Pastor's Blog

The funeral visitation with the Joyce Clark family will take place today from 2:00PM until the 3:00PM service time.  Everything will take place from the Franklin Creek Baptist Church.  Miss Joyce’s grandson, Randall, and his wife, Heather, recently joined the Friendship family and are active members.  Pray for the Clark family.

Our own John Vickers has been called as the Student/College Minister at First Baptist Pascagoula, MS.  I was looking forward to having John around here this Summer but am extremely excited for him and this ministry opportunity.  John is the son of Ben & Diane Vickers.  Congratulations to John.

Regular schedule this morning.  We will be observing the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in both of our morning services which is not the norm for us.

Our “eatin’ meetin'” begins at 5:00PM in the CAB followed by the service (also in the CAB) at 6:00PM.  Dale & Karla Bosarge will be sharing the Word through their illusion ministry.  It is my prayer that the members of the Friendship family who are in town will be faithful to attend the services today/tonight.

Herbert & Peggy Benefield had a wonderful idea – they are going to bring homemade ice cream to the fellowship tonight!  Why did I not think of that?  Awesome!

This Wednesday, 5/29, is the last day to submit nominations for deacon.  They must be given, in writing, to Larry Whitehurst or the pastor.

We will have Parent/Child Dedication on Sunday, 6/2, as a part of our 10:30AM worship service.  Parents, please call the church office by this Thursday, 5/30, if you plan to participate.

We will recognize all couples who have been married 50 years or longer on Sunday, 6/9.  This includes those who are now widows/widowers but were married 50 years plus before their spouse passed from this life.  Please call the church office by Thursday, 6/6, if you can join us for the 10:30AM service that day.

The church office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Memorial Day.  If an emergency arises, you can contact me at home.  I plan to spend the better part of the day in the garden.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

Here is the latest from Jerry & Gloria:

Pastor and Friendship Family,

It is 10:30 pm here in Coimbatory, India and and I think that makes it around noon there in Grand Bay.

Day Three of the Pocket Testament League, India conference is over and we had quite a day. There are 304 Pastors, Lay Pastors, Evangelist, Church Planters and workers from PTL in attendance.

Of course Gloria and I are not the only guest speakers. Also in attendance are Pastor E. Daniel Martin and Don Haus from Kingdom Life Ministries,PA, Amos Stoltus from Eastern Mennonites Mission, PA. and Yemiru Tilahun from Ethiopia.

I spoke at the morning session sharing about how individual Christians can share the life of Christ just by living their daily life where God has placed them. Brother Alex then turned the main meeting hall over to Gloria and the ladies while he met with about 40 Church Planters in the dining hall and the other men were given some time off to play cricket.

I’m told there are 3 national sport frenzies in India. First is cricket, second is cricket and third is cricket. Would you believe they have no interest in soccer and of course don’t know a thing about Alabama football.

This afternoon I had the privilege of participating in the ordination of 22 new Pastors and 6 Overseers (sort of a Regional Director). The ordination ceremony included foot washing, laying on of hands and anointing each new Pastor with olive oil and much prayer and lasted several hours.

Tomorrow all the churches in this region are invited to a joint service with us at the conference. They are expecting appox 300 brothers and sisters to attend and worship with us.

Please continue to pray for the conference and for Gloria and I. Everyone here sends their love and blessings to the Saints in Alabama.

Mitchel’s surgery went all according to what Tiffany Dawn shared with Lisa via the phone late yesterday afternoon.  He was thinking that he would come home today but I do not know if that is going to happen.

No updates on any others.

The funeral arrangements for Randall Clark’s grandmother, Miss Joyce, are as follows – visitation with the family tomorrow beginning at 2:00PM until the 3:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at the Franklin Creek Baptist Church which is just across the state line.

Raymond’s Aunt Pat will be buried today in the Atlanta, GA area.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning.  The evening service will see us having a time of fellowship at 5:00PM followed by a service at 6:00PM.  That service will feature the ministry of Dale & Karla Bosarge.  We will be receiving a love offering for D&K, so pray and come prepared to give.

We need the staff and deacons in the CAB immediately following the 10:30AM service to set up tables and chairs for the fellowship.

We had one public profession of faith in the service at the Mission of Hope last night.  The band did a really nice job of sharing the Word through song.  The Friendship family was well represented with over thirty in attendance.  I thank Bro. Kenny Lingle for coordinating this ministry.

