand up and take a stand. “When faced with difficult decisions, a decision to take a stance that could ruin your reputation, your career, really your life — be strong and do what is right,” Steve says. “Always speak truth, but do not be resentful or unkind to others. Always approach opposition in the most levelheaded way you can. That is what the Bible teaches us, and we must act in such a way.” July 2019

For more than 30 years, Steve has ministered to San Antonio residents through his work as a church leader, a serviceman for those in need and a counsel to his parishioners. “As a pastor, I have a pulpit responsibility to preach God’s Word. If I want people to hear truth, I have to do it in a way that is respectful. When faced with an obstacle of having to defend something that you believe to be true, you have to know your subject. So, I work hard every week to make sure I do. I don’t use what I said 20 years ago to address issues of today’s culture,” Steve says.

Pastor Steve Branson, Lead Pastor of Village Parkway Baptist, Todd Starnes of Fox News and Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk of Lackland Air Force Base stand together. Fox’s national news reported in 2013 and 2015 in-depth details regarding the controversial crackdowns Phillip faced.

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These philosophical values have helped shape his ministerial success. Today, for his courageous and influential work over the last six years, he is nationally recognized for having paved the way for religious rights. In 2013, Steve learned that one of his church members, Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk — who had served in the military for 19 years — faced religious discrimination from officials at Lackland Air Force Base. Phillip’s religious freedom was under attack. His job, pension and reputation were scrutinized. As his friend and pastor, Steve publicly spoke out about the injustice against Phillip. Both men faced an uproar of disapproval throughout several media outlets on a local and even national level. “During this time, the church was under fire and many who did not understand the scriptures regarded us as a hate church. We had to put police on the grounds because we had some really bad phone calls coming in. I was getting emails by the thousands, phone calls by the dozens. Most of them were good, but we got some really, really bad ones,” the pastor recalls. 11

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“Having faith is more than just acknowledging it verbally. If you believe in something, you must be willing to live it out in your every day life, in what you do, how you treat others, and in how you speak. And when faced with difficult decisions and situations, you must not be afraid to take a stand.”

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William G. "Jerry" Boykin, Family Research Council's Executive Vice President congratulates Village Parkway Baptist Church Lead Pastor Steve Branson for receiving the Jonas Clark Award in 2014 while in Washington, D.C. This award honors his courage in standing for biblical principles under fire.

One call was more memorable than the others. Steve noted that after 30 minutes where an Army colonel used inappropriate language and called him offensive names, he was finally able to pacify the irate man. “I spoke truth in a calm manner,” he says. “While we still hung up in disagreement, we were respectful at the end. This is God’s way. He calls us to show understanding to one another, and to speak truth. That’s all I did.” During the months that surrounded Phillip's investigation, Steve recalls how the Lord was always present. “I did what I knew. I have prepared for situations where the Lord’s teachings would be tested. I certainly did not ever expect to be a part of it in a political way. God has opened up many doors for me as a result of my obedience and willingness to stand for what is right. I have been able to meet people I never thought I would, and asked to speak across the country. I have been a part of a movement that fights for religious equality for our Christian people. That is all God’s work. The successes and outcomes could not have come without Him by our side.” However, despite the negative upheaval, throughout the nation many fellow Christians demonstrated an outstanding amount of support for Phillip and Steve’s actions, which is still bringing about influential change 12

Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk and Village Parkway Baptist Church Lead Pastor Steve Branson stand together; Phillip gives a set of his stripes to Pastor Steve after being exonerated. This is an incredible honor. When someone leaves the military, the tradition is that they give a set of stripes to a person who made a big difference in their life.

and great recognition for their courage years later. “When you take on the role of a leader, particularly a pastor of a church, you take responsibility to live by your faith in such a way that is evident to others. We learn to take courage, to stand up for what is right, for ourselves and for others,” Steve says. “In the situation I encountered with Senior Master Sergeant Monk I could not stay silent. I stood by a friend, someone in need. That is my duty as a pastor — my responsibility as a Christian.” When the investigation concluded later that year, Phillip was absolved from the false accusations and he retired after 20 years of service. As token of appreciation, the veteran gave Steve a set of his stripes — a gesture the pastor says he will never forget. “It was an honor to stand by my friend’s side. But even though I wouldn’t want to do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Both Phillip and I have been drawn closer to God because of it,” Steve says. Especially in today’s times, Pastor Steve urges other Christians to walk through situations — even when complicated — as a warrior, defending their beliefs with unwavering grace, kindness and action. w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Village Parkway Baptist Church www.vpbc.net 3002 Village Parkway San Antonio, TX 78251 (210) 680-7813

Be A Light. Pray. Our first response as Christians should always be prayer. Pray for sensitivity to hear from the Holy Spirit regarding your role in standing for truth in grace. Pray for protection for Pastor Steve and his family as he continues to stand for truth. Pray for Village Parkway Baptist Church to continue to be the light on a hill. Obey. Know that God will protect, guide and direct you as you step out in obedience. Experience God. When we step out in faith, we will come to know God in ways we could have never imagined! Visit. Plan on visiting Village Parkway Baptist Church on an upcoming Sunday and worship with them.

