Wow! J. Amos Jones has been Pastor of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for forty-nine years.  As we reflect on that period of leadership, there have been three constants throughout that entire period.  First of all, there has been the faithfulness of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church.  There has not been a time when He was not there.  Early on, this Pastor learned that we CAN do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us.  It has been assuring to know that His perpetual presence is with us in everything.  The Old Testament Prophet Amos spoke to the calling of this Amos: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go,prophesy unto my people Israel” (Amos 7:14-15).

The second constant has been the commitment of this Pastor to God, to His work, and to His people.  This Pastor’s first sermon was “Debts That Have To Be Paid,” taken from Romans 1:14-16.  Just as Paul’s debt was to Christ for being his Savior, and it was payable to the entire world, so it has been with this Pastor for fifty-five years of preaching the gospel, the Good News of salvation, and feeding the flock of God.  The commitment has always been to God who “took him as he delivered the mail for the United States Postal Service.”  Obedience has always been the test of a faithful servant of God.

Lastly, there has been the loving kindness, the care and compassion, and the concern of the people for the Pastor.  There has been the embodiment of  Mt. 10:41: “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward”  Dear members, we have come this far by faith, let us continue.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Join us Sunday, July 24, 2022 at 3:00 to celebrate our Pastor’s & First Lady’s 49th Anniversary of faithful service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

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