Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
E-newsletter, January 2019
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 
Announces Dr. Corey D. Brown as New Pastor


Mobile, Ala.,-Excitement and optimism are building as Friendshippians start a new chapter on January 6, 2019, when Rev. Dr. Corey D. Brown, D.Min. will preach his first sermon as the new pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC). 
 
“I’m excited about this new opportunity,” Brown stated. “This is a great honor. I know there were many capable and qualified candidates, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve this great church.” 
 
Brown has nearly 20 years in ministry. He is the former pastor of Moses Missionary Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. and Sunset Missionary Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas, prior to accepting the position at FMBC. He is a native of Sacramento, Ca. He accepted the call to preach at the age of 19. 
 
Brown received his bachelor of science in religion and his master of science in religious education from Liberty University. He also obtained a doctorate in ministry from the United Theological Seminary. Brown has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas Christian University. He is a published author with his first book, “Black Fathers-The Living Dead,” focusing on the root cause of absenteeism in the African-American community.
 
Brown has a passion for teaching God’s word. He’s excited about being the new pastor and looks forward to engaging and growing at Friendship.
 
He is a proud husband of Rashawn Brown and father to Xavier, 23, U.S Army; Elijah, 20, college student, Albany State; Abria, 18; Cori 17; Izayah, 14; Raymond, 12; and Joshua, 9. 
 
To learn more about Dr. Brown, please see the question and answer session done by the public relations ministry conducted via telephone interview:
 
 
Question What will you bring to Friendship?
Answer:  Practical preaching that’s relevant, lively teaching and dynamic leadership are the things I will bring to the church. I’ve been blessed and fortunate to grow ministries in previous pastoral roles. I’m definitely expecting tremendous growth at FMBC.
 
Question:   Describe your leadership style?
Answer:  I believe in excellence in everything we do. I’m a leader that gives autonomy to other leaders in the church. I embrace creativity, new ideas, new things that are relevant for the church and the community. I’m the kind of leader that is out of the box, but under control.
 
Question: What do you think are the core characteristics of an effective pastor?
The pastor has to be Spirit led, Holy Spirit led and Holy Spirit driven. He must understand the will of God for the people of God and really want that for the people of God. The pastor has to somehow duplicate himself in the other leaders where it's one pulse, one sound, we're one band. We're unified. The greatest challenge is getting everyone – all the leaders and the church at large on the same page. Those dynamics make a great leader
 
 
Question:   Why did you decide to become a minister? When were you called to preach?
Answer: I accepted the calling at the age of 19. However, I was 'mocking' preachers since I was seven years old. I would come home after church and go into the bathroom to find a hair brush or toothbrush and make that my microphone and start trying to preach like my pastor. However, at the age of 19 I felt this undeniable pull and clear, glaring call from God. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. 
 
In fact, one of my mentors for the first five or six years of my preaching ministry was the asst. pastor and son of Pastor (Rev. Sylvester Ronnie Howards Howard) of Trinity Baptist Church in Sacramento, Ca. I grew up in Trinity Baptist Church in Sacramento, Ca. He was my mentor for the first five or six years of my preaching ministry.
 
Question:   Have you held other jobs besides being a minister?
Answer:  I’ve worked various jobs from Verizon Wireless, Rent-A-Center, University of Phoenix, prior to working full time in the ministry. 
 
 
Question:   What are your short-term goals?
Answer:  Getting to know everyone. I’m big on learning names and the families in the church.- Who’s married to who? Whose children are these? Is this someone’s grandmother, I like learning the people-who they are, where they work, their interests, etc. So my short-term goal is getting to know the members whom I’m given this awesome responsibility of pastoring. 
 
It’s going to be a lot handshaking, meetings, being patient with people, looking people in the eye, giving people my undivided attention asking lots of questions. Making myself available to be in the presence of the people.
 
Question:   What will be your greatest challenge when you assume the role as pastor of FMBC?
  Answer:  Earn the people’s trust. It’s like dating, you have a lot of questions and you want to make sure this is the right partner. I’m going to work hard to gain the trust of the people. 
 
Question:   What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Answer:  I’m a shy person. Unless its church business or in my role of teaching and preaching, I don’t talk a lot, especially in a group or casual setting. I’m kind of an introvert. Someone has to pull it out of me. I have to make a special effort to be that outgoing person.
 
Question:   What is your favorite football team? 
Answer:  Dallas Cowboys. Friendshippians gave me some boos, lol. But, in the spirit of compromise, I’m thinking about having a second favorite team, the New Orleans Saints. 
 
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is located at 545 Cody Road North, Mobile. For more information visit  http://fmbcmobile.net/index.html . (or, you can hyperlink Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.)
Christmas Performance at the Ship

The FMBC Youth Ministry presented their 2018 Christmas Program on Sunday, December 16. Youth recited poems, performed a praise dance, sang solos and presented the play, “A Plastic Manager.”

A special thank you to the awesome the following youth counselors for devoting their time and efforts to working with our youth. Thank you, Sis. Bertha Terrell, Sis. Janice Spence, Sis. Harriett Holland, Sis. Charlene Boyd, Sis. Anitra Smalls, Sis. Trennia Russell, Sis. Katrena Ingram, Sis. Apryle Williams Coats, Sis Jessica McCants, Sis. Geanette Kelley, Sis. Aneesha Watson, and Bro. LaBarron Evans.
Jaden, the son of the late Charte’ MingJoy Lofton is pictured with his grandmother Sis. Norma Asberry Lofton.
Sunday School Corner
Mark Your Calendar


Wednesdays
Noon Day Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Praise and Worship
7:00 p.m.
Bible Study



December 31
Blessed Eve Service
10:30 p.m.

January 1
New Year's Day

January 6
Dr. Cory Brown's first sermon as Pastor of FMBC

New Series of New Members Class Begins

January 9
Church Business Meeting
6:30 p.m.

January 15
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday








Mark Your Calendar


Mondays
6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
GED Classes
to register
call 251.206.7498



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