July 2026 Communicator -

JULY 2026, VOL 50 NO. 7

First Missionary Baptist Church

The Communicator

IN THIS ISSUE

ORDER OF SERVICE Page 3

EVANGELISM CORNER Pages 4-7

YOUNG ADULT SPOTLIGHT Page 8

A FATHER'S LEGACY Page 11

UPCOMING EVENTS Pages 13-15

Order of Service “Life in the Community” Video Presentation Call to Worship & Invocation “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. So, praise the Lord, you his servants who do his will, and those who he has redeemed!”

Congregational Song Praise** Musical Selection (1) FMBC Praise Team Recognition of Visitors & Fellowship Period** Pastoral Highlights Worship Through Giving & The Giving of Thanks Musical Selection (1) FMBC Praise Team The Proclamation of the Gospel Dr. Carlos Williams, Senior Pastor Invitation to Christian Discipleship* Pastoral Prayer & The Final Blessing* *Please stand | **Worshipers may enter

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tnessing and evangelism are key components of the Christian faith, rooted in the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:1920.

Witnessing refers to the act of sharing one's personal experience and testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, while evangelism is the broader proclamation of the Gospel message to non-believers. Both are essential for the growth of the Church and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humankind.

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As Christians, we are called to be witnesses for Christ and present a testimony about what we’ve personally experienced of the Lord Jesus. The New Testament provides instances of witnessing and evangelism. For example, the Apostle Paul is a prominent figure in this regard, employing various methods to reach different audiences. In Acts 17, Paul engages with the philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens, using their cultural context to introduce the Gospel.

This approach demonstrates the importance of understanding and relating to the audience.

Personal testimony is another powerful tool in witnessing. In John 4, the Samaritan woman at the well shares her encounter with Jesus, leading many in her town to believe in Him. Her 4

passionate account shows how personal experiences can communicate the life-changing power of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12 emphasizes how evangelism is a key aspect of the ministry that all believers are called to engage in. While witnessing and evangelism are individual responsibilities, they are also communal endeavors that require the support and unity of the Church. The church plays a central role in preparing and supporting believers for witnessing and evangelism. The challenge before us is clear. How do we effectively reach people with the Gospel in a way that resonates with this generation?

were made for a relationship with God).

A few First Missionary believers address this concern: Share the Gospel with a specific message and invitation.

Prepare a simple Gospel script and a personal testimony that you can comfortably share.

Explain the Gospel message and ask if they have questions about salvation. When you’re sharing these points with a person in a conversation, encourage them to accept God’s invitation using a question like, “Would you like to invite Jesus to be your personal Savior?” If they say no, let them know you will continue to pray for them. If they say yes, celebrate and pray with them.

Share next steps and encourage them to read the Bible, starting with the Gospels. ~Carlos Williams, Senior Pastor

Sharing the gospel is the heart of evangelization! Gospel sharing involves explaining Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection and seeks to lead someone to a relationship with Christ. The gospel is the good news of a Holy God becoming flesh in order to reconcile sinful man back to himself. There are a lot of ways to share the story of Jesus Christ, but at its core, the Gospel includes four main points: •The holiness of God. (You

•The sinfulness of man. (Those times when we choose not to behave according to biblical scripture creates a chasm between you and God).

•The reconciliation of Jesus (God became man in Jesus, and he died for your sins to repair your relationship with God).

•The Response of Faith.

(Every human person has the opportunity to have a relationship with God, if they accept God’s invitation).

Personal prayer and preparation are necessary.

“Seek the Holy Spirit for boldness and courage in witnessing. Ask God to prepare your own heart to be a vessel for His message.

Establish a regular prayer schedule to seek guidance and unity in purpose. Start by praying for specific people by name, asking God to open their hearts and provide opportunities to share your faith (Ephesians 3:20) Regular prayer strengthens your confidence and aligns your intentions with God’s will. We can incorporate moments of prayer in every ministry effort.

Pray for guidance and wisdom in sharing the Gospel effectively, and intercede for the hearts of those who have yet to hear the Gospel message. Encourage personal testimonies in prayer settings to inspire others. Pray for harmony within the church to support evangelism.” ~Mother Leila Gray, Prayer Ministry Build relationships to create trust and openness for sharing beliefs.

