About Us

Mission

  • Spread a passion for supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all people

  • Be a light to the world through its fulfillment of the great commission

  • Empower God’s people

  • Evangelize disciples and equip them for serving Christ, His kingdom, and His church

Beliefs & Core Values

  • We Value God’s Word as True (II Timothy 3:16)

  • We Value a Church that Serves (James 2:15-16)

  • We Value Effective Soul-Winning (Matthew 9:37)

  • We Value a Spirit-Filled Church (Ephesians 5:18)

  • We Value Christ Exalting Worship (Colossians 1:18)

  • We Value Prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17)

  • We Value Family (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

Worship

Worship Services will be both in-person and livestreaming:

Sunday School – 8:00am

Sunday Service – 9:30am

Live streaming (watch online)

Prayer Service will be hosted in virtual conference:

Join virtual conference Mondays & Friday, 7 am – 8 am CT.

Bible Study will be hosted in virtual conference:

Join virtual conference Mondays, 7 pm – 8 pm CT.

Join virtual conference Tuesday, 7 pm – 8 pm CT.

Join virtual conference Wednesday, 10 am – 11 am CT.

Reverend B. Charvez Russell

pastor charvezMinistry and education have always been at the forefront. Dr. Charvez Russell attended both East Marion (9th-11th grades) and Meridian High (11th-12th grades) schools where he received his high school diploma. After graduating from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS, with a B.S. in Biology, he started his professional career in Canton, MS as a teacher teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra I in a high school alternative setting. After staying there for one year he decided to explore opportunities and moved to Minnesota in 2002. Upon arrival he continued to teach math in addition to science to middle school students in the Minneapolis Public Schools at City View Community School.

While teaching for three years he decided to go after his passion for business and decided to go back to school and get his MBA from the University of Phoenix. Upon graduation he joined Avis Budget Group’s leadership team at their Minneapolis/St. Paul location where he remained for 8 ½ years. During this time he obtained his Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership also from the University of Phoenix. He returned to education in 2014 and is currently the Executive Director for Friendship Academy of the Arts. A K-8 charter school that has expanded to two campuses in South Minneapolis and services 350 scholars from across the Twin Cities. FAA services predominantly students of color and has earned designations such as Reward School by the MN Department of Education and a National Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education.

Rev. Dr. Charvez Russell was born to a musical and preaching family where he discovered his gift of singing at the age of 10.  His grandfather was a part of the quartet group, The Morning Stars, and His father, 3 uncles, and other family and community members then created the Sons of the Stars who recorded two studio records in the 1980’s and became one of the top quartet groups in Mississippi.  It is from this group that the family group, The Russell’s, was created as a result of the death of his grandfather, Rev. W.L. Russell, in 1997 which involved himself,  his father (Pastor Billy G Russell), four uncles and cousin Kensley.  They completed their first studio and live recordings in 1997 named “See You on the Other Side”.  After signing with Malaco Gospel Music they released their second studio recording, “Faith” where Charvez gained a lot of recording and ministering experience.  Charvez immediately got involved with the choirs in Minneapolis at Greater Friendship MBC where he was a part of two studio recordings in 2006 “Faithful & True” and 2010 “Free In Me”.  He also was involved in various gospel groups and projects throughout the Twin Cities included Excelsior.  In 2012 he became the Minnesota State Baptist Minister of Music where they recently completed their live recording, “We Are Better Together” where 20 churches came together.  In the summer of 2019, he worked with the MSBC Youth Department to produce a live recording with 150 youth from MSBC churches. The project was release February of 2020 and climbed to #6 on the Gospel Billboard charts during its first week.

He began preaching himself in 2009 and continues to spread the Gospel however he can. Rev. Dr. Charvez Russell believes that to live the life God has called for requires us to intentionally be better. This is done through strengthening our mind, body, soul, and spirit giving God a vessel where His blessings can flow.

