Pastor's Blog

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.”  (Corrie Ten Boom)

Day eighteen of our forty days of prayer.

Obviously, yesterday was a national holiday (Bro. Abel’s birthday) and the church office was closed.  So, I do not have any prayer updates this morning.  I do ask you to join me in continuing to pray for Carol Lucky.

It was great to see Pearl in our morning service this past Sunday.  I do not understand why she did not go bowling with us Sunday night?  Just saying!

It was also a blessing to see Bobby Jack Felps in our morning service.  Keep praying for Bobby Jack.

What an absolute thrill to have Jeanette and Kim at their respective places of service (piano & keyboard) this past Sunday.  Joy, joy, joy!

Dr. Keith and I were an hour or so late arriving to Guatemala yesterday due to an issue once on the plane in Guatemala.  All is well that ends well.  Keith asked me to hold his hand while the plane was taking off and then landing as he said he gets anxious during those times.  I told him to get a doctor to prescribe him some medication as I was not going to hold his hand!

Deidra took the team out to supper last night at Del Puente.  I think the guys had a good day at the lake yesterday.  I am thankful!

Recess is over as the “big boss” is now on GRACE Mountain.  Today will be a labor day!  You can pray for Rhett Butler, Tom Compagner, Jack DeLeeuw, Scott Fontenot, Jason Fosmore, John Milton Ladnier, Jerry Poiroux, Kevin Sprinkle, Keith Stanford, John Whalen & Larry Whitehurst as they minister in the name of Jesus today.

I was wrong!  Rhett & Jerry each got their own room.  The other six guys in the mission house are using two of the other rooms.  So, we have four extra rooms at our disposal!

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

Happy birthday to Bro. Abel!  How old?  IDK.  We closed the church today just to celebrate!  Bro. Abel is a blessing and I hope his day will be totally awesome!

Good morning from the Mobile airport.  Waiting to board a flight to ATL and then change planes before heading to Guatemala.

Good day in both services yesterday.  I was pleasantly surprised with our attendance on a major holiday weekend.  Thank you to those who attended.

The bowling fellowship was well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy the fellowship.  Thank you to Johnathan & Jamie Jordan for their help.

The open gym seemed to be going well too as I dropped by for quick look before heading home.  Thanks to Eddie A for coordinating.  Thanks to each person who gave financially yesterday morning.  A blessing!

Visited with Carol Lucky yesterday morning.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry.  What a sweet lady!

Visited with Betty Hamil yesterday afternoon.  She is not adjusting well to the new environment and covets our prayers.

The ten guys arrived safe and sound on GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon.  Praise the Lord!  The only thing that confuses me is that eight guys are staying in the mission house which has eight bedrooms but the guys are only using two of them!  LOL!

I pray that you will have a great Labor Day holiday with Jesus.

Carol Lucky was admitted to the hospital late Friday afternoon.  I appreciate Cecil Guidry and Bill Kendrick keeping me informed.  Pray for Carol and Terry.

The following eight men from the Friendship family leave New Orleans this morning at 7:00AM heading to GRACE Mountain:  Rhett Butler, Scott Fontenot, Jason Fosmore, John Milton Ladnier, Jerry Poiroux, Kevin Sprinkle, John Whalen & Larry Whitehurst.  Yankees Tom Compagner and Jack DeLeeuw will meet them in the airport in Guatemala City.  Thank you to Eddie Albritton for taking the eight guys over to New Orleans Saturday afternoon.  Nice move on his part.  Pray for traveling mercies for these ten men.

Sunday School today beginning at 9:00AM.  Jeff Holifield will begin the new men’s class.

Morning worship begins at 10:00AM.  Our afternoon worship begins at 4:00PM.  

The church wide bowling fellowship will take place from the Spanish Trail Lanes from 6:00PM until 9:00PM.  Our students will have an open gym from 10:00PM until midnight.  Eddie Albritton is leading this ministry.  Afternoon church attendance is required to attend the bowling fellowship and the open gym.

Prayer band, today marks day sixteen of our forty days of prayer.  Pray for us to see public decisions in today’s services.

Thank you to each person who helped minister to the Mark Knighten family yesterday.  A job well done.  I am especially thankful for Bro. Abel & Rhett Butler.  I was amazed by Jeanette Bates mainly because of the duration in playing for the service.  I am grateful for the Friendship family.

Members of the Friendship family – bring a few dollars with you to the morning service.  Details will be shared during the service.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  If you are in this area, come join us!

