September 6, 2020

Pastoral reflections…

When I consider the caring, the goodness, the love of God that is found in the hearts of the dear members of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, how apropos are the words found in Galatians 6:10:  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  There is a caring, a goodness, a loving spirit that has been shown to this Pastor that is absolutely indescribable; words cannot describe the vastness of the outpouring of the love of the people of Friendship.  And for all that you do for this Pastor, how we thank God for you, and we appreciate all that you do to bless us.  However, I must tell you that this Pastor and his family are not the only recipients of your grace.  As the people of God, you truly do good to “all men.”  You have been and continue to be, a tremendous blessing.  In the community, and in the church, your generosity is a continuing testimony to the faithfulness of God.

Thank you for being a caring people.  The Lord bless you as you continue to be a blessing.  As one of the “household of faith,” thanks for having the “heart of God.”

Pastor J. Amos Jones

August 30, 2020

Once again dear members of Friendship, you have shown the loving, caring, compassionate spirit that you are.  Your “Reverse Parade” on last Sunday is indicative of that caring spirit that is prompted by love.  Let me begin by thanking all of you for a wonderful event.  Sister Jones and I were truly blessed by your outpouring of love and generosity.  How resilient you are.  COVID-19 presented a deterrent to the normal Pastor’s Anniversary celebration, but you found a way.  How amazing, but it is true, we can find a way to do what we want to do.  The truth is, as a church, Friendship’s love, caring, and compassion has been on display for forty-seven years.

This Pastor can certainly relate to King David in 2 Samuel 7 when God promised eternal blessing.  “Then went King David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” (2 Samuel 7:18).  For forty-seven years God has directed this Pastor in such a marvelous way.  It’s as God has been better to him, than He has been to anyone else.  We know that God is no respector of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him (Acts 10:34-35).

Thank you Friendship.  Good followship aids in good leadership.  (Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)).

Be blessed as we continue,

Pastor J. Amos Jones

August 23, 2020

Think this election doesn’t matter?  Think again!  As Christians, we are in the enviable position of being possessors of dual citizenship.  Not only are we American citizens, but more importantly, believers are citizen of the Kingdom of the Most High God.  While we enjoy the benefits of citizenship, we must never forget that these are corresponding responsibilities as well.  Jesus addressed this matter in Matthew 22:21, when He said to the disciples of the Pharisees and to the Herodians: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s”.  The Bible is the constitution of the Kingdom of God and it sets forth the principles for Godly living.  In the same manner The Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1787 and put into effect in 1789, is the basic set of rules and laws that govern this country.  The Constitution assures the rights and liberties of the citizenry.  As a citizen of the United States, I have and you have the constitutional right to VOTE.  Unfortunately, it is a sad commentary that too few of us exercise that right.  Let me give you six reasons why you need to vote on November 3, 2020:

1. Presidential power and Congressional oversight
2. Integrity in government
3. Health Care Reform
4. Economic security
5. Medicare/Medicaid
6. Social Security

As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, I am obligated and you are obligated to help make this world a better place.  As Christians, Jesus says We are the salt of the earth and we are the light of the world.

Dear Ones, please know this, Christians are obligated to vote!  Not only must Christians vote, we must vote intelligently!  A vote is a formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue.  By definition, to vote one must know where the candidates stand on issues that are of concern to the voter.  And likewise, know as best you can, where the candidate stands on those issues that are of concern to the people of faith. 

• Study the issues
• Discuss the issues
• Study the candidates
• Discuss the candidates
• Then VOTE.

The election is November 3, 2020.  As your Pastor, I will never tell you WHO or WHAT to vote for, but I will earnestly encourage you to VOTE.  I need not tell you how important it is for the voice of the Christians be heard.  We are seventy-two days away from the elections.  Do your homework, then vote.

Be blessed as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

August 9, 2020

In the “From the Pastor’s Desk” page of February 16, 2020, this Pastor reflected on women who have contributed significantly to the furtherance of the kingdom of God.  We remembered when we came to Friendship in 1973, there were caring, working and loving women who loved the Lord and His church, and sought the best for their new Pastor.  Women like Addie Lee Dogan, Minnie Ola Branch Johnson, Clara Ellis, Melvina “Susu” Ennis, Katherine Holloway, nurturers indeed, and blessed with many talents.  Sister Holloway was the last remaining of those Spirit-filled, Holy Ghost led women.  For forty-seven years, Sister Holloway has been a blessing to this Pastor and family.  Ms. Katherine, as this Pastor affectionately called her, was loving, kind, caring trust-worthy, with a pronounced work ethic.  Simply put, Ms. Katherine was a Christian woman!

The beloved disciple John put it so well in Revelation 14:13: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:  Yea, saith the Spirit, that they many rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”  God’s people do produce fruit that will transcend this life.  God will remember Ms. Katherine’s love, kindness and faithfulness.  Sister Holloway has left an indelible mark in so many areas at this church.  Truly her works do follow her.  We indeed do thank God for the life and legacy of Sister Katherine Dogan Holloway.  This Pastor’s life and the lives of so many have been made so much better because Ms. Katherine passed along this way.  Truly her life has been a blessing to so many.  Rest in well-deserved peace dear lady.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

August 2, 2020

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).  This Pastor can certainly relate to the call of Abram, and on many levels.  The year is 1973, and I am an Associate Minister (we were called “local preachers” then), at Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church.  I might add my family and I were quite content with the status quo.  (Is it not just like God to disrupt the status quo and to move us out of our place of comfort and away from the familiar?)  Rev. C. L. Miller was the pastor at Friendship at the time.  Pastor Miller asked this “local preacher” to take care of the services at Friendship.  When this pastor and family came to the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on the second Sunday of May, 1973, we found warm, caring, loving people who loved the Lord.  There were not many members and the building was in need of repair, ah, but this was (and still is) a “good church”.

It was not about numbers or physical plant (not then, not now), but it has always been about the Lord, Jesus Christ.  As with Abraham, God has been faithful to this Pastor and to the Friendship family.  For the past forty-seven years corporately, we have been on a journey.  During this journey, we have at some time or another, witnessed all of life’s experiences.  In every circumstance and on every experience of life, God is faithful!  He has truly blessed this Pastor.  I must quote the sweet psalmist of Israel, David:  “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” (1^st Chronicles 17:16(b)) The word “nation” in verse two comes from the Greek “ethnos”, meaning, the characteristic and distinguishing attitudes of a group.  That attitude is Friendship!  You are a friendly people! God has birthed a friendly “nation”, the Friendship Baptist Church.  You have been a blessing to this Pastor and to his family.  And we truly thank you for all that you do for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Be blessed as we continue together.  The best is yet to come.

Pastor J. Amos Jones