Our Leadership
Ministers
Reverend Matthew Alexander
Pastor
June 2025
Pastor Matthew Alexander assumed the leadership of Friendship Baptist Church on June 1, 2025. He formerly served as an associate minister at Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit.
He has a Master of Divinity from Moody Theological Seminary and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University.
Reverend James Douglas
Senior Associate Minister
1988-2023 and May 2025
Reverend James Douglas served Friendship for 35 years as an associate minister before being appointed Interim Pastor in June 2023. He served in this capacity until May 31, 2025, and returns to serving Friendship as senior associate minister.
Reverend Samuel Johnson
Senior Associate Minister
June 2023
Reverend Samuel Johnson had been a member of Friendship for many years before being called to the ministry in 2010. He has been a board member for community-based organizations that serve youth and has responsibility for pulpit oversight of youth ministries.
Deacons
Deacon James Yarborough,
Chairperson
Deacon Robert Owens,
Vice Chairperson
Deacon Lee Alexander
Deacon Amel Eiland
Deacon/Trustee Dr. Lonnie Eiland
Deacon Adell Flourry, Jr.
Deacon Larry Griffin
Deacon George Maki
Deacon Dr. Eugene Pernell
Deacon/Trustee Donald Suttles
Deacon Julian VanDyke
Deacon/Trustee Karl Wilson
Trustees
Deacon/Trustee Donald Suttles,
Chairperson
Trustee Algie Watkins,
Vice-Chairperson
Trustee Tommie Culpepper
Trustee Kenneth Duke
Deacon/Trustee Dr. Lonnie Eiland
Trustee Dr. David Green
Trustee Albert Henry
Trustee Katrina Kaufman
Trustee Jokay Maxie
Trustee Deborah Sudduth
Deacon/Trustee Karl Wilson
Trustee Xavier Yarborough
Deaconess Board
Deaconess Sallie Flanders,
Chairperson
Deaconess Cynthia Carnegie
Deaconess Zeferonia Demps
Deaconess Marsie Douglas
Deaconess Roslin Griffin
Deaconess Terry Johnson
Deaconess Diane Owens
Financial Officers
Financial Secretary:
Deaconess Marsie Douglas
Assistant: Brother Jeff Champion
Treasurer:
Deaconess Roslin Griffin
Assistant: Trustee Jokay Maxie
Recording Officers
Church Clerk:
Sister Cheryl Howell
Assistant: Trustee Katrina Kaufman
Announcement Clerk:
Sister Rise Alexander
Assistant: Trustee Deborah Sudduth