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Anonymous Partners Thank you Lord, for the anonymous partners who generously gave so VPBC could be featured in our July Issue. With these generous gifts, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.

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Crestmont Christian Preparatory School:

Small school. Big mission. Godly impact. BY INEZ KIR CHNER BEACON WRITER

When you pair world-class academics with a higher calling, the results are not only students prepared for college and a career, but students who’ve become servant leaders for Christ. Crestmont Christian Preparatory School is creating academic discipleship. Its values are as invested in education as they are in cultivating real-life learning outside the classroom and a heart for Jesus. Formerly Summit Christian Academy, the school was established in 2008 and served elementary and middle school students. Ryan Leininger, a founding parent and current Crestmont board member president, noticed his kids were worn out and stressed with the fast-paced nature of the public school model. "We were frazzled, too," says Ryan. "Only during Christmas break did we find our now-rested kids were back to their old selves and that peace and calm had returned to our home." The Leiningers, along with other families, were searching for an alternative — one that offered more control over the learning pace without July 2019

sacrificing educational excellence. Crestmont's university model offers a high-quality curriculum for a successful academic career, all while integrating Christian truths and disciplines. Families value the flexible schedule which is like that of home schooling, along with the structure, accountability and social community found at a private school. "I found I could be the primary influence in the growth and development of my children while being led and supported by a professional teaching staff in a school environment," says Ryan. "It kept the quality high but slowed the pace, so we could truly guide our children as they grew." The school’s recent revisioning led to renaming it — and opening its doors to high school students. "Our goal is to have students for their entire academic career," says Beth Miller, Administrator and Principal. Its spirit and purpose remained the same: to create a college preparatory program that raises students and families to be disciples of Jesus. "It's amazing to see students who firmly know who they are in Christ," says Beth. Crestmont is a Certified University-Model® School, holds an AdvancED w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

accreditation and provides dual college credit. (AdvancED is a nonprofit accreditation agency providing on-site reviews.) Upon graduation, students can receive their high school diploma and associate's degree at the same time. Serving less than 100 students, Crestmont intentionally keeps a low teacher-to-student ratio. "Our teachers truly get to know the students and their families," says Beth. "This close relationship helps our teachers to enhance their students' strengths and speak into their weaknesses." In addition to high-quality academics, sports, and electives, Crestmont students attend chapel, student-led worship and formal Bible classes. Learning is divided between classroom and home days. The schedule gives parents an active role in their child's training, education and fellowship. "The collaboration between our teachers and our parents is such a key Covenant, we are all about great families. Our “ Atchildren are students at Crestmont. We love that Crestmont offers a high-level education and aligns with our beliefs that the foundation for success lies in the importance of faith and of Christ. Crestmont is truly about faith, family, and a great education. We support their efforts wholeheartedly!

”

Chris and Lezley Webb, Owners, Covenant Pest Control

Thank you COVENANT PEST CONTROL for making this story possible to share.

Crestmont students and staff gather for a break from classes.

Students wear uniforms on school days, and are allowed to wear Spirit Shirts on special occasions.

The primary instruction of new information takes place on campus with our qualified educators. Satellite day work is intended to reinforce or extend the learning.

would encourage you to think about the future of the “ Wechildren in our city. They are the ones who will one day impact our community through their decisions and their values. We appreciate that Crestmont will provide them with the necessary tools to help them as our future leaders. Please contact Beth to set up an individual discovery meeting and take a tour. Crestmont will be good for your family.

”

Chris and Lezley Webb, Owners, Covenant Pest Control

value," says Beth. "The culture we've built is deeply rooted — parents are expected to participate." Crestmont's qualified teachers develop curriculum, provide learning techniques and guide parents through co-teaching at home. "We remove many of the challenges related to traditional home school programs or co-ops," says Beth. "Parents don't have to come up with lesson plans or creative or innovative ways to present information. We provide everything for them." Crestmont also encourages "enrichment," or students pursuing passions and adventures outside the classroom. "We have students who work. Another student is pursuing his pilot's license and yet another is competing in robotics," says Beth. With the flexible school schedule, many Crestmont families travel, compete in stock shows or simply have more time to focus on what's important to them as a family. A defining characteristic that draws families to Crestmont is how invested teachers and parents are in their students' academic experience. "We are a school run by professionals, but supported by families," says Beth. On any given day, you can find parents volunteering at lunch duty or planning a social event. "You don’t often see that kind of balance done well, but Crestmont has been successful," says Beth. Crestmont hopes to collaborate with more families and serve as many as 200 students in the future. "It's not the easiest way to educate your kids," says Ryan. "But, after 11 years, I can say it's absolutely worth it." Crestmont asks students who they want to be for God and their community, not just themselves. "Their faith is their own," says Ryan. "We don't just want to teach them what to think, but rather how to think for themselves, so they know how to navigate the challenges and questions of life." "Some of our greatest accomplishments are seeing who these students are becoming and how they're applying what they've learned to help people," says Beth. "We're not just educating them for the here and now, but for who they become in the world after they graduate." w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

