February 2026 Communicator

Febrauary 2026, VOL 50 NO. 2

First Missionary Baptist Church

The Communicator

IN THIS ISSUE

FROM THE PASTOR'S BLACK HISTORY PEN TRAILBLAZERS Page 2-3 Page 4

FMBC PORTRAITS OF FAITH Page 7

INTRODUCING FMBC'S NEW CAREER MINISTRY Page 10-11

From the Pastor’s Pen

Dr. Carlos D. Williams, Senior Pastor

THE CHURCH & JUSTICE

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:8, ESV The Foundation of Justice The term justice seems to be the most frequently used term in our current political, legal, social, and cultural climate. Unfortunately, its interpretation means different things to different cross sections of our society. However, Justice does not have its origin in politics or in our legal system. Justice is theologically based. Justice begins with God!!

The Ultimate source of our doing justice is the character of God. The Ultimate source of both our morality and our ethics is the character of God. Scott B. Rae in his book Moral Choices says, “the virtues, or character traits, that are made clear by God’s character and further clarified by Jesus’s character, are the ultimate foundation for morality from a Christian worldview.” #1The commands of God flow from the essence of who he is. His attributes and character are the basis of his issuing of commands.

Justice Required God not only requires that the government exercise justice among its citizens, but also requires justice of the people of God. The Church of Jesus Christ should be at the forefront of justice. We should be drum majors for justice. We are the 2

salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. How disheartening it is to see evangelical hypocrisy. Those who claim to be on the side of the poor, oppressed, marginalized, and disenfranchised are silent when they need to be vocal. Silence is indeed complicit! The church is home, watching the unrest on the news and praying in the sanctuary, but refuses to gather in the streets for peaceful protest. Woe unto the pastor who refuses to engage his prophetical calling and shrink from proclaiming truth to power, call out sin, identify it for what it is, and pronounce God’s judgment on magistrates, kings, mayors, councilmen, councilwomen, commissioners, representatives, senators, and presidents who are not advocates for justice.

What a tragedy it is for any church to neglect the ministry of mercy. How can some of our white evangelical brothers and sisters reach out to us privately when the lives of black people are threatened, but they will not speak out publicly? Furthermore, how can pastors and churches teach and preach about giving while never empowering and educating people about the cycle of debt, homeownership, entrepreneurship, credit, and financial stewardship?

That is exploitation and oppression

at its worst, all in the name of God. That is scandalous activity, and God is sorely displeased with that kind of injustice from the church, as he was the Israelites. God was displeased with Israel's hypocrisy. They would offer sacrifices without the right condition of the heart.

They would perform the sacred rituals that were required but deficient in other areas of their faith. What good is it to execute rituals if you don't have proper relationships with others and are just in your dealings with them? That is hypocrisy, and none of those works are received by God. God wanted Israel, as he wants the people of God throughout all time, to manifest kindness, humility, and justice.

Justice Applied What does it mean for God to be Just? In short, it means that God is righteous. Wayne Grudem says, “God’s righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.” #2 Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV) says it best, “the rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

This verse declares that God is right.

God is just. God is upright. God alone determines what is right. He is the standard of what is right. Sin is determined by God, and anything that is in conflict with that standard, God will and must punish because of his holy, just, and righteous character.

Justice refers to God’s judgment, and it is judgment according to God’s righteousness or God’s righteous standards. God administers or metes out his righteous judgment.

He rewards accordingly, and he punishes accordingly. God expects justice to be applied and exercised according to his righteous standards.

Therefore, the Justice of God should be exercised and applied in our laws, in our school systems, in our health systems, in our economy, in our criminal justice system, in our churches, and even in our relationships.

Ultimate Justice The reality is government has failed God and its citizens regarding justice. In some cases, the people of God have failed God, their mission field, and their place of harvest by failing to execute justice. How many times have we seen justice withheld from many people who desperately need it? Hopelessness, despair, and depression at times creep into the hearts and minds of many who have been in the fight for justice. Many who, as the late Representative John Lewis said, gotten in “good trouble, necessary trouble” cannot see light at the end of the tunnel. Many who have battled for justice will not even get to enjoy the fruit of the justice that they fought for. Is the fight for justice then worth it? Is our marching in vain? Is our vote insignificant? Is our praying powerless?

