Reverend Johnny E. Merriweather was called. Deacons ordained by Reverend Merriweather were Troy Gant, Victor Ellis, Samuel Joiner, Earnest Woods, Jr., Kenneth Truitt, George Powell, Eric Robertson, Anthony L. Burdell, Roy Gunter, Randle Deramus, Johnny E. Merriweather, Jr., Carl Cooley, Eddyer L. Brown, Clarence H. Copeland, Jr. and Gerald J. Wilson. Ministers licensed were Reverend Frank Gray, Reverend Rev. Carl Cooley, Rev. Antonio Boyd, Reverend Troy Gant, and Reverend Willie J. Lassiter, Jr. Ministers ordained and licensed were Reverend Stanley Wilson, Reverend Timothy Merriweather, Reverend Carlos Woodard, Reverend Levi Lyles, Jr., Reverend Clyde Hill, Reverend Eugene Trammell, Reverend Eric Robertson and Reverend Cedric Duncan. Appointed trustees were Thomas Borden, John L. Dunson, Lonnie Davis, John Abney, George Dickerson, John Nixon, Otis Jones, Lee Lewis, James Bradford, Wilbert Pryor, Nathan Frederick, Michael Carter, Walter Frazier, John Sullivan, Jimmy Crumb, Anthony Brown, William Copeland, William McLester and Anthony Wilson. The first female trustees appointed were Alberta Wiggins, Barbara C. Curry, and Neniah Greathouse.

During Reverend Merriweather’s administration, as pastor, numerous accomplishments have been made. The mortgage on the parsonage was paid off and four lots purchased to make way for a new parking lot on Brown Avenue, between 13th and 14th Streets, purchased a new copying machine, a new computer, a baby grand piano, ceiling fans in the sanctuary and a new air conditioning system, the Young Adult and J.E. Merriweather Angelic Choirs, Matron Circle #3, and Sick and Shut-in Communion Service were organized. Tuesday evening service for the sick and shut-ins was also created. The bell to the old church was removed and place on the outside grounds of the church for public view. Renovations were implemented to the church, involving upgrades to the P. A. system, ceramic tile in the bathrooms and new inside/outside doors fixtures. A Youth Church has been established which has service every third Sunday of the month. Rev. Clyde Hill is the Youth Minister.  The church’s first website was created.

In 1986 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church received their NAACP Life Membership Award.

Reverend Merriweather appointed a Building Fund Committee consisting of Barbara Curry, Brother Thomas Borden, Neniah Greathouse and Deacon Johnny Abney. Deacon Lochinvar Swain was appointed after the death of Brother Thomas Borden. Through this committee the Phase I Building Project (sanctuary) was completed, June 1996.

Later, Reverend Merriweather appointed a planning committee consisting of Deacon Otis C. Murray, Jr., Deacon Gerald J. Wilson, Deacon Clarence H. Copeland, Jr., Brother Wilbert M. Pryor, Brother Nathan S. Frederick, Brother Michael Carter, Sister Betty Merriweather, Sister Iola Abney and Sister Sharon McAway, to make preparations for the Phase II Building Project (fellowship & educational facility). Through this committee the Phase II project was completed, December 2002.

Reverend Merriweather served as the Moderator for the Snow Creek District Association, Vice-President of the Northeast District State Convention, Vice Moderator of the Snow Creek District Association, Vice-President of the Snow Creek District Congress of Christian Education and President of the Snow Creek District Congress of Christian Education. He was a member of the State and National Baptist Convention U. S. A., Inc.

Rev. J. E. Merriweather received his discharge from this life on January 13, 2009. The Associate Ministers served until a pastor was called.