Abundant growth seen at Friendship Baptist Church

“It’s just a God thing,” Friendship Baptist Church Senior Pastor Sean Mills said regarding the recent growth experienced at the Conway church.  

Mills, who answered the call to pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in June 2020, said the church has more than doubled its attendance over the past few years. They have gone from averaging a little less than 300 to roughly 700.  

“We have a mission statement that says together we are making wholehearted followers of Jesus. We reach, connect, disciple and send people for the glory of God,” Mills said. “We really chase after that mission, which is really the Great Commission.”  

The congregation has been intentional with the mission, which Mills said God has honored.  

“We want to reach people. We want to disciple them and help them grow in their walk with the Lord.”  

Mills noted their children’s ministry, women’s ministry and Sunday worship services have been catalysts for the growth they have seen at the church. He said their children’s ministry has tripled over the last three years providing an avenue to reach more young families.  

“There are a lot of things today that are feeding off that. But I want to say those are the things that helped propel us as we were reaching people,” he said, noting the families are going out and inviting people they interact with daily. They get plugged in and the cycle starts all over, Mills said. “It’s been fun to watch.”  

For instance, this past Sunday, Mills said he baptized two men who started coming to the church after their sister came, found salvation and was baptized. She invited her family.  

“Her brothers gave their life to the Lord. Now, her parents are coming. There is a lot of domino effect like that,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of people come in the last three years. This year has been phenomenal.”  

Since January, Mills said they have had 67 baptisms at the church.  

“I think there is a great movement for the Lord and people are extremely hungry. You just have to give them the Gospel,” he said. “We’re not doing anything flashy. Jesus changes lives. We really believe that. There is nothing flashy in what we do, we are just intentional about what we do.”