Rev. Brianna Parker
Pastor of Assimilation, Friendship-West Baptist Church

For the Reverend Brianna K. Parker, the pulpit has been both comfortable and desirous since she was a toddler.  Her inspiration to pray was coerced by none other than God Himself.  One late evening at the age of four she asked for bubble gum. Her mother directed her to make her request for bubble gum to God.  Before Brianna ended her prayer for one piece of bubble gum God answered immediately with a one-pound bag of bubble gum at the ring of the doorbell.  This answered prayer in such abundance was an affirmation to young Brianna that God was real.  It was then that trust began and her relationship with God has continued to progress.     

Brianna spent her childhood years in Dallas, Texas before spending her adolescent years in Michigan.  She moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University at the age of 17 and it was in this time of solitude that she responded to the call of God she received at 15.  In spite of the many challenges, Brianna graduated from Arizona State University with recognition as an “Exceptional Graduate” of her class for receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in two years.  She was licensed as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in February of 2003 at First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona.  In 2006, Brianna completed a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.     

The deaths of four aunts in eighteen months and the tragic death of one close cousin created a renewed sense of calling because of a greater appreciation of life and better understanding of both life and death.  The Bible says when we go through, we are to go back and strengthen the brother. That was chosen and accepted.  Brianna has worked as a Chaplain and Marriage and Family Counselor in many different settings never ceasing to preach God’s Word and be a servant to the people of God. She has also worked as a grant writer, physical education teacher and academic advisor. She has taught Bible study, facilitated Abstinence cell groups, and has mentored youth in several churches. Brianna has plans to earn a PhD in Justice Studies as she follows the assignment that she attempts to live by, “A Charge to Keep, I Have, A God to Glorify”.      

Today, Brianna is currently matriculating toward a Master of Business Administration in Public Administration where she applies not only her academics but her faith and experience to strengthen the Kingdom in the area of Assimilation.  Brianna has “big dreams” for assimilation at FWBC and she adheres to Habakuk 2:2, "2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. 3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”  Brianna is certain that it is possible to have a church where all members of the body are fully functioning and progressing productively toward the work of the Kingdom.