GREATER FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

A little over Eighteen years ago, God saw fit to gather together a small group of His children who were diligently seeking after His righteousness. He gathered them together in one Fold as He saw their need of a place to worship Him in holiness.

It was He who said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” God provided a place where they could worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. With the Leadership of the Holy Spirit, they were led to organize and become the church that it is today. To God be the Glory!

After meeting for about five months in the home of Deacon Willie and Catherine Long, few of the people who were meeting on Sunday morning for worship, increased to almost thirty two. It was suggested by Mother Cleo Leath that due to the continued increase, that maybe we should organize a church. The Body of Believers, who decided not to return to Friendship, agreed with her.

On January 13, 2004 those who were interested in organizing a new church met at the home of Deacon Isaiah and Helen Lucas to discuss a proposal to organize. A motion to organize was sounded by Ms. Leath and seconded by Deacon Henry Parish. The vote was unanimous. Several names for the church were suggested, but the name, Greater Friendship MB Church received the most votes.

A second meeting was scheduled for February 26, 2004 to officially organize the new church. This meeting was held at the Sunland Garden Clubhouse on Avenue Q and 35th Street. Several members from the Florida East Coast Baptist Association were there to assist. Following the appointing and election of officers and ministries, all 28 who were present were given the Right Hand of Fellowship as members in deed of Greater Friendship MB Church.

Then on Sunday, February 29, 2004 GFMBC began having Worship Service at the Club Utilitas Teen Center.

Greater Friendship later moved from the Teen Center to the 13th and Avenue M location.

On May 26, 2005 we received Rev. Jace Walker as our first Pastor. The church continued to increase in membership and other ministries were formed. Pastor Walker introduced a three year sacrificial pledge. Later on. a parcel of property was purchased on S. 33rd Street and shortly thereafter, the second parcel of property was purchased, making GFMBC the Blessed owners of an entire city block. On a sad note, Pastor Walker resigned on May 10, 2009 to follow his dreams of Evangelism.

Following the tenure of Pastor Walker, we received our second pastor, Rev. A.S. Carter on January 9, 2010. Under Rev. Carter, membership still continued to increase. On Sunday May 22, 2011, Rev. Carter preached his last sermon before presenting his Letter of Resignation. Shortly afterward, GFMBC moved to East Okeechobee Road. A few months following the resignation of Rev. Carter, Rev. Michael Taylor became the Interim Pastor for about six months.

Later, January 2012 we received our third and present pastor, Rev. Jackie B. Edwards. Under the leadership of Pastor Edwards Greater Friendship has continued to flourish and grow. We have continued in prayer seeking God’s blessing of a Church home where we would not have to keep moving from place to place.

On Sunday March 23, 2014 immediately following morning Worship Service, the congregation traveled over to the new church site for a ground-breaking ceremony. Then about six months before the church construction was complete, once again we had to move to West Okeechobee Road because the owners sold the building. With each move, we knew there had to be just one more move.

Beginning in 2014, God blessed us to begin and complete the building of the new Sanctuary. We received the “Certificate of Occupancy” on February 9, 2015.

Our New Church Dedication Program took place on February 15, 2015 with Greater New Bethel and Pastor, Rev. Clarence Ingram delivering the Dedication Message.

Because we kept the faith and never gave up, God blessed us to reap the benefits of this beautiful Sanctuary where we can assemble on one accord to praise and worship Him, the God of this Place.

Under the leadership of Pastor Edwards, the church membership has continued to increase.

“LET ALL THAT WE DO BE TO THE GLORY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!!! AMEN.

Your humble Servant,

PASTOR JACKIE B. EDWARDS