Gerald A. Edwards was born the sixth of seven children in a small town in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina to Roger and Beatrice Edwards.  After completing High School, he migrated north to Newark, New Jersey where he went to work and began to pursue an education. He went to Essex County College where he received an Associates Degree in Music Education and then enrolled at St. Peter’s College where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and Fine Arts.  He continued his studies at New York Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters of Divinity degree.

 

In 1976 he joined Friendship Ministries Inc., formerly known as Second Friendship Baptist Church, where he put his hand to the plow and worked in many areas of the ministry.   It is here where he established a relationship with the Lord and was given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He studied at the feet of two great men of God, the late Reverend Isaiah Jackson and the Late Elder Abraham Houston.

 

1982 was a pivotal year in his life, the year that he answered the call to the ministry. He worked in ministry along side Elder Abraham Houston until the Lord called Pastor Houston home.  It was then that God elevated him to the office of Pastor in 1986.  Pastoring Friendship Ministries has been a rewarding experience working with the wonderful people at Friendship. Although there have been mountains as well as valleys the journey has been worth it.  He gives total credit and praise to God for all his accomplishments.  But his ultimate goal is to hear the Lord say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”