Pastor's Blog

It dawned on me yesterday that August 2024 has already come and gone.  Where did it go?  Wow!

Thank you to those who prayed for Lizzi and Deidra yesterday.  The day went well considering everything.  God is faithful.

Daphne will leave the mountain today and should arrive home late tonight.  Sandra Wilson from South Carolina is traveling to the mountain today.  Pray for traveling mercies for both, please.

Dr. Mike Clark is asking folks to fast and pray for Miss Dottie, for him, for Casa Aleluya.  Mike & Dottie are good friends to Lisa, Deidra, me and GRACE Ministries.  Join me in praying for them.

To our Michigan readers of the blog – there will be a GRACE Gathering at Vriesland Reformed Church on Thursday, October 3, beginning at 6:30PM.  Please plan to attend and bring others with you.  Pass the word!

Friendship family, regular schedule this Sunday, 9/8, morning and evening.  Church wide fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, 9/22, beginning at 4:00PM.  We will have a baptismal service as a part of that fellowship.  More details coming.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

A late entry.  My apologies.  Actually, research shows that any person writing their 6,015th blog entry is always a bit late that day.  Is that not odd?

Three prayer requests this morning.  First, pray for Deidra and Lizzi today, please.  Lizzi is receiving an academic award at the municipal building this morning (9:00AM our time).  She received this award last year and, obviously, Soy was present.  Precious, yet painful, memory.  Prayers appreciated!

Second, Mike Clark told me yesterday that Miss Dottie is just not doing as well as they had hoped for.  Please continue to pray for Miss Dottie & Dr. Mike.

Third, a good friend who has a ministry in Guatemala is really in a tough place right now.  He called me yesterday asking for prayer, seeking advice, et cetera.  I pointed him to Deidra as she is in a much better position than me to help him.  Join me in praying for this ministry, please.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

What, a blog entry?  Surely not!  I do not make excuses other than to say, “I do have a red truck!”.  “They” say that you do not really miss something until you no longer have it.  Is that true of my blog entries?  Nope.  FYI, I have been writing entries on this blog since 2007 and have over six thousand entries.  Anyway, my apologies!

Let me begin by saying the graveside service for Miss Beth Rockwell last Monday, 8/26, was sweet.  I appreciate Chuck & Greg allowing me to have a small part in that service.

Second, the celebration of life service for Miss Vinnie Brewer’s brother, B.V. Nowell, was awesome.  It was a church service minus the offering!  I was blessed to have the privilege of attending that service.

Third, Bro. Abel tells me that Chase Chambliss did an excellent job of sharing at his dad’s (Danny Chambliss) celebration of life service this past Friday.  I appreciate Bro. Abel being there in my absence.

Fourth, thank you for the prayers for Deidra and the girls.  Greatly needed at this time.  Lord willing, they will travel to Alabama on 9/30.  It will be nice to have them here.

We were blessed with a good Sunday two days ago.  God is good!  He is faithful!  I am hearing that our 60 – 69 class had a huge number this past Sunday in Sunday School as did our 8th-9th graders.  Good stuff!

I commend those folks from the Friendship family who attended either the Auburn or Alabama games this past Saturday night and were then in our service Sunday morning.  Impressive!  Of course, they slept through the message but so did I!  Jenna Fosmore did not sleep through but took great notes!  Way to go, Jenna!

I pray that you will have a great rest of your Tuesday with Jesus!  Thank you for reading blog entry #6014!

The following was sent to me by Chuck Rockwell:

“My family and I greatly appreciate the love and support shown to us by our Friendship Church Family and others after the passing of my wife Beth Rockwell.  God bless you all.”

Earlier I posted the obituary for Chase Chambliss’ father, Mr. Danny Chambliss.  Pray for Chase and his family during this time.

Our schedule for this Sunday morning, 9/1, is normal – 9:00AM Sunday School; 10:00AM worship.  I hope all of those in town will be faithful to join us.

