The Rev. Johnny Gamble was led by the Spirit of God to start a
ministry known as Friendship Outreach Ministry. The mission of
Friendship Outreach Ministry is to teach and preach the word of God
to all people and to win souls for Jesus Christ. “He said to them,
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Mark 16:15.
On May 9, 1999, at 10:00 A.M., the first worship service was held at
Odd Fellow Gallery Catering Hall, located at 5 Cemetery Drive,
Stratford, Connecticut. The service was attended by approximately,
100 worshipers and 25 came forward for discipleship. The beginning
of the Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford outreach work of the
ministry was with Prospect House, an adult homeless shelter for
adults located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Also, the ministry raised
$2,000.00 to build a house in Jamaica through The Food For The Poor
Program.
On June 1999, The Friendship Outreach Service Ministry was
incorporated; changing its name to The Friendship Baptist Church of
Stratford, Inc.
On August 15, 1999, the first baptism service was held at Short
Beach in Stratford, Connecticut. The baptism candidates were
Samantha Govan, Doninyque Jones, and Danielle A. Smith.
In September 1999, Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford held its
first church school classes for children and adults. The children’s
classes were taught by Sister Barbara Gamble and Sister Juanita
Butler and the adult classes were taught by Minister Sandra Jackson. Also in
September 1999, Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford
held its first church meeting; establishing ministry officers;
Brother Walter Beasley was appointed as Chairman of Trustee Board;
in addition Andrew Moore, Christopher Moore, Donald Peeler, and
Reuben Jackson were appointed as Trustee Board Members. Sister
Gloria Rowell was appointed Church Clerk; Sister Linda Fernandes-Johnson
was appointed Church Secretary; Sister Willery Beasley was appointed
Treasurer; Sister Leona Peeples was appointed Pastor’s Aide; and
Sister M. Beth Jordan-Soares, was appointed Floral Ministry.
On November 21, 1999, during worship service, an ordination and
consecration services were led for Deacon Marion D. Geyer and
Deaconess Barbara J. Gamble.
On December 21, 1999, as the discipleship of Friendship Baptist
Church grew, Rev. Gamble held the first baby dedication, Kyla
E’Grace Soares was dedicated.
On December 31, of the same year, Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford held its first Watch Night Service at Stratford Academy auditorium.
In 2000, Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford would see a move to a different location, prepare for its first Home Going
Service of one of its disciples, the installation of a pastor, and to be ministered to by its first guest pastor, On
January 20, 2000, Friendship moved from Odd Fellows to the conference room at Honeyspot Motor Lodge in Stratford, Connecticut. On
February 10, 2000, Friendship’s faithful disciple, Sis. Leona Peeples went home to be with the Lord. On
May 20, 2000, Rev. Gamble was installed as pastor and was celebrated with a luncheon at Liedles Catering; the service was led by Pastor Robert L. Littlejohn of Pilgrim Way Baptist Church in Windsor, Connecticut. On May 21, 2000, Friendship had its first guest preacher, Rev. James Batts,
Pastor, First Timothy Baptist Church of Newark, New Jersey. August
26, 2000, Friendship celebrated a milestone with its first outing
annual outing. The disciples of Friendship celebrated the close of
summer with fun, food, and fellowship. 2001 the Lord blessed
Friendship with growth and milestones.
On May 17th, 18th, and 19th, Friendship held its first revival. The revivalist was Pastor Robert L. Littlejohn of Pilgrim Way Baptist Church in Windsor, Connecticut. The second ordination of deacons was held on May 20, 2001; the deacons that were being ordained were James Butler, Otto Crumpton, Christopher Moore, Lidell Pettway, and Walker Williams. Also on this day a Consecration of Deaconess Louise Hopkins and Juanita Muller was held.
On December 19, 2001, closing took place for the purchase of our new building, located at 235 Albert Avenue, Stratford, Connecticut and on December 23, 2001, the first worship service was held at our new location. Friendship was to prepare of another Home Going Service of another disciple in 2003. On April 5, 2003 Sis. Carol Elizabeth Anderson went home to be with the Lord. May 29, 2004, Friendship celebrated its 5th Pastoral Anniversary Banquet. In the summer of 2004, Friendship formed its youth choir. On June 14, 2004, Sis. Sonya Clark and Sis. Melodie Adams formed the Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford Youth Choir. The Ministerial Staff of Friendship Baptist Church, at the end of 2006, added another minister to its roster.
On December 10, 2006, Sis. Erica Pettway delivered her initial sermon, becoming the licensed minister under Pastor Gamble and the First Daughter of Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford. The following year, 2007, Pastor Gamble held his first ordination service of one of his associate minister. On September 16, 2007, Minister Sandra L. Jackson was ordained to Reverend, the first in the ministerial staff of Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford to be ordained. In 2008 and 2009, the ministerial staff of Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford continued to grow with the blessings of the Lord. The Lord added three new licensed ministers to the ministerial staff; Bro. Aaron M. Best, Bro. Glen Pettway, and Sis. Monique Muller. On August 31, 2008, Bro. Aaron M. Best delivered his initial sermon, becoming the second licensed minister under Pastor Gamble and the First Son of Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford. On September 21, 2008 Bro. Glen Pettway delivered his initial sermon, becoming the third licensed minister under Pastor Gamble. In 2009, Friendship celebrated yet another initial sermon. On September 27, 2009, Sis. Monique Muller delivered her initial sermon becoming the fourth licensed minister under Pastor Gamble.
