The Beacon December 2019 / January 2020

IN SIDE

DECEMBER 2019 JANUARY 2020

Thank you to our local businesses who have partnered with us on the following Beacon stories. 8 11

6 3

Strong Foundation: Restoring homeless families

Whatever the circumstances, homelessness is not the children’s fault. Here, keeping the family together is a huge priority.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Sponsor

San Antonio Marriage Initiative: Divorce is not your only option

The holidays bring challenges. January 2020 doesn't need to be the month your marriage ends.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Sponsor

San Antonio Youth

For Christ: Partnering with entire school districts SAYFC impacts kids and changes lives in middle schools and high schools through mentoring.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY: Mr. W Fireworks

14

Leon Springs Baptist Church

You don't have to stay in the valley. This church provides a unique springboard for positive mental health changes through its Freedom Biblical Counseling program.

Read more Good News stories online. Do you have a story to tell? Contact us at editor@sabeacon.com www.sabeacon.com Sign up for weekly Good News stories EMAIL SOCIAL ONLINE Follow us on: Facebook (saBeacon) Twitter (@saBeacon) Instagram (sa.beacon)

PUBLISHER : The San Antonio Beacon PUBLISHERS : Claude Roberts, Duke Jonietz EDITOR : Jennie Rosio

PRAYER DIRECTOR : Doug Fletcher WRITERS : Inez Kirchner, Denise Marcos, Amy Morgan, Jennie Rosio, Denisse Warshack, Richard Zowie, Jessa McClure PHONE : (210) 614-8885 ONLINE : www.saBeacon.com

MISSION STATEMENT : The Beacon is a communication tool and resource center that encourages and provides opportunities to love and care for our community.

BY AMY MORGAN

The family was desperate. Having been cast from their home, unexpected circumstances had taken them over a bridge which collapsed behind them. Their children sensed the chaos swirling around them, even while family and friends tried to help. Next stop: the streets.

Thankfully, someone told them about Strong Foundation, where they would find life changing transformation. Pastor Jim Gipson and his wife, Carolee, Founders of Strong Foundation, share the truth that Jesus is the answer, while providing urgently needed food, clothing and shelter.

“I believe the Lord put it in my heart and gave me the vision to help homeless families with children get back on their feet and have changed lives,” Pastor Jim says.

KEEPING HOMELESS FAMILIES TOGETHER

Strong Foundation is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry allowing families to remain intact while they work toward having a better life. Since 2004, more than 3000 — half of whom are children — have come through their doors. Most leave Strong Foundation with newfound strength and with radically changed hearts and habits.

Despite common misperceptions of someone who is labeled “homeless,” families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, Pastor Jim says. They’ve helped more than 750 families so far.

No matter the myriad of reasons a family finds itself in crisis and homeless, homelessness is never the children’s fault, he stresses. The key to helping the children is to help the whole family.

Strong Foundation is so much more than just an emergency shelter. The ministry welcomes participants who are committed to getting back on their feet.

Potential residents are thoroughly interviewed and background-checked prior to enrollment to ensure a childsafe environment.

“We meet them right where they are and help them begin to rebuild their

lives,” Pastor Jim says. “Keeping the family together is huge! Oftentimes families are separated, making it difficult to get kids to school, obtain services and get to work. We are a central location where they can all be together.”

To stay at Strong Foundation, participants must agree with the

Residents at the Strong Foundation have fun with arts and crafts during KidzTime at the Strong Foundation’s Family Missions Center.

Pastor Jim gives a hug to one of the 1,500 children who’ve temporarily found refuge and a new start at the Strong Foundation.

parameters — no drinking, no drugs and a 10 p.m. curfew. Requirements also include enrollment in the onsite CPS-approved parenting classes and in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace classes. Participants are also expected to look for work and take steps toward finding full time employment. They agree to attend Discover JOBS (Joy of Being Successful) class at 8:15 a.m., where they set goals and work to meet them. Christian counseling and 12-step programs are available in house to help participants overcome “Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups,” as Pastor Jim calls them. Families are invited to attend church on Sundays. Once they leave, participants are encouraged to follow God’s plans and connect with a local church to continue to grow in Christ.

no matter the circumstances,” says Pastor Jim.

