MOULTRIE — The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate 118 years of service with the theme “Never Give Up; God Will Strengthen You” penned in Isaiah 41:10.
The celebration begins with a three-night revival Nov. 7-9 at 7 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Raymond Polite will lead the celebration. Polite is the founder and senior pastor of the Christian Life Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. He is a graduate of the Bethany Bible College and Theological Seminary of Dothan, Ala., where he earned a doctorate degree in ministry. Polite is married to Elect Lady Hattie Polite.
The celebration will continue during the 11a.m. service with the Rev. Hosea Miller of the New True Life Fellowship Church in Albany. Miller is a native of Newton, Ga., and has been married to his wife Haley for 19 years; they’re the parents of four children. Miller is a retired employee of the Albany Police Department where he served as lieutenant for 27-1/2 years. He currently works as an administrator at Westover High School in Albany. His education includes Bachelor and Master’s of Science degrees from Albany State University.
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church recounted its history in a press release announcing the celebration:
Friendship has been a beacon in the community; a vision to establish a spiritual place of worship was bestowed on the Reverend Lonzo Holmes of Fitzgerald, Ga., in 1905. The congregation consisted of less than 20 baptized believers and was established under the name of Mount Zion Baptist Church. The church was originally located in Tignan, Ga., before relocating to 4th Street NE in Moultrie. Several pastors led the congregation including Reverend L. M. Matthews of Tifton, Ga., 1908; Reverend J. Hawkins of Valdosta, Ga., 1913; Reverend Eddie White, 1914; Reverend R. A. Cooper of Crosland, Ga., 1916; Reverend…
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