There are many, this Pastor included, that will characterize Friendship Baptist Church as a “good church.” The question then begs to be asked, what is a good church? There are those who will say facetiously, “Friendship gives a lot of money away in helping people pay rent, pay light bills,” etc., which then makes us a “good church” to the recipient of those funds. While Friendship does have a helpful benevolent program, that is a superficial answer.  What makes a “good church” is a profound question when the answer lies in the pages of the Holy Writ.

A good church is one where there is agape love. Love that is vertical and love that is horizontal. Love for God and love for his creation. Hear the words of Jesus; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Mt. 22:57). Christian should live in perfect harmony. Paul calls it “perfectness” in Col. 3:14. This does not eliminate all differences in opinion, but loving Christians will work together despite their differences.

A “good church” is one where there is unity. It is possible to believe in Christ, work hard for his Kingdom, and yet have broken relationships with others who are committed to the same cause. Example, Euodias and Syntyche members of the Philippian church, (Phil. 4:2). These two women had been workers for Christ and the church.  Their broken relationship was no small matter because many had become believers through their efforts.

A good church is one where sound doctrine is taught and preached. Paul says, “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believe it” (Romans 1:16). To Titus, Paul says “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:6).  I submit that FMBC is a loving, unified church where sound doctrine is taught and preached.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The Holy Ghost inspired revival is a gift from the Father, that keeps on giving. As we have said, as a result of a revival, we are not only revived, we are also restored, refreshed, our strength is renewed and our human spirit is resurrected. Friendship Church will certainly serve at a higher level because of the revival. There is a greater awareness of the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The marvelous plan of salvation was initiated by God the Father. “For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4c). The plan of salvation was consummated by His Son and our Savior, Jesus the Christ. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17). Lastly, God’s plan and salvation is perpetuated by the Holy Spirit of God. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come .” (John 16:13).

We thank God for the Revival and Soul-saving campaign of 2022.  It was an awesome move of God. Of course, a special thanks to our Evangelist, Pastor Earl Whitaker. The Lord used him to His glory. The gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believe it; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. There was a coming together in excellence by all that served during the Revival, the Deacons, the choir (they were great), the ushers, the sound technician, the cleaning staff, and of course, our preachers.

To all, a big “God bless you.”

Pastor J. Amos Jones

The annual Revival in Soul Saving Campaign for 2022 begins Wednesday, July 6, 2022, and will continue thru Friday, July 8, 2022. Here are several things you ought know about Revivals and soul saving efforts. One, Revivals are “prayed down from the Father”. Hear the word of the Lord: “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37, 38 KJV).

We, at Friendship, began our efforts with pre-revival prayer meeting. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone will show them how. We are commanded of the Lord to pray that people will respond to this need for laborers. God answers our prayers by using us. (Holy Spirit, help us pray, pay, and witness). Let me remind you that “he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30b). The Revival helps us restore wandering believers. James tells us “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19, 20).

Revive is defined as “to live again more vigorously”. We expect these spiritual benefits from the revival:

• Renewed strength
• Refreshment
• Restoration
• Resurrection

Hear the words of William P. MacKay from the wonderful Revive Us Again:

“Hallelujah, thine the glory!

Hallelujah, Amen

Hallelujah, thine the glory!

Revive us again.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

In Psalms 8, the Psalmist poses a profound question: “What is man,that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” We know that man is the crowning glory of His creation, and that he is made in the image, and after the likeness of the Triune God. What is Man? God’s instrumentality. What is man? Servants of the most High God. Servants who understand that they are to occupy till He comes. The companion question for us is: “Who are the men of Friendship Baptist Church?”

The men of Friendship are men who have been saved and sanctified, that is, set apart for the work of the Kingdom. Who are the men of Friendship? They are men of diverse backgrounds, desires, expectations, however, they all share in their love of the Lord. Here in the church, they are Preachers, Deacons, Trustees, teachers, cooks, and lay members. They are men who understand the provisions of Psalm 133:1-3, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life evermore.”  (Thank you, brethren, for the joy of brotherhood).  Lastly, the men of Friendship understand that we live by Biblical principles and standards and not by comparisons. Men, thank you for your service and be blessed on this, your day.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

On this weekend as we celebrate Juneteenth, please remember that while its historical value is of great importance, its spiritual value is of a greater importance.  On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas and announced the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation, that the slaves in Texas were free. The slaves were free!  Slavery was the most dehumanizing evil, the greatest example of man’s inhumanity to man.  In Genesis 1:26, created man was given dominion over much of God’s creation, but he was never given dominion over another man. It is out of a Genesis 6:5 heart that we see the thought process that can produce slavery: (And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually). Only an evil heart could birth slavery, but we serve a God who is a deliverer. “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians” (Exodus 3:7, 8a). God is the sovereign Lord who sees, and He hears, and He cares. It was the delivering God that prompted President Abraham Lincoln in September 1862, to issue the Emancipation Proclamation that would be effective January 1, 1863. Evil delayed but could not stop the hand of God. On June 19, 1865, Juneteenth, word came to Texas. To God be the glory for His delivering power.

Pastor J. Amos Jones