Jorge Zayasbazan has been senior pastor of Baptist Temple Church in San Antonio seven years. The congregation is part of a family of churches and nonprofits that share a campus to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional and educational needs of their community.
Background
• Where else have you served in ministry, and what were your positions there?
Grace Chapel/First Baptist Church, Waukegan, Ill. — pastor
North Central Cooperative Baptist Fellowship — coordinator
Lighthouse Church, Antioch, Ill. — pastor
Victory Baptist Church, New Orleans, La. — pastor
• Where did you grow up?
I was born in La Habana, Cuba, but grew up in Miami, Fla.
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• How did you come to faith in Christ?
I started attending an inner-city Southern Baptist church shortly after my father’s death when I was 17. The loving example of this mixed-race congregation led me to Jesus.
• Where were you educated, and what degrees did you receive?
I have a bachelor of science degree from the University of New York and a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I did some post-graduate work at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Ministry/Church
• Why do you feel called into ministry?
I want to bring God’s light into spiritually dark places and bring the good news to areas of need.
• What one aspect of congregational life gives you the greatest joy?
Watching Christians minister to one another.
• How has your ministry or your perspective on ministry changed?
I wanted to get as far away from the inner city as possible, but God put a love for the city in my heart and used the circumstances of my life as preparation.
• How do you expect congregational life to change in the next 10 to 20 years?
The trend is toward megachurches with satellites. I can see a multi-congregational model emerging as a part of the satellite movement—where the megachurch partners with a church in a less-affluent area to extend their ministry.
• What qualities do you look for in a congregation?
A passion for soul-winning, a focus on the local community, a welcoming atmosphere and a desire to become more like Jesus.
• Name the three most significant challenges and/or influences facing your congregation.
Maximizing the use of our facilities, inconsistent attendance on Sundays, growing attendance in a community of renters.
About Baptists
• What are the key issues facing Baptists—denominationally and/or congregationally?
Denominationally, we are facing competition from parachurch groups that offer fee-based services and an American Christianity that is disinterested in doctrinal distinctives. Efficiency and relevance are the needs of the day.
About Jorge
• What did you learn on the job you wish you learned in seminary?
A model of benevolence ministry that helped people move out of poverty and closer to the abundant life Jesus promised.
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