“Evangelism is most effective when it is relational. Invest in genuine friendships and look for natural opportunities to share your faith. My grandad and dad taught me that being a blessing to others through acts of kindness, listening, and support demonstrates Christ’s love in action. Be authentic and approachable, allowing others to see your faith in action. We can improve on our evangelism efforts by collaborating on events and sharing resources.

Pool resources like materials, volunteers, and funding for greater impact.

Use nontraditional ways to build trust in informal settings. We can foster

community relationships through organizing service projects, and outreach that invite nonbelievers to experience church life. Taking on church projects like community cleanup, home repair, and mentoring activities create opportunities for members to share their faith in informal settings and teach others how to evangelize too.”

Trustee Darryl Pope, Brotherhood Organization/Co-chair Trustee Ministry Embody our faith outside the church walls and carry the Gospel to all people.

“Witnessing and evangelism is not optional for Christians; it’s mandated by Jesus in the Great Commission. Combine your faith with everyday activities.

Be prepared to share the Gospel with anyone. Step outside your immediate circle and meet people where they are—on campus, at work, or in the community. Following Jesus’ example, engage with people in their daily environments rather than waiting for them to come to you. Choose locations and times to maximize receptivity, such as street fairs, college campuses, or community events. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and embrace every experience as an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission.” ~Deaconess Mildred Henderson, Missionary Society “Engage with the world around us. Collaborate with outreach programs to reach underserved populations in locations such as homeless shelters, rural areas and low-income neighborhoods isolated from community resources and services. Jesus states in Matthew 25:40 that acts of kindness—feeding the hungry,

clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned—are not just moral good deeds; they are acts of service and love done as if they were done directly to Him. Visiting missions provides a witnessing opportunity. Pray over donations to others so they are used for the right purposes and glorify God. Be generous to meet the needs of others and do God’s work. You never know when you or someone in your family will be blessed by those situations.” ~Sister Edwina Crum, Missionary Society Leverage social media and use unconventional methods for evangelism.

“I think it’s important for young adults to see the church is focused on a younger population. In today’s digital age, connecting with our church community goes beyond traditional methods.

Young adults can become a valuable part of the evangelism effort within the congregation because we are equipped to serve as witnesses in innovative new ways. Identify your unique gifts and talents that can be shared and think outside the box. Harness technology for the Gospel--share Bible verses, devotionals or testimonies on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. There also livestreaming, social media and podcasts.” ~Brother Joshua Williams, Young Adult Ministry “Youth like to have fun. Have some themed events –movie nights, game nights or sports events with a Gospel message included to attract those who might not attend church. Create Christ-centered activities that reach youth in off -beat ways.” ~Brother Prince Schofield, Youth Ministry 5

Embrace the power of music in ministry and evangelism “When used with care and purpose, music becomes a powerful tool for ministry, healing and evangelism. The music ministry can play a vital role to enhance evangelism in the church by creating an inviting atmosphere that attracts newcomers. We can use multiple genre types to connect with diverse audiences, incorporate testimonies and messages into musical performances, and organize community events that feature music to engage the public. Hosting a music gathering can deliver valuable content and become a vibrant tool for engagement, education, and evangelism. Organizing outreach events that combine performances with evangelistic teachings is good. Music is the attraction that initiates the conversation. If people like the music, we’ve opened the door to share our story. When you tell your story through music, it draws people to Christ. Some people don’t want to read a tract. You will never reach some people from behind a pulpit in a church. They need to hear your testimony.” ~Minister Jalen Thompson, Music Ministry 6

Provide consistency and followup.“Depend on Jesus through the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance relevant things about those who you are witnessing to. God does the drawing and the saving. We must never stop witnessing and praying for others, as Acts 2:42 states, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” God didn’t give up on us so we can’t give up on others. Follow up with those you meet, pray with them, and guide them toward continued spiritual growth. This allows the church to address the needs of new members early on, preventing them from feeling unsupported. Also, encourage participation in church activities to help strengthen discipleship and foster a sense of community which can lead to higher retention rates among church members.” ~Mother Sarah Drake, Witnessing Team “Witnessing is never-ending.

Very seldom will you lead a person to Christ during your first conversation. You find out where they are in terms of religion and you keep coming back for more conversations about their starting a relationship with Christ. It may

take weeks, months or even years before they accept Christ.