We have a SS class fellowship here today and Lisa is “demanding” that I get outside (it is still dark!) and work in the yard.  Her words were something like “your idea to host this fellowship so you can get ready for it” (loose translation of a fictional conversation between us!)

Hope to see many members of the Friendship family tomorrow morning and evening.

I pray that your Saturday will be great with Jesus.

Vera Bosarge asks that we pray for her brother, David, who lives in North Carolina.  He was taken to the hospital last night with many health problems related to his heart and lungs.  Plans call for him to receive a pacemaker today.

Just received (6:45AM) the following from Jerry & Gloria:

Pastor,
Greetings in the Name of The Lord.

I apologize for not sending you any updates but Internet service is very sporadic. Even now as I type this I have no connection but am composing this trusting that I will get a opportunity to send it soon.

The conference is in its 2nd day and is going well. The main purpose seems to be to inspire the workers to greater goals in their ministries. Alex has set a goal of having at least one church in every major city by 2025 and PTL to have sent at least ten Missionaries out from India by that time.

The other speakers are fine men of God. So much better and more experienced than me in this type of conference. One is a Pastor from Ethiopia. Very dynamic. Their messages seemed to focus on “group inspiration”?? The Call of the ministry. “God has a plan for PTL.” etc. my messages are about our individual relationship to Christ. I wonder if they are out of place here but I have to speak what The Lord has placed on my heart. I wish you were here for some guidance but I am trusting that The Lord will be all I need each moment.

A good portion of this mornings session was spent inspiring the young people (13-20 years old) to listen for God’s calling on their lives to the Ministry. There is a very large number of families here. Beautiful children and ladies in their most colorful saris.

Very beautiful in this part if India. Actually a lot like Guat. except hotter. Lovely mountains across the skyline. Groves and groves of coconut palms and other tropicals.

The food has been ALL Indian. Very spicy. And of course it’s “tea time” every afternoon. Hot tea with milk and its 90 + degrees.

Gloria has been great. I am extremely blessed to have her with me and she has given her heart and her all to everyone here especially the women and children. Alex is setting aside a special session for her to share with the women.

Alex’s son has a phone that can set up a mobile hot spot. Hopefully I can get this off to you soon.

Thank you for you prayers!! Blessings to you and all the church.

Tina W posted the arrangements for Raymond’s Aunt Pat as a comment on yesterday’s entry.  Everything will take place in Marietta, GA tomorrow morning.  Pray for Raymond’s family as they go through this time.

Randall Clark’s grandmother, Joyce, passed away yesterday afternoon.  The tentative plans are to have a funeral service at 2:00PM on Sunday from the Franklin Creek Baptist Church.  Again, those plans are tentative.  Pray for the Clark family.

Mitchel Fox is scheduled to have surgery at some point today.  Tiffany Dawn is supposed to let me know the time.  Will she?  You never know with her!

Visited with Craig yesterday morning.  He is anxious to get out of the hospital but he cannot walk at this point.  However, that did not keep him from “breaking it down” as Elvis!

Visited with Tanya Love too as she has been moved to a room.  Apparently no change in her situation.  Keep praying!

Had a nice visit with Miss Barbara Nevin.  She was not in as much pain as she was the day before.

Visited Clyde Collins and he seemed to be doing well.

Tena Hovel’s dad has been placed under hospice care.

Mission of Hope tonight at 7:00PM.  Our senior high praise band will play/sing and I will be bringing a brief message.  At least the music will be good!

Church wide fellowship this Sunday evening at 5:00PM in the CAB.  The church will provide burgers, dogs, and drinks.  You bring the trimmings and desserts.  Someone seems to think that homemade ice cream would be a good dessert?

Dale & Karla Bosarge will share the Gospel through illusions beginning at 6:00PM.  That service will also be in the CAB.  We will receive a love offering for Dale & Karla as they are a faith based ministry.  (If I were in OBA, I would come to see this ministry!)

IMO, sad day for the BSA yesterday.

Parent/Child Dedication on June 2 and recognition of couples married for 50 plus years on June 9.  Both during the 10:30AM service.  We need names – call the office next week, please!

Evangelist David Miller (Edna’s first cousin) will be with us in all services on Sunday, June 30.  What a blessing!

