For eighty-three years the Ministry of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has set on a table of love, supported by three legs of service, honor, and representation. We are commanded of the Lord to have both horizontal and vertical love. Hear the words of Jesus: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matt. 22:37-39) Love has been the fuel for our journey, and the glue that has kept us together. We are, and have always been, proud to be servants of the most High God. The Apostle Paul states it so well in Col. 3-22, 23: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservices, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Again, Paul says: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11) To honor, is to esteem, or regard highly. Our God is worthy of honor, glory and majesty, dominion and power are His. The doxology given by Paul in1 Timothy 1:17, so speaks of God’s love for Friendship for these eighty-three years, therefore we must join him: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Amen, so let it be.
Since 1940, when Friendship was organized and had worship services in a Brush-Arbor on Boss Gaston Road, God has been faithful! He has brought us “all the way.” Truly, if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, the enemy would have destroyed us. We recognize that we represent the Triune God in a sinful world, we are ambassadors for Christ. We praise God for our eighty-three years of service, and that that service honors God, for we are His workmanship.
Be blessed.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
