Mark Massey - Senior Pastor

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Pastor Mark is the founding pastor of Friendship Church. Mark and a seminary friend started the church in 1984 while both were still seminary students. Upon graduation from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, Mark was asked to come back to Maryland and pastor the new congregation of about 20 people. In June, 2011, Mark will celebrate 26 years at Friendship Church. He has witnessed God grow the congregation from an anverage worship attendance of 6 people to well over 400 people each Sunday.

Mark met his wife Cheri here in Maryland and they have two boys, Andrew 16 and Austin 10.

Mark's Testimony:

John Hevey - Membership\Missions Pastor

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Pastor John has served at Friendship Church since January of 1999. He is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky.  This is a second career for John, having served as a manager at AT&T for 25 years before his calling to the ministry.

He and his family are life-long Maryland residents, and have lived in Sykesville since 1980.

John and Jean have been married since 1974 and they have two grown children - David and Julie.

John's Testimony:  

Phil Respass - Worship Pastor

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Pastor Phil has been serving on the Friendship church staff since the summer of 2004.  He comes from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and has served Baptist churches in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. 

Phil has both vocal and instrumental education degrees from Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech, Community College of the Air Force, and is a 2001 Graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a MA in Church Music. He enjoyed a Seven year hitch with the ACC Heritage of America Band out of Langley Air Force Base as a trumpeter.  Phil also enjoyed many years performing at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and many free lance opportunities throughout his musical career.  Phil answered the call to ministry in 1996 and has been blessed by many ministry and mission experiences domestic and foreign.  He has served in mission trips ranging from New York City to Mississippi, from Panama, Belize, Mexico to Kenya.

Phil married his wife Charity in 2003 (2 days after Hurricane Isabelle) and has a daughter, Sarah.

Phil's Testimony: 

Travis Johnson (T.J.) - Student Minister

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Travis Johnson (T.J.) has served at Friendship Baptist Church since 2004. He started attending Friendship Baptist Church shortly after becoming a Christian in 1999. By 2001 he felt God’s calling to become a Student Minister. In the summer of 2004 he interned under Mike Jones and then continued working part time for the Church under Mike’s leadership until 2008 when he became the Student Minister. TJ has been married to his wife Brigid since August 12, 2006. TJ and Brigid are committed to developing students into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

TJ’s Testimony

                I became a Christian in 9^th grade when my friend Robert Hoppel invited me to Acquire the Fire. At this event I committed my life to Christ. It was only a few months after I committed my life to Christ that I started attending Friendship. Here I truly started to grow and God completely revolutionized my life. God started to mold my behavior and my beliefs into what he desired. Though these changes did not always come easily, I have found that with every passing year, God fills my heart with ever increasing joy. The more I serve Him the more he blesses me with spiritual treasures that far outweigh all the treasures this world has to offer!

Paula Berry - Church Office Administrator

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Hello!  Just a bit about myself...I met Jesus Christ at the age of 32 in my home church, Mt. Airy Baptist.  I married Grant in 1971 and we have 3 grown children & 7 grandchildren.  I chose the secretarial profession because I enjoy helping people achieve their goals.  I have worked for the Federal government, a doctor's office, and my home church.  In November 1997, I accepted this position at Friendship. It continues to be a wonderful experience and I look forward to many more years of serving those who have chosen Friendship as their church home.             

Cheryl Clymer - Bookkeeper

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In May, 2010, Cheryl assumed the role of Bookkeeper for Friendship.  We are happy to have her willing spirit and joyful disposition.  Cheryl is a member of Friendship and is also the Office Manager at the Mid-MD Baptist Association.  She is in the church office half days Monday and Wednesday and can be reached by calling the church office.   At other times, feel free to contact her via email.