Mark Vernon Knighten, 63, of Gautier, Mississippi, passed away on August 31, 2026. He was born on January 17, 1963, in Mobile, Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leslie Elam Knighten, and grandmother, Peggy “Gigi” Knighten; maternal grandparents, Vernon “Bay” Seaman and Neville Hansen Seaman Gipson.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Sherry Knighten; mother, Glenda Seaman Broderick; children, Mark Knighten II, Kyle (Jennifer) Knighten, Katy (Brett) Kalb, Gabrielle Knighten, Lindsey (Jeremey) Pitts, and Brandon Lathan; grandchildren, Paisley Knighten, Skylar Knighten, Easton Knighten, Max Knighten, Joseph Sprinkle, Josey Sprinkle, Landon Knighten-Kalb, Hunter Kalb, Kaley Kalb, Thomas Knighten, Johnathan Knighten, Adleigh Pitts, and Aubreigh Pitts; brothers, Tim (Peggy) Knighten and Jacob (Jeri) Toney; sister, Jennifer Broderick; his special black Lab, Sadie Knighten; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Mark had a deep love for the outdoors and was happiest when he was hunting, fishing, or skeet shooting. He especially enjoyed the time spent outdoors with family and friends and the memories made along the way. When he wasn’t outdoors, Mark could often be found gathered around the grill, preparing a meal for those he loved. His smoked ribs were a family favorite, and he was well known for his secret cornbread and gumbo recipes. More than anything, Mark treasured time spent with his family, whether they were enjoying the outdoors or simply gathered together over a good meal.

Mark dedicated more than 30 years of his life to a career in law, spending much of that time as an independent attorney. He also served for a time as a special judge presiding over lunacy hearings.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Chuck Bordis, Judge Mark Maples, Tyler Cox, Judge Neil Harris, Judge Randy Pierce, and Judge Calvin Taylor, as well as the clerks, bailiffs, judges, attorneys, and the entire legal community for their support and friendship.

A visitation will be held at Friendship Baptist Church, 12581 Saeger Road, Grand Bay, Alabama 36541, on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Teddy Turrentine officiating. A graveside service will be held at Orange Grove Cemetery.

Carol Lucky is having dialysis today.  The plan is then for her to go to a rehab facility next week for physical therapy.  Carol has a very strong desire to join us in worship at Friendship.  Pray for Carol & Terry!

Pray for Mark Knighten’s family as they ready for tomorrow’s visitation and celebration of life.  Visitation begins at 10:00AM and the service begins at 11:00AM in our auditorium.  The interment will take place in the Orange Grove Cemetary.  Those helping with the meal are asked to have the food in our Preschool Building no later than 11:00AM.  Thank you to each person helping in any way.

Regular schedule this Sunday with one exception – our afternoon service will begin at 4:00PM which is one hour earlier than normal.

Our church wide bowling fellowship will take place from 6:00PM until 9:00PM at the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier, MS.  The cost is eight dollars per bowler (thirty dollars max per immediate family).  Church attendance is required.

Eddie Albritton will host a student ministry, 6th – 12th grades, in our CAB from 10:00PM until midnight Sunday night.  Church attendance and bowling fellowship required.

Good news!  Jeanette Bates will be back on the piano bench this Sunday morning!  Hooray!  I am extremely grateful to Kim Tillman for serving as our pianist during Jeanette’s absence due to her surgery.  Kim has done great!  Also, very thankful to Jenna Fosmore for being our keyboardist during this time.  Jenna is a happy camper as she now gets to attend Sunday School!  Who is counting but I think Jeanette has been our pianist for like seventy-eight years now!  (My figures may be off a year or two!)

After the judge’s ruling yesterday, I will be filing a lawsuit against the AHSAA as they did not have a three point line during my playing days.  This prevented me from getting a scholarship to a major college and then signing a lucrative contract with the NBA.  So, look for me on a high school basketball court for four years near you soon.  (I need this court case to move quickly due to my advanced age – just saying!)

Sorry for the delayed entry.  I pray you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

The visitation with Sandra’s family will take place on Saturday, September 12, beginning at 11:00AM at the Fairview Baptist Church located at 5295 Fairview Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904.  The celebration of life service will follow the visitation.  Continue to pray for the Sandra McElwee family.

This morning just before 8:00AM Sandra McElwee passed from this life and entered Heaven.  Sandra’s favorite song was “When I Meet Jesus” and that meeting has now become a reality for her.  Pray for David, Stuart & Leigh Ann and the family.  I spoke to David ever so briefly after Sandra’s passing and he was doing well all things considered.

“I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”  (Jesus speaking – John 11:25-26)

Because Jesus lives, Sandra lives!

