Leadership

Pastor James Peake and First Lady Joanne Peake have been faithfully serving the Friendship "Good Ground" Baptist Church for 25 years, forming an extraordinary partnership that has profoundly influenced the growth and spiritual lives of the congregation.

Pastor Peake is revered as a spiritual giant, renowned for his impactful teaching style that combines authenticity and vivid demonstrations. His approach enables the congregation to both "see" and "hear" his lessons, fostering deep understanding. He has instilled a powerful belief among the members that Friendship is indeed "Good Ground" for sowing and receiving blessings a hundredfold. His visionary leadership has led to the establishment of numerous impactful ministries, including An Hour of Power (Prayer Band), the Tiffany Smith Scholarship Fund (TSSF), Youth for Christ, the Brotherhood Ministry, the Bus Ministry, and Saturday Night Live—a vibrant initiative dedicated to empowering youth and young adults to embrace virtue and truth. His commitment to nurturing young minds is unwavering. Pastor Peake's heartfelt sayings—"Praise God, Thank you Jesus, Hallelujah, and AMEN, and Let the Lord be Magnified in my Life, in my Family, and in my Church"—resonate deeply with the youth, guiding them in their everyday endeavors. His previous service as associate minister, deacon, usher, male chorus member, Sunday school teacher, and founder of the Youth Development Program at another church reflects a legacy of dedication and faith. Pastor Peake's theological insights are enriched by his Master’s Degree in Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.

First Lady Joanne Peake, his devoted partner of 39 years, has played a pivotal role in the spiritual development of the women at Friendship. Raised as a preacher’s kid ("pk"), she embraced the love of Christ early in life, which inspired her to create a Women’s Ministry focused on empowering women to become vessels of honor. Her vision has birthed initiatives like Women’s Fellowship, Sisterhood, Women of the Wall (WOW), and WOW Phase II, the latter fostering inter-church spiritual connections through daily prayer calls.