Pastor's Blog

My heart has been heavy and hurting ever since early yesterday morning.  I intentionally did not visit Sonny this past Monday as I had been exposed to covid and did not want to potentially expose him.  I spoke to Jeanette and she agreed with me that not visiting was the best decision.  If only I had known. . .   Keep praying for Jeanette and family.

Tomorrow will be a normal Sunday on our campus with Sunday School, morning worship and an abbreviated evening worship.  Then we will gather in the CAB to celebrate ten years of ministry at Friendship for Bro. Abel Garcia.  Four years his first time here and six years this time.  What a blessing Bro. Abel has been to me personally and professionally.  He thinks soccer is a sport but everyone has their faults!

Remember, we will receive a love offering for Bro. Abel in both services tomorrow to show a token of our appreciation for him.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

You are not asked to bring anything to the fellowship.  There will be a taco bar and Bro. Abel is pumped!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Hope to see you in the morning and then again tomorrow evening.

While I do not have the complete obituary for Sonny Bates, I want to share what is known at this time.  The visitation with the family will take place on Monday, August 25, from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  The celebration of life service will take place beginning at 10:00AM on Tuesday, August 26.  Everything will take place in our church auditorium.

The burial will take place in the Alabama State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Alabama beginning at 2:00PM also on Tuesday, August 26.

A complete obituary will be posted once it is listed by the funeral home.

Pray for Jeanette and family during this time.

This morning Sonny Bates was escorted to Heaven.  Jeanette, as she has been throughout this ordeal, was faithfully there beside him.  Bro. Abel is at the hospital with Jeanette as are her children, Sonny’s brother and others.  Pray for Jeanette and her family.  The Friendship family just lost one of the absolute finest church members in our history.  Heaven’s gain.

It was exactly three years ago today, 8/22, that Jeanette’s mother, Miss Kittie Camp, entered Heaven.  As Jeanette said to me this morning, “in time that will be a blessing.”  More reason to pray specifically for Jeanette.

The most pressing prayer need today within the Friendship family is for Sonny Bates.  He has been moved to ICU.  Honestly, that is all I know at this point.  Keep praying for Jeanette and the family too.

Ladies Bible study this morning at 10:00AM.  All ladies are invited to attend.

Things are hopping on GRACE Mountain.  Today marks the final in class day for our seniors – wow!  Going to treat them to lunch as a way of celebrating.

Tonight will be the civil wedding ceremony for Jorge & Ingrid.  Talk about boring!  I would rather have my toe nails ripped off!  Just saying!

Ross Genzink has accomplished much in our brief time here.  The guy is a machine!  I am thankful for Ross & Queen.

It began raining around 4:00PM yesterday and has not stopped.  Major storm in the late afternoon.  Good for the crops but not so good for a planned outdoor wedding ceremony.

It appears our June 2026 GRACE Ministries trip is at capacity.  Wow!  Praise the Lord!

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

First, the number of folks who attended the visitation service for Larry’s service and then the number who attended the COLS was very good.  Speaks very well of Larry and his family.  Keep praying for the Crawley family.

Sonny Bates remains in the hospital.  I was going to visit with him yesterday but an issue arose that kept me from doing so.  I spoke to Jeanette on the phone.  It took the proverbial “forever” for Sonny to get a room.  Keep praying for Sonny & Jeanette.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Lisa and I are leaving early this morning for Guatemala in order to attend the wedding ceremony of Ingrid Aju.  Actually, I am “preaching” the wedding.  Not sure all that involves but will soon find out.  Lord willing, we will return home Saturday night and I will be in the pulpit for both services Sunday.

I am going to try to have a daily entry on this blog while gone.  I promise to do my best.

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

Those who were in attendance in our morning service yesterday are obviously aware that Bro. Chris Scofield resigned his position on our church staff.  He met with the deacons, Bro. Abel, and me early yesterday morning to share his decision and then Henry Wyse shared Bro. Chris’ decision with the church family at the close of our service.  Here is a part of what Bro. Chris shared with me electronically yesterday morning – “I will always defend you and your ministry to anyone with anything negative to say. I Love and appreciate you and Lisa and the Friendship family.”  I simply say ditto in regard to Bro. Chris and his family.   I am thankful for the time he had here.  Bro. Chris also shared with the deacons that his sons, Clay & Colby, along with Clay’s girlfriend, Lilly, plan to continue being a part of the Friendship family.  Pray for Bro. Chris and family and for the Friendship family.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our service yesterday morning.  Worshiping as Logan Hatcher followed Jesus in believer’s baptism was the proverbial cherry on the top!  Glory to God!

The visitation with the Larry Crawley family was very well attended.  Larry was a much loved individual.  Pray for the service that will begin at 10:00AM today.

Sonny Bates was admitted to the hospital yesterday after having been taken there by ambulance around 4:00AM.  Pray as the doctors sort through his situation.

Meeting tonight beginning at 6:30PM for those interested in being part of our June 2026 GRACE Ministries mission trip.  We will meet in the youth building.