We will NOT have any evening activities/service on our campus this Sunday evening, 9/1.  Please pass the word.  My hope is that families and friends can use this time to enjoy good, wholesome fellowship.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Daniel “Danny” Carter Chambliss Sr. Slipped away from this life and on to glory at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center on Monday, August 26th, shortly after 5:30pm. He was with family as he passed. A lifelong resident of Semmes, Alabama, Danny was a member of Semmes First Baptist Church for many years until he followed his family with Christ to Moffet Road Assembly of God, now known as Refuge Church, until his health declined. He graduated from Semmes/Mary G. Montgomery High School in 1969. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Danny served his country in Vietnam. Upon returning home, Danny met his beloved wife Sharon, settled down in the Semmes community and raised a family. During his life, he had many careers including being an EMT, a police officer for Prichard and Bayou La Batre, Al., little league baseball umpire, and being an entrepreneur with his own private investigator’s business and lawn care business. He was an avid outdoorsman who always felt the peace and tranquility of God’s creation anytime he stepped foot in the deer woods or had a fishing pole in his hands. He passed this love on to his son, son-in-law, grandsons, and any others he had the joy of spending time with. “Coach Danny” also had the honor and privilege of helping to build Semmes Ball Park from the ground up where he coached many young men for years in football and baseball as well as serve on the board and as president. Later in life, he would go on to mentor youth by leading the Royal Rangers at Moffet Road Assembly of God. Danny is proceeded in death by his father, John Allen Chambliss Jr. and mother, Helen Watson-Allen. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Rosen-Chambliss, daughter, Bridgette (Jeffrey) McCammon, son Daniel Carter “Chase” (Bridget) Chambliss Jr. as well as eight grand children: Rachel McCammon, Jonathan McCammon, Seth McCammon, Phillip McCammon, Paul McCammon, Grace McCammon, Ava Chambliss, Sawyer Chambliss. His two sisters: Raye Darlene Allen (Scott) Glassburn and Liladean Allen (Lucien) Schexnayder and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

Visitation with the family begins at 10:00AM on Friday, August 30, and continues until the service begins at noon.  Visitation and service will take place from Serenity Memorial Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.

I had the privilege of preaching one celebration of life service yesterday and then attending another one.  Beth Rockwell’s service was graveside and the Lord blessed us with a nice breeze.  Yes, it was on the warm side but God was gracious.  Again, thank you to those who helped minister to Chuck and family following the service.

The service for Miss Vinnie’s brother was really good.  Honestly, I felt as though I had been to church.  It seemed the only thing missing was they did not receive an offering – LOL!  Thank you for praying for the Nowell family.

I learned of another passing yesterday afternoon but I need to get approval before posting it.  Pray for the family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Good day in our services yesterday.  Bro. Abel did well in preaching the Word yesterday morning.  Jeanette Bates & Paul Davila did well in sharing during the evening service.  The fellowship was sweet and our staff, deacons and wives did a great job of hosting the fellowship.  The ice cream was awesome!  Thank you Lord for a really good day!

The graveside celebration of life for Beth Rockwell takes place today at 11:00AM at Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Pray for Chuck, Greg and the entire family.  Thank you to those who are helping feed the family following the service.

The celebration of life for B.V. Nowell will take place today from the Corinth Free Will Baptist Church in the Waynesboro, MS beginning at 2:00PM.  Visitation with the family will take place from noon until the service.  Keep praying for Miss Vinnie & family.

Spoke to Rachel Walton this morning and she is doing well in her recovery.  Keep praying.

Thank you for Henry & Sue Wyse for hosting Jason this past weekend.  Ditto for Jimmy & Dede Tagert for doing so this coming Sunday and Monday.

By the way, the church office will be closed on Monday, 9/2, for Labor Day.  Just FYI.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday morning and evening.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Mr. Berry Van “B.V.” Nowell, 91, of Waynesboro, MS passed peacefully from this life Saturday, August 24, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Waynesboro, MS on Saturday, November 5, 1932, to the late Buddie and Lucy Pitts Nowell. Mr. Nowell proudly served in the United States Army. He was a devout member of Corinth Free Will Baptist Church where he served as an ordained deacon for 55 years. He retired as a Drilling Superintendent for Texaco Oil Company. After retirement B.V. went back to work with Block T Petroleum as a Consultant.

B.V. was a courageous man of faith who devoted his time to helping his church, family, friends, and neighbors. His faith and integrity inspired many who knew him to surrender their lives to Christ. Throughout B.V.’s long life, he was known for his incredible work ethic and generosity. His heart was as big as his faith, and he lived each day with a spirit of compassion and humility. He found joy tending to his cows, bailing hay, listening to gospel music, cherishing moment with his family, and enjoying evenings on the porch with the love of his life, his wife, Edna. He was celebrated for his infectious sense of humor, consistently finding ways to bring joy and laughter to those around him. B.V.’s legacy of love, faith, and hard work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to be touched by his life. May he rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that he has gone to his eternal reward, leaving behind a world made better by his presence.

