The concept of a community church was the culmination of a dream by organizing pastor, Reverend Robert L. Castle, III. Through his foresight, faith in God, and spiritual inspiration, Friendship-West Baptist Church became a reality. Worship services began on the second Sunday in June 1976 at the Mary Lois Sweatt School of Dance on Liberty Lane, with a total of nine worshippers. During the summer of the same year, the membership grew to over 50 members.

The need arose for more space. Consequently, the Wee Wisdom Day Care Center on Camp Wisdom Road became the second temporary site. Within six months, the membership of Friendship-West moved into an A-frame designed church, located on 7505 South Polk Street.

The ministry of Pastor Castle paved the way for enormous growth. He brought new, challenging ideas to spiritually lift God's people. He served diligently until his untimely death on February 25, 1982. The church was left without a pastor. At that time, the congregation invited Reverend Frederick D. Haynes, III, a studying young minister at Bishop College, to serve as Interim Pastor. Rev. Haynes served until his graduation in August 1982. Again, the congregation was without a pastor. Reverend John Taylor, Jr. was selected to serve as Interim Pastor and served until February 1983. On February 13, 1983, Reverend Haynes returned to assume pastoral leadership, and was officially installed as pastor on April 10, 1983. God continued to shower blessings on Friendship-West and the membership grew to over 300. Because of the rapid growth of the membership, the need arose for more space. While plans were being made to purchase another worship facility, services were held at the Faith Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church at 825 West Pentagon Parkway, from January 1990 until June 1991. During this time, we experienced phenomenal growth from a congregation of 300 to 1300 members. The Lord gave Pastor Haynes a vision concerning the direction of the church appropriately labeled Vision 2000. On June 2, 1991, the first phase of Vision 2000 came to fruition. The Friendship-West family moved, by caravan, from its original location, 7505 South Polk Street, to the location at 616 West Kiest Boulevard, praising and giving glory to God. During Friendship-West’s tenure at 616 West Kiest Boulevard, the Lord added over 8,000 members to our flock. Our Sunday worship services grew from one service to three Sunday services and one Saturday evening service. Once again the need for space was imperative. In 2000, God gave us 20/20 Vision, a vision which brought greater clarity to address the overwhelming needs of our community. From this vision, Friendship Community was birthed, a Christian community within the community that transforms the community. God then blessed us to build.

Today, FWBC is located on a 60-acre campus and welcomes over 9,000 worshippers who attend Sunday services each week. God continues to increase those numbers substantially through weekly television, radio, and online broadcasts. The 31-year history of Friendship-West Baptist Church has been shaped by faithful pioneers who have sought God’s leading and have given sacrificially of their time and resources to fulfill the mission of being a caring community of Christians committed to developing a personal relationship with our Lord that eventuates into a ministry of evangelization, edification, and emancipation, in the Church and the community.