Because Pastor Jim and Carolee prioritize the gospel, Strong Foundation is not funded by the city, state or federal government. Instead they are completely supported by private donors and partner churches, so they are not restricted in any way from sharing Christ.

“We are a recognized homeless shelter, but we still prioritize evangelism and discipleship,” Pastor Jim says. “There is no lasting change that comes without the power of Christ.”

gave her the “tough love that was 100 percent needed,” she says. When he agreed she could return, she was relieved beyond words. “I knew there was hope. I hit the floor of the police station bawling my eyes out.”

The second time around, she embraced everything offered. She credits Strong Foundation with saving her life and that of her kids. The Dave Ramsey program spurred her to pursue a career in accounting. Now she works two jobs, is completing a college degree and helps others learn how to budget. She’s a regular in her church, where her nine-year-old sings as a member of the worship team.

Strong Foundation’s name reflects the ministry’s commitment to the Lord. Their motto: “The Strong Foundation that everyone needs is a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

“We encourage everyone to give God a chance to do whatever He wants to do in their lives. Life is better with Christ

One graduate of the program is a living example of the difference Strong Foundation has made. There’s been a ripple effect; the changes happened not only in her life, but also in the lives of her children. Her family of six arrived at Strong Foundation in 2012. She describes her relationship with Jesus and their commitment then as “shaky.” She returned to her abusive relationship for a short time, but after a few weeks knew she needed out.

“I called Pastor Jim,” she says. “I thought, ‘I wasn’t the nicest person. I didn’t follow the rules.’ But I was at rock bottom.” After some convincing to allow her a second chance, Pastor Jim

“I was living in God’s house, and God’s house changed my life,” she says. “I’ve started to believe in myself again.”

The origination of Strong Foundation’s facility itself is another miracle. As Pastor Jim recounts, God put it on the heart of the owner of a former nursing home to give them the building at 414 N. Hackberry. Pastor Jim received the call Christmas Eve of 2003: the building, valued at $516,000, was theirs free and clear!

In early 2004 they learned of a young homeless couple who needed help. They were not quite ready to open yet, but Pastor Jim offered the husband a chance to help move in furniture, and the wife eventually delivered the first of 35 babies born to

We meet them right where they are and help them begin to rebuild their lives.

Pastor Jim Gipson Founder,

Strong Foundation

Adult volunteers, along with their own children, spruce up the front yard at the Strong Foundation’s Family Mission Center.

A volunteer gives a Strong Foundation resident child a fresh haircut.

Middle school age kids have fun during KidzTime at the Strong Foundation’s playground.

A mural at the Strong Foundation depicts the level of despair a family feels before they reach the Strong Foundation and hope they feel when they leave. The mural was created by Frank Cadena, a local artist.

those staying at Strong Foundation. That child is now 15 years old and the family called to tell Pastor Jim about their successful endeavors in Oregon, where they have relocated.

Pastor Jim describes many served by Strong Foundation as having descended to the lowest point of their lives when they become homeless. Another former resident — a single mom — recently posted on Facebook, “We were at a place we never imagined we would be, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to us.”

Strong Foundation depends on the generous donations of Christ’s people who value funding work that advances

God’s kingdom. The facility can accommodate up to 16 families at a time. This might include 50-60 people, more than half of whom are children. The ministry operates as a local mission center and benefits from hundreds of volunteers each month who help with everything from cleaning, leading classes, landscaping, light construction, maintenance work and meals. Another opportunity called KidzTime is critical. Here, volunteers interact with the children while parents attend life-skills classes or Bible studies.

“Without God’s people supporting us the way they do — we do not exist,” Pastor Jim says. “Everyone who gives, prays or serves is part of what we do.”

Volunteers are invited to consider the convenience of mission work in their own backyard and are encouraged to serve with their families. Often church Life Groups will serve together with their own children.

“We are a mission center. People from local churches and organizations can serve while staying faithful to their local church,” Pastor Jim says. Opportunities to serve can be found on their website. If you want to help a family get back on their feet and begin to strengthen their relationship with Christ, you can! The Lord has provided a place where lives are being changed, and we can all be a part. All they need is Strong Foundation’s proven track record and you. Let’s help Strong Foundation continue to be a beacon of light in our community for families that need hope and a hand up.

