GET TO KNOW
OUR STORY
Our Mission
As a united body of Christians the mission of FBC is to provide worship of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are committed in faith to actively promote an environment of betterment for our community.
By nurturing God's people to discipleship and sharing of
spiritual gifts, we believe that we will address the needs of our community and members. In
achieving our goals, we will readily use resources available to promote stewardship as the
foundation of our outreach ministries.
Lastly, the utmost desire of FBC is to be pleasing to God
by sharing the good news of our Lord's love and saving grace.
As written in the Psalms, Pastor Beverly Ashburn prays,” One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on
the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
Pastor Beverly Ashburn was born June 9, 1954, in Newport News, Virginia to the late
Willie J. Hilton and the late Alease Watson. At the age of four, she and her family moved from
Newport News, Virginia, to Brooklyn, New York. She began her academic pursuits at Bronx
Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Theology Degree and Honorary Doctor of
Divinity Degree from United Christian College, her Master of Divinity Degree from Rhema
Seminary and College, and her Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern North Carolina
Theological Institute.
She entered into business during her late twenties. After many years of study, and with
provisions from God, she successfully ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. Today, she
sees herself as an example of God’s miracles and she knows that without God she is nothing.
Pastor Ashburn is married to Rev. Delton A. Ashburn, Sr. and they share a blended
family of three daughters and a son. The beauty of motherhood, as well as being a wife, has
rewarded her with many lifelong lessons, accomplishments, and the joy of being a grandmother.
Pastor Beverly Ashburn desired to have a relationship with God and her humble
beginnings started at the doorsteps of the Nation of Islam. She remained a Muslim until she
found the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior in the mid ’80s. God is good!
She continued to work diligently in her home church as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, usher, financial
secretary, and more. She wanted to render herself a servant in God’s kingdom. On May 14,
1995, Beverly Ashburn preached her initial sermon at Friendship Baptist Church. Her work in
the ministry continued and on July 6, 1997, she was ordained at the Friendship Baptist Church.
On November 14, 1999, the Friendship Baptist Church Family and Bishop Willie J. Hilton,
founder and Pastor, installed Dr. Beverly Ashburn as the Assistant Pastor. At that time, it was
declared that Dr. Ashburn would begin her service as Pastor upon Bishop Hilton’s entrance into
eternal rest. On November 21, 2009, our founder, Bishop Willie J. Hilton, entered into eternal
rest.
Dr. Beverly Ashburn began her stewardship as Pastor.
As pastor, Rev. Dr. Beverly Ashburn has worked diligently to add new ministries to the
church such as Because We Care, which feeds the homeless, a media ministry, and HDR, which
works with those who suffer from addictions. Pastor Ashburn actively gives of her time as she is
a member of several community organizations. January 12, 2014, Pastor Beverly Ashburn was
afforded the honor of rendering the invocation at the inauguration of our 81st Governor, Lt.
Governor, and Attorney General.
Pastor Beverly Ashburn lives each day with the scripture that reads, "THINGS WHICH
EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED
THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE
HIM." - 1 Corinthians 2:9.
OUR PASTOR
Friendship Baptist Church was organized, Saturday, April 17, 1983, at the home of
Dr. and Mrs. Willie J. Hilton located at 381 Sampson Avenue, Hampton, Virginia.
The devotions were led by Dr. Hilton, Pastor and Founder, which began with
“Near the Cross,” followed with a scripture coming from the sixteenth chapter
and thirteenth verse of Matthews, and ended with prayer.
The first services of Friendship Baptist Church were held at the home of Dr. and
Mrs. Hilton every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Using the offering
plates donated by Bro. and Sis. Barner, the first offering of sixty-seven dollars and
seventy-five cents was collected. The Lord had begun one of His many miracles
for Friendship Baptist Church.
On February 9, 1990, at 7:00 p.m., we had the Dedication Service of our new home
located at 1135 37th St, Newport News, VA. Our faith journey had ended our
largest test of faith because of prayer, determination and the Lord. The Friendship
family worshiped and celebrated with other area churches, friends, families and
local politicians. Because of the Pastor’s obedience to the vision given of God, and
the members willingness to catch hold of the vision, the expansion of Friendship
Baptist Church is now a reality.
On Saturday, November 21, 2009 our beloved Bishop entered into eternal rest.
Our Bishop’s concern about our well-being as a church family and in his infinite
wisdom he declared and set in order as Founder and Pastor of Friendship Baptist
Church upon his homecoming Dr. Beverly Ashburn will become Pastor of
Friendship Baptist Church.
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Beverly Ashburn Friendship Baptist Church has
supported several community projects and partnered with sister churches to assist
with the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, providing youth with employment
opportunities, feeding and clothing the homeless and hungry, and providing
mentorship to individuals in the community. Under Dr. Ashburn’s pastoral
guidance the Because We Care Outreach Ministry and Hope Deliverance
Resurrection Outreach Ministry were formed. In the words of our Bishop ``The
Best Is Yet to Come!”