A very Brief History of Friendship Baptist Church
Friendship Baptist Church began as Lauder Baptist Mission. The Lauder Mission was started as a mission of First Baptist Church, Mexico with the stated purpose of reaching the community of Rivers Addition. At that time the “Mission” met in a small building that still stands at the end of State Road JJ on US Hwy 54. The Louder Mission organized into a church after about 2 years and moved to Friendship Drive and was renamed Friendship Baptist Church. Some difficulties included church members becoming stuck as a basement was being dug by hand under the building, - when a huge amount of rain fell during he basement project. It was a grand time as the church grew in number and decided to relocate again in the early 1960's to its present location (4500 E. Liberty -[US Hwy 54]) which is only 2 blocks from the location of the original “Mission” and only 3 blocks due north of the building used to house the first organized church.
Friendship has had several pastors including Rev. Bob Kennison, who later became the head of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home in Bridgeton, MO, Rev. Les Elam, pastor at the time of the move to the present building, Rev Marvin Jones, our pastor for 23 years, (now serving Southside Baptist Church of Vandalia, MO ), Rev. Gary Thomas left us to pursue missions in Alaska, Rev. John Crowley, (only here a few years) and had to leave due physical injuries suffered from an automobile accident, Rev. Craig Stevens was with us for 11 years. Our present pastor, Bro. Glenn Forman came to us February of 2005. He served as our interim and was led to become our pastor in October of 2005.
Through the years we have taken church and youth mission trips to various places including; Old Mexico, Nebraska and Colorado.
In the past few years God has especially blessed our church as we have become more effective in reaching our community for Christ.
