Pastor-s-Biography

Reverend Ralph Tyrone Friend was born January 22, 1956 to the late Jeanette I. Friend. He joined and was baptized at the A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church, Chester, Virginia at an early age. He attended Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Military/Training: In 1974, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky for his basic training. Following basic training, he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma with duty assignments in Germany. While on those duty assignments in Germany, he was able to visit France and Switzerland. Once he completed his active duty in 1976, he then joined the Army Reserve.

While waiting to be employed, he took some classes at John Tyler Community College, Chester, Virginia in Auto Mechanics. He also attended Lee's Barbering School in Richmond, Virginia.

Career: In 1976, he was employed by the Defense General Supply Center, Richmond, Virginia; he remained there for 25 years until he retired in 2000. Shortly after retirement, in June 2000, he joined the work force at Aleris Metals System of Richmond, Virginia, formally known as Reynolds Metals Systems. He worked there for 7 years as a Baghouse Mechanic until he was laid off in 2007 due to a slowing economy and downsizing. He then was employed by the Chesterfield County Public School System for approximately 2 years. In 2009, he was called back to Aleris Metals System, to his former job as a Baghouse Mechanic; he retired in March 2018 for a 2nd time.

Ministry: In August 1986, he rededicated his life to Christ and joined the Brown Grove Baptist Church, Midlothian Virginia. There, he served in many capacities through the years - Adult Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher, member of the Male Chorus, Men’s Ministry, and Trustee. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1988 and was the Chairman of the Deacons Ministry. On January 16, 2006, he accepted his calling to preach the Gospel after realizing the burning in his soul was a “Gospel Birth” that had to be delivered. He received his license to preach the Gospel on November 12, 2006. On May 2, 2009, Rev. Friend was called to Pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, Virginia as Pastor-Elect; he accepted the call. On August 23, 2009, the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Robinson, then Pastor Emeritus of Brown Grove Baptist Church, became his teacher of Christian principles. He was ordained to the Ministry of Brown Grove Baptist Church by then Pastor, Rev. Andrew T. Carey. Rev. Friend was installed as Pastor of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on October 4, 2009 after a series of Installation Services (Oct. 2-4).

Personal Life: Reverend Friend has been married to his bride, First Lady, Leila Hamlin-Friend since December 28, 1977. They have one son, Ignatius Friend, one daughter, Shannon Friend Griffin (Directress for Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Youth Choir), and daughter-in-law, Sherry Bland Friend. They also has three grandsons; Ignatius Marcus Friend, Tyshawn Jacquez Friend and Jameson Ralph Griffin.

When he can find some time after serving the LORD, his hobbies are drag racing, restoring old cars, and being in his garage. He loves his corvettes and he is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

Pastor's favorite Scripture:

I will bless the Lord at all times,

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1