John Valenzuela
Pastor, Motivational Speaker, Texas High School Final Four Basketball Coach
Imagine having not one, but two, full time jobs and six adopted kids at home, all of whom were rescued from crisis situations. Former Madison High School basketball coach John Valenzuela and his wife Rosanne’s story of family and faith is nothing short of amazing. Several years ago, his house was in foreclosure, he didn’t like his job, and he and his wife yearned for children never born. Today, he has not only one, but two jobs that he loves, six beautiful children and they all live in a comfortable home. He credits the turnaround to his faith and five truths. “My faith in God gives me an attitude that my God is bigger than my problems, and if my God is bigger than my problems, then I’ve got the advantage.”
Valenzuela was the head basketball coach at Madison High School, taking the Mavericks to the Texas 5A Final Four twice. His students call him “Coach Val.” His basketball teams have won over 400 games (and counting) at the high school level and he is one of the most successful basketball coaches in San Antonio hoops history.
John Valenzuela is not only known as Coach, but also Pastor, and is as comfortable in the pulpit as he is on the court. In 2007 he organized, founded, and pastored a congregation called Faith and Five Stones. In 2009 he came to Community Bible Church, the 14th largest church in the United States, and his ministry there continues to grow. Citing Bible passages, sports metaphors and famous quotes, his faith, family, and focus give him not only the desire to be a champion on the court, but most of all in his day to day life.
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