Pastor's Blog

Happy birthday to my younger brother, Freddie.  He is sixty-two years old today and will officially be retired come December 31, 2026.  He has been using accrued off time since the end of August and that will continue until 12/31.  Of the three Turrentine brothers, Freddie is probably the nicest but please remember that the competition is not stiff!  I hope Freddie will have a great day!

The visitation (1:00PM) and celebration of life service (2:00PM) for Rick Bradley’s father will take place today from the Church on the Rock on Chicot Street in Pascagoula.  I am going to assume that Rick’s brother, Rodger, will preach the service.  Pray for the Bradley family.

Tim Knighten, along with Peggy, arrived at M.D. Anderson Sunday night.  Tim had scans done yesterday and will meet with the doctor(s?) today.  Pray for a continued miracle in Tim’s life.

Eddie Brinkman remains hospitalized.  I did not ask for an update yesterday but I live by the “no news is good news” scenario.  I do know Eddie continues to need our prayer support.

Missionary Mark Mast received a physical miracle regarding his eyesight this past Sunday.  I would think it is on his social media accounts if you are interested in reading about it.  Praise the Lord!

I learned yesterday that Bro. Abel Garcia is now the interim pastor of the Friendship family.  Congratulations to Pastor Abel.  Pray for him and the Friendship family as they seek God’s divine will.  Did I have anything to do with this?  Absolutely not.  I have not given input in Friendship’s search for an interim pastor or for their upcoming search for a permanent pastor.  I am staying in my proverbial lane while praying for God’s will.

I learned last night via an email that the Friendship family, under the leadership of our present deacon body, are going to continue my compensation through 12/31/26.  Wow!  I did not see that one coming but I am tremendously blessed!  Expected?  No!  Appreciated?  Absolutely.  I really am speechless!  Thank you Friendship family and deacons!  May God’s best blessings be yours in abundance.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus tomorrow.

Our thirteen readers of the “blob” are growing anxious as 10/31/26 grows ever so close.  They are asking questions that I cannot honestly answer.  Eleven of the thirteen readers want me to continue blogging.  Will that happen?  At this point, I do not have an answer. I am considering a “pay for view” blog option.  I have crunched the numbers and figure I can take in around ten dollars each month doing this.  After paying the associated costs for this endeavor, I think I would only be one hundred and fifty dollars in the hole each month.

I have offered my services as a remote chaplain to a few businesses.  Yes, there would be a small fee involved but it would financially sustain Lisa and me more or less for the immediate future.  Genzink Plumbing, Diamond Pro, Garnett Lawn Equipment and Spencer Bell Ministries, Inc. are my initial targets!  Do you know of other businesses who might be interested?  Asking for a friend!

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

Happy birthday to my favorite sister, Melissa.  How old?  Yes!  Suffice it to say that I am much older than her.  I hope she will have a great day!

Edna Pearl has always been faithful to keep me updated regarding folks in her family who are physically sick, had surgery, et cetera.  She sent me a note yesterday letting me know that her brother, Eddie Brinkman, is making progress in his recovery from surgery.  He still has a long way to go in his recovery but he is trending in the right direction.  Keep praying for Eddie & Lisa.

Rick Bradley’s father, H.L. Bradley, passed from this life last Friday, 10/23.  The visitation will take place tomorrow afternoon, 10/27, beginning at 1:00PM with the celebration of life service beginning at 2:00PM.  Everything will take place at the Church on the Rock (3901 Chicot Street Pascagoula MS, 39581).  Rick and Beth are fine folks and good friends.  Rick’s main flaw is that he is a Florida Gator!  Pray for the Bradley family during this time.

FYI, Jeanette Bates’ daughter, Adrian, will be having surgery on November 18.  I mention that now because the chances are that I will not be blogging then and Adrian is a very faithful reader of the blob!  Make a note and remember to pray for Adrian on 11/18, please.

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

Eddie Brinkman remains at the top of my prayer list.  Pray for the medical folks giving him care.  Pray for Lisa.  Pray for God to touch Eddie in a miraculous way.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus this Sunday, 10/25.  I pray that many folks will attend.

