"And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty." Acts 6:2-3
Deacons
We believe the bible teaches that deacons are the lead servants within the congregation. Those who serve must meet the character qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Their service is essential to our holistic ministry, ensuring that physical needs are met, and guarding the unity of our church (Acts 6:1-7).
John Burt
Lead Deacon/ Church Clerk
John has been a member of Friendship Baptist Church since 1976. He is married to his wife Ann and together they have a son and a daughter. He has previous experience being a deacon and also as a Sunday school director. He is now retired from Charleston county school district and the S.C. National Guard. John's life mission is to bring praise to God through service.
He seeks to live his life by Micah 6:6-8:
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
He seeks to live his life by Micah 6:6-8:
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Manuel Cabrera
Deacon
Manuel has been a member of Friendship Baptist since 2016. He has previous ministry experience from working with Dios de Agua Vida in Venezuela. He is married to his wife, Rosa Maria, and together they have two daughters and a son. He has a career in engineering and agriculture. Manuel's ministry passion is counseling. His life mission is to help others come to know about Christ.
He seeks to live his life by John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
He seeks to live his life by John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Jason McAnany
Deacon
Jason and his family came to Friendship in September 2016. Jason is married to his wife Denise and they have one daughter and one son. Jason works as an IT professional and he became a deacon at Friendship in 2020.
He seeks to live his life by Matthew 8:13, "And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed at that very moment."
He seeks to live his life by Matthew 8:13, "And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed at that very moment."
Damian Espino
Deacon
Damian and his family came to Friendship in 2018. He and his wife Melisa, have two daughters. Damian works as a Medical Interpreter.
He aspires to live his life by Mark 12: 30-31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..."
He aspires to live his life by Mark 12: 30-31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..."
Tom Liu
Deacon/Finance Committee
Tom and his family came to Friendship in 2020. He serves as a deacon and on the finance committee at Friendship. He and his wife, Rebecca, have 1 daughter and 4 sons. He currently works as a software engineer.
Tom's favorite quote is from C.S. Lewis' work Christian Apologetics: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
Tom's favorite quote is from C.S. Lewis' work Christian Apologetics: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
David Christopher
Deacon
David and his wife Aliece joined Friendship Baptist in 2023 with their three children (two boys and a girl). David is a civil engineer who helps design drinking water and wastewater systems. David has been a deacon at Friendship since 2024; he also serves on the worship team (playing drums) and children's ministry (helping teach children's worship classes).
His wife, Aliece, is a physical therapist; she helps lead Friendship's children's ministry as well as handling many aspects of family life so that David can participate in deacon-related efforts. David and Aliece met through a campus ministry at Clemson University, married in 2014, and have lived in Park Circle ever since. In addition to the Bible, they have both been greatly encouraged by the writings and teachings of C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, and John Piper.
His wife, Aliece, is a physical therapist; she helps lead Friendship's children's ministry as well as handling many aspects of family life so that David can participate in deacon-related efforts. David and Aliece met through a campus ministry at Clemson University, married in 2014, and have lived in Park Circle ever since. In addition to the Bible, they have both been greatly encouraged by the writings and teachings of C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, and John Piper.