Strong Foundation

www.strongfoundation.org

414 N. Hackberry St., San Antonio, TX 78202 (210) 641-HELP (4357)

Be A Light.

Give. Donor dollars keep the doors open and the lights on so the gospel can be shared. Share. Investigate how your church can become a supporting partner through time or treasure. Volunteer. Bring your group and children to serve at this local mission. Pray. Pray for the ministry to continue being a part of helping to change the lives of families through the love of Jesus.

Anonymous Partner

Thank you Lord, for this anonymous donor who generously gave so Strong Foundation could be featured in this issue of The Beacon With this generous gift, we are able to raise awareness of this ministry and the difference they are making in our community.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Friends of Strong Foundation serve a holiday meal they prepared on the patio at Strong Foundation.

KidzTime volunteers and resident children dance to music on the playground at the Strong Foundation.

The entrance to Strong Foundation is warm and inviting, which is important to families in crisis.

January's 'opening day' of divorce season

picture the holidays as a happy time, with families gathered cheerfully around the tree. Reality doesn’t often match the Hollywood image. For many, the holiday season adds increased pressure to an already struggling marriage. Issues like overspending, along with differing expectations and conflicts with in-laws, can push some relationships to the breaking point.

BY AMY MORGAN

In fact, the first day children go back to school in January after winter break is “opening day of divorce season,” says Carl Caton, founder of the San Antonio Marriage Initiative (SAMI). “Many hold out until after Christmas, and then they have just had it. They file in January, and the divorce rate peaks in March every year.”

Carl created SAMI 10 years ago to change the narrative in our culture about marriage and to give couples hope. “Never has it been so important

to speak positively about marriage,” he says. “We want to share the beauty and possibility of marriage and the impact it has on family and society.”

The good news is that San Antonio’s healthy marriage indicators have been moving in a positive direction. In the past ten years, the divorce rate has dropped 26.5%, despite an increase in the number of marriages.

Carl notes San Antonio’s statistics — 400,000 marriages, 80,000 couples struggling and 9,000 filing for divorce. Of those filing, half of them did so because they didn’t know what else to do, he says. SAMI provides alternatives to divorce, by training and equipping leaders on the front lines of preserving

marriages — pastors, counselors, church marriage ministries and “champion couples,” who walk alongside others. Thousands find help and hope through support emails, videos,

We

graphics, communication tools, events, date nights, and conferences that support marriage. SAMI reports more than 1 million people accessed resources through their website or social media pages last year.

“Don’t think you are the only one when you are going through a very difficult season in your marriage,” Carl says. “Couples can feel so isolated and hopeless. The reality is that we are seeing thousands of incredible stories of marriages turned around.”

Currently, SAMI partners with 24 champion churches to provide 200 events a year addressing 70 unique marriage and family topics.

SAMI Board Member and Founder of the California Health Marriage Initiative, Dennis Stoica, says, “San Antonio has more marriage resources per square mile than any place in the United States.” Carl agrees, “A lot of faithful people in this community are stepping forward — it is incredible.” He continues, “We are all working to connect, to be a consistent presence, reminding people that your marriage is worth fighting for.”

Some of those “faithful” are people SAMI calls marriage champions — those who will intentionally use their stories of triumph through hardship to inspire others. Recent studies have shown that millennials deeply desire authentic input from older couples in their lives, but they are wary of revisionist storytelling.

One such seasoned couple, Donna and Robert Lagoudis, lead the marriage ministry at Bulverde Baptist

Church. They openly share the story of their rocky start — overcoming differences in religious and family backgrounds, marrying while in college and expecting a baby shortly afterward. Despite their struggles, the Lagoudises found help through a Christian resource that made all the difference in their marriage once they started practicing its principles.

Fast forward 17 years. Donna and Robert’s marriage has gone from barely surviving those first few years to thriving. They recognized they would have benefitted from someone walking alongside them during their season of crisis, and they wanted to be that beacon of hope for others. As they became more involved in ministry, the Lagoudises pursued training through SAMI and became certified in biblical counseling.

