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

Friendship Baptist Church, 2912 Pleasant Grove Road, Lansing, Michigan, 48910, 517-394-6369

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. 
 

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