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

Late entry.  My apologies.  Red truck.

Eddie Brinkman remains basically the same.  He is in ICU and does not need any visitors.  He is physically tired and the medical folks say he needs to sleep and then sleep some more.  Keep praying for Eddie & Lisa.

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

The surgery on Eddie Brinkman lasted around ten (+/-) hours.  There were some complications and Eddie’s condition is not good at the moment.  The next couple of days are critical.  He is in ICU which was the expectation going into the surgery.  Pray for Eddie & Lisa.

Scott Fontenot was discharged from the hospital yesterday and was frying french fries for the soccer concessions last night!  Do pray for Scott to keep doing well.

Dana & Remi should be discharged from the hospital today.  All is well.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus this morning and tonight.  Same is true for this Sunday, 10/25, per Bro. Abel’s letter of yesterday.

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

Eddie Brinkman is scheduled to have major surgery today.  He has to be at the hospital at 5:00AM which most likely means his surgery will begin around 7:00AM.  The surgeon says this could be a seven to eleven hour surgery.  Pray for Eddie & Lisa.

Scott Fontenot was admitted to the hospital early Monday morning due to heart issues.  A procedure was done and he should be discharged from the hospital early today.

Matt Everett was discharged from the hospital this past Sunday.  Obviously, he is doing better and there is a plan in place for the future regarding the additional surgery needed, et cetera.  Keep praying for Matt & Jennifer.

Our daughter, Dana, gave birth to her daughter, Remi, this morning at 1:12AM.  She checked in to this world weighing six pounds and six ounces.  She is twenty inches long.  Congratulations to Herbie & Dana Snow.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow, 10/21, morning (as far as I know) and evening.  Pray for those who will lead these services.

Today, Tuesday, 10/20, is my final day as the pastor of the Friendship family.  I have served as pastor here for exactly thirty-six years as I began my pastorate on Sunday, 10/21/90.  What a joy it has been to pastor the Friendship family!  An absolute joy for me!  Thank you for the privilege!

My plan is to blog some days until Saturday, October 31, 2026.  I need to express my appreciation especially for the events of this past Sunday, 10/18.  Wow, what a day that was!

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

I did not get the opportunity to visit with Matt Everett yesterday so I do not have an update.  I simply ask you to continue to pray for Matt & Jennifer.

Eddie Brinkman is still scheduled for his major surgery on Tuesday, 10/20.  Looking for the surgery to take seven to eleven hours from start to finish.  Keep praying for Eddie & Lisa.

Seth Mast, the yet born son of Ben & Ireland Mast has been diagnosed with macrocystic CPAM.  Seth is basically twenty-five weeks in the womb at this point.  Here is how Ben & Ireland are asking folks to pray:

1. That the fluid-filled cysts in Seth’s left lung – especially the dominant cyst – would cease growing.
2. That even as his body is now experiencing some strain, Seth would not experience any distress, and that his heart would remain strong.
3. That the doctors at our next appointment will have wisdom in determining how to proceed.
4. That even now Seth would sense just how deeply loved he is, and that Henry would be reassured of our love for him as well, even as we are away from him more often.
5. That Ireland and I will have continued endurance now with the start of weekly appointments far sooner than we expected. (At 6.5-7 hours roundtrip for each one, this can feel somewhat daunting.)

There has been no change in Dana’s situation.  The baby has simply chosen to remain in her safe space for the time being.  Pray for Dana to have patience and to simply trust God’s timing through this process.  Thank you!

Soccer resumes this morning at 8:45AM on our back forty.  The forecast is calling for wind gusts of up to thirty-three miles per hour.  It should be a sunny day.  Pray for this ministry.

Well, I am at right at thirty-three hours away before having the wonderful opportunity to preach to the Friendship family one last time as their pastor.  I am hearing that we will have guests in attendance for our morning and evening services tomorrow.  My mind has been walking down a very long memory lane for days now.  I can honestly say that it has been a great walk!  Perfect?  No because of an imperfect pastor.  How my heart would be blessed to see a SRO attendance in tomorrow morning’s 10:00AM worship service.  I so want it to be all to the glory of God!  Will you join us?  Pray without ceasing!

