At 631 Utopia Lane in San Antonio, Texas, Brookhill Baptist Church is known for gathering the Brooks City-Base community around worship, learning and practical service. Its Sunday rhythm pairs Sunday School for all ages with a 10:50 a.m. worship service led by Pastor Aaron Treanor, while Wednesday brings food and fellowship, age-specific gatherings and small groups for men, women and the whole congregation. The church also operates a food bank and clothes closet for people who need help with everyday needs.
From Prayer Meetings in 1957 to a Broader Ministry
Brookhill's story begins Sunday, Dec. 1, 1957, when a chapel formed after a series of prayer services in the home of Rev. Leroy Downum. Seventeen people attended. The chapel met in Downum's home until March 1958, when the cafetorium at Kate Schenck Elementary School became available for worship. Sunday School still met in the homes of church family members. A tent was purchased and used for six months, and groundbreaking services for the chapel took place in June 1958.
Brookhill now defines itself by being bound together by love of God and a desire to serve Him. Its teaching emphasizes that people can accomplish more together than separately and that the gathered church can be a light to the Brooks City-Base community. For Brookhill, knowing God is a lifelong process. The church encourages people to come with an open heart and mind, grow in understanding together, and deepen their unity and love for one another.
Sunday School for All Ages, Worship at 10:50
Sunday begins at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School for all ages, which continues until 10:30. Classes provide smaller settings for asking questions, studying the Bible, sharing experiences and encouraging one another. Young children hear Bible stories, while adults examine how Scripture applies to everyday life. The goals are to learn, grow, connect, pray, apply and serve.
The Sunday worship service starts at 10:50 a.m. at 631 Utopia Lane. Everyone is welcome to worship with Pastor Aaron Treanor. The Music Ministry leads praise and worship, supports congregational participation, and seeks to focus people on God rather than performance. All services are livestreamed on Facebook, and services are available 24/7/365.
Wednesday Food, Fellowship and Group Time
Wednesday's schedule begins with Wednesday Night Food & Fellowship from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Several gatherings begin in parallel at 6:30. Youth Connect serves grades 7 through 12, while Backyard Kids serves pre-K through grade 6. Adults can join the Co-Ed Small Group led by Margie Finucane, the Men's Small Group led by Rod Allen and Lyndon Hoch, or the Ladies Small Group led by Ann Miller. Each continues until 7:30 p.m.
Brookhill's small-group vision is to connect, grow, pray, encourage, serve and belong. Groups make it possible to know one another beyond Sunday worship, share life's challenges and develop Christian relationships through prayer and discipleship. A N.A.R.F.E. community group meets at the church on the third Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Life Line Screening is another gathering that meets at Brookhill.
Children and Youth Are Part of the Church's Mission
Children's Ministry seeks to help children learn, worship, grow, serve, build friendships and follow Christ. Its mission is to lead children to know, love and follow Jesus Christ through biblical teaching, loving guidance, meaningful worship and opportunities to grow, serve and share their faith. The ministry also supports parents and families with resources and a church community where children can develop spiritually in a safe, caring environment. Matthew 19:14 is a key text for this work.
The Nursery Ministry provides a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered place where young children are cared for and parents can take part in church activities. Its priorities are care, protection, teaching, nurture, love and service. Nursery workers support families and help the youngest children begin a positive relationship with the church.
For students in grades 7 through 12, Youth Group gives young people room to ask questions, develop faith, make healthy friendships and discover their role in the church. Its six aims are to believe, belong, grow, serve, lead and share. The ministry works closely with the pastor, Sunday School, Children's Ministry, Music Ministry, Men's and Ladies' ministries and deacons, with the aim of helping the next generation know Christ, grow in faith and become faithful servants and leaders.
Distinct Groups for Women and Men
The Ladies' Ministry is intended to help women grow, pray, encourage, fellowship, serve, mentor and lead. It creates opportunities for women to support one another through different seasons of life, develop their gifts and deepen their relationship with Christ. Working alongside the pastor, deacons and other ministries, it emphasizes faith, fellowship, encouragement and service.
