Pastor's Blog

Robert Baria remains in ICU but is doing “better” per the medical folks.  No new problems have been found which is an answer to prayer.  I appreciate Bro. Abel visiting him yesterday.  Bro. Jerry and Bill Kendrick have kept me updated on Robert’s situation for which I am grateful.  Keep praying for Robert, Roseanne and family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – Sunday School begins at 9:00AM followed by worship at 10:00AM and 5:00PM.  Bro. Abel will be preaching in both of the worship services.

I want to say a belated thank you to John Milton Ladnier for the watermelon and okra he gave us last Sunday.  He has given us like one hundred melons this summer.  The okra was absolutely beautiful and tasted amazing!  John Milton is very kind to my family and me.  We are grateful!

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

It “appears” that a big part of Robert’s problem is dehydration.  He “seems” to be some better this morning but remains in ICU.  Keep praying!

I do not know any of the details but Robert Baria has been placed in ICU.  Please join me in praying for Robert, Roseanne and the family.  I will post an update as I get information.

Pray for Robert Baria as he is having a feeding tube put in place this morning.  Pray for Roseanne too!

Keep praying for Terrel Brooks.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

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

Terrel Brooks did well through his surgical procedure yesterday.  He remained in the hospital (pre-determined) and should be discharged this afternoon.  Pray for Terrel and Marie.

Speaking of Marie, I recently received a phone call from a lady who lives in Fairhope.  She called to share with me that Marie and her friend, Patricia, made seventy (70) quilts for a ministry in Ukraine.  Are you serious!  The lady just wanted to “brag” on Marie and her work ethic and servant’s heart.  Good stuff!

I am continuing to pray for Robert Baria.  Please join me in praying for Robert & Roseanne as they have a tough row to hoe!

I saw Chuck Rockwell yesterday and he expressed his sincere thanks to all those who have prayed for him.  He is doing much better.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Plus One on Sunday, July 30, featuring the ministry of Cindy Stanford during our morning service.  We will meet with the Grand Bay Church of God at 5:00PM that day for a musical praise and worship service.  I am looking forward to this special day.

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

Terrel Brooks will have a defibrillator placed in his chest today.  Pray that all goes well.

Hilda Gunter’s daughter, Stacey, will have a surgical procedure on Wednesday, 7/26.  Pray for Stacey as she prepares for that day.

Robert Baria has a plate full of procedures taking place.  Pray for Robert and Roseanne!

Good day in our services yesterday.  Once again, the spirit was excellent.  A family who has been involved in our soccer ministry for a couple of years attended yesterday’s morning service.  Here is what they sent to Bro. Abel – “we have enjoyed everything at the church and sports!!!  Great atmosphere!”  To God be the glory!

“Plus One” on Sunday morning, July 30!  Attend and bring someone with you!  Cindy Stanford will be our special musical guest in our morning service.

A joint night of musical praise and worship at the Grand Bay Church of God on Sunday evening, July 30, beginning at 5:00PM.  Cindy Stanford will join us for that service too.  Going to be great!

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

YES to VBS!  We enjoyed another good day in our VBS yesterday.  Praise the Lord!  Our attendance was two hundred and ninety-six.  Today is a most important day in this year’s VBS so pray for all to go well as the Gospel is shared.

We made a change to the offering competition as the boys and girls have joined forces for a common goal of reaching a total of sixty-five hundred dollars.  As of this morning, the total stands at fifty-nine hundred thirteen dollars and forty cents.  So we need five hundred eighty-six dollars and sixty cents to reach our goal.  Maybe some adults would like to drop by and add to this total.  This entire offering is in loving memory of Myrtle Bowden.

Robert Baria is facing a tough road in his battle with tongue cancer.  Pray diligently for Robert & Roseanne.

Received an update from Andy Hamil regarding Hilda Gunter’s daughter, Stacey.  The scan revealed that action needs to be taken and they have give Stacey some options from which to choose.  She will inform the doctor by Monday and the procedure will take place on Tuesday, 7/18, if all goes as planned.  Keep praying for Stacey especially for her to have wisdom regarding which option to choose.  Pray for Hilda too.

The church office will close at noon today.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 7/16:  Sunday School at 9:00AM; worship at 10:00AM, worship at 5:00PM.

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

There will be no morning service or evening activities on our campus today.  No 10:00AM service or 6:30PM service/classes.

Also, the church office will close today and tomorrow at noon.  Bros. Jerry, Abel & Dylan have put in extra time with VBS and this will give them some down time as we prepare for this Sunday.  All of us are on call in the event of an emergency.

Hilda Gunter’s daughter, Stacy, will have a brain scan this morning.  Depending on what the scan reveals, the doctor “may” take immediate action.  Pray for Stacy.  She is a sweetheart!

Eric Harrington’s brother-in-law, Kevin, passed from this life very early yesterday morning.  Pray for the family.  A memorial service will most likely take place later at a time to be determined.

YES to VBS!  Our attendance yesterday was three hundred and two!  I am told that things went much smoother than day one. Keep praying for our VBS.

Do you remember Casper, the friendly ghost?  Just curious.  (Asking for a friend!)

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  YES to VBS!

YES to VBS!  Our first day of our VBS ’23 is now in the books.  As seemingly normal, things can be a bit chaotic the first day but I love how one of our workers put it “I’ve heard a lot of chaos from people this morning but it’s all been through smiles and laughs. What a sweet spirit!”  In my opinion, she hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Our VBS attendance yesterday was two hundred and sixty-eight.  That is pretty good for the first day.  Thank you to each person who attended and we expect even more to attend today.

The visitation for Richard Bentley’s sister, Sue, takes place today from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at Oddfellow’s in the bayou.  Pray for this family as they walk through this valley.

Keep praying for Pastor Brannon Lott of Wade, MS Baptist Church.  He is in M.D. Anderson in Houston.

Remember, no morning or evening services on our campus tomorrow.  VBS, VBS, VBS!

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

Sue Bentley Strachan, age 69, a resident of Irvington, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Grand Bay. She was born in Mobile on January 14, 1954.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bervin and Edna Mae Bentley; oldest son, Shannon Dale Montieth; grandson, Cullen Robert Strachan; sister, Becky Shackleford; and her brother, Aaron “Apple” Bentley.

Sue is survived by her son, Jason (Sigourney) Strachan; grandsons (her boys), Hunter and Connor Strachan; brothers, Bubba Bentley, David (Faye) Bentley, Pejoe Bentley, and Richard (Angie) Bentley; sister, Renee Schley; loving nieces, Amanda, Leslee, and Tracy; as well as other nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Oddfellow Hall in Bayou la Batre at 11:00 AM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will immediately follow at Oddfellow Cemetery.