“They have used their story more than any other couple I know to make themselves relevant and greatly impact many lives,” Carl says.

“We’ve been through the fire, but we stuck it out,” Donna says. “We are so passionate and so in love and thankful for the miracle that God worked in our lives. If we would have quit, we would have missed out on 27 years of an amazing marriage and ministry. Our marriage gets stronger every single day. And if we can make it, anybody can.”

The Lagoudises would agree with Carl’s sentiment that “the amazing gift of marriage allows us a one-of-a-kind partner to journey through ordinary days, writing an extraordinary story by His power and for His glory.”

Interested in starting a marriage ministry in your church or nonprofit? Contact them today. Start by taking

just 30 minutes and find resources and upcoming marriage events on their website. As Carl stated, your marriage is worth fighting for.

With every 1% drop in the national divorce rate, more than one million kids are positively impacted.

San Antonio Marriage Initiative

www.samarriage.com

(210) 651-5050

23995 Bat Cave Rd, Suite 150 San Antonio, TX 78266

Be A Light.

Visit. Click on the ministry website for resources to keep your marriage healthy. Learn. Train to become a marriage champion. Pray. Pray for marriages to thrive and reduce divorce rates in our city. Serve. There are countless ways to make a difference. Give. Every dollar directly brings help, hope and healing to marriages.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Anonymous Partner

Thank you Lord, for this Anonymous Partner who generously gave to San Antonio Marriage Initiative so that we could feature this article in our December / January issue. With this generous gift we are able to help raise awareness for SAMI and all they do to help those in need in our community.

– Les Parrott

Founder of the Parrott Institute for Healthy Relationships

Small beginnings now impacting thousands of students

BY JESSA MCCLURE

A lonely 19-year-old walks into a crowded room, hoping to be unnoticed. She has come to a Campus Life meeting to find the hope she is so desperately seeking. As she chooses a spot towards the back like she has for several weeks, one of the Youth for Christ leaders seeks her out and asks if she would be interested in being mentored.

Claire Richey was looking for a place to belong when she attended a Youth For Christ (YFC) Campus Life meeting at her former high school.

“When they found me at YFC I was kind of like a lost little puppy,” Claire says. “I realized that it was something I wanted to be a part of. It was something I needed in my life.”

The San Antonio chapter of the national YFC organization is one of the biggest in the country. It is currently serving more than 8,000 students who are looking for hope and a place to belong.

The local chapter began as a prayer meeting made up of a handful of concerned moms and has grown to become an organization breaking down barriers and helping to bring the truth of Jesus to middle high school students across our city.

“We have built official partner-

ships over time with Northside ISD, Alamo Heights ISD, San Antonio ISD, as well as the juvenile detention centers here in town,” says YFC San Antonio CEO, Gilbert Hernandez. “In conjunction with them, we receive referrals for children who might need mentorship, and then we work with the local schools to create mentoring relationships.”

Each mentor must complete a six-hour training, as well as a background check in order to begin a mentoring relationship. The mentor and the student must commit to a year of mentoring, giving complete closure. While it might seem strange to put a time limit on a mentorship, Gilbert said there’s a reason behind this protocol.

“We want to give a proper ending,” he says. “There are so many kids who get left in the air. My dad left me, my mom left me, my grandma left me. We want to make sure that we put clear parameters. We want to give kids closure in this relationship because in so many areas of their lives they don’t have it.”

While many students move on to college or the workforce after Youth for Christ, the lessons learned and the

relationships formed last a lifetime. In fact, many come back and become mentors themselves. College-aged students who have been through the mentorship program are given the opportunity to go through the Leader in Training (LIT) program where they become equipped with the knowledge and confidence to evangelize to the next generation.

Three years ago, the LIT program only had four students, and today there are 37 college-aged leaders who commit 10 to 15 hours of their time each week to serve the community.