It is nothing short of a miracle!  I began mowing around 5:30PM yesterday and then it happened – Soy got on a mower and Charles got in his air conditioned, Sirius radio tractor and began to help!  After the EMT was able to awaken me, I was able to mow until dark thirty.  Folks, this is certainly not a Biblical sign but it makes me believe Jesus is coming soon!

My sweet mother-in-law snapped and canned fourteen quarts of beans yesterday.  Is that a blessing or what!

It is 3:30AM and Lisa is mandating that I get to Walmart!  Gotta go!  Still looking for Stephanie Dunkley!

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

Good day in our services yesterday/last night.  It appeared that our numbers were very good in all of our services.  Soy & Deidra allowed the “garage” folks to use their living room last night which made it much more comfortable i.e. they have air conditioning!

Raymond Wilkinson’s aunt, Pat, passed away last night.  The arrangements are incomplete.  We will post them here once they have been finalized.  Pray for the family.

Mitchel Fox was placed in the hospital on Tuesday night.  They did a test yesterday.  Not sure what the outcome was or what the next step will be in trying to diagnose his problem.

Clyde Collins was diagnosed with a malignancy last week and was placed in the hospital yesterday morning.  The doctors are trying to formulate a treatment plan.

No significant change in Craig, Miss Barbara or Tanya.  Randall & Heather Clark recently joined the Friendship family.  Randall’s grandmother, Joyce Clark, was seemingly near death yesterday according to the medical folks.  (It is 4:15AM and I have not gotten an update but will post if the situation has changed)

Mission of Hope tomorrow night at 7:00PM.  Carl Ray Moulds says the bus is repaired and ready to go.  It will leave the church at 6:15PM.  Our high school praise team/band will be ministering through song.  Rumor has it that the preaching will not be much but the music will be strong!

We are going to have “burgers & dogs” for our fellowship this Sunday afternoon.  Meal begins at 5:00PM followed by a service with Dale & Karla Bosarge at 6:00PM.  Everything will be in the CAB.  You are asked to bring a side and a dessert.  Would it not be great if folks would bring homemade ice cream?  Just saying!  Bring enough of whatever side and dessert (homemade ice cream would possibly be a good choice) for those attending with you plus one more.

The staff and deacons are asked to be in the CAB immediately following the 10:30AM service this Sunday to help set up for this fellowship.  Marisa will need some folks to help her beginning at 4:00PM – contact her for the details.

Sam Schjott is leaving the bayou and moving to an office in Mobile as he got a promotion.  He will now be the lead janitor instead of just a janitor’s helper.  Way to go Sam!

We are doing something in our services this Sunday morning that we have never done before to my knowledge.  What?  Come and see!

Has anyone seen Stephanie Dunkley lately?  We are about to file a missing person report with the Grand Bay police office.

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

The Friendship family did an outstanding job of ministering to the two families (Loyd & Walker) yesterday by providing the food for them.  You have always done an outstanding job in this area of ministry and, as your pastor, I thank you!  You are the best!  To God be the glory!  Also, thanks to those who attended either of those services.

Craig Kirschenman was moved to a room yesterday afternoon.  He cannot walk yet but otherwise is doing well.  I visited with him while he was still in the unit and they were about to begin physical therapy.  I told him to show the therapists his “Elvis” move and he gave me one of his winks.  Good stuff!  Again, to God be the glory!

Good to hear that they lowered the death toll number in the Oklahoma tornadoes.  However, that does not lessen the blow for those who lost family members.  Pray!

Attended the revival service at Lilly Orchard Baptist in Moss Point last night.  A few members of the Friendship family were in attendance too.  Michael Rowell is the pastor and Dave Walton is the evangelist for the services.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  The menu for the 8:00PM service is ham with the trimmings.  It will be good thanks to my sweet wife!

Mark Sunday, June 30, on your calendar and keep that date free in order to attend our services that day.

It is a miracle!  Lisa and Deidra watered the garden last night as I did not get home until 5:30PM and was leaving shortly thereafter to attend the revival service.  I hope they put it on video!  (They now can say they “helped” in the garden this year!)

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

I have often said that, if a choice could be made, I would rather deal with a hurricane as opposed to a tornado.  You have enough advance notice to run from a hurricane.  The tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, proves how little time folks have between the actual warning and the tornado touching down.  Yesterday’s time – sixteen minutes from the actual warning to devastation.  We certainly want to pray for the families of those fifty-one folks who were killed and the other forty or so who remain missing at the time of this post (3:00AM).

