Pastor Jackie Bernad Edwards is the Pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Edwards has been the pastor of this great church for the past thirteen years. Under his leadership Pastor Edwards has taken Greater Friendship from a small store front church with a membership of thirty-five, to a brand new facility built from the ground up, to a membership now more than one hundred and fifty.

Pastor Edwards is the fourth of eight children, born to John and Edna Edwards of Palatka, Florida. He was called as a preacher of the gospel in May 1995 under the leadership of the late Dr. Samuel; Atchinson of Miami, Florida. He served as the Assistant Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Miami, Florida, until his relocation to St. Lucie County in 2008, where he continued to preach the gospel under the leadership of Pastor Clarence L. Ingram, pastor of Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. 

Pastor Edwards is a leader’s leader and has devoted himself to the betterment of man through the preaching and teaching of the pure word of God. 

During his short time here in St. Lucie County, he has gained the upmost respect from his congregation and peers; which includes, pastors, commissioners, police officials and county officials. He serves as a member of the 100 Black Men Group of mentoring and guidance for young men. He is also a member of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence headed by Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and is a veteran of the United States Navy where he served for twelve years until a serious knee injury occurred while playing football for the U.S. Navy. During his tenure in the U.S. Navy, he received his education as a Marriage Counselor, Pastoral Counseling, leadership and management. 

Pastor Edwards and First Lady Audrey Edwards, were joined in holy matrimony, February 14, 2009. She is a true woman of God and has stood by his side in good times as well as bad, and has made his pastoring much more enjoyable. He is the father of three children; Travis, Tiffany and Tynesia. He has also been blessed with eight grandchildren.