Staff

Dr. B. Charvez Russell

Rev. Eddie Bolden

Rev. Jay Craig

Rev. Daniel Kleven

Deacon Jonathan Carter
Deacon Emory Carter

Rev. Nell Collier

Tonya Hebert-Dickson

Sister Cynthia Taylor

Rev. Darnell Davis

Valeesha Halmon

Rev. Lewellyn Wilder

Rev. Cheryl Powers-Mitchell

Ministries

Contact: ministers@greatfriend.org
The Busy Bee Ministry raises funds to benefit the Church. The ministry also has a cake and cookie outreach to nursing homes. Meetings are held on 1st Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. (except during the summer months when meetings are suspended). Contact: Kim Bedell Rhodes, President, busybees@greatfriend.org
Sunday School / BTU
Faith Bible Institute (FBI)
New Members
Small Groups
Contact: christianeducation@greatfriend.org
Contact: deacons-deaconesses@greatfriend.org
Contact: l.wilder@aol.com
Contact: executives@greatfriend.org
The Finance Ministry is responsible to collect, deposit, track, and issue reports on all funds raised by or contributed to the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. This Ministry has custody of the securities and investments of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The Chairman of Finance is administratively responsible for the work of the Finance Ministry. Contact: Deon Anderson, finance@greatfriend.org
Contact: deacons-deaconesses@greatfriend.org
Contact: Judge Lajune Lange, foreignmission@greatfriend.org[/toggle]
Contact: fcs@greatfriend.org
The bookstore carries CD’s & DVD’s of sermons preached during our services and of musical guests who have sang here. We have Christian books, textbooks in support of the NW College Bible Institute Classes, as well as Bibles,’ Bible covers, children’s Bibles & books, t-shirts, devotionals, books from Pastor Russell’s library and art works. While our inventory is limited, we are able to special order books not currently in stock. Contact: Diane Davis Phone: 612-827-7928
Contact: Dr. Ora Hokes[/toggle][toggle title=”Hospitality Ministry” open=”no”]Contact: Erica Bolden and Helen Ricks
Just Older Youth. Contact: Carrie Eberhardt
Deaconess Janet Law
Contact: Avery Davis
Contact: Reverend Eddie Bolden[/toggle]Contact: Shirley Gardner, mission@greatfriend.org
Contact: Darnell Davis, musicministry@greatfriend.org
The Church office is the information “hub” for many Church activities. That includes but is not limited to the following: mail (incoming and outgoing), calendar dates, events, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, service times, various forms and deliveries. There is on staff, an office manager, a secretary, a data entry clerk and occasional summer interns. We also have volunteers who answer the phone and carry out other duties. You may contact the office at any time. If no one answers, leave a message on the answering machine. Someone will return your call. Contact: Tonya Hebert-Dickson, Phone: 612-827-7928, office@greatfriend.org
Contact: Cynthia Taylor
Contact: Evangelist Phyllis Driver
Contact: Lamar Hodges, worship@greatfriend.org
The Public Relations Ministry links the church to the immediate community as well as to the broader community. The public relations/publicity coordinator shares information communicating the programs and assets of the church that not only benefit the members but the larger community as well. All ministries should contact the public relations/publicity coordinator to publicize their events for local newspapers and radio stations. Contact: Violet Carter[/fusion_fusion_toggle]Contact: Terry Brown, security@greatfriend.org
The Technology/Website Ministry provides support services to the Greater Friendship including church website, social media sites, audio and web conferencing, electronic donations (e-tithing), credit card processing, emergency notification, and technology consultation. Contact: Jonathan Carter and Emory Carter Email: support@greatfriend.org
Contact: Yolanda Reeves
Contact: Terry Brown
Contact: Mary Craig
Contact: Patricia Leonard
Contact: Brenda Bailey, ushers@greatfriend.org
Contact: First Lady Sharmaine Russell

Junior Church

Teen Ministry

Young Adult Ministry

Contact: Daniel Kleven, youthministry@greatfriend.org

Contact Us