Pastor's Blog

On one hand it seems like the events of 9/11/01 happened one hundred years ago while on the other hand it seems like it was only yesterday.  Twenty-five years!  Time flies.  Is the USA closer to God today because of the events of that horrific day?  In my opinion, no.  Pray for our country.

It also seems like yesterday when Charlie Kirk was killed.  However, yesterday, 9/10, marked one year since his life on earth ended.  Charlie did not live a long life but he surely lived a full one.  Pray for Charlie’s family.

I have been praying for Terry Lucky and family for the past few hours.  Carol was a pastor’s friend.  She will be greatly missed.  Keep praying for Terry and family.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 9/13.  Two new classes begin this Sunday at 4:00PM.

The guys in Guatemala are doing well.  They have a full morning today and then begin getting ready to head home.

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

Terry Lucky messaged me just a few minutes ago to share that his sweet wife, Carol Lucky, passed from this life and entered Heaven at 3:18AM today.  Join me in praying for Terry and the family.  Obviously, arrangements pending.

“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.” (Billy Graham)

Halfway point of our forty days of prayer.

Carol Lucky has been moved from ICU to another hospital room and has been placed under hospice care.  Continue to pray for Carol & Terry.  I appreciate Bro. Abel and others from the Friendship family who are ministering to this fine couple.

The Lord blessed the team in Guatemala with a good day yesterday.  The service last night was a celebration of Guatemala’s Independence Day which is 9/15.  Guatemala joins four other Hispanic countries:  Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, who all declared independence on that day in 1821.  Needless to say, it is a big day that is literally celebrated for days!

The team has a marathon day in front of them today.  More to come.

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

“Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Day nineteen of our forty days of prayer.

Carol Lucky has been moved into ICU.  Obviously this means that her condition is not improving.  Please keep praying for Carol & Terry.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

The men’s team in Guatemala is doing great.  Their attitudes have been excellent and their work ethic is second to none.  I “think” I am correct in saying that Scott, John L and Larry will remain on GRACE Mountain today in order to cook two special meals.  Not sure what those meals will be but Scott will likely add a Cajun flare to at least one of them.

Yesterday, the men totally completed eight houses and built two more with only the concrete needing to be put in place.  They are moving so quickly that Deidra added five houses to the number to be built yesterday.  That is very unusual.  God has blessed us with excellent weather.

Prayerfully, today the team will complete the original fifteen houses planned to be built.  Church service tonight.

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

“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.