Leadership

Pastor James and First Lady Joanne Peake have been serving faithfully at the Friendship "Good Ground" Baptist Church for the past 25 years. Together, they are a dynamic team and have made a tremendous impact on the lives and growth of the congregation.

Pastor Peake can be characterized as a spiritual giant with a gifted delivery. He has a "keeping it real" and demonstrative teaching style which allows people to actually "see" as well as "hear" what he is teaching. Pastor Peake has grafted into the believers that Friendship is "Good Ground" for sowing while reaping a hundred fold blessing.  Under his leadership and through his vision, numerous ministries have been added to the church. Some are: An Hour of Power (Prayer Band), Tiffany Smith Scholarship Fund (TSSF); Youth for Christ; The Brotherhood Ministry; the Bus Ministry; and Saturday Night Live- a youth and young adult ministry created to encourage, educate and impact our youth in the community and the world to L.I.V.E - L.I.T (Live In Virtue Everyday & Live In Truth).

Pastor Peake is dedicated to the development of our youth. Ask any one of them, and they can quote the heartfelt words taught to them by Pastor: "Praise God, Thank you Jesus, Hallelujah, and AMEN, and Let the Lord be Magnified in my Life, in my Family, and in my Church." We feel that they can rely on these sentiments throughout their daily endeavors.

Pastor Peake served in his former church as associate minister, deacon, usher, male chorus member, Sunday school teacher, and the founder of the Youth Development Program.  He earned his Master's Degree in Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary and imparts golden nuggets of wisdom through his teachings. 
His wife of 32 years, First Lady Joanne Peake, has been instrumental with the continuous growth of the women of Friendship. At an early age, the Love of Christ was instilled in her as she was covered as a "pk" preacher's kid. She was inspired by God to establish a Women's Ministry to empower all women to be a better vessel of honor. Under this ministry, other ministries have been birthed such as the Women's fellowship, Sisterhood, Women of the Wall (WOW), and WOW Phase II which includes spiritual women from different churches committed to calling the prayer line DAILY at 5:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.

Pastor and First Lady Peake are the proud parents of three amazing children (Je'Rico, Joi, and Jaisman). They have three exceptional granddaughters Amoni, Sophia, and Sevyn. They are truly a blessing to the Friendship "Good Ground" Baptist Church.