Is our worship pointless? Will the families of those affected by ICE raids in our cities get justice? Will police reform ever pass? Will the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act ever be passed? Only time will tell.

However, we must embrace this truth and accept this fact. We may not get the justice we, as a people, deserve and that God demands, but don’t lose heart, because ultimate vindication is with God. God is the final judge. All who perpetrate injustice will be judged. He will judge all who have done evil. All who are and have been oppressors, extortioners, and those who prey on the poor will be judged. All who have performed evil on humanity without repentance will stand before a just God and give an account of all their evil deeds. I do have hope that justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

My hope is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ. You say, what proof do you have? My proof is the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Jesus is the appointed judge of the world. Acts 17:31 (ESV) says, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed: and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

The apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:9 (ESV), “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” In the words of the Dean of Preachers, the late Dr. Gardner

Taylor, “God is going to fix it all after a while.”

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory, Hallelujah! Glory, glory, Hallelujah!

Glory, glory, Hallelujah! His truth is marching on I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps They have built him an altar in the evening dews and damps I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps His day is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free While God is marching on.

Glory, glory, Hallelujah! Glory, glory, Hallelujah!

Glory, glory, Hallelujah! His truth is marching on!

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Love in Action: Rediscovering God’s Design for Relationships

By Sister Joyce Arterberry

What does Valentine’s Day mean to you? If you answered Love and Romance, you are among the majority. According to Google AI, 2022-2025, “Love and Romance” were the dominant themes across all entertainment mediums (novels, movies, tv shows, music, etc.) The many stories about the origin of Valentine’s Day may cause you to “opt out” of the celebrations. Regardless, February 14th is celebrated every year. So as the body of Christ, let’s unite to show the world how to celebrate love and romance every day.

The Marriage Ministry, aka “Gen224,” took a stand with three book reviews and a Personality Empowerment Workshop. The events provided biblically based tools to teach us how to love daily and authentically. The common adaptable themes are: we need the power and Word of God to love; we need help learning how to communicate with each other; we need an understanding on how to resolve conflict peacefully; and, we need to understand our own

personality & attitudes.

The titles and summaries are listed below. Key points are clear.

Valuable God inspired lessons teach us to love authentically in all its applicable forms (agape – unconditional, Philia – friendship / brotherly, storge – familial, and eros - romantic). The lessons are relatable if it’s your spouse, parent, grandparent, teacher, or best friend forever (BFF): • “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, – Understand the ways of giving and receiving love by getting to know your beloved needs. We all communicate differently.

• “The Art of Marriage” by Family Life, - Discover the concept of oneness based on Genesis 2:24. Love should be unwavering, resilient, selfless, forgiving, intimate, and missional (reflects Christ’s love) Couples interested in enriching their marriage through meaningful biblically based activities are encouraged to join us at our upcoming events.

For additional information about the Marriage Ministry (Gen 224), please contact Michael & Angela Scruggs at 256-603-5403 or Ted & Joyce Arterberry at 256-603-2768.

• “Personality Empowerment Workshop” -- “To be the best you, you must first see you.”

• “With These Words” by Rob Flood, - Know the five communication tools for marriage and life. Words have purpose and a lasting effect.

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PORTRAITS OF FAITH: DEACON HUEY THOMPSON By: Minister Jo Anita Miley Alabama, near Roanoke, and has been a Christian for 87 years. He believes spiritual maturity requires far more than attending worship services or reading Scripture occasionally.

True growth, he says, calls for intentionality, perseverance, and a daily commitment to living out the principles of Christ. That journey begins the moment one ime plays a vital role accepts Jesus Christ as personal in spiritual growth. Savior.

