Friendship Community Bible Church

On a Sunday in 1986, Friendship Community Bible Church found itself locked out of Ridgegate Elementary School. This unexpected hurdle became a testament to the church’s resilience. Their story began humbly in 1981, in a home on Cullen Boulevard near Almeda-Genoa Road in Southeast Houston. The first services, led by Pastor Tony Benson, included Sunday School and monthly “Fellowship Day” potlucks. Friendship Community Bible Church briefly shared space with Almeda Bible Church before embarking on its own journey. Their first church retreat, in Grapevine, Texas in 1982, marked the beginning of their growth. Various ministries blossomed: a nursing home ministry, an unwanted pregnancy ministry, a Wednesday night Bible Study, teacher training, new convert classes, a marriage class, and a choir led by Faye Walker. Even their first baptism took place during this time. Pastor Benson resigned in late 1984. Tommy Brown became the second Senior Pastor of Friendship Community Bible Church in March 1985. The church moved several times, from LaPetite Academy Nursery to Chasewood Civic Center, back to LaPetite, and then to Ridgegate Elementary. After Pastor Brown’s resignation, Terrance Woodson became the third Senior Pastor in December 1986. Ve Woodson, his wife, led the choir. The lockout from Ridgegate led them to Argyle Plaza on Fondren Road. Through prayer, they transformed the leased space into a worship center within a week. They remained there until 1993, adding a full-time ministry staff and annual retreats in Tyler, Texas. In October 1993, they moved to Beechnut in Alief. Dr. Woodson resigned in 2001 to lead Urban Evangelical Missions in Dallas. Bobby D. Hamilton, Friendship’s fourth Senior Pastor, arrived in December 2001. Having served as the Pastor of Evangelism at Friendship in 1986, he had resigned in 1998 to pursue his Master’s Degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2005, Friendship Community Bible Church found its current home on Wood Street in Sugar Land. Pastor Hamilton’s leadership has ushered in two decades of growth. The church’s ministries now include Real Life Discipleship, mentoring partnerships with Fort Bend County schools, prison ministry in Harris and Fort Bend Counties, job assistance, and the Christ on My Block outreach program. They also offer a homeless ministry, Bible studies with Harris County Police Captains, Justice for All conferences, sports outreach, and a podcast, “Pastor B’s Kitchen Table.” Counseling, marriage enrichment classes, and leadership training round out their offerings. Friendship Community Bible Church’s journey reflects a commitment to faith and community.