Rev. Zbinden lived the faith he preached

At any given time of day or night, one or more homeless people can be seen sitting or sleeping on the front steps of First Presbyterian Church, on North Alamo or on the side steps on Fourth Street. The church, founded in 1846 as the first Protestant church in the city, occupies a city block in downtown San Antonio. It is a large church, with a large mission. And in 1981, after a homeless man died on church grounds, Rev. Louis Zbinden Jr. knew that mission had to be enlarged to do more for those living on the streets surrounding his congregation of prosperous worshippers. During Zbinden’s 30-year-plus ministry both church and minister grew in stature as they inhabited significant and indelible roles in the life of the city.

Zbinden, who died on Sept. 11 at the age of 84, was one of the most influential religious and civic leaders of his era, using his growing influence to serve some of the most neglected people in our community.

He was a man of faith, not merely by preaching and teaching, but also through living it and modeling the example of what he asked of others. Born in Tennessee, Zbinden served as pastor of First Presbyterian from 1971-2004. As a man who’d opened his home to the homeless to spend one or several nights, it wasn’t surprising that after the death of the homeless man, Zbinden opened his church basement, an idea that was the beginning of San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, or SAMM. He was also key in founding Christian Assistance Ministry, the Samaritan Counseling Center, Christian Dental Clinic at Haven for Hope and Bexar County Detention Ministries. He also carried the words and actions of his faith throughout the world.

Zbinden was a leader in strengthening interfaith relationships in San Antonio, committed to Christianity, appreciative of Judaism, Islam and other religions.

There are still plenty of homeless people around First Presbyterian and they continue to use some of the services Zbinden helped initiate.

Their presence reminds that the work of Zbinden is not yet complete. His legacy and example of faith in action are an inspiration to follow.

San Antonio Police Department San Antonio police officers who detained jogger Mathias Ometu, 33, after he would not identify himself to them had a duty to help a victim in a domestic violence case, one reader says.

Wendi Poole Louis Zbinden, longtime pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, was one of the most significant religious and civic leaders in our community, and he always was looking to serve others.