The Men's Ministry welcomes young men, fathers, single men, husbands, grandfathers and seniors. Its purpose is to help men become stronger disciples of Christ and stronger servants in their homes, church and community. The mission is to develop godly men who are committed to Christ, dedicated to their families, faithful to the church and willing to serve with strength, integrity and compassion.
Hospitality Ministry supports both groups and the wider church through greeters, ushers and service at gatherings. Its goal is for people to feel welcome, valued and connected. By opening doors, serving meals and helping with worship services and church events, this ministry works toward an atmosphere of Christian love and genuine care.
Deacons and Yokefellows Put Care into Practice
The Deacons and Yokefellows Ministry is a servant-leadership team supporting the pastor and congregation. Deacons provide spiritual leadership and compassionate care. Their responsibilities include visiting people who are sick, elderly or homebound, praying with and encouraging the congregation, helping during difficult times and bereavement, assisting with communion and other church ordinances, and helping maintain unity and order. Chairman John Anglin leads a deacon team that also includes Robert Lenberg, Glenn Miller, Rex Moss, Steve Frieda, Tony Renfro and Nicolas Banda.
Yokefellows Lyndon Hoch and Mike Parrish serve alongside the deacons. They assist with practical needs, including transportation and special-needs assistance, help during worship and church events, support outreach and community activities, and welcome newcomers. Together, this ministry emphasizes humility, compassion, faithfulness, confidentiality and teamwork while meeting practical and spiritual needs.
Food Bank and Clothes Closet Put Service Within Reach
The Food Bank provides food and basic groceries to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, including emergency help when groceries are suddenly needed. Volunteers collect donations from church members, businesses and community organizations, then store and distribute canned goods, rice, pasta, beans, cereal, fresh or frozen food, baby food, formula and personal-care items. Food is distributed to families and individuals, and prayer and encouragement are offered when appropriate.
The Clothes Closet works in parallel with the Food Bank and other church ministries. Volunteers collect donated clothing, sort it by size and type, keep it clean and presentable, and allow families or individuals to choose what they need. Assistance is offered respectfully and without judgment. Together, the two outreach ministries seek to show Christian compassion and dignity while addressing immediate needs.
Music, Facilities and Ministry Leadership
Dawn Frieda serves as worship leader. The Music Ministry leads praise and worship during church services and encourages the congregation to participate. Its responsibilities include selecting songs that align with the sermon or church theme, rehearsing regularly, and mentoring musicians and singers in skill and spiritual growth. Music is meant to glorify God and lead people into His presence rather than perform for an audience.
Behind the scenes, Building and Grounds volunteers can contribute through maintenance, construction, landscaping, cleaning, technology or general repairs. The ministry's goal is to keep the facilities clean, safe, functional and welcoming for worship and ministry, helping the church care for the resources entrusted to it.
Learning, Love and Service Define Brookhill
For Brookhill, knowing God is a lifelong process. The church encourages people to leave weekly with fuller understanding of who God is and the purpose for their life. Learning and growing together build not only understanding but also unity and love. That theme carries through worship, discipleship, relationships, care for people and practical assistance, all forming part of the desire to serve God and the Brooks City-Base community.
Finding Brookhill in San Antonio
Brookhill Baptist Church is at 631 Utopia Lane, San Antonio, TX 78223. The church phone number is (210) 333-4947, and its email address is brookhillchurch@sbcglobal.net. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Charitable donations and gifts can be made through PayPal.
Sunday worship begins at 10:50 a.m., following Sunday School for all ages from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday activities begin with Food & Fellowship at 5:30 p.m., with age-specific and small groups at 6:30 p.m. The congregation continues to gather at 631 Utopia Lane around worship, learning, fellowship and service to the Brooks City-Base community.