Special Guest: Lady Doris Bryant of Pleasure Hill Baptist Church
Discover how God-ordained friendships strengthen women in ministry. Learn biblical principles from Ecclesiastes 4 and Proverbs 27 on Kingdom friendships.
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (KJV)
One of the greatest blessings in ministry isn’t always a large platform, .a packed sanctuary, or a title. Sometimes, one of God’s greatest gifts is simply a faithful friend.
During Episode 3 of The Women’s Ministry No One Wants to Talk About, I had the privilege of sitting down with Lady Doris Bryant to discuss Friendship in the Ministry. What unfolded wasn’t just another conversation—it was a beautiful reminder that God still writes friendship stories.
Pray for Friendship Like You Pray for Marriage
One statement Lady Bryant made immediately resonated with me:
“We should pray for friendships the same way we pray for marriage.”
How often do we spend years praying for a spouse, yet never intentionally ask God to send us godly friends?
Friendships shape our lives just as much as marriages do. The people we allow close enough to know our struggles, celebrate our victories, and speak into our lives influence our spiritual growth in ways we sometimes overlook.
Lady Bryant reminded us that friendship is not something to force. It is something to pray for and allow God to establish.
When God ordains a friendship, He joins two people together for His purpose—not merely for convenience.
A Friend Should Draw You Closer to Christ
In today’s culture, friendships are often built around common interests, personalities, or shared experiences. Kingdom friendships go much deeper.
Lady Bryant shared that a true friend should never pull you away from God. Instead, they should encourage you to pursue Him more passionately.
A godly friend isn’t afraid to pray with you, lovingly correct you, celebrate your victories without jealousy, and remind you of who you are in Christ when you’ve forgotten.
Those kinds of friendships don’t drain your faith—they strengthen it.
Iron Sharpens Iron
One of the Scriptures that perfectly captures this truth is:
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
— Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
Sharpening isn’t always comfortable.
Sometimes it means accountability.
Sometimes it means difficult conversations.
Sometimes it means someone loving you enough to tell you the truth when everyone else simply tells you what you want to hear.
Real friends don’t compete with your calling.
They sharpen it.
God Still Provides
During our conversation, I shared something many women quietly experience.
Sometimes it can be difficult to cultivate genuine friendships within the house of God. Whether because of past hurts, misunderstandings, or simply trying to discern who is truly walking with you, many women have found themselves asking, “Will I ever have that kind of friendship?”
Lady Bryant’s answer was both simple and full of hope.
God will provide.
Her friendship with Monica stands as living proof that God still connects His daughters in authentic, healthy, life-giving relationships.
Their friendship wasn’t manufactured. It wasn’t based on titles or positions. It was built on faith, trust, prayer, and mutual love for Christ.
For every woman wondering if healthy ministry friendships still exist, let this encourage you:
They do.
Don’t settle for relationships God never assigned to your life. Pray, trust His timing, and allow Him to bring the right people into your journey.
What Is a Godly Friendship?
A godly friendship is one centered on Christ where both people encourage one another spiritually, pray together, speak truth in love, and help each other grow in faith rather than away from God.
Why Are Friendships Important in Ministry?
Ministry can be lonely. God designed believers to encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17). Healthy ministry friendships provide accountability, wisdom, prayer support, and encouragement during difficult seasons.
How Do You Know a Friendship Is God Ordained?
Add a bullet list:
- It draws you closer to Jesus.
- There is mutual honor.
- There is no competition.
- Prayer is natural.
- Correction is received in love.
- Both people celebrate each other.
- Trust continues through difficult seasons.
- The friendship produces spiritual fruit.
More Scripture For You!
Include:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Proverbs 27:17
John 15:13-15
Romans 12:10
Galatians 6:2
Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 18:24
Even Technology Couldn’t Stop This Conversation
Now, we have to mention one unexpected guest who tried to join the broadcast…
Our internet connection!
For a brief moment, it looked like the technology wanted to interrupt what God was doing. The connection tried to cooperate with the enemy more than it cooperated with us—but God had other plans.
We laughed, regrouped, and kept moving because the message was far too important to stop.
Sometimes ministry is just like that. Things don’t always go perfectly, but God still gets the glory.
A Family Full of Grace
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Christ Bryant, the entire church family at Pleasure Hill Baptist Church in North Carolina, and everyone who graciously supported Lady Bryant during this conversation.
One of my favorite moments happened at the end of the broadcast.
Everyone kept saying, “TGBATG!”
I’ll admit—I had no idea what those letters meant!
After asking, we all shared a good laugh as they explained:
“To God Be All The Glory.” Watch Full Episode:
That small moment perfectly reflected the warmth, humility, and joy that Lady Bryant and Pastor Bryant consistently display. Their love for God and for people shines through in the simplest interactions, reminding us that ministry is not just about preaching—it’s about living Christ before others.
So, as they say at Pleasure Hill…
To God Be All The Glory. (TGBATG)
May we all continue praying—not only for the right spouse, but also for the right friends. Because when God ordains a friendship, He doesn’t just give you someone to walk beside you.
He gives you someone who helps you become more like Him. When you look back; you praise Him for journey.