A Northwest San Antonio Congregation Between Two Universities
University Baptist Church sits on Babcock Road on San Antonio's northwest side, situated between UTSA and the University of Texas Health Science Center. The campus is anchored by a modern Worship Center, a separate two-story Children's Building that also houses the weekday WEE School, and several connected fellowship and education spaces. Members describe the church with three phrases: in Christ, in community, and invested.
Forty-Five Years on the Northwest Side
University Baptist Church began in 1978 as a mission church of Castle Hills First Baptist Church. By 1980 it had grown into its own congregation and took the name University Baptist Church, choosing its location to reach the neighborhoods growing around the two universities nearby.
In 2015 the congregation moved worship from its original sanctuary (now the youth center) into a new Worship Center. As the new platform was poured, members placed rocks inscribed with prayers and scriptures beneath it, a reminder that the new room would stand on the Word of God and the prayers of his people. The church marked its 45th anniversary in April 2025.
Sunday Mornings: Connect Groups and Worship
Sunday at UBC follows a steady rhythm. At 9:15am, Connect Groups meet across the campus, sorted by age and stage of life: nursery and preschool classes, elementary grades 1 through 5, students in 6th through 12th grade, a ladies' class, a college and young adult group taught by Clifton Hall, and five adult classes broken into age bands running from the twenties through the seventies and beyond.
At 10:30am the congregation gathers in the Worship Center. The service is led by the church's multigenerational Worship Team, includes congregational singing, time for prayer, and a sermon. The pastor preaches verse by verse through books of the Bible and uses the Christian Standard Bible, so worshipers are invited to bring a copy and follow along. The service is also livestreamed on YouTube, with previous sermons available as a podcast.
Children and the WEE School
The Children's Building on the south end of campus houses two floors of ministry. Downstairs is preschool; upstairs is for first through fifth graders. The children's team uses Lifeway's Gospel Project curriculum during the 9:15am Connect Group hour.
During the 10:30am worship service, KIDs Care looks after infants through kindergarten so parents can worship distraction-free. On Sunday evenings at 6pm during the school year, University Kids (kindergarten through fifth grade) gathers for a study built around Hebrews 11 - Heroes of Faith, with games, crafts, science experiments, and special snacks.
Safety is built into the system. Babies and toddlers wear numbered stickers at check-in, and parents carry a matching sticker that must be returned to pick up their child. Children's teachers have background checks and MinistrySafe training.
On the lower level of the same Children's Building, the UBC WEE School has operated as a weekday preschool ministry since 1980. WEE School serves children from 6 months old through PreK4 in separate infant, toddler, two-year-old, PreK-3, and PreK-4 classrooms. The school is licensed by the State of Texas for 100 children and keeps teacher-to-child ratios lower than state standards. Director Michele Jones leads the program and welcomes prospective families for tours.
Students, College, and Young Adults
Middle and high school students meet Wednesdays at 6pm for dinner, games, and Bible study. Recent series have walked students through what it means to be sent, what real love looks like, and how the gospel reshapes everyday decisions. Sunday nights at 6pm add a second touchpoint with a men's track through the book of James and a women's track on prayer. Each summer the student ministry heads to Highland Lakes Camp for a week of worship, teaching, swimming, dodgeball, and Bible trivia.
College students and other young adults (ages 18 through 25) meet Sundays at 9:15am in a class taught by Clifton Hall. The group also gathers for fellowship events several times a semester, including dinners in the Fellowship Hall.
Adults: Connect Groups, Men's and Women's Studies
Beyond the Sunday morning Connect Groups, two Sunday-evening Bible studies give adults another touchpoint. Men meet in the Fellowship Hall at 6pm for Forge: Being Shaped into Godly Men, a study through James led by Dr. Paul Stohler. Women meet in the Lobby at 6pm for Life-Changing Prayer: Approaching the Throne of Grace, led by Sharon Samplaski. Both studies run in six-week sessions during the fall. On Thursday mornings at 10am, women gather in the Lobby to pray for one another and for requests submitted through the church's prayer page.
UBC's senior adults meet once a month for lunch and games and gather weekly for Senior Adult Choir practice. The group stays active in fellowship and uses its music to serve others in the congregation and beyond.
Music That Spans Generations
The Music and Worship Ministry, led by Dr. Terry Samplaski, brings together musicians and singers of all ages. The Worship Team rehearses Sunday evenings at 5pm and leads congregational singing each Sunday morning. The UBC Senior Adult Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 10:30am in the Fellowship Hall, sings each month at a local nursing home, and makes special appearances in Sunday worship throughout the year. Whether someone sings, plays an instrument, or simply wants to be part of the team, there is a place to serve.
Generosity and Missions
UBC partners with the Southern Baptist Convention and Southern Baptists of Texas, supporting the Reach Texas State Missions Offering, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions, and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions. Local partnerships include Habitat for Humanity builds in San Antonio and the church's annual Vacation Bible School, which opens its doors to children from across the area. Members also serve through Christian Assistance Ministry and AWC Centers.
An Above & Beyond giving emphasis invites members to give over and above their regular tithe to support the church's local and global work, anchored in 2 Corinthians 9 and 1 Chronicles 29.
What UBC Believes
UBC holds to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the confessional statement of the Southern Baptist Convention. The church's vision statement names three commitments: being in Christ (surrendered to the lordship of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God), being in community (sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and reaching the nations), and being invested in those commitments. A membership information meeting called UBC 101 is offered regularly for anyone wanting to learn more about the church and what membership looks like.
Visiting UBC
UBC describes itself as a come-as-you-are church. There is no dress code; some men wear suits, some wear flip flops, and women wear everything from dresses to jeans. The main parking lot sits right next to the Worship Center, with a few spots marked for first-time visitors, plus additional parking by the Children's Building and behind the church. Greeters in the Lobby will help families find their way.
The church's location on Babcock Road (between Prue and Springtime Road) makes it easy to reach from either I-10 (DeZavala Road exit) or Loop 410 (Babcock Road exit). Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm. Sunday worship is livestreamed on YouTube, and recorded sermons are available as a podcast for anyone who wants to listen on the go.