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.

(Assistant to the Pastor, Sunday School Teachers, Youth Ministry)

 

Reverend 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 assistant to the pastor, 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 Principal at ALC West and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education. Minister Burns was recently ordained (December 19, 2010) by Friendship Church. Deaconess Shirley Burns is church treasurer,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.

(Church School Superintendent, Clergy Associate)

 

Reverend 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.Minister Griffin was recently ordained (December 19, 2010) by Friendship Church. He is employed with Lee County Transit Authority. His wife, Deaconess 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. The Griffins are the parents of two children and have one grandchild.

(Clergy Associate & Assistant SS Superintendent)

 

Reverend Billy Thomas was born in Hayti, Missouri. He moved to Fort Myers in 1966 where he met and married Patricia Barnes. They have been married 25 years and have seven children and fourteen grandchildren. Minister Thomas served in the military (U.S. Army and Army Reserve) for a total of 22 year retiring in 1994 as E-6 Staff Sergeant. Deaconess Patricia Barnes Thomas is a native of Fort Myers, and was an employee of the Lee School District for 20 years. Brother Thomas became a member of Friendship Church in 2009 and is a clergy associate and Assistant SS Superintendent. Minister Thomas was recently ordained (December 19, 2010) by Friendship Church. Mrs.Thomas has been a member of Friendship Church since 1974. She was baptized by the shepherd.

(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.

(Clergy Associate)

 

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. He is the father of a son and daughter

(Director of Music Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Ministry)

 

Send E-mail to Rose E. Govan

 

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.

 

(Percussionist)

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

(Media Ministry)

Ms. Jarryion Streets has been apart of the Media Ministry since 2014.

 

(Media Ministry)

Mrs.Paris Lewis has been a member of the Media Ministry since 2015.

(Church Custodian, Media Ministry)

Jerald Brown serves the church as custodian and Media Ministry Director. He is efficient in both ministry services.

(Media Ministry)

Mrs. Tiffany Salters has been apart of the Media Ministry since 2015.