“During the program we focus on three things: grow, belong and serve,” he says. “We educate them on the

“ We are just passionate for young people at Mr. W Fireworks. I cannot think of a better ministry than SAYFC when it comes to leading our youth to Christ and mentoring them to become the leaders of tomorrow. I have personally been involved in this ministry for many years and seen the fruit of their efforts firsthand. Please join us in supporting this important ministry in our city. ”

Dianna Wildman ,

Treasurer Mr. W Fireworks

Gilbert Hernandez is CEO for the San Antonio YFC.

A Campus Life small group enjoys time together at the Pat Neff Middle School.

basics of evangelism, the Bible and relationships. We have them meet in small groups, so they feel a sense of community, and they also go out and mentor like they were mentored.”

Gilbert says this process is not only meant to create staff members, but also to empower the next generation to be missionaries in their own backyards.

Alyssa Mares, who is currently in the LIT program said that the organization is giving her more than a deeper relationship with Christ.

“Being a part of Youth for Christ was the first time in my life that I felt heard by someone and felt loved and cared for,” she says. All important to teens growing up.

The college student now spends her time mentoring middle school girls and giving them the same sense of community that she was seeking at their age.

“I was not a Christ-follower before coming to YFC,” she says. “They were constantly there for me, encouraging me and telling me I could do better.”

The San Antonio chapter has engaged with the community unwaveringly to reach at-risk youth in the surrounding areas, but Gilbert wants the organization to do even more.

“Every school in these districts is open to us and we’re only in 18 of them,” he says. “We’d love to come to a church and say, 'if you want to reach your schools and mentor kids in the public school system, we’ll give it away to you. We’ll set up the whole system, train you, develop you and pay for all of the background checks.'"

The CEO wants to get as many loving, Christian adults serving in public schools as possible. How do you possibly pass up an offer like that?

“We’re looking for people to come alongside staff and advocate for them, build some financial support, and care for the staff,” Gilbert says. “It doesn’t take big actions to make big change. It takes small, consistent actions. You can move mountains with that.” Take a small step today by partnering with San Antonio YFC and change a teenager forever. Just ask Claire and the thousands of others who have been impacted by this amazing ministry.

“ Mr. W Fireworks belongs to God. That being said, we feel we have a responsibility to support nonprofit ministries like SAYFC. They are true difference-makers in our community. It is our honor to partner with them in changing the lives of our youth. Their efforts in our school systems is truly amazing. Learn more about them, then partner with them. ”

Please visit the Mr. W Fireworks indoor store at 26710 IH 10 West in Boerne. San Antonio YFC staff are working at this location and your purchase supports their efforts.

San Antonio Youth For Christ

www.sayfc.com

5730 Kenwick Street, San Antonio, TX 78238 (210) 697-7052

Be A Light.

Give. San Antonio Youth for Christ invites you to consider giving a year-end gift. Your gift will be matched up to $20,000. You can donate on the website or call the organization’s main office number. Volunteer. Help facilitate weekly club meetings, provide childcare for the teen parent program or assist in the administrative offices. Pray. Battle in prayer; there is more spiritual warfare in schools than ever before.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Mr. W Fireworks is celebrating over 50 years with a bang in delivering family memories. Their corporate offices are located just outside San Antonio in Somerset, Texas and they have over 400 locations in San Antonio and across two states. Mr. W Fireworks remains a family operated business with the third generation being active in their operations and customer satisfaction. Because of their heart for our community, we encourage you to visit Mr. W for your needs and join them in making a bang in our community.

Mr. W Fireworks

(210) 622-3112

www.mrwfireworks.com

Kelley Martinez , Vice-President Mr. W Fireworks

Audrey Dominguez, Leader In Training Co-director and Campus Life alumni, stands with two campus life students. They were at the Mr. W Fireworks Superstore, providing volunteer work in the winter of 2018.

YFC Leaders in Training gather at the YFC main office in the spring of 2018.

Sharing our vision to positively impact our community

At DOCUmation, we know that technology can really help or hinder a business. As a locally owned technology solutions company that provides print, IT and software services for businesses and other organizations, we want to help ensure that your technology works for you. Our managed IT services provide network security, unlimited support, backup and disaster recovery, all which work together to maximize network uptime.

We evaluate your current setup and make recommendations regarding how you can improve performance and minimize cost. We want to ensure our

customers have the right equipment to meet their needs and budget (not ours). And we want to provide you the exceptional service we strive for. If you want to find a better print solution, we can help with that too. Our mission is to provide technology solutions to any business that values exceptional service.

