About LVBC

Who We Are

Leon Valley Baptist Church is a family of believers—a traditional, independent, Bible-believing, Baptist church where Jesus is first, people are loved, and the gospel of God’s grace is center stage. We love God and each other, we grow together in God’s word, and we seek to serve others. Come and experience spiritual renewal, and discover God’s heart for you. We think you’ll feel right “at home” here!

Visiting a church can be challenging. Where do I go? What time does everything begin? What’s available for my children?

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at (210) 684-5662

Service Times

Bible Study (English and Spanish): 9:30 AM
Worship Service: 10:30 AM
Spanish Service: 10:30 AM
Sunday Evening: 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening: 7:00 PM

Years Serving Our Community

Presenting Christ To The World

Meet Our Staff

Steve Burkholder

Senior Pastor

Pastor Steve served as a church-planting missionary in Tanzania, East Africa, and started the Truth Baptist Church and the TRUTH Center in Katesh. During his 21 years in Tanzania, he was involved in 5 church plants, started a Christian school ministry and Bible institute, trained national pastors, and led a missionary enrichment conference. With foreign missions as his heartbeat, Steve is excited about reaching different cultures in San Antonio.

Pastor Steve and Natalie have been married since 1997, and they have three children, Hannah, Caleb, and Sarah. They enjoy spending time together outdoors and traveling. Pastor Steve loves good barbecue, fly fishing, and watching sports.

John W. Dupree

Assistant Pastor & Minister of Music

Upon retirement from the United States Air Force in September 1999 after 25 years of military service, John Dupree joined the Pastoral Staff of the Leon Valley Baptist Church as an Assistant Pastor and Minister of Music. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Bible from Liberty University and an Associate’s Degree in Interpreting and Translating from the Community College of the Air Force.

Pastor Dupree and his wife, Arlene, and children, Brian and Erica, first attended Leon Valley Baptist Church in December 1993 following military reassignment from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota to then Kelly AFB, Texas. They became members in January 1994. Pastor Dupree continues to serve in the roles of Assistant Pastor and Minister of Music.

Bob (Roberto) Yoder

Spanish Pastor

Pastor Yoder served as an assistant pastor at Grace Bible Baptist Church in New Paris, Indiana for 4 years before becoming the pastor of their Spanish congregation. He served that congregation for 14 years before the Lord called him to serve Him in San Antonio. He moved to San Antonio in October of 2021 and on November 7th, had the first service entirely in Spanish here at LVBC. He has a love for the Spanish language and is thrilled to be able to offer people a chance to congregate where they can worship God, hear the preaching of His Word, and fellowship with other believers all in Spanish.

Pastor Yoder was married in Mexico to Estela and they have 3 children. Two of their daughters have graduated from West Coast Baptist College and are both serving in separate ministries in different states. Their youngest is their son which is currently studying at West Coast Baptist College with plans to be a youth pastor.

Marc Moreno

Youth Pastor

Marc Moreno was born and raised right here in San Antonio. He grew up attending Grace Baptist Temple. At age twelve, he accepted the Lord as his savior during their annual Vacation Bible School. The next year, he answered God’s calling, and surrendered to serve the Lord with his life at Lake Texhoma Baptist Camp. He attended West Coast Baptist College and met his wife, Amanda. They were married after college in 2011 and both served in various churches in southern California before returning to his hometown to raise their family of five children.

In early 2023, he was sensing God’s call to serve as Youth Pastor at LVBC. He joined the staff before the end of the year and is serving in children, youth, and young adult ministries.

Forrest Jones

Pastor Emeritas

During his time in ministry Pastor Jones has made over 25 mission trips to 14 different countries. Most of the trips have been to the Philippines and to India. During these trips, Pastor Jones is using his time ministering to national pastors, teaching on the church, homiletics and pastoral theology. Due to his success during these trips, he has been asked to return numerous times.

Pastor Jones enjoys ministry but also enjoys the great outdoors. His hobbies are deer hunting and fishing, though he does not have much time for them. He also enjoys the occasional golf game with men of the church and other pastors.

Stephanie Ragan

Office Manager

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What We Believe

We believe that the Bible is God’s word. That God has spoken to us in the scriptures through the words of his chosen human authors. Therefore, we are to believe in all its teachings, obey all it commandments, and trust in all its promises.

We believe that there is only one God and that he is the creator of all things.

We believe that God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.

We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

We believe that Jesus Christ led a sinless life and was crucified on the cross for our sins, rose again and ascended into Heaven.

We believe that sin has separated us from God and His purpose for our lives.

We believe that our eternal destination is either Heaven or Hell as determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that in order to receive Salvation, we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.

We believe that Jesus Christ will return, at a time known only to God. This belief demands constant expectancy and motivates us to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission.

We believe in Christ’s Great Commission – to obediently evangelize the world, making disciples among all peoples and always bearing witness to the gospel in all that we do.