May 9th, 1999 at 10:00 am, the first worship service was held at Odd Fellows Catering Hall in Stratford CT. The Service was attendend by approximately 100 worshipers and 25 came for discipleship.
September 12, 1999 at 8:45 am. Friendship Baptist held its first church school classes. Adult class was taught by Minister Sandra Jackson, children were taught by Sisters Barbara Gamble and Juanita Butler.
November 21, 1999, during the morning worship service the Ordination of Deacon Marion David Geyer and Consecration of Deaconess Barbara J. Gamble.
May 21, 2000, Installation service for Reverend Johnny Gamble
December 19, 2001, closing took place for the purchase of our new building, located at 235 Albert Ave, Stratford, Connecticut.
December 23, 2001, first worship service at 235 Albert Ave, Stratford, Connecticut.
September 16, 2007, Minister Sandra L. Jackson was the first to be ordained to Reverend.
October, 2007 Food Distribution in accordance with the Connecticut Fodd Bank, serving over 2500 meals per month.
October 14, 2012, Ordination service or Reverend Aaron Best and Glenn Pettway
Pastor Johnny Gamble is one of 13 children born in Manning South Carolina to the late Junious Gamble and the late Beatrice Samuel Gamble.
His conversion came at the age of 13 at Friendship Presbyterian Church of Manning, South Carolina. Reverend Gambles baptism, divine calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ordination has all taken place at the First Baptist Church of Stratford, under the direction of the late Reverend Dr. William O Johnson.
Pastor Gamble's educational background is an Associate in Science Degree from Housatonic Community College, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Nyack, New York and Doctoate at Pilot Light Theological Seminary.
He has served 4 years in the United States Air Force and moved to Connecticut and began working with United Parcel Post and after 30 years of service, he retired.
After being divinely led, on May 9, 1999, Rev. Gamble started the ministry that is known as Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford.
Pastor Gamble is very active in the Town of Stratford, where he serves as a member of the Citizen Addressing Racial Equality Group, a subcommitte of the Board of Education, member of the Stratford Clergy, and also served in the Juvenile Referral Board in Stratford and vicinity, he is married to First Lady, Barbara J. Gamble. He is the father of 5 and grandfather of 13.