About
Foundational History of Friendship Church of God in Christ, Inc.
At the hand of the Lord Friendship Church of God in Christ, Inc was birthed by the late Elder Billy E. Gilmore. The first church began its journey in a little shack on West Carey Avenue. Pastor Gilmore, his wife, Bobbie and their four children, his oldest brother, James and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Smith were the first members.
The building on Carey became too small for the congregation. Moving forward, the property at 2249 W. Washington Avenue was purchased. March 1987 a small house on the property was converted into the new sanctuary. With time the church grew greatly, and the current facility became crowded. It was converted and was used for the childcare ministry after a new edifice was constructed. That edifice still stands as the current church sanctuary.
Friendship purchased the old Stop ‘N Go market next door to the church and converted it into the current Childcare Center at 2301 West Washington Ave. The original childcare building was removed to make way for additional parking. The sanctuary was extended to embrace multifaceted vison of a fellowship hall complete with a commercial kitchen and classrooms.
In the year 2002, Superintendent Cleo Jamerson, Jr. was appointed as the new pastor of Friendship Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop Carruth Hall. In the month of September 2006, Superintendent Cleo Jamerson, Jr. was named as the new pastor of Portals to Glory Church of God in Christ, replacing the late Pastor Robert Jefferson. This created a vacancy for a shepherd at Friendship.
On October 1, 2006, Elder Gordy McDonnell was appointed as the pastor by the late Bishop Carruth Hall. He and his wife endured hardness as good soldiers and were literally “faithful unto death.”
Foundational History of Holy Remnant Ministries Church of God in Christ, Inc.
While faithfully serving his country and pastoring the Upper Room COGIC in South Korea, Pastor LeRoy T. Carr Jr obeyed the Spirit, returned to the valley, and on August 31, 2019, Holy Remnant Ministries became a reality. By faith, the “first 5” members said “yes.” Led by the anointing of the Holy Ghost, Mo. Lois Greene, Evangelist Krystal Brass, Evangelist Wendy Treadwell, Deacon Kevin, and Evangelist Damita Powell, put their heart and hands to the Master’s work.
Much like the early church in the New Testament, the believers first gathered in Pastor Carr’s home, 2416 Wooly Rose Avenue. The opportunity came to expand to the historic Charles I West Preparatory Academy nestled in the legendary Westside community of Las Vegas. Pastor Carr navigated the horrors of the COVID-19 pandemic by wholeheartedly embracing virtual ministry for two years. Overcoming the adversities of a global pandemic, the ministry grew strong to expand the Kingdom of God. Holy Remnant Ministries faithfully broadcasted Internationally to twenty-one countries including Russa while amassing over 1,000 broadcasts.
An unconventional vineyard at the Santa Fe Hotel and Casino opened its gates to Holy Remnant Ministries. Yes… Holy Ghost filled Sunday School, and church services were happening at a Las Vegas Casino! It was during this time Pastor Carr coined the phrase, “gambling may not be criminal, but gambling with your soul is!”
Having previously relocated to the Camino Al Norte neighborhood in North Las Vegas in the winter of 2023, the call was received to begin weaving two anointed ministries together like a beautiful tapestry. On March 24th 2024, upon the recommendation of the late Pastor Gordy McDonnell, Nevada First Jurisdictional Prelate-Designate Bishop Donald Bronson oversaw the election of Pastor Carr along with his gifted wife, Lady Felicia Carr, Supervisor of the South Dakota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, to merge these iconic ministries divinely ordained to “Equip, Empower and Energize” believers of every tongue. Their mission is clear: “To spread the Gospel to as many as we can, as fast as we can, for as long as we can…until the horn blows!”
