Pastor's Blog

The biggest news coming out of the Friendship family today is that our Associate Pastor, Bro. Jerry Hovel, has tested positive for the virus.  When he called me, he was trying to get in touch with his primary care doctor for advice and direction.  Bro. Jerry asks for prayers and I ask that you join me in praying for him.  God is bigger than this virus so let’s pray for a complete healing in Bro. Jerry’s life.

Please know that Bro. Jerry does not need to be bombarded by phone calls during this time.  If you send him a message then please do so expecting no reply.  He needs to rest and focus solely on taking care of himself right now.  Thank you for understanding.

I was told today that folks, age seventy five and older, are now able to make an appointment to get the vaccine for the virus in Pascagoula.  You simply need to call and make an appointment.  Our senior adults in this age bracket may want to consider this option.

Marisa wrote me earlier this week saying that Donnie has good day, bad day.  Good hour, bad hour.  One of her main points of focus is trying to make sure that neither she or Donnie get the virus.  Pray for God’s protection over them!

As far as I know, Diane Bryant’s father was transferred to a different hospital last night.  One closer to Grand Bay which is better for the family.

We lost a fine man who worked with GRACE Ministries in Guatemala.  He was affectionately known as “Juanito” which means little Juan.  He was short in statue but was a giant of a man.  Deidra has written an appropriate blog about Juan that can be found at shininglightabroad.com.  Pray for Juanito’s family.

Speaking of Deidra, SLAM is now the owner of a fifteen passenger van.  It is a 2018 model with low miles.  Honestly, that is all I know at this point.  Thank you to each person who prayed and those who gave to make this purchase a reality.  To God be the glory!

Our basketball leagues resume play in the morning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 1/10, including the beginning of a new semester of our AWANA ministry.  I am checking with the leaders on the schedule.  I will post an update tomorrow or Sunday.

I am going to assume there will be no children’s choir this Sunday, 1/10, because of Tena’s need to quarantine due to Bro. Jerry’s diagnosis.  I will confirm that and post it either tomorrow or Sunday.

Finance Committee will meet this Sunday, 1/10.  Grant will let the members know the time.

I pray that you will have a good late afternoon, evening and night with Jesus.

A full blog entry will be coming later today.  Sorry for the delay.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I am praying that the members of the Friendship family will make attendance on Wednesdays a priority.  “This Is My Church!  How Can I Help?”

The visitation and service for Wendy Johnston’s maternal aunt takes place tomorrow.  I need to get a few of the details i.e. the name of the church being the main one.  Wendy, help me!

The medical folks are going to allow Diane Bryant’s mother to visit with Diane’s father today as they continue to make decisions regarding the next step.  The family is glad for this most recent decision.  Keep praying.

Plenty of openings on the January 28 – February 4 GRACE Ministries team going to Guatemala.  Fares can escalate at any moment so, if interested, please let me know like five minutes ago.

Keep praying for Elizabeth Sessions, Donnie Felps, JoNell Barnes, Larry Crawley, et cetera.

Lisa arrived home safe and sound around 11:00PM last night.  Thank God for Uber!  LOL!

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

The celebration of life service for Sonny Bates’ sister, Royuallyn Crocker, takes place this afternoon from First Baptist Trussville.  Pray for that service.

JoNell Barnes did not have her surgical procedure yesterday.  Her potassium level was too low.  Not sure what the plan is for rescheduling but ask that you keep praying for JoNell.

I appreciate Shawn Siker for the use of his generator for the Jack Sims service yesterday.  It was perfect!  I also appreciate Bro. Abel setting everything up, running the system and then taking things down.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

After many years of working in the church office, Miss Kittie Camp, has decided it is time for her to no longer work.  I agree with her decision.  Miss Kittie has been much more than a secretary and I am very grateful for her many years of service and ministry through this position.  Thank you Miss Kittie.

Lord willing, my wife will arrive home late tonight.  Pray for traveling mercies.  It will be nice for things to get back to “normal” around here for a day or two.

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

JoNell Barnes is having knee replacement surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  JoNell is a sweetheart and a very faithful member of the Friendship family.

The celebration of life service for Jack Sims takes place in the Grand Bay Cemetery today beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for Miss Annette, Todd and the rest of the family.

Keep praying for Diane Bryant’s father as the doctors try to decide how to help him.  Pray for the family too.

Also, keep praying for Donnie Felps.

Elizabeth Sessions is at home trying to get her blood pressure at a safe level.  Pray for Elizabeth!

Pastor Fred Wolfe passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Bro. Fred was at Cottage Hill Baptist for twenty five or so years and in recent years founded the Luke 4:18 Fellowship.  Pray for the Wolfe family.

