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It’s cliche, but be the change you want to see in the world. Lots of people are set in their ways, but seeing someone behave with patience, consistency, and integrity actually moves the needle. Interrupting a church service is a surefire way to make people reject your ideals outright, regardless of the message. Leading by example, on the other hand, makes your values visible without forcing them—and that kind of positive influence tends to reinforce itself over time.
You mention you yourself may be stubborn, you probably wouldn't want some ideal forced down your throat, I imagine most people feel the same way.
I like your examples of home gardening and free educational support, those are real actions that make a difference.
To expand a bit on stubbornness: as I've said in another comment, invest your time on people who agree with the basic idea of your position but disagree with the conclusion.
When you go talk to those people, avoid telling your opinion. Use the Socratic method to make them walk step by step towards the conclusion (see this video, pay attention to how he poses open ended questions). This way, it's the interlocutor arriving at their own conclusion instead of you pushing your ideas on them.
Keep in mind that whenever you start debating, you've lost the opportunity to make them see what you see. Debates are only useful if the target of your activism is someone listening to the debate.