Category: Community News

by Leisa Parsons, Area Communications Specialist

It is a stunning transformation worthy of the best home improvement show. Travis Park Church, a staple in downtown San Antonio since 1846, is one of the primary resources for the city’s homeless and refugees. They feed over 700 people a week and provide shelter for hundreds each evening. 

Travis Park’s shower facilities for refugees and the homeless had been out of commission for several months due to safety concerns. The showers had fallen into such disrepair following years of heavy usage and flooding due to a roof collapse late last year.

Before the COVID shutdown, members from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the missionaries in the Texas San Antonio Mission served on a regular basis helping with Travis Park’s refugee efforts.

During a visit prior to the quarantine, Mission President, Jason Tveten, and President Dan Packard, counselor in the Hill Country Stake Presidency were visiting with the Pastor of Travis Park, Eric Vogt. As is often the case, President Packard asked if there was anything else the Church could do to help. Pastor Vogt said “Yes!” and took President Packard to view their rundown shower facilities.

He explained that their facilities were being used on alternate days to augment the City’s mobile showers, but that they were going to have to shut down the facilities over their safety concerns. President Packard responded: “I told him that I could not make any promises, but that we had people of good will in our congregation, and some of them are professional contractors.” 

President Packard contacted Deron Stadler, of Stadler Custom Homes, for help. By mid May of this year, Stadler had a team assembled to begin the work. Along with donating his time, Stadler had asked his suppliers to donate supplies for the project. The bid to fix the shower facility was a fraction of the cost that it would have been. A request was sent to Salt Lake for the funds to complete the project. The Church quickly responded with a yes, and the work was able to begin.  

Travis Park’s Associate Pastor, Gavin Rogers, is thrilled with the results of the new showers which are already serving up to 100 people a week. He hopes to do a formal “unveiling” after concerns over COVID lift. 

By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake ​

Feeling the urgency to help with recent storm damage, the San Antonio East Stake sprang into action. Hurricane Hanna hit the Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi on Saturday, July 25th with 90 mph winds and up to 18 inches of rain, knocking down trees and tearing off roofs, with more rain coming. Tarps needed to be installed to try to salvage homes from further damage. Plenty of cleanup help would be needed in the months to come, but the tarps were urgent. Service teams were ready to go in the area, prepared to assist those in need – but first they needed help identifying and prioritizing the survivors. This is where Crisis Cleanup comes into play. They match the need for clean up with work crews when the time is right. For example, one caller into Crisis Cleanup said: “Relief workers can take their time. There is still 11 inches of water in the house. Nothing can be done until the water goes down.”

On Tuesday morning, July 28, Crisis Cleanup executive director Aaron Titus asked the San Antonio East Stake President, James Mears, to recruit volunteers to staff the hotline. President Mears sent out the call for volunteers. Early volunteers jumped in, watched training videos, and cleared their schedules to help. On Wednesday morning, the hotline opened –- less than 24 hours from the time that the request came into the stake. A volunteer staffing the hotline said: “One guy lost his entire house except for one room, and they are all in that room. My heart goes out to them. It could be me making that call for help.”

Continue reading “Crisis Cleanup Helping Storm Survivors Across the Country”

By Ken Jarvis and Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialists

Approximately every other week a San Antonio Area stake goes to the Latter-day Saint peanut farm, near Pearsall, to pull weeds.  Last weekend Brother and Sister Daniel Hatcher and their family went to work at the farm.  They just moved into the San Antonio 6th Ward less than two months ago.  Even as new ward members the entire family responded to the call to go to the Church farm last month.  

They enjoyed the work so much they came back on their own.  Brother Hatcher said, “When we proposed to the kids the idea of returning, they all agreed they wanted to come back. As parents we feel this teaches them to buckle down and work hard.” He added that they like the idea of service. “We’re helping produce peanuts to make peanut butter.”

That was very much the theme that Brother Dan Roberts, Farm Manager, stresses when he welcomes the volunteers to the farm.  He talks about the importance of growing peanuts.  “There is a great need in the world today,” he said.  “Just turn on the television and you’ll see that the problem of enough food is very close to home. What we’re doing here can help with that problem. This farm is more than just peanuts. Its feeding people and helping people to feel better.”

Today, over 45,000 pounds of peanut butter, from peanuts grown at the Church farm near Pearsall, arrived at the San Antonio Food Bank to be distributed to families across San Antonio.