Crestmont C H R I S T I A N P R E PA R ATO R Y S C H OO L

Crestmont Christian Preparatory School www.crestmontprep.org 631 S. School St., Boerne, TX 78006 (210) 254-4534

Be A Light. Pray. Ask God to give Crestmont the community support and visibility it needs to reach more families and continue serving Christ through academic discipleship. Donate. Become a sponsor in Crestmont's largest annual fundraiser Shoot for Success. Learn more at Crestmont's website. Enroll. Schedule a tour or learn more at www.crestmontprep.org and www.UMSI.org.

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www.covenantpest.com 39340 IH 10 West Unit B Boerne, Texas 78006 Please call us at (830) 431-1960 We care about our community the same way we care about our customers. We live and work here in Boerne. Our employees volunteer with several nonprofits and serve in their churches. We want to leave a legacy for future generations that want to make Boerne and the Hill Country their home. We serve the following areas: Boerne, Bulverde, Kendalia, Comfort, Fair Oaks Ranch, Pipe Creek, Bandera, Bergheim, Spring Branch, and more! We provide pest control services for your home, business, and lawn & landscaping. We would love to serve you!

J u ly 2 0 1 9

T E L L YO U R S TO RY

I had every reason to be mad at God DE NI S S E WAR S H AK CONTRIBUTING WRITER

My husband Ian and I were married right out of college. Nine years later, we were living a picture-perfect life. He was a self employed software developer and I was a stay-at-home mom to three wonderful children. Life couldn’t get any better. I never saw it coming. That January day, a cough gone wrong sent us to the emergency room to receive the worst news of our lives. “Your husband is in septic shock. I’d advise you get your things in order.” Everything pointed to my thirty-two year old husband’s death. He was alive only with the help of a ventilator. There was nothing left to do. In desperation, I fell to my knees face down on the floor and prayed. "God, please save Ian’s life! You can do all things! I’m not ready to be a single mom! I can’t do this alone! I need your help!" What happened next can only be attributed to God. A deep sense of peace flooded through me. A heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders. God was in control of our situation. I needed to trust Him. Only He could get us through this nightmare. After nine long days in a coma, Ian woke up! God answered our prayers! I would have a husband to grow old July 2019

with after all. Our children wouldn’t have to grow up without a daddy. Witnessing this miracle rekindled my faith in God and the power of prayer. We were grateful that Ian was going to live, but we had new challenges to face. Medications that saved his life had also done irreversible damage to his hands and feet. Despite our best efforts, Ian’s limbs could not be saved. His legs and fingers were amputated six months later. I have every reason to be angry at God. The picture-perfect life I imagined is gone. My husband is now a double below-knee amputee without fingers. Our children have experienced hardship I wish they hadn’t. My own emotions have been on a rollercoaster. The journey hasn’t been easy. But, would you believe me if I told you I’m not angry? Instead, I’m grateful. Thanks to these experiences, our family has learned lessons that will last a lifetime. During this trial, God has used my weaknesses to show me His strength. He has taught me that I am not in control and showed me His faithfulness in providing our needs. Our family also witnessed unimaginable healing and joy. These experiences have molded me into the person I am today. I am eternally grateful! I’m happy to share our family has reached a new normal. Ian walks with w w w.sa B e a c o n .c o m

But, would you believe me if I told you I’m not angry? Instead, I’m grateful. Thanks to these experiences, our family has learned lessons that will last a lifetime. prosthetic legs and is back at work. In the last several years Ian has gone skiing, run marathons on his running blades and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa! Who would have imagined such amazing accomplishments from a man who wasn’t supposed to live through the night? Only God. When Ian and I think about the hard times, we see so much good that came from our trial. We would have never chosen this path for our family, but seeing where we are now, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than God’s chosen path for us. If you are in the midst of a challenging situation, friends, I encourage you to trust God. He sees you where you are, and He is in control. Rest in His promise that all things will work together for your good. As Paul said in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” A longer version of this post can be found at www.denissewarshak.com 15

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AUTOMOTIVE â€“ HELOTES

We at The Beacon are touched by the number of businesses in our community supporting ministries. These causes are making an eternal difference in the lives of so many in our city. We encourage you to thank and support the businesses represented in this and past issues of The Beacon. When you do business with them, you too are a difference-maker in our community! Be A Light. For more information about how you can be recognized as a community-minded company please contact us at info@sabeacon.com.

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