What About Evangelism?
Greetings from Waco, Texas! While we often share updates from our smaller communities around the world, today we want to highlight what God is doing here in Texas, at what we call “the hub.” This is our largest community and serves as a center for ministry, teaching, and the distribution of literature to strengthen our shared mission.
A common question we hear—whether from a visitor enjoying the bustling Café Homestead, shopping at our farmer’s market, or joining a school tour—is: “What about evangelism? Does your church reach out to share the gospel?”
This question often comes from an automatic assumption about intentional communities: that they tend to be isolationist. People may expect a closed-off enclave, but instead, they encounter a thriving, open community that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Our members usually smile and reply, “Well, you’re here…” It’s a gentle reminder that evangelism is happening all around them. Whether through the hundreds served daily at Café Homestead, the vibrant exchanges at our farmer’s market, or the steady stream of visitors to our craft village, we are constantly engaging with the world. Seasonal events like our craft fairs and Christmas and Easter concerts create even more opportunities to share our lives and faith.
Beyond this, our ministers have spent months this year strengthening smaller communities worldwide and meeting with other Christians seeking deeper connection with God. Through all of this, we aim to embody the gospel in a way that invites others to ask, “What makes this life different?”
A Life That Preaches
We believe the gospel is best shared through a life that bears fruit. As St. Francis of Assisi is quoted: “Preach the gospel always—and when necessary, use words.” Early in our church’s history, Brother Blair encouraged us to let our lives prompt the questions to which Christ is the answer.
This principle has guided us from the beginning: we prioritize living in a way that reflects the transformative power of God. And we see the fruit. From baptisms in Mexico to spiritual renewals in Africa, to the lives changed right here in Texas, God is drawing people to Himself through a community that strives to live His truth daily.
Lives Transformed by the Gospel
This past week, we celebrated the baptism of twelve individuals, which brings us to over forty in this local fellowship, not including numerous additional baptisms overseas and in congregations around the U.S. Seven of these baptized this week were members of the third generation of our church in Waco, pledging their lives to continue advancing God’s kingdom. Alongside them, three individuals from outside the community, each with unique stories of transformation, joined through baptism.
Caden Gately
Caden’s story reflects the dissonance and struggles many families face in today’s world. Caden described that his family joined our community at a time when he was experiencing relational breakdowns, inner strife, and the dissonance of addiction to video games and corrosive media, another example of the isolation and disengagement so common in modern life. Through their time in the community, the Gately family found healing, renewal, and purpose. This week, Caden made his own commitment to follow Christ fully, sealing that decision through baptism.
Jackie Dueck
Jackie, the daughter of Benny and Erma Dueck, comes from a Mennonite community in Chihuahua, Mexico. Her family had been seeking more of God and connected with our community in Deary, Idaho. Through her time there, Jackie experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence and became convinced this church was where she would fulfill her calling in God’s kingdom. This week, she committed her life fully through baptism.
David Pierson
David’s journey to God is a testament to His relentless grace. Raised by an aunt in California after his parents succumbed to addiction, David spent years searching for peace in Eastern religions, distractions, and drugs. But an encounter with God led him to pursue truth. In 2023, he attended one of our conferences and recognized the power and presence of God among us. Through discipleship, David found repentance, freedom from sin, and a spiritual family. This week, he sealed his commitment through baptism.
A Growing Community of Faith
Every candidate for baptism comes after a journey of deep repentance and a willingness to surrender everything to God. We rejoice in seeing people—whether raised among us or drawn from afar—be transformed by the gospel and join this journey of total commitment to Jesus. As Acts 2:47 declares, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
We believe God continues to build and sustain our community, not through our own efforts but by His Spirit. Together, we celebrate these testimonies and the ongoing work of His kingdom.
May this inspire all of us to live lives that reflect His glory and invite others into the joy of His kingdom!