Two trucks from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pulled in this morning to the San Antonio Food Bank. One truck held the peanut butter and another truck brought 39,300 pounds of other food items to be distributed to local food pantries. For reference, approximately 10 pounds of food provides seven meals. Continue reading “From Farm to Table – Serving Others”

By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

“The ultimate missionary training center is in our homes….” taught Elder David A. Bednar of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 2019. He continued: “Vital temple preparation classes occur in our homes…. Making our homes sanctuaries wherein we can ‘stand in holy places’ is essential in these latter days…. it will be even more vital in the future.” Elder Bednar’s prophetic words are being realized in many homes in our area through the Virtual MTC.

“I wouldn’t change this home MTC experience for the world.  Our family loves it, and we feel so blessed to be a part of this special time.” said Kacee Carlson, of the Stone Oak Ward, whose son Tyler is in the MTC, adding: “Our home is usually a happy place, but just like any home and family we have our moments!  Since Tyler started his Home MTC, however, it is like a dream at home.  The kids are happy, we are all productive, and we feel like we are all working together toward a common goal.”

Camilla Montoya, from the Balconies Heights Ward has also loved having the MTC at home, but initially recognized the disappointment it would be to her son Lucas not to go to the Provo MTC. She said: “About a month before his official start date, he asked us if we thought there was any chance of the MTC reopening in July. We told him probably not, that we understood this is not what he had planned for his entire life, and although it didn’t seem fair, it was important for him to always take the best from whatever situation is handed to him in life. I think it was important to acknowledge his feelings of disruption, but at the same time encourage him to understand the blessings of the alternative situation in his life. He never complained about it.”

Continue reading “Missionary Training Centers at Home”

By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

“When is the virus going to be done?” asked four year-old William Hepworth. Many of us feel just like William. We are ready to get back to life before the virus, and feel the connection with our Ward families once again. We hear a lot about the resiliency of children, but as the months of quarantine have drug on and new routines have replaced old ones, how are the youngest among us faring?  “Children are very resilient and they go with the flow,” said Emily Hepworth, a former educator and mother of two young boys. She continued, “We are seeing some reverence issues with home Church that we hadn’t seen before… a little more redirection is needed as the quarantine has progressed.” 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints puts great emphasis on the youth and children of the Church. In the Church’s newest update to the Gospel Library, there is now an “Audiences” tab with wonderful content for everyone, children included. There are wonderful resources, and videos now all brought together in one convenient place for parents teaching young children at home. 

Continue reading “Primary Socials…at a Distance”

By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist

“I grew up Catholic, so I was very much into faith, praying and God,” said JoAnn Stevens.  She’d always gone to mass on Ash Wednesday regardless of whether she was going every Sunday or not. “That was just one day that I did not miss.”  

So, on Ash Wednesday, 2016 she was going to go on her lunch hour to the Cathedral in downtown San Antonio, but she just didn’t feel right.  “I started to question my religion and I just didn’t go to Mass that day. It was an awful feeling!  I had a belief and I knew about God and truly believed in Jesus and prayer, but something just wasn’t right.”  

At that time, she was dating Todd Stevens, who later became her husband.  Todd was raised a Latter-day Saint but became inactive. Sister Stevens told him about her feelings later that day.  He said his nephew wanted to study with the missionaries and he volunteered to set up a meeting with her, but she objected.  

What little she knew about the Latter-day Saints she didn’t like.  “I knew there was no coffee and no wine, and I said, ‘No!’” Continue reading “Another Modern-Day Pioneer”

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been invited to join other Christians around the city to unite our voices in prayer. The invitation from “Pray SA” is for “All people … to pray for San Antonio and South Texas and seek God in this time of turmoil, uncertainty, and change.”

On August 9th and 16th, at 7:00 pm in the parking lot of the Freeman Coliseum, Christians will join together “with one voice to pray, wait, listen and respond to God.” In person attendance is limited, so you must register for the event. https://www.praysa.org/home The event will be streamed so you can also attend virtually at home.

UnicitySA is an interfaith alliance in San Antonio in which members of the Church have been invited to participate. UnicitySA has endorsed a call by Max Lucado, and Christian leaders in our city to come together in a time of prayer. The Video Invitation

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we learn: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The organizers of this event have said: Let’s offer prayers of repentance and humility, waiting on Jesus and speaking words of life over our city… Facilitators will guide us, using Scripture and prayer prompts. This is not a preaching or political event. It’s not a concert. It’s not about one person or group – simply Jesus!”  

by Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist

In July many of us are inclined to think of the early pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we think of pioneers we typically think of covered wagons and a long trek across the plains and mountains to the Salt Lake valley.  But not all pioneers are of that era.  Pioneers exist in every era.  The following is an account of a very, very recent pioneer.  