At DOCUmation, we believe that the service we provide to our customers actually allows us to serve others in a greater capacity. Service that serves goes beyond our customers. It’s our people, our partners, and our communities, too. By partnering with

DOCUmation, you join in our vision to consistently and positively impact our communities. Our customers are beacons within our city, agents of change who not only want to drive success within their businesses, but also throughout our communities. Our dedication to service started three generations ago and continues to be the guiding force in our company.

NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH

The Sanctuary of Hope (SOH) is the result of a life-long dream of Pastor John Hagee, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church. It is a home for young women, ages 12 through 23, who are faced with difficult life-changing decisions concerning their pregnancy.

The Sanctuary of Hope exists to save two lives — the life of the mother and the life of the child. We are here to meet the needs and help achieve the dreams of courageous young women who have chosen life for their unborn child and for young children who have no family.

The SOH provides a safe haven for those who choose life for their unborn child, providing both the mother and child housing, an education and life-skill resources to ultimately lead a successful life in their community.

All our residents have a unique story, but what is important is the new story they are writing at the Sanctuary of Hope. Our residents know they are loved, that they have resources available to them that will equip them and their children to have a successful future. Most importantly, every young woman is being taught that nothing is impossible for them.

You may be aware of someone who

can benefit from the Sanctuary of Hope — we ask that you help us spread the word about our life alternative, which provides young women and their children real hope and a promise for a successful future.

Please visit SOHcares.org or call (210) 499-1554 for more information

At DOCUmation, we believe that the service we provide to our customers actually allows us to serve others in a greater capacity. Food collection for the hungry.

A safe haven for those who choose life for their unborn

A healing place in a hurting world

Biblical counseling offers hope and promises for healing

BY JESSA MCCLURE

A man and his wife are at an impasse. They haven’t been communicating for months and the wife has decided to move out of their home. The two are heartbroken and can’t believe that their marriage has disintegrated in front of their eyes. As a last-ditch effort to heal their union, the couple attends a session with Freedom Biblical Counseling at Leon Springs Baptist Church.

Within a few months the couple reconciles and discovers they are

expecting another child. Not only do they tell others about their saved marriage and new baby, but they also sing the praises of the counselors at this beloved church who helped make it possible.

“We’ve seen this so many times — God has delivered someone and then they turn around and say, ‘hey, there’s actually hope,’” says Pastor Dan Allen of Leon Springs Baptist Church.

Dan says that pastors like him can preach about how life-changing the counseling can be, but it takes someone whose life has been truly been transformed to push a hurting person to reach out for help.

And when they do seek help, they are assigned to one of five counselors who will see them at no cost.

“The average therapy session is $80 to $200. That means, that over the past ten years, we’ve provided over $500,000 worth of therapy or counseling at no cost,” Dan says. “We have helped over 800 people with issues like marriage struggles, depression and anger. And 60% of those receiving counseling were not members of our church.”

The idea to start Freedom Biblical

Counseling arose “as a burden” for the pastor and his wife Amy of 32 years. It became a reality with the help of counseling directors like Andrew Barclay and Barb Shultz who have kept the program going and thriving.

“We saw people needing help with mental health issues in the church. They would often seek out an expensive secular option with very little results,” he says. “Our vision was born of this need to offer a healing place in this hurting world.”

The pastor believes that the Word of God can be used to address most root problems and that the church should shoulder the lion’s share of that burden. Leon Springs Baptist Church is willing to do just that with a different

“ At Los Verdes, we understand that our abilities and gifts come from God. This is true for the pastors and counselors at Leon Springs Baptist as well. This amazing team is bringing healing to so many people. Their counseling is filled with love and they truly care about those they see. If you find yourself in a season of discouragement, please set an appointment with Freedom Biblical Counseling. They are there for you. ”

Edna Posey , Owner and President, Los Verdes Interior Gardens

Freedom Biblical Counseling

www.leonsprings.org

24133 Boerne Stage Road

San Antonio, TX 78255 (210) 698-2880

Be A Light.

perspective on counseling.