“Your prayer life depends on your trust in God.”  (Mark Batterson)

The arrangements for Mark Knighten have been set.  Visitation (10:00AM) and service (11:00AM) in our auditorium this Saturday, September 5.  Burial in the Orange Grove Cemetery.  Those helping with the feeding of the Knighten family need to have all food/drinks in our Preschool Building by 11:00AM Saturday.  Keep praying for the Knighten family.

Last word I received from Leigh Ann is that her mother, Sandra McElwee, remains about the same.  Sandra’s numbers are going down.  Keep praying for Sandra, David, Leigh Ann, Stuart and the entire family.

Carol Lucky did not receive her dialysis treatment yesterday.  Carol & Terry need our prayers.

Marisa Felps asks for us to pray for her husband, Donnie, as he navigates some physical problems.  No visits, calls, texts, et cetera for the time being.  Thank you for understanding and for praying.

John Milton Ladnier seemingly suffered from heat exhaustion on Tuesday.  He got dehydrated.  His wife, Teresa, is now cracking that proverbial whip and will keep him in line.  Pray for John.

A few of our folks have visited Betty Hamil this week.  She is doing well physically but struggling emotionally.  Pray for Betty!  Want to send Betty a card?  Mail it to Betty Hamil Room 105 Carillon Oaks 5461 Kooiman Road Theodore, AL 36582.

Ten of the eleven men traveling to Guatemala depart this Sunday, September 6, with the eleventh one departing on Monday, 9/7.  Pray for these men as they travel and minister.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Thank the Lord!

Church wide fellowship this Sunday, 9/6, following our 4:00PM worship service.  The fellowship will take place at the Spanish Trail Lanes from 6:00PM until 9:00PM.  Bro. Abel will drive our charter bus for those needing transportation.

There will be a student ministry fellowship following bowling in our CAB from 10:00PM until midnight.  All students, 6th – seniors, are invited to attend.  Questions?  Contact Eddie Albritton.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 9/6.  Please note the early starting time for our afternoon service.

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

“When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words be without heart.” (John Bunyan) (Day twelve of forty)

Forty years!  In some ways it seems like forty minutes while in other ways it seems like four hundred years.  To me, it mainly seems like yesterday.  I still remember specific details.  Today marks the fortieth anniversary of Lisa’s brother, Michael, passing from this life and entering Heaven.  He would be fifty-eight years old.  I cannot imagine.  He will forever be eighteen in my mind.  Death stings!  I am praying for Charles, Ann, Kim and Lisa today.

The arrangements for Tim’s brother are as follows:  visitation this Saturday, 9/5, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service.  Everything will take place in our auditorium.  We will provide a meal for the family following the service.  Pray for the Knighten family during this time.

As far as I know, things are the same regarding Sandra McElwee’s situation.  Keep praying for David, Leigh Ann and the family.  Sandra, in my opinion, lived a Martha type life and that is a good thing.

Bonnie Smiley’s hip replacement surgery has been postponed again.  It is now set for next Thursday, September 11.  Pray for Miss Bonnie.

I received a message yesterday with some heart breaking news.  I do not know if I am at liberty to share it but I do ask you to join me in praying.  God knows.

Continue to pray for Carol Lucky.

Pray for the eleven men traveling to GRACE Mountain next week.

Regular schedule on our campus today.

Church wide bowling fellowship this Sunday, 9/6, following our 4:00PM worship service.

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

“I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” (Martin Luther) (Day eleven of forty)

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, passed from this life yesterday morning.  Pray for Mark’s family.  The arrangements will be made today but it appears everything will take place on our campus this Saturday, 9/5.  Once the details are completed then I will post them here.

Chuck Hatcher and I had an uneventful trip to Huntsville, AL and back yesterday.  Sandra was not awake but it was a privilege to visit with David, Leigh Ann, Stuart and Abby.  Sandra is close to waking up in Heaven – what a day that will be!  Pray for Sandra and her family.

I even got to stop by and pray with Mama on our way to Huntsville.

Traveling wise, the highlight of the trip was enjoying lunch at Bib Bob Gibson’s on Sixth Avenue in Decatur.  Please do not tell Stacey Dyess as he would be so jealous!

Speaking of Stacey, one of Gayla’s brothers remains in the hospital.  Pray for both of her brothers and their respective situations.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

Church wide fellowship this Sunday, 9/6.  We will have a service beginning at 4:00PM and then travel to the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier for bowling from 6:00PM until 9:00PM.  Cost is $8 per bowler.  Church attendance is an absolute in order to join us for bowling.  Pass the word!  Come join us!

I pray that you will have a great rest of your Tuesday.