In October 2019 Sister Lynn Irvin was at a low point in her life.  She was going through a separation and a custody battle.  Her oldest daughter wouldn’t talk to her and finally moved out.  She was unhappy at work.  “I was really struggling with life and I guess one afternoon I finally took it out on my brand-new vehicle that had a tiny scratch on it.  I was trying to clean it off by sanding it and using rubbing compound.  But nothing seemed to work.”  

So, there she was taking out her frustrations on this car.  Meanwhile here come two Sister Missionaries into her neighborhood and they’re very discouraged as well.  All their plans and backup plans had fallen through for that afternoon.  Sister Irvin continued, “So, they took a break, got off their bikes, sat on the curb and prayed.  They asked Heavenly Father ‘Who do you want us to talk to?  Please guide us and direct us to who really needs to hear from us at this moment.’  Then they got up, went around the corner, and saw me working away on my car and they asked, ‘Can we help you?  Is there anything we can do for you?’”

Sister Irvin said that she just unloaded on the missionaries.  “I told them about all my troubles and that I didn’t know what to do with my life or how to deal with all my problems.”  The Sisters replied, “We can help you with that!”  

Continue reading “San Antonio’s Newest Latter-day Saint Pioneers”

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

Most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are familiar with the stories of hardship and heartbreak that characterize much of the pioneer trek across the great plains and into Utah. Their stories become part of a shared heritage and legacy as we marvel at the many miracles and mercies that helped them start anew in the desert conditions of the Utah territory. 

Seventy-two years after the vanguard company of Saints entered the Utah Valley, San Antonio’s “this is the place” moment was about to begin.

In 1919, San Antonio was part of the Central States Mission. The first converts reported were Rudolph John and Lucia Cord Bremer, along with their son Rudolph on April 13, 1919. San Antonio’s first branch was organized, December 2, 1921 in a member’s home, with 15 members present. Rudolph Bremer became the branch president. The branch then began meeting in a rented hall above a bar. As could be expected, members did some necessary tidying up before Sunday services began. 

José Pedraza, born in Monterey, Mexico in 1900, is believed to be the first Mexican American member of the Church in Texas. José first heard the missionaries preaching in the street in San Antonio and felt the truth of their words. He was unable to get to them because of a crowd of hecklers. Later he received a pamphlet left on his doorstep by the missionaries, which confirmed his feelings. He couldn’t track down the missionaries, so he wrote a letter to the author of the pamphlet in Salt Lake City.

The letter was passed around until it finally reached the missionaries in San Antonio. The missionaries then began their search for José. When they finally got together, José embraced the gospel and was baptized June 24, 1924 in the San Antonio River. José left a legacy of missionary work, he never hesitated to share the gospel.

With the number of Saints quickly increasing, the mission secured two small frame buildings in 1928 that had belonged to the Prospect Hill Christian Church on Buena Vista Street. One building was the chapel with a back room that had a baptismal font and a couple of small classrooms. The other building had a large cultural hall and a small two bedroom dwelling area where the preacher and his family had lived. In order to get insurance on the two structures, the insurance company wanted someone to live on site. The missionaries lived there for a short time, but since they were also serving as district presidents over Corpus Christi and the Harlingen Valley, they were often not home. When a representative of the insurance company stopped by and found it unoccupied, they pressed President Bremer to get it occupied.

Continue reading “The Roots of the Church in San Antonio”

By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

“Starting out my mission right now has been pretty tough…. But I have learned that I can push through all those feelings and accomplish the work, because through Christ, I can do anything.” said Sister Alyssa Higley currently serving in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Higley is one of 15 missionaries that has left or will leave between May and September from the Church’s San Antonio North Stake. 

It’s a very unique time for missionaries entering the mission field due to COVID. Mission Training Centers worldwide have been shut down along with temples and Church services. When the virus began impacting missions there were 12 missionaries from the North Stake who had received calls. They had a decision to make, go forward with their call, or defer and go to school for a year. “All 12 who had calls made the prayerful decision to move forward with a reassignment.” said North Stake President, Greg Neuberger. He continued, “That surprised me…. They are all excited to serve and have a great understanding of what Elder Bednar taught about the call to serve and the assignment given.”

Clay Cummings, was called to serve in the Taiwan Taichung mission, and will enter the online MTC later in July. He said “I was really discouraged when I learned I had to make a decision whether I would leave when assigned or wait another year…. I knew I needed to make it a matter of prayer. I fasted and prayed … I read my patriarchal blessing, and studied scriptures…. it just felt right. I knew this was the Spirit telling me that it was okay and a good thing for me to serve when I was first assigned. There’s still plenty of things that are less than certain…. but I know that the answers and feelings I have gotten are from God and that there is a plan for me. That gives me enough confidence that the Lord knows what’s best for me.” Continue reading “Missionary Work Goes “Viral” in 2020″