We were blessed with some good services yesterday.  I am hearing from folks who are making the determination to join us in person very soon.  Some who have recovered from the virus were in attendance yesterday and that was a good thing!

I will be taking a small team to Guatemala the dates of January 28 – February 4.  If you want to join us and have a passport, please contact me immediately.  Would love to have more team members.  The needs are so very many right now.

Lord willing and if I can get a negative test result, I will be traveling to Guatemala next week to take care of some administrative matters.  My brother, Eddie, will be going with me.

Lisa is scheduled to arrive home tomorrow night.  That makes me happy!

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday morning and evening.  Come join us!

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

The memorial service for Martha Kendrick takes place this morning beginning at 11:15AM.  It will be held in the chapel of the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa.  Keep praying for the Kendrick family.

Elizabeth Sessions called me yesterday to say that the spent a couple of days in the hospital because of high blood pressure.  She is home now with a new regiment of medications.  She asks the the Friendship family’s prayer support.

Basketball clinic in our CAB today.  I “think” it begins at 8:00AM for the youngest grade level.  Pray for this to be a day of ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 5:00PM.

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

Happy New Year!

Diane Bryant’s father was to have a procedure yesterday but they determined his blood was too thin to proceed.  They will check again today and then make a decision as to the next step.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors involved.

The service for Martha Kendrick takes place tomorrow, 1/2, beginning at 11:15AM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the family.

Basketball clinic tomorrow for the boys & girls.  Contact Eddie Albritton for more information.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 5:00PM.

I pray that you will have a great New Year’s Day with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Marisa Felps sent me an update on Donnie.  He is much improved.  So much so that he is thinking he may go to work next week.  Marisa says, “no so fast my friend!”  Keep praying!

Keep praying for Diane Bryant’s father.

Edna Pearl called and gave me an update on Linda Rogers’ heart surgery.  Everything went well and Linda is doing well.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 1/3.  Deacons meet at 5:00PM.

The most pressing question asked to me yesterday was, “which family are you considering to be their personal trainer?”  Because of the privacy laws I am not allowed to divulge that information.  Just look for the family within the Friendship family who begins to look lean, trim and strong.

I pray that you will have a great New Year’s Eve with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The visitation with the Betty Oliver family takes place this morning beginning at 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Pray for Dale, Kerry, Stacy and the rest of the Oliver family.

The memorial service for Martha Kendrick takes place this Saturday, 1/2, at 11:00AM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the Kendrick family.

A graveside service will be held for Jack Sims on Monday, 1/4, beginning at 10:00AM in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Pray for Annette, Todd & the family.

No services or activities on our campus this morning or tonight.

The church office will be closed tomorrow.

Lisa and the Taylor clan arrived safely on GRACE Mountain around 3:00PM yesterday.  Thanks to those who prayed for traveling mercies.  I miss my wife but I am happy for her as she has had her share of travel disappointments regarding Guatemala lately.

I have the possibility of what I am going to call a new “ministry” opportunity.  I arrived home from Birmingham earlier than I expected and took advantage by going to WOW for a hour or so.  An entire family from within the Friendship family came in to join WOW.  They seemed excited to see me and the mother asked if I would be their trainer (if my memory serves me correctly)?  I am considering this request.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 1/3.  Deacons will meet at 5:00PM.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Word came early last night that Jack Sims passed from this life.  Jack Sims is a legend in Grand Bay!  An icon!  Has anyone ever done more for the people of Grand Bay than Jack Sims and his wife, Annette?  Pray for Annette, Todd and the family as they walk through this valley.

The celebration of life service for Betty Oliver will take place tomorrow, 12/30, beginning at 11:00AM from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with Dale and family.  Pray for the Oliver family during this time.

The celebration of life service for Martha Kendrick will take place this Saturday, 1/2/21, beginning at 11:00AM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the Kendrick family.

Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey will fly back to Guatemala today.  Lisa will be joining them (I am sure Soy is thrilled!)  Pray for safety in travel for my family.

Want to hear some great news?  Deidra shared the need for a van to be used by SLAM in Guatemala to transport students to and from school.  Also, to help with the transportation of the students in the church for their youth Bible study.  God showed up and He showed out and the members of the Friendship family stepped up and gave sufficient funds to finish meeting this need – hallelujah!  Thank you to each person who gave.  Glory to God for His blessings!

Lord willing, I will be doing one of those “you are not as young as you used to be things” today.  After leaving the Mobile airport I will head to Birmingham to attend a meeting relating to our mission work in Guatemala.  I will then drive home after the meeting.    Some will think I am crazy and those some will be right!  Pray for traveling mercies!

Remember, nothing on our campus tomorrow morning or evening.

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