Mr. Nowell is preceded in death by his parents, Buddie and Lucy Pitts Nowell; brother, J. W. Nowell; two sisters, Dorothy Hinton and Betty Ruth Sharkey; two Sons-In-Law, David Boaz and Johnny Shoemaker. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Edna Earl Sanderson Nowell; two daughters, Debbie Shoemaker and Regina Hancock (Paul), all of Waynesboro, MS; two granddaughters, LaBreeska Atkinson (Sam) of Sylvester, GA and Laken Hancock of Waynesboro, MS; great grandson, Jakin Atkinson of Sylvester, GA; brother, Rev. Norman Nowell (Azalene) of Waynesboro, MS; two sisters, Vinnie Mae Brewer of Grand Bay, AL and Donna Dunnam (Cecil) of Waynesboro, MS; a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Mr. Nowell will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Monday, August 26, 2024, at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church, 2320 Camp Eight Road, Waynesboro, MS 39367. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, August 26, 2024, at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Ronald Nowell, Rev. Burl Brewer, and Rev. Larry Reynolds officiating. Interment will be in Corinth Free Will Baptist Cemetery in Wayne County, MS.

Elizabeth Ann Rockwell, age 80, passed peacefully from this life and entered Heaven August 22, 2024 at her home in Grand Bay Al. She was a loving daughter, wife and mother beloved by all who knew her.

She was born on October 8, 1943 in Meridian, MS. Elizabeth was the daughter of Vivian Kathleen and Sim L. Richards and was raised in Gulfport, MS. After graduating from Gulfport High School, She and her mother moved to Moss Point, MS. Elizabeth went on to graduate from Perkinston Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Home Economics. After graduation, she returned to Moss Point where she married “the boy next door”, Charles Ernest Rockwell, son of Reverend Ernest Rockwell and Ruth Goff Rockwell. Charles and Elizabeth moved to Grand Bay in 1967 and in September of 1971, they became the proud parents of their son, Gregory Ernest Rockwell.

Elizabeth was a caring and much loved educator in the Mobile County School System and a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church. Even in her failing health, she remained steadfast in her faith and her love of God.

She is survived by her husband, son and daughter-in-law, Katharine Rockwell.

A graveside service for Elizabeth will be held Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Serenity Memorial Gardens, 8951 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582.

Good morning from Rocky Ford, Alabama.  Came up with Titus, Grayson Glenn, and Colby Scofield.  Watched Danville’s football game last night (great nephew, Jace) and will be visiting with Mama this morning.

Good news – Sonny & Jeanette Bates met with the doctor yesterday who has recommended Sonny to a specialist.  He also recommended a pill that has had a good track record thus far.  That meeting will take place next week.  The doctor told Jeanette that Sonny will “live to a ripe old age!”  Praise the Lord!  Thank you for praying!

More good news – Derek Brown messaged me to say that his heel is broken in a different place.  No surgery required and he can return to work, as planned, on 9/4/24.  He will have physical therapy twice a week.  Again, praise the Lord!  Derek appreciates the prayers.  (By the way, Derek going back to “work” is about like Al Stokes going back to “work” if you know what I mean.  I have been on a mission trip with both of them and “work” would not be a word I would use to describe either of them!)

Miss Vinnie called me yesterday morning to share that her brother is very low physically and is expected to pass at any time.  Pray, please!

There will be a graveside service for Beth Rockwell on Monday, 8/26, beginning at 11:00AM from Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Keep praying for Chuck, Greg and family.

Looking forward to our services tomorrow.  Join me as we celebrate Bro. Abel’s fifth anniversary on our staff.  “Sweet” fellowship tomorrow night.  Deacon Eddie says “not so fast my friend” on the ice cream outcome!  Deacon Vice says “watch this” on the sweet bologna.  It has gotten tense!  Still looking for some additional folks to share three minutes or less about how God has used Bro. Abel in your life.  The clock is ticking so email me like five minutes ago!  A love offering for Bro. Abel will be received.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.