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
MISSION
At Friendly, our mission is to passionately pursue the work of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and to serve, through the Gospel, as a vessel for effecting positive change within the people and communities we touch. Our Mission is founded upon the message revealed in Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV): 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
VISION
The Gospel message encourages hope and grants greater possibility for the life of every believer. It is our vision that convinced of the transforming power of this good news, the light of liberation will shine within and through us, thereby affecting the lives of others around us.
​THE MISSION & VISION CONNECTED
REBIRTH: Preach the gospel to the poor
Our primary calling is to proclaim the Gospel to the poor, or those whose spirits are poor (dead) as a result of sin. By receiving the preached message of hope, rebirth will take place within the heart of each individual, revealing the riches of His amazing grace.
RESTORATION: Recovering of the sight to the blind
Our renewed purpose that stems from our acceptance of His word gives us a new perspective. Our blinded eyes are restored. This spiritual recovery produces promise and possibility within the heart of every new believer. A new-found faith in the good news of Jesus Christ produces restoration of life.
REVIVAL: Set at liberty those who are bruised
Our restored vision sparks within us a vigor and zest from the past. We who were oppressed are now freed from the chains that once bound us. Our painful yesterday is now covered with the soothing medicine of His mercy and grace. Once our souls have been freed, then revival takes place in our lives.
RESSURECTION: Preach the acceptable year of our Lord
Our revived lives reveal the powerful life-changing effect of this good news. This new life represents a complete regeneration the old is entirely new. The “Year of our Lord” represents the present time for salvation. Once we accept the word of the Lord, the Spirit anoints a rebirth, a renewal, a restoration, and a revival, all of which signify an experience of resurrection.
RENEWAL: Heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the Captives
Our hope is generated once His word is planted in our hearts, and as a result, our hearts, which were once broken, are mended by the comforting hand of the Master. Though we were once held captive by the pain of shattered dreams, this good news causes us a renewal of self and purpose - giving us brand new hope for fulfilling our dreams.