FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

 

We praise those few humble souls who laid the foundation upon which we build.  Thanks are to God for the great things Pastor Sanders did through the stewardship of Friendship Baptist Church.

 

Pastor Willie J. Sanders ceased from his labors as a shepherd only through death on April 11, 2002.  The Pulpit Committee that was elected, Chairman, Deacon Turner Bodiford, Sr. provided the congregation a continuation of the spoken word through various invited guest ministers each Sunday.

 

On November 3, 2002, God laid His hands on a young yet divinely called, Pastor Dharius M. Daniels of Jackson, Mississippi as the third Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church.  He is married to the former Shameka Gooden.

 

In the fall of 2001, Rev. Daniels matriculated as the Princeton Theological Seminary, and immediately after leaving one family, found another at the Friendship Baptist Church under the late Rev. Dr. Willie James Sanders.  Little did Rev. Daniels know that within the next year he would face two giants: the birth of his son Dharius Seth Daniels, and being called to shepherd God’s people at the Friendship Baptist Church.  This was again clearly God showing favor.

 

Again in 2002 to present, God has poured our blessings, financially, spiritually, and with an increase in membership.  Under the leadership of Rev. Daniels, Friendship Baptist Church has witnessed through the power and will of God, numerical and spiritual growth and such ministries as New Members, Yoke Fellows Ministry, Hospitality and Greeters Ministry, Adult Literacy Enhancement Programs (GED), Narcotics Anonymous, Boyz to Men Mentoring program, Elect Ladies Praise Dance Ministry, Praise and Worship Team, Men of Valor Men’s Ministry, and many more.  Rev. Daniels believed that the church of God is to possess a kingdom agenda where the love of God moved beyond the four walls of God’s house and manifests itself in the world.

 

Past motto was:  “The Church Where Everybody is Somebody”

 

Present motto is:  “A Community Church with a Kingdom Agenda”

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Harriet C. Denson

Historian