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

Happy birthday to our fifth oldest grandchild, Nora Hutto.  We were in Colorado on a skiing trip when Brad & Daphne told us of their expecting child number three.  I am not worried about Nora having a great day as she is pretty adept at making sure that will happen!  She is her Mama’s daughter!  Just saying!  Lisa and I love Nora and hope that her twelfth birthday will be one to remember.  Happy birthday, Nora!  (Very nice of Eddie Albritton to give Nora twelve dollars for each year of her life!)  Happy birthday, Nora!

I posted the obit for Larry Crawley.  I am still struggling with the fact that Larry has passed from this life.  In some ways he was larger than life.  He will be missed by many!  Pray for Larry’s family.

I am thankful that Sonny Bates is home.  Just because he is home does not mean that we should stop praying for him.  Jeanette has done a great job of keeping me posted on his condition.  Please respect their request for no visitors at this time.  Sonny is recovering, healing, et cetera and mainly needs our prayer support.

Please continue to pray for Clinton Stringfellow.

Keep praying for Betty Hamil.  She is doing better one step at a time.  By the way, Andy could use someone to mow his yard today.

My Mama took a fall yesterday.  She is ok.  Thankfully, I was able to visit her on Thursday.  Yes, up and back in one day.  (It is nice to be young!)  Just saying!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning.  Baptism at the beginning of our service.  Amanda Steele begins flying solo in SS tomorrow while Tonya Gordon is moving on up!  Good stuff!

No evening service due to the visitation with the Crawley family.  Food for the Crawley family needs to be in our Preschool Building by 10:00AM Monday.

Thank you to those who have contacted me with words of encouragement as we battle the forces of hell.  Jesus has won!  Hallelujah!  To the forces of hell I simply say, “not today!”

Lisa and I finally made the switch!  We are now only drinking decaf coffee!  Actually, we changed cell phone providers.  Why?  Well, it is really nice when you have a signal when using your phone.  We were blessed with a wonderful sales rep thanks to a recommendation from Daphne which came from Kayla.  We are now basically helping pay Rhett Butler’s salary!

My Friday got totally rearranged so that means the totality of my today will be spent in our yard from sun up to sun down minus a birthday breakfast with Nora Ann!

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

Larry Marlin Crawley passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and countless cherished memories with family and friends. Larry was the beloved father of two daughters: Nicole Crawley Taylor (Chris) and their children Truett and Tag; and Rachael Danielle Sigsbee (Shane) and their children Riley and Shepard. He was a devoted son to his father, Delaney Franklin Crawley, and his late mother, Georgia Phillips Crawley. Larry is also survived by his three siblings: Marilyn, Iris (Joby), and David (Diane).

He was a proud graduate of Mo Co High School (1978) and Perkinston (1980), Larry furthered his education by earning his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Seminary. By trade, he was a Master Plumber, but his true calling was as a Fisher of Men, a Fisher of the Deep Sea, and a Scuba Diver.

Larry dedicated much of his life to serving others through various non-profit and mission organizations. His missionary work included the Campus Crusade for Christ Jesus Film Project, Habitat for Humanity, Here’s Life Africa, and Here’s Life Tanzania, among many other various ministries in the Philippines, Central America, South America, Europe, and many countries throughout Africa. His commitment to spreading hope and making a difference touched countless lives around the world. Larry will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Those who were blessed to know him will forever treasure the many fishing stories and memories that capture his joyful spirit and love for life’s simple pleasures.

Larry Marlin Crawley’s visitation will be held on Sunday, August 17, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Crawley’s Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, August 18, 10:00 AM. Proceeding his Celebration of Life Service will follow a graveside service to W.R. Clark Memorial Cemetery in Fort’s Lake. All services will take place at Friendship Baptist Church 12581 Saeger Road Grand Bay, AL 36541,

While Sonny Bates is now at home and is very thankful for the prayer support, he and Jeanette are asking for the time being that there be no visits made.  I understand this.  Please respect their wishes.  Thank you for praying, understanding and cooperating.

Sonny Bates was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  That is the good news.  The not as good news is that he will now be on oxygen.  Sonny & Jeanette are disappointed in this news but are very thankful and happy to be home.  Keep praying!

The visitation with the Randy Eyler family take place this morning beginning at 11:00AM at Serenity Funeral Home with a graveside service at noon.  Pray for the Eyler family.

The visitation with the Larry Crawley family will take place this Sunday from 5:00 – 7:00PM in our auditorium.  The celebration of life service will also take place in our auditorium beginning at 10:00AM Monday, 8/18.  Keep praying for the Crawley family.

Thank you to those who ministered to the Margie Stringfellow family by providing a meal following the service.  Likewise, thank you to those who will do the same for the Crawley family Monday.  Good ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning.  No evening service due to the visitation with the Crawley family.

God is at work all around us!  Praise Him!  Satan and his demons are fully aware of this so we must be sober and vigilant.  Thankfully, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

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