“Biblical counseling is more than just talk therapy,” Dan says. “It’s gathering information to determine a root cause, and then applying scripture and helping people to change while loving them the whole way through.”

say, ‘right now, your marriage is in shambles,’ or ‘you’ve been dealing with depression for years,’” says Dan, adding that they will continue with some hope, saying: “But He promises a way of escape and we will help you. We are going to help you so that you’re equipped to walk through this valley.”

Because these specialized counselors can talk openly about the Word of God, the pastor has witnessed many counselees come to a saving knowledge of Christ in the first couple of sessions.

“Some of them realize: ‘I misunderstood the gospel’ — and they literally get saved right here,” he says

Even though the pastor and the other counselors would love to see every client come to know Christ as their personal Savior, their biggest goal is to give the person seeking counseling the hope they are so desperately seeking.

This hope begins with telling the counselee to lean on God’s promises, like those found in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”

“We read the verses with them and

The pastor, who has seen his share of people’s struggles in 15 years of shepherding the congregates of Leon Springs Baptist Church, says that many people just want to be delivered from their valleys. But to get out of the valley we need to seek God because He is the solution.

“Part of helping people is shifting their thinking so that they go through the valley and stop running from it,” he says. The valley is not always a bad place. It can be a place of healing and restoration.

If you or a loved one is walking through a valley now, take just one small step and reach out to Freedom Biblical Counseling. They will offer a way out and the love of Christ, both at no charge and with no strings attached.

“ Leon Springs Baptist is a wonderful church that is reaching out to our community to share all that God has given to them. A big part of that is Freedom Biblical Counseling. Life can sometimes be difficult. They stand ready with open arms to help bring healing to so many. Please visit Freedom Biblical Counseling and visit the church as well. You will find people who really care.

Edna Posey , Owner and President, Los Verdes Interior Gardens

Pray. Pastor Dan asks that God raise 10 additional counselors for this outreach program. Join him in prayer for this request. Give. Set an appointment to speak with the pastor or counseling director to see how your charitable gift might help to bring healing to others in the community. Or visit LSBC’s website and designate funds to go towards this ministry. Apply. If you feel led to be a counselor, the church is willing to pay for your training. Contact the church for more details. Contact. If you or a loved one is hurting, please contact them today.

STORY MADE POSSIBLE BY:

Los Verdes Interior Gardens

Los Verdes Interior Gardens is pleased to serve churches, commercial real estate companies, restaurants and even you in your home. We provide our clients with an artistic vision, bring it to life and maintain it so God’s creation can be seen and appreciated by all. Our employees are caring individuals that take part in helping to change lives across our city by providing food, lending a hand or giving their time to those in need. We love our community and we love serving our customers. Have an idea for a garden? Give us a call and we will help turn your idea into a reality.

Los Verdes Interior Gardens

www.LosVerdesInteriorGardens.com (210) 521-7600

“. . . over the past ten years, we’ve provided over $500,000 worth of therapy or counseling at no cost.”

— Pastor Dan Allen Leon Springs Baptist Church

Mr. W Fireworks partners with churches and nonprofits

Mr. W Fireworks was started in 1966 by W.A. Wildman but we recognize God as the founder and director of our family owned business. For over 50 years now, we have helped families celebrate the birth of our nation and the beginning of a new year.

Today, Mr. W has over 400 stands and 100 indoor super stores in two states. We believe that our success is directly tied to our desire to give back to our community.

Did you know that the majority of our stands and stores are manned twice a year with church and ministry staff and volunteers? This is intentional on our part because we share our profits with the churches and nonprofits that work with us so they can change even more lives. We love to hear testimonies about youth who were able to attend

camp, buy new land for a church plant or make repairs to facilities for the disadvantaged. We also love hearing stories from people who were able to go on mission trips. What this means is that every time you purchase your fireworks from Mr. W, you are helping to change even more lives in our community!

We invite you this holiday season to visit one of our many Mr. W stands and stores in and around our city. We give you our promise that we will provide the very best customer service experience and will furnish your family with the best fireworks available.

After all, our desire is to help you create a family memory. And please remember that together we are making an even bigger bang

in our community!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our Mr. W Fireworks family to yours!