One of the greatest blessings of church life is the Deacon Thompson credits presence of mature, seasoned his salvation largely to his believers—those who have mother’s prayers. As the oldest faithfully walked with God for child, he felt the weight of her decades. God does something desire that her children know extraordinary in individuals who the Lord. At the age of eight, have journeyed with Him for 70, in August 1939, he accepted 80, or even 90 years. Their lives Christ and was baptized shortly bring strength, stability, and thereafter. Her faith left a lasting wisdom to the church, reflecting imprint on his life, even after character shaped through years her sudden passing in 1949. of prayer, perseverance, and Though her death was deeply unwavering trust in the Lord. painful, Thompson recalls how God sustained him during that Beginning with this issue of The season of grief. Two years later, Communicator, we are honored he and his siblings—each having to celebrate the voices of our accepted Christ—sang “Precious seasoned saints—believers Lord” together at their home whose lives overflow with hard- church. For Thompson, that won wisdom, enduring faith, moment felt like a fulfillment of and a legacy worth passing his mother’s prayers and a step on. As we listen to their stories forward in healing and faith. and witness their devotion to Christ, we gain valuable insight Scripture became a vital anchor into living lives deeply rooted in throughout Thompson’s life, Christian values and sustained particularly during his service

by God’s grace over time. in the U.S. Army while stationed in Japan during the Korean Deacon Huey Thompson, 95, War. He recalls reading the was born and raised in Welch, book of Romans repeatedly and

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praying daily for strength and protection. Though stationed away from combat, the sounds of war were ever present.

Through it all, Thompson experienced God’s peace and faithfulness and credits the Lord for bringing him safely home.

After completing his military service, Thompson moved to Huntsville to attend Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and joined First Missionary Baptist Church in 1960. Over the years, he served faithfully in numerous ministries, including the Senior and Brotherhood Choirs, the Finance Committee, the Deacons Ministry, and as FMBC’s first scout master and den master. FMBC also became the place where God blessed him with meaningful relationships and companionship, eventually leading to his marriage in 2000.

Deacon Thompson humbly reminds us that spiritual maturity does not mean perfection. Rather, it is a lifelong pursuit of becoming more like Christ—bearing the fruit of the Spirit, growing in biblical knowledge, serving others, and trusting God through every season of life.

His encouragement to the next generation is simple yet powerful: stay in the race, remain faithful, and allow God to shape your life over time.

PORTRAITS OF FAITH: DEACON JOHN VICKERS, JR. By: Minister Jo Anita Miley Few would argue that remembering is an essential part of our spiritual life and faith journey. Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember God’s Word, reflect on His mighty works, and hold fast to the promises He has made.

Remembering anchors our faith, strengthens our witness, and helps us pass truth from one generation to the next.

and accept Christ. Soon after, he began serving as a Junior Deacon, setting the tone for a lifetime of service.

One of the most remarkable testimonies Vickers recalls is his father’s call to preach. Though initially doubted because of his limited formal education, his father returned to school, learned to read and write, and prepared himself for ministry.

Deacon Emeritus John Watching his father preach Vickers Jr., age 93, believes with clarity and conviction to r e m e m b ra n ce — e s p e c i a l l y educated audiences confirmed memorization of Scripture—has for Vickers that God equips been one of God’s greatest gifts those He calls. That moment to him. From an early age, his shaped his understanding that older cousins impressed upon the Holy Spirit—not credentials him the importance of acquiring alone—empowers effective knowledge as a means of ministry. elevating one’s life and purpose.

For Vickers, committing God’s Vickers’ faith was also tested Word to memory became a during his pursuit of higher cornerstone of his faith walk education.

Graduating and a guiding force throughout high school in 1949, he was his life. among only seven students in his class of sixty-three who Vickers gave his life to Jesus went on to college. Despite Christ in 1945 at Galilee Baptist discouragement from others, his Church in Gadsden, Alabama, father supported his education. at the age of twelve. He was Vickers went on to earn a music baptized shortly afterward and scholarship to Alabama A&M has been witnessing for Christ University, later completing for more than 81 years. As the bachelor’s and master’s degrees oldest of thirteen children, he there, followed by a PhD from grew up in a household where the University of Alabama. His church life was central. His calling to education unfolded father, a deacon at the time, through many challenges, ensured the family attended including professional setbacks revival services faithfully. It was and opposition tied to his during one of those revivals involvement in the Civil Rights that young John felt the Spirit Movement. Yet God remained leading him to step forward faithful, ultimately opening

doors for a distinguished 45year career in education and leadership.

