Jarrod S. Parker
Senior Pastor
Reverend Jarrod S. Parker was born in Detroit, Michigan. In high school, he was a standout four-sport athlete having received Division 1 College scholarship offers in all four sports. He went on to play professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets Professional Baseball Organizations. During that time he continued his tertiary education, earning his undergraduate degree at Marycrest College, majoring in Religious Studies and graduate studies at Trinity College and Theological Seminary, earning a Masters of Divinity in Biblical Studies.
Pastor Parker has been preaching for over 26 years and has been a Pastor for over 20 years. He comes from a long line of preachers, including his father and grandfather. In 2002, he was called to the Greater Antioch Baptist Church in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the church to grow from 175 members to 1,100. In 2010, Pastor Parker was called to plant the Word Baptist Church, in East Moline, Illinois. In seven years the church grew from eleven to over four hundred members. Pastor Parker was then called to St. Mark Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. In his first five years, he completed a one-million-dollar capital campaign for the renovation of the church.
Pastor Parker was called to become the Senior Pastor of Friendship in April 2023. Since taking the helm at the Ship, Pastor Parker has ushered in excitement, devotion to family and community, and a deeper commitment to God. Friendship has already seen growth in many areas from the awesome word that God speaks through Pastor Parker.
Pastor is joined by his wife, First Lady Lillie Parker, their four beautiful daughters, Briana, Erika, Angel, Alysse and three grandchildren, Ariana and Kacyius.
Pastor Parker has been preaching for over 26 years and has been a Pastor for over 20 years. He comes from a long line of preachers, including his father and grandfather. In 2002, he was called to the Greater Antioch Baptist Church in Rock Island, Illinois. He led the church to grow from 175 members to 1,100. In 2010, Pastor Parker was called to plant the Word Baptist Church, in East Moline, Illinois. In seven years the church grew from eleven to over four hundred members. Pastor Parker was then called to St. Mark Baptist Church in Omaha, Nebraska. In his first five years, he completed a one-million-dollar capital campaign for the renovation of the church.
Pastor Parker was called to become the Senior Pastor of Friendship in April 2023. Since taking the helm at the Ship, Pastor Parker has ushered in excitement, devotion to family and community, and a deeper commitment to God. Friendship has already seen growth in many areas from the awesome word that God speaks through Pastor Parker.
Pastor is joined by his wife, First Lady Lillie Parker, their four beautiful daughters, Briana, Erika, Angel, Alysse and three grandchildren, Ariana and Kacyius.
Ken Burns
Executive Pastor
Reverend Kenneth Burns was born and raised in Bogalusa, LA. He graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 1973. He later went on to attain a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova University and a Bachelor of Theology from Liberty University.
He joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 1991 and was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1999. He was appointed as the Assistant to Pastor James A. Bing in 2012. Upon the retirement of Pastor Emeritus Bing, he was appointed Assistant/Interim Pastor.
Rev. Burns spent over 25 years as a teacher/administrator with the Lee County School System. He spent the last seven years as a principal and retired in 2019.
Rev. Burns is not only a preacher and teacher; he has also received numerous awards and honors for his dedicated service to the community. He received the 2018 Educator Of The Year Award and the FGCU Educational Leadership Award in 2019. He is currently actively involved in the LEE Health Barbershop Ministry, KARIOUS Prison Ministry, LIFE Ministries, and Unconditional Love For Children.
Rev. Burns and his wife Shirley have been married since 1973. Together they have two children (Trenese and Tiffany) and four grandchildren.
He is dedicated to spreading the Good News of the Gospel and has a heart for discipleship.
He joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 1991 and was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1999. He was appointed as the Assistant to Pastor James A. Bing in 2012. Upon the retirement of Pastor Emeritus Bing, he was appointed Assistant/Interim Pastor.
Rev. Burns spent over 25 years as a teacher/administrator with the Lee County School System. He spent the last seven years as a principal and retired in 2019.
Rev. Burns is not only a preacher and teacher; he has also received numerous awards and honors for his dedicated service to the community. He received the 2018 Educator Of The Year Award and the FGCU Educational Leadership Award in 2019. He is currently actively involved in the LEE Health Barbershop Ministry, KARIOUS Prison Ministry, LIFE Ministries, and Unconditional Love For Children.
Rev. Burns and his wife Shirley have been married since 1973. Together they have two children (Trenese and Tiffany) and four grandchildren.
He is dedicated to spreading the Good News of the Gospel and has a heart for discipleship.
Lillie Miller
First Lady
First Lady Lillie Mae Parker is a native of Iowa, born of the union of the late Charles and Clarie Miller. Having 5 sisters and 1 brother, she grew up in the church in a household that loved the Lord. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. First Lady Parker is the blessed wife of the most theologically sound, teaching, preaching, inspirational, caring and devoted Pastor Jarrod S. Parker. She serves alongside Pastor Parker tirelessly, as the epitome of a help meet and virtuous woman. She is empowered by the Holy Spirit and the life-changing power of the Word of God with kindness, patience, understanding, flexibility and an immeasurable level of respect for Pastor Parker, “…and the wife must respect her husband” Ephesians 5:33. As a mother, woman of God, and First Lady, her daily goal is to be an example and reflection of God’s light by honoring God’s instructions as she walks in the gifts, talents, and passions God has purposed for her life.
First Lady Parker is a historical Police Major in the state of Iowa and a Certified Public Manager. She has completed her Doctoral coursework with the highest honors, a Master of Public Administration from Drake University again with honors, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from The University of Iowa. Her guiding mission is to “make a difference each day”, as a speaker, panelist, educator, and advocate. She is currently on staff as the Division Commander of the Executive Projects Division with the City of Des Moines Police Department, where she oversees all major projects, policies, procedures, and assessments of this agency.
First Lady Parker is a Life Consecutive, Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and a member of numerous executive boards which purposefully aim to transform lives. First Lady Parker is grateful to God and humbled to serve in the capacity as the First Lady. She is guided by her favorite scriptures: Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 31: 10-12, and 1 Corinthians 2:9.
First Lady Lillie and Pastor Parker cherish being the blessed parents of their adult children and the gift of their grandchildren. She is one who has a genuine love for God, her family and work of their Ministry. She joins with her husband and all of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in welcoming you to experience “The Ship.” Her sincere prayer is for restoration and peace, that your life be forever changed and your experience with God push you even closer to Him!
First Lady Lillie Mae Parker
First Lady Parker is a historical Police Major in the state of Iowa and a Certified Public Manager. She has completed her Doctoral coursework with the highest honors, a Master of Public Administration from Drake University again with honors, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from The University of Iowa. Her guiding mission is to “make a difference each day”, as a speaker, panelist, educator, and advocate. She is currently on staff as the Division Commander of the Executive Projects Division with the City of Des Moines Police Department, where she oversees all major projects, policies, procedures, and assessments of this agency.
First Lady Parker is a Life Consecutive, Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and a member of numerous executive boards which purposefully aim to transform lives. First Lady Parker is grateful to God and humbled to serve in the capacity as the First Lady. She is guided by her favorite scriptures: Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 31: 10-12, and 1 Corinthians 2:9.
First Lady Lillie and Pastor Parker cherish being the blessed parents of their adult children and the gift of their grandchildren. She is one who has a genuine love for God, her family and work of their Ministry. She joins with her husband and all of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in welcoming you to experience “The Ship.” Her sincere prayer is for restoration and peace, that your life be forever changed and your experience with God push you even closer to Him!
First Lady Lillie Mae Parker