Strengthening Our Community
Friends,
Almost exactly fifteen years ago my family first walked into University. We originally came because Pastor Mike was here. About ten years earlier he was the pastor at Asbury UMC in Corpus Christi and then our paths crossed again in San Antonio. We first came to University because we knew someone, and we stayed because of the community we found. In the next three years, through worship, study, fellowship and service we built many strong relationships. The Under the Bridge Ministry taught me about homelessness, mental health and food issues in San Antonio. Habitat for Humanity builds show how a congregation can partner with a family to build a home and community. Watching Magdalena House get “birthed” out of our church showed me how a critical need can be addressed from a dedicated group that is following God’s call for them.
Since we were a military family, three years later we left University and San Antonio, but the bonds remained. In 2013, at retirement, there was little question where we would live and worship.
For the last two years, I’ve been honored to be on the staff encouraging the community service that I learned fifteen years ago. I get to come to “work” every morning to partner with people that are focused on strengthening our community through following the example of Jesus Christ.
University has helped build organizations like Blueprint Ministries, Magdalena House and Center for Refugee Services. Our members have countless service hours with Christian Assistance Ministries, SAM Ministries, and Habitat for Humanity. We serve in the schools through mentoring, reading, teacher appreciation, food programs and more. We serve behind bars in Dilley and Kennedy, TX through Kairos Prisons Ministry. We love on foster children through Giving Tree, family support, family mentoring and partnerships with Child Protective Services and Bexar County Children’s Court. We’ve also sent teams to serve internationally to places like Senegal, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Haiti and Columbia, and supported other missionaries around the world.
If any of these interests you, you can visit the Missions Fair on Sunday, November 17 in the Atrium from 9am-12:30pm. You can visit with church members and organizations that are actively serving in the areas of food insecurity, housing insecurity, domestic violence, human trafficking, jail and prison ministry, foster and adopt support, education and school partnerships, serving and supporting missions worldwide and migrant issues. For more information check out our events page.
Since the first day, I stepped in University and more so now as your Director of Outreach, I have the opportunity to learn and serve with many faithful followers of Christ in our congregation. Thank you for the education! I look forward to the next fifteen years as we change the dirt around us and help spread the love of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Steve Ryan
Director of Outreach