In October 1974, Vickers united with First Missionary Baptist Church, committing himself to serve God wholeheartedly.

He witnessed important shifts in church culture, leadership, education, and worship, while remaining grounded in biblical truth. Though music and methods have evolved over the years, Vickers emphasizes that worship remains unchanged at its core: God’s people responding to God’s presence with gratitude and obedience.

With no regrets about his Christian walk, Deacon Vickers leaves this wisdom for the next generation: morality alone is not Christianity. The Christian’s compass is God’s Word. “Your life bears witness to your calling,” he says. “Stay true to it.”

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FMBC'S THROW YOUR ROPE ACROSS THE FENCE NEW CAREER MENTORING/NETWORKING MINISTRY

by Sister Sherley Lawrence

WELCOME… FMBC Family and Community, welcome to the FMBC Throw Your Rope Across the Fence Career Mentoring/Networking Ministry.

Through many prayers and a sincere desire to be obedient to the calling God has placed on my heart, I am honored to share the purpose and vision of this ministry. This ministry is designed to provide career guidance through online job searching and applications, on-site career mentoring, professional speakers’ and presenters’ insights, interview preparation, résumé writing, online course training, and “dress for success” assistance.

We accomplish this by volunteering our professional mentoring and networking skills to serve those who attend our weekly meetings.

player in the national aerospace and defense industries, both for our nation and around the world. Huntsville is home to the highest per capita concentration of engineers in the United States and has a workforce and corporate infrastructure that significantly contribute to our nation’s defense and industrial advancement. Not only do military and government career seekers have bright futures in Huntsville, but so do those pursuing careers in education, medicine, manufacturing, and commercial industries—fields in which many members of our FMBC family have already found success.

powerful scripture laid the foundation for the vision of this much-needed ministry.

Because of the blessings God has bestowed upon our FMBC family, we are now positioning ourselves to throw our ropes of career success—our knowledge, experience, accomplishments, and expertise—back across the fences of our lives into the surrounding community.

The FMBC Throw Your Rope Across the Fence Career Mentoring/Networking Ministry will allow guest speakers, presenters, and volunteers to use their professional knowledge, wisdom, training, talents, and skills to assist members of our For many years, FMBC church family and community in members have contributed preparing for the world of work. to the workforce that helped make Huntsville the global success it is today. Luke 12:48 reminds us: “For everyone to whom much is given, of him Huntsville, Alabama, is a crucial much will be required.” This

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DISCLAIMER: The FMBC Throw Your Rope Across the Fence Career Mentoring /Networking Ministry does not guarantee employment to any individual attending the weekly meetings.

We are a group of volunteers who come together to help community members research, apply for, and network career Professional speakers’ career opportunities. All job interviews testimonials, presentations, and and employment decisions interaction are solely determined by the companies to which attendees • Résumé writing and review apply.

Many individuals, both within our FMBC family and the community, have not yet had the opportunity to fully grasp their own ropes of success by securing and achieving their career goals. This ministry seeks to help bridge those gaps through the following ten (10) focus areas:

• Interview preparation and mock interviews • Online career application completion and follow-up • Online career skills training resources (e.g., Udemy) • Dress for Success demonstrations and modeling • G. Group and one-onone career mentoring, discussions, and training • How to apply for government and government contracting careers (e.g., USAJobs.gov, Indeed.com) • Creating online professional networking accounts (e.g., LinkedIn) • Understanding requirements for security clearances, CDL licenses, and other professional licenses, certifications, and work permits

prepare for their future.

For more information on the program or to volunteer email us at: tyratfcnministry@fmbc. org.

Volunteers: Every member of the FMBC family who is currently working or has worked in the public or private sector is welcome to serve as a career mentor, speaker/presenter, or networking volunteer. All speakers and presenters must be pre-approved.

Attendees: Whether you are seeking your first job or exploring a new career direction, FMBC family and community members are welcome to attend and benefit from the training and information offered at each weekly meeting.

Meeting Schedule: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ teaches us that the greatest gifts we can give are our time, talents, and treasures. When you join this ministry, your time will be well spent, your talents will be faithfully shared, and your career accomplishments will inspire others to throw their own ropes of success across the fence to help someone else 11