I’ve witnessed to someone for 17 years and it was worth my effort.

Follow-up evangelism efforts for the unsaved, unchurched, and new believers are essential for building relationships.

It encourages personal transformation and healing to the unsaved through the power of Jesus Christ. It fosters community and connection with the unchurched.

It encourages new believers in their spiritual growth and makes them feel valued. When you bring a person to Christ, they are “spiritual babies” and just as in the natural, you never want to leave your babies unattended.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 emphasizes how spiritual growth takes time.

Don’t stop follow-up at any point short of a person’s total surrender to the Lord.” ~Deacon Charles Scruggs, Prison/Jail Ministry To summarize, reaching the world with Jesus involves both spiritual preparation and practical outreach. By combining prayer, personal witness, creative outreach and community engagement, First Missionary believers can effectively “reach the world” with Jesus.

FRANGELISM Biblical Word Search Puzzle Focus on sharing the love of Christ with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors. Find all 20 words hidden in the grid!

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WORDS TO FIND

⬜ CHURCH ⬜ DISCIPLES ⬜ EVANGELISM ⬜ FAITH

⬜ NEIGHBORS ⬜ PRAYER ⬜ RELATIVES ⬜ SALVATION ⬜ SHARING ⬜ TESTIMONY ⬜ WITNESS

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5,V) | EVANGELISM:(5,3,V) | FAITH:(6,8,V) | FELLOWSHIP:(3,6,V) | FRIENDS:(2,11,V) | GOSPEL:(14,8,H) | GRACE:(3,1,V) | INVITE:(16,8,H) | LOVE:(9,10,D) | MINISTRY:(8,4,V) | NEIGHBORS:(2,1,H) | PRAYER:(5,9,V) | RELATIVE

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A Father’s Legacy: Wisdom That Lasts a Lifetime.

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he greatest gift a father can give isn't money or possessions—it is wisdom.

Long after childhood ends, the lessons a father teaches continue to shape character, faith, confidence, and the ability to navigate life's challenges.

Today's young men are growing up in a world where practical life skills and godly mentorship are becoming increasingly rare.

Many teenagers will leave home without ever learning simple but important lessons such as tying a necktie, dressing professionally for a job interview, or understanding how to present themselves with confidence. These seemingly small skills often become essential moments at weddings, funerals, college interviews, first jobs, and other significant milestones.

Learning these lessons early helps prepare young men for adulthood with dignity and self-confidence.

While practical skills are valuable, fathers understand that the most important lessons cannot be purchased or learned in a classroom. Character, integrity, humility, and faith are developed

through intentional guidance and is the ultimate expression of faith consistent example. and trust in His authority over your life. As you navigate these Pastor Dr. Carlos D. Williams critical adolescent years, you are reminds the next generation that actively forging your identity and Jesus Christ must always be our setting the standards for the man ultimate example of leadership and you will become. Because of this, I manhood. He encourages young challenge you to step up as a leader men to pursue Christlikeness among your peers. Be a positive by growing through Scripture, example for your friends. Have the spiritual discipline, faith, integrity, moral courage to challenge the love, and holiness. According to norm when it is wrong, and never Pastor Williams, true leadership be afraid to stand unapologetically begins with being a faithful disciple for God and for what is right. As you of Christ—a lifelong learner who transition into manhood, anchor seeks spiritual maturity and allows yourself to the godly principles God to shape every area of life. He you have been taught. You will challenges young men to become inevitably face setbacks and make leaders who are known not simply mistakes, but a man is not defined for their accomplishments, but for by his failures—he is defined by their Christian character at home, his recovery. Use every challenge in the workplace, in the church, as an opportunity to learn, build and throughout the community. resilience, and grow stronger.

Above all, put God first in your life, Deacon Darrell Quarles echoes trust in His plan, and He will guide that same call by encouraging your path." young men to establish a firm spiritual foundation from an early His words remind us that manhood age. is not measured by age, popularity, or success, but by faithfulness, "Young men, your foundation perseverance, and a willingness to begins with obedience to God and honor God in every season of life. your parents. Obedience to God 11

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FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 3509 BLUE SPRING ROAD, NW | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35810 Carlos D. Williams, Senior Pastor