John 15:15 "...I have called you friends..."
We are a non-profit (501 (c)(3)), volunteer-staffed organization dedicated to sharing the friendship of Jesus and helping people overcome addictions and spiritual bondage in order to become the people God designed them to be. We believe this is possible through faith in a personal relationship (friendship) with Jesus and biblical discipleship. See our mission, history and the dedication below.
Now Celebrating 25 years since founding and 10 Years since Incorporation!
See report in Support/Reports!
Click on link at left to view video of testimony and message, "Overcoming Through Friendship With Jesus"
Click on link below at center to watch "Overcoming My Self"
Click on link below at right to watch "Make A Mesmerizing Murmuration"
Mission
Our mission, our passion, is to share the friendship of Christ with others, encouraging them to gain and nurture their own friendship with Jesus, that they may find true fulfillment for their lives. Our purpose is to be a friend and in so doing, sharing the friendship of Jesus. In the Gospel of John. Jesus calls His disciples His friends (John 15:14-15). We believe that in the fellowship of godly friendships we share the friendship of Jesus. The ministry primarily focuses on inmates/ex-inmates and those bound by addictions. We recognize that the "unlovable" cannot become lovable until they are first loved. So our passion is to befriend (love) those who may be unloved, rejected or forgotten. In so doing, our hope is that our love will draw them to God's love so that they may experience His healing transformation. We also believe that in and through the power of Jesus this friendship and discipleship can be the antidote to addictions, spiritual strongholds and negative behaviors and will help them become the people God designed them to be. We also believe that this is a biblical type of justice by “overcoming evil with good”.
History
Friendship Ministry was conceived and founded by Mel Everson in September, 1996 and incorporated by the Department of State, PA on September 11, 2009 (Including 501 (c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service). The ministry began by sending Christmas cards to inmates and hosting picnics for ex-inmates. Then in the summer of 2004, the ministry became incorporated with New Hope Community Church and at that time two church members became team members (Ed Bennett and Gretchen Jacobs). In 2007 Gretchen Jacobs moved, but God lead Angie Tyson-Allen to take her place. At the time of our incorporation in 2009, other volunteers began to serve on our Board of Directors. Currently we have five volunteers serving in the ministry (See "Contact").
Dedication
As written in Mel Everson's testimony, "I knew I could not change the past and how I hurt so many people, especially my family. But I knew that I could make a difference...That gave me a passion to not only be committed to Jesus, but to serve Him as a way to do justice and to fight the very evils that I once embraced." Therefore this ministry is dedicated to all of those who were hurt by Mel Everson's past life, especially his children and oldest son, Chris. In September 2006, at the ministry’s tenth anniversary celebration, Mel Everson dedicated the ministry to his oldest son, Chris. Having had to overcome a lot of tragedies, trials and difficulties even at a young age, Chris is a true overcomer. He inspires the passion for this ministry and his life makes the difference in all of the lives we minister to. We thank God for Chris, his inspiration, encouragement and for how God continues to work in his life. The picture below was taken at the dedication.