Mr. W Fireworks works with multiple nonprofits during July and December and shares a portion of the profit with each one for working at their stands.

Celebrate new beginnings and the New Year with Mr. W Fireworks

Visit: mrwfireworks.com

Los Verdes knows it all started in a garden

Owner Edna Posey started Los Verdes Interior Gardens, a local family owned business, in 1987. She has a passion for plants, art and helping transform spaces through her living creative vision. Customer relationships are important to her and she enjoys working closely with her clients on each and every project.

“We are a laser-focused company with great attention to detail and customer satisfaction. In fact, the majority of our business comes from referrals from satisfied customers and that speaks volumes. Our clients are the most important part of our business.

We do our best to provide quality and clear communication on every project we take on.”

Whether you have ideas you want to bring to life or need help in building beautiful plantscapes and gardens, Los Verdes will create your dream into an amazing finished product.

We serve churches, businesses, commercial real estate companies, restaurants, professional buildings and high end homes. We provide our clients with an artistic vision, creative planning and living gardens along with ongoing maintenance.

Perhaps most importantly, I am involved at my church home — Leon Springs Baptist — in helping to transform our city and I believe in giving back to our community.

Los Verdes Interior Gardens

www.LosVerdesInteriorGardens.com

(210) 521-7600

Former athlete, prison inmate, finds Jesus and now serves Him

BY RICHARD ZOWIE BEACON WRITER

A promising football career dissolved for Willie Culpepper through a series of bad choices. His life ended up turning into a criminal career that led to almost two decades of incarceration. Whether it’s been as a star high school football player or as an inmate doing time, Willie Culpepper has seen life’s mountain tops and valleys. But, God had a plan!

Originally from Alabama, Willie eventually moved to Texas. “My mother remarried a soldier, and we moved first to Killeen, near Fort Hood,” he says. “Then, we moved south to San Antonio.”

Willie and his family settled in the Alamo City, and he excelled in sports at Roosevelt High School. In football, he played wingback, defensive back and also returned kickoffs and punts for the Rough Riders.

“I was named All-District and All-City, from my sophomore to my

senior years,” says Willie, who graduated in 1976. He attended Wharton County Junior College, where he hoped to eventually transfer to a four-year college, play football and get the attention of scouts. Instead, his life took a different direction.

After his expulsion from college, he spent his time as a pimp, drug dealer and drug addict.

Willie’s first prison sentence on pimping and pandering put him behind bars at 19, while his second prison sentence for drug trafficking put him back in prison in his late twenties.

“From 19 to 40, I was incarcerated off and on. Nothing I was proud of,” Willie remembers.

God had other plans for Willie. His path toward God materialized after his last prison stint.

His older brother had hope in Willie’s future. “My older brother told me that in the Book of Malachi, God commands us to bring tithes and not send tithes," Willie says. “He was referring to me going to church with him. I went with him to church and haven’t left since.”

Willie and his brother attended Mt. Zion First Baptist Church on San Antonio’s east side. Willie became a Christian in the mid-1990s and has been at the church ever since.

These days, Willie is “Reverend Willie” and serves on the church’s ministerial staff. According to the church’s website, Willie “…added vitality and courage to the staff, with a concentration on prison ministry throughout the South Texas area.”

Willie now serves in the same place he once dreaded in his past life, as a field director for Prison

Fellowship. “God sent me back to minister in the prisons because those brothers don’t have much hope,” Willie says, smiling.

Willie continues, referencing Chuck Colson, the late founder of Prison Fellowship. “Chuck Colson once said where people have been incarcerated, there in a place to become people who put their trust in God and become great leaders. God has blessed me in that way and I am so thankful.”

Every Christmas season, Angel Tree provides presents for the children of those incarcerated. Please email Willie Culpepper at willie_culpepper@pfm.org to learn how you can help.

Top, left: Willie in his days of drug dealing. Above: Willie in his football days.

Willie is now on staff at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and a field director for Prison Fellowship.

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.

Be A Light.

AUTOMOTIVE – HELOTES

Frank Dunn Realtor

Los Verdes Interior Gardens