Reverend Gleaves successfully pastored the Friendship Baptist Church for 48 years. However, in 1972 his health began to fail and he reluctantly retired from the active ministry of the church. On October 1, 1972, he officially retired from his Pastorate and the church bestowed upon him the honor of Pastor Emeritus of the Friendship Baptist Church.
In September of 1973, another of God's chosen was called to serve as the third pastor and shepherd over this flock of baptized believers, the Reverend G. Thomas Turner, Sr., whose grandparents had served in the Friendship Baptist Church. The late Deacon John Martin, Rev. Turner's grandfather, served on the Deacon Board, and the late Sister Susie Martin, his grandmother, was a faithful member of the Missionary Society.
Since assuming the pastorate of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church many accomplishments have been made under Pastor Turner's leadership. The most notable are the souls won to Christ. He has also added greatly to the fellowship of the church and led in erecting a new church ediface in which the Friendship family entered in March of 1984.
In August of 1993, Pastor Turner led the congregation in the Liquidation of the Mortgage of this church edifice. In 1995 we expanded the church edifice by adding a balcony, an education wing, enlarging the parking area, and opening the Friendship Christian Learning Center – a daycare center that serves the entire community.
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is a member of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Lott Carey Foreign Missionary, Ohio Baptist General Association and all local and district auxiliaries sponsored by this body.
The church has auxiliaries and groups to meet all needs and concerns.
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