Breath of Life Church Proclaims Christ Through Compassion and Community

From May 13 through May 23, Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, experienced a powerful demonstration of what can happen when the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed not only through words, but also through compassionate action.

The Compassion Project was a community-centered evangelistic effort designed to meet people where they were, address practical needs, build meaningful relationships, and ultimately point individuals to the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Through a collaborative effort involving various ministries and members of the Breath of Life Church family, the church opened its doors and its heart to the surrounding community.

Under the leadership of Dr. Colby Matlock, Pastor Alexis Myers, Assistant Pastor of Breath of Life, and Pastor Daniel Hall, the leading coordinator, the evangelistic team sought to demonstrate the gospel in a tangible and uplifting way. Dr. Colby Matlock served as the evangelist, proclaiming the Word of God and inviting individuals to make a life-changing decision for Christ.

The response was extraordinary: 47 individuals were baptized into the family of God. The Compassion Project extends far beyond the number of baptisms. The initiative embodied the belief that evangelism is most powerful when people experience the love of Christ in both proclamation and action. Throughout the effort, the church distributed diapers, gift cards, gas cards, shoes, backpacks, and other resources to help meet practical needs within the community.

The Compassion Project also created opportunities to connect community members with organizations and ministries that could provide continued support and encouragement. Visitors were introduced to a variety of community resources, including the local fire department, police canine unit, mental health ministries, aging ministries, and other service-oriented organizations. These connections were intended to empower individuals and families with resources, relationships, and support that could help them become stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

What made this effort especially meaningful was the spirit of collaboration. Ministries throughout Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church worked together with a common purpose: to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a loving, compassionate, relevant, and transformative way. Rather than viewing evangelism as simply an event, the Compassion Project demonstrated evangelism as a ministry of presence—meeting people in their places of need, listening to their stories, serving them with dignity, and creating pathways toward hope.

The project reflected the words and ministry of Jesus, who consistently demonstrated compassion before, during, and after proclaiming the kingdom of God. By combining the proclamation of Scripture with tangible expressions of love and service, Breath of Life was able to communicate a powerful message: the gospel cares about the whole person.

The Compassion Project was truly a team effort—a collective expression of the mission of Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church and its commitment to being a blessing to the Fort Washington community. Through preaching, prayer, service, relationship-building, and compassionate outreach, the church demonstrated that when the people of God come together with one heart and one purpose, the gospel can become visible in the community.

The success of the Compassion Project was not simply that people came to church. It was that the church went beyond its walls, entered the community, served with compassion, proclaimed Christ, and helped people discover hope.

The Compassion Project stands as a testimony to what is possible when evangelism and compassion walk hand in hand—and a powerful reminder that the love of Jesus can transform lives, strengthen families, and bring hope to an entire community.

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Forty-seven people were baptized. Countless needs were touched. Families were strengthened. Community connections were established. And, most importantly, Christ was lifted up.

The 47 baptisms represent lives transformed and families impacted, but they are also a reminder that every number represents a person with a story, a family with hopes and challenges, and an individual whom God deeply loves.

Colby A. Matlock, Sr., DMin, Senior Pastor

11310 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744 • (301) 292-2100 • www.bolchurchmd.org