Our Staff Members The staff at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church has spent many years devoted to the Christian faith. Our staff enjoys sharing that faith and knowledge with others in the church and non-church communities. Here are a few of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church's staff members, starting with Pastor James A. Bing:

James A. Bing  (Pastor/Shepherd)  James A. Bing has served the Lord in preaching ministry since 1960. He became pastor of Friendship Church in January, 1974, having previously served as pastor of Greater Union First Baptist Church, Deland, Florida (1964-1972). He was educated at Edward Waters College and Lee Seminary. He has been involved in denominational, cross-cultural and interracial ministries since 1964 and is a community advocate. He is a capable preacher and teacher of the Word of God. He has a keen interest in young people and is known throughout the community for hospital and home visitation, his compassion for the unsaved, the unchurched, the homeless, substance abusers, and his respect for and support of civil authority and proper law enforcement. He is affectionately called "the shepherd" by the members of Friendship Church. He is the father of four sons and one daughter.

Nathaniel/Stephanie Bonner  (Pastor's Assistant/Sunday School Teacher; Sunday School Teacher/Church Treasurer)  The Reverend Nathaniel Bonner and Deaconess Stephanie Bonner are longtime members of Friendship Church. They have been married 32 years and have four children and four grandchildren. Rev. Bonner serves as assistant to the pastor and is teacher of the Adult Men 2 Sunday Bible Class. He is retired military, and is a graduate of Barry University. He is presently employed with the United States Postal Service.  Deaconess Stephanie Bonner presently serves the church as Church Treasurer and as a teacher of the Senior High Girls Bible class. She is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, and is employed with the Lee County Public Education Center.

Anthony and Carletha Griffin  (Church School Superintendent, Clergy Associate) Minister Anthony Griffin is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife, Carletha relocated to Fort Myers in 1994 and have been members of Friendship Church since  1995. They have been married 36 years. In May 2005, Minister Griffin acknowledged his call to preach and has continued his commitment to God to spread the Gospel. He currently serves as a clergy associate and is Superintendent of the Church school.He is co-teacher of the Senior High Bible class and assists the pastor as a substitute teacher of the Tuesday evening Band of Brothers Bible study. He is employed with Lee County Transit Authority. His wife, Mrs. Carletha Griffin, is his administrative assistant and co-teacher of the Senior High Bible class. She is a graduate of Barry University and is owner of a consulting firm that specializes in assisting minority and women business owners connect with local, state, and federal government agencies.

Willie Cutts  (Clergy Associate, Sunday School Teacher)  Minister Willie Cutts is a native of Daytona Beach, Florida. Inspired by his mother who taught him the importance of trusting God, the value of a good education, and the rewards of hard work, he finished high school, and joined the U.S. Army in 1979. He served his country as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He served in Iraq (1990-91) and retired from the military in 2001. He is currently employed with the Lee School District as an Army JROTC Instructor. In February 2004 he acknowledged his call to the ministry and is a clergy associate and Sunday School teacher at Friendship Church. Minister Cutts is a 2009 graduate of Barry University. He is the father of one son and the grandfather of a beautiful baby girl. His life Bible verse is John 1:13.

Kenneth and Shirley Burns  (Clergy Associate, Sunday School Teacher) Minister Kenneth Burns and his wife Shirley are natives of Louisiana. They relocated to Fort Myers in 1991 and immediately joined Friendship Church. They have been married 36 years and have two children and one grandchild. Minister Burns is active in all phases of church ministry. He currently serves as clergy associate, lead teacher for the Young Adult Sunday Bible Class, teen Instructor for the weekly youth night program, vacation bible school teacher, sings in the gospel choir and the men’s choir, and eagerly accepts other ministerial projects as the need arises. He’s committed to the development of a Christian mentoring program that provides a vehicle through which the Holy Spirit can work, enabling us to be thriving Christians as we follow Jesus, while investing in the lives of others. He is an Assistant Principal at North Fort Myers High School and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education. Mrs. Shirley Burns is an assistant teacher for the Young Adult Sunday Bible Class, vacation bible school teacher, and assistant teacher for the weekly youth night program:, Primary Boys and Girls. She recently retired from the City of Cape Coral and now manages the Cape Coral Branch of the Home Ownership Resource Center, specializing in assisting first time homebuyers with property acquisition, budget and credit counseling, and pre and post purchase homebuyer education. Minister and Mrs. Burns are committed disciples of Christ and are very active in the community; always seeking opportunities to help those less fortunate.

Gerald Newton  (Clergy Associate, Youth Ministry)  The Reverend Gerald Anthony Newton is a native of Fort Myers, Florida. He was baptized at Friendship Church in 1974 by Pastor Bing. He is a graduate of Fort Myers High School. He is one of three brothers serving the Lord in ministry. He is a clergy associate at Friendship Church and assists as a Sunday School teacher and is involved in Youth Ministry. He is the father of a son and daughter

Rose E. Govan  (Director of Music Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Ministry)  Rose Eady Govan is a lifetime resident of Fort Myers. Upon completion of High School, she took her love of learning to Florida Memorial University where she majored in Music Education. After graduating from Florida Memorial University, she returned to Fort Myers where she was employed with the Lee School District for 35 years as a Music Specialist. She retired in 2005. Ms. Eady Govan is a devoted member of Friendship Church and serves faithfully as Director of Music, Assistant Youth Director and Sunday School Teacher. She is a gifted pianist and singer and seeks to inspire, uplift, encourage, and change lives through the power of God's Word. More importantly, Ms. Eady Govan is a child of God and gives Him glory for her achievements.

Rasheed Golden  (Associate Music Director, Choir Director, and Organist/Keyboard Specialist) Rasheed Golden is a native of Fort Myers, Florida. He is an accomplished musician and is skilled on the organ, piano, keyboard, and drums. After attending the University of Wisconsin for two years, he returned home and rejoined the Music Ministry at Friendship Church. He is the Associate Director of Music,  directs the Sanctuary and Gospel Choirs; and also assists with the Media Ministry. Rasheed is a dedicated member of the Friendship family. He is a 2008 graduate of Hodges University.

Shuntavious Smith, Sr.  (Percussionist) Shuntavious Smith, Sr. is the church percussionist. He has served in Music Ministry at Friendship Church since 1994.

Jerald Brown  (Church Custodian, Media Ministry) Jerald Brown serves the church as custodian and Media Ministry Director. He is efficient in both ministry services.

Emanuel Seawright, Jr.  (Media Ministry Assistant) Emanuel Seawright, Jr. has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Most members of our staff can be reached via E-mail or please feel free to contact us through our contact form.