Remember, our afternoon worship service in the auditorium tomorrow will begin at 4:00PM sharp!  Fellowship in the CAB following the service.  Everyone is invited.

I am close to that proverbial finish line regarding retirement but Lisa has a long list of things for me to get done today here at the house!  Just waiting on daybreak and that whip will begin cracking!  (I may need to rethink this retirement thing!  LOL!)

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

Visited with Matt & Jennifer yesterday morning.  Matt does have an infection that the doctors do not think there is an easy way to remove because of the location within his body.  So, as I understand it, the plan is to just depend on antibiotics to fight it until it is gone.  I do not know when Matt will be discharged from the hospital.  Keep praying for Matt & Jennifer.

Baby?  What baby?  She remains in Dana’s womb and seems pretty content.  As long as daughter and mother are not in harm’s way I am perfectly fine with waiting.  Baby Snow will eventually make her appearance into this world.  What she decides to enter this world this Sunday?  Praise the Lord!

Jimmy Presley unexpectedly passed from this life Monday, 10/12.  The visitation and service will take place this afternoon from Presley’s Outing.  Pray for the Presley family.

Our soccer leagues resume play tonight and then continue in the morning.  Pray for Bro. Abel and those who are involved in this ministry.  Come get a five dollar combo meal and help our students going to camp next Summer!

Bro. Abel, Jerry Poiroux, our deacons and others have already done much in getting things ready on our campus for this Sunday’s services.  Words are inadequate to express my appreciation for every act of kindness shown by these folks.  Humbling!  Folks retire daily so my retirement is not a big deal.  I am just another “soon to be retiree” which means I am old!  I have been checking out convalescent homes looking for one with a double room that I can share with Charles!

Again, I have one request for this Sunday morning’s service.  I would love to see a SRO attendance to the glory of God!  Will you join us?  If so, bring others with you.  If it is SRO then I promise the message will be brief!

I had the privilege of sitting beside Ethan Nelson last night at the ball park.  I appreciate his time and we were able to solve most of the world’s problems.  Peggy Knighten then graced me with her presence which was another blessing.  I truly love the Friendship family!

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

This entry is being written just after midnight.  Why?  Because it is possible that we will receive a phone call in a few hours to come to the hospital.  Dana’s doctor thinks Dana will give birth to the baby either tonight or at some point today.  Pray for a safe delivery!  Thank you for praying!

Matt Everett does have an infection.  Jennifer is spending the night with him in order to be there when the doctor makes rounds this morning.  It appears something will have to be done today.  Exactly what?  Good question.

Pray for Pastor Mark Mast today as he will have cataract surgery.

The attendance in the last Wednesday night of my pastorate was really good – morning and evening.  Thank you Friendship family for being faithful!

We are planning on a SRO crowd this Sunday morning.  That really is my only request of the Friendship family.  Will you and your family attend our 10:00AM service?  Bring others with you.  I ask our staff, deacons and their spouses to please sit in the chairs on the platform unless Bro. Abel asks you to do otherwise.  Let’s do this from the start so as to provide room for others to join us.  Also, Friendship family, would you please sit as close to the front as possible when you enter the auditorium?  Thank you in advance for you spirit of cooperation.  Miss Vinnie Brewer will be speaking during the morning service and I look forward to hearing from this sweet lady.  I will be bringing a brief message from the Word.  Pray for me to keep my emotions in check!

Our second service on Sunday will begin at 4:00PM.  I think it will last until 5:20PM or so.  We are going to have guests and I am thankful for each guest and members of the Friendship who will attend.  A fellowship will take place in the CAB immediately following the afternoon service.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  I love the Friendship family!

Bro. Abel told the yesterday that the men who attend tonight’s service are asked to remain afterwards in order to remove everything from the big area in our CAB.  This will be the beginning of the preparation for the fellowship that will take place this Sunday evening, 10/18.  The whole fellowship thing is “too much sugar for a dime” in my opinion but I am simply doing as asked.  I so enjoy our Wednesday night services – LOL!