about us

Early Beginnings....

Rev. Robert Fulton Davis accepted a call to the preaching ministry in the early 1940's. Later in 1955, he was led to organize a church and fondly named it Friendly Temple. During his tenure the church cultivated charter members who would become foundational witnesses helping to create a ministry of hope in an urban community later to be called a wilderness. As the church grew in vision and determination, Pastor Davis was providentially nurturing one to walk in his footsteps. And before climbing the eternal mountain to glory, he like Moses spiritually passed the torch to one whom God had pre-ordained to lead His people into the next level of blessings.

The succession of Moses and Joshua is a Biblical fact: our next leader is in the likeness of Joshua, one names Rev. Michael F. Jones, Sr. He was given the torch, which he has carried high casting a bright light into the lives of an ever-growing congregation and developing community. He has continued to build upon the foundation established by those early servants whose faith surpassed their abilities and circumstances. After 39 blessed years of preparation for the promise, the leadership of Pastor Jones has extended our ministry into new heights, prompting an opportunity for the people of Friendly to celebrate over 64 years with great joy. We firmly believe that the Lord has preserved our past, given provision for our present, and we anticipate Him honoring our future.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and to serve to effect positive change within the people and communities we touch. Our mission is founded upon the message revealed within Luke 4:18-19:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; Because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

The Gospel message encourages hope and grants greater possibility for the life of every believer. It is our vision that the transforming power of the Good News of Jesus Christ will shine the light of liberation within and through us to renew hearts, restore perspectives and revive possibilities.

Our Pastor

Bishop Michael Fulton Jones, Sr. has a great enthusiasm for God's Word and His people. His commitment is exemplified through service and by living the principle based on "the least of these." At the heart of this principle is the belief that God can take the life of those counted out, the oppressed and the overlooked and by His grace change lives and raise a standard allowing them to walk in a new way of life.

Bishop Jones’ educational accomplishments include an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with minors in Marketing and Management. He attended Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where he received his Master of Arts Degree in General Theological Studies. Pastor Jones has also studied extensively abroad in Rome, France, Switzerland and Jerusalem.

On the 24th of October, 2019, Pastor Jones was consecrated as a Bishop through the Bearen Fellowship led by Bishop Timothy Joseph Clarke.

He and his wife, Phyllis, are proud parents of three children, Kawonza (Angus), Michael, Jr. and Joshua and the proud grandparents of granddaughter Nyla Camille (Angus and Kawonza) and grandson Michael, III (Michael).

SPIRITUAL & COMMUNITY LEADER

Bishop Michael F. Jones is a highly recognized community and spiritual leader who serves with excellence and integrity as Senior Pastor of Friendly Temple M.B. Church. He has made a significant impact in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area with a special focus on community revitalization, outreach and development, and economic empowerment. Through his efforts, over $125+ million dollars has been invested in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

VISIONARY

In 1996, Bishop Jones created Robert Fulton Community Development, Inc. to invest in the North St. Louis community and provide services to enrich the lives of area residents. This advocacy has stabilized a community providing self-sufficiency, empowerment, and growth. Community services to name a few include Noah’s Ark Summer Camp for Children, “Free N One” Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Incarceration Support, Aftercare and numerous family enrichment classes. Robert Fulton Development, Inc. has brought new life to the community with many projects including Arlington Grove Housing Project, Friendly Senior Village Apartments, Friendly Temple Child Development Center, Friendly Temple Learning Center, Family Life Center, Langston Resource Center and Wellston Outreach. Economic empowerment efforts are evidenced by the recent opening of a full service bank on the Friendly campus to serve the nearby unbanked and underbanked community.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bishop Jones currently serves as Board Chairman of Robert Fulton Development, Inc., and as Board President of Friendly Village Apartments. He has affiliations with many organizations and serves on multiple boards throughout the metro area and region.