Visited Craig Kirschenman, Barbara Nevin and Tanya Love in the hospitals yesterday.  No significant changes.

Tim Knighten’s step-mother, Marilyn, has taken a turn for the worse.  She is septic.  She needs our immediate prayer support.

Brenda Timberlake’s sister, Lisa, continues to get not so good news from her doctor regarding her malignancy.

The funeral arrangements for Amy Walker’s uncle are as follows:  visitation today from 2:00PM until the service time at Gilmer’s Funeral Home in Mobile.

The funeral arrangements for Donald Loyd are as follows:  visitation today from noon until the 2:00PM service at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.

I will be preaching the service for Donal Loyd so I will ask Bro. Kerry to cover the service for Amy’s uncle.  Bro. Jerry & Bro. Chris will hold down the fort in our absence.

The Friendship family is feeding both families.  If you do not know the details, please call the church office first thing (8:00AM) this morning and speak to Miss Edna.

Two important happenings in June – parent/child dedication on June 2 during the 10:30AM service and the recognition of all couples from the Friendship family married for fifty years or more on June 9 during the 10:30AM service.  (This will include all widows/widowers who were married that long before their spouse passed)

We may have something special this Sunday, 5/26, and then on the last Sunday in June.  Details to come.

We have now added our ninth reader of the blog – Holly Isom.  She is a member of the Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL and works in Mobile.  She is going with us on a GRACE Ministries trip this Summer.  Wow, almost double figures!  Is that amazing or what!

I have a very considerate family (immediate and extended) as they allowed me to have my quiet time in the garden from 5:45AM until 7:30AM and then again from 5:30PM until 7:30PM yesterday.  Then, last night, they graciously allowed me to snap all of the beans I had picked yesterday afternoon.  Is that nice of them or what?  Thankfully, my sweet mother-in-law will can them as that is something I have never done.

My corn looks pitiful but it is setting some ears.  The okra has apparently been saved thanks to the tip from Merwyn last year.  John Milton has been snooping around again so I may have to get out the shotgun!

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

The Lord blessed and we had two salvation decisions in our 10:30AM service yesterday.  One was actually during the service and the Lord allowed me to lead a young man to Jesus after the service.  Good stuff!  To God be the glory!

Bro. Jim Chinners (8:00AM) and Bro. Chris Taylor (10:30AM) both did a good job of bringing the Word to us.  Again, we congratulate the Class of 2013.

Miss Tena Hovel and the children’s choir did a nice job of presenting their Spring musical during last night’s service.  Those workers and children worked really hard to share the Gospel through song and the spoken word.

It is a miracle!  Craig Kirschenman is off the ventilator, is off all blood pressure medicines to keep his pressure up, and is doing well.  He still has some steps to take but wow!  An on call doctor making rounds this past Saturday morning read Craig’s chart and simply said, “this man should not be here” (alive).  Hallelujah!

Miss Barbara Nevin remains hospitalized.  I will visit her and Craig this morning.

Amy Walker had an uncle pass away this past Thursday.  The visitation with the family will take place tomorrow, 5/21, beginning at 2:00PM at Gilmer’s Funeral Home in Mobile.  The service will begin around 3:00PM.

Donald Loyd passed away early yesterday morning.  The visitation with the Loyd family will take place tomorrow, 5/21, beginning at 12:00PM and lasting until the 2:00PM service time.  The visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.

Folks, we have a huge ministry opportunity in feeding these two families.  If you have not done so already, please call the church office today to sign up to help.

We reached our adjusted goal for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  Next, we will talk about the distribution.  Thank you for giving to the Lord.

Received an e-mail from Jerry & Gloria.  They were in the Dubai airport awaiting their flight to India.  The flight from DC to Dubai was thirteen hours long.  They thank you for your prayer support.

Nanette Fontenot contacted me and she is not a happy camper.  Why?  We recognized her daughter, Korie, during the 8:00AM service yesterday as a college graduate.  It is all good – not!  Nanette wanted me to call her to the front as well in order for the three of us to have our picture taken together!  Is that weird or what?  Scott needs our prayers!

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

We are on a regular schedule today and tonight.  We will recognize Korie Fontenot in our 8:00AM service and then the high school graduates in our 10:30AM service.

The children’s choir will present their Spring musical in our 6:00PM service.  (Katelyn Jackson will not have her class tonight)

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