Pastor's Blog

Kathy King has been moved to a regular hospital room.  So, she is obviously doing some better.  Keep praying for Kathy, Matt & Jasmine.

Miss Annie Hayes has been admitted to the hospital.  A huge “thank you” goes to Brad & Daphne Hutto for spending hours helping with that situation.  Pray for Miss Annie!

Friendship family, please remember the “cash only” missions love offering that will be received this Sunday morning, 6/2, for Johnny & Sharlene Sessions as the will travel to Missouri for a church build trip.  Jarrod will be going later in the week.

Our 2024 VBS begins this Sunday, 6/2, at 5:00PM in the CAB.  High energy!  Exciting!  Pray for our VBS!

Our third night of our ten consecutive days of praying was really good.  Bro. Abel led our time together and did a nice job.  There were forty folks present.  Praise the Lord!  We will meet in the auditorium tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Everyone is invited to join us for this time of prayer.

Please mark the morning service on June 9 on your calendar and make plans to be present.  Pastor Roy Crouch will be God’s messenger to us in that service.  Pray for Pastor Roy and his family as they minister to us that day.

Our student ministry will be providing “to go” lunches following the morning service on June 9.  Please help our students with their summer camp expenses.  Pray for our students and adults who will be attending camp June 21 – 24.

Thank you to those who reached out to Lisa on her birthday.  She will be home in three more days.  Time sure flies when you are having fun!  (Talking about me or her?  No comment!)  I do appreciate Al & Cindy Stokes helping keep me fed during Lisa’s absence – just saying!

I saw it with my own eyes!  Johnny & Jarrod Sessions both wore an Alabama shirt to the service for Ernie Myer.  They were so proud and their respective chests stuck out so much that the shirts were almost too small.  They were grinning from ear to ear!  Yes, there is hope!

Speaking of Jarrod, he repaired the leak on our screened in patio’s roof.  There has not been a single leak since his repair job.  When it rained the other night there was not a “single” leak.  It came through in five gallon buckets!  I had to go outside to stay dry!  Just the facts!

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

Happy birthday to my wife, Lisa!  I have celebrated each birthday with her since 1979 so today is definitely different with her being in Guatemala while I remain in Grand Bay.  However, I am sure that Deidra and the girls will make sure she will have a great day.  I am very thankful for Lisa!  Lisa, happy birthday!  I love you!

We were blessed with a really good day in our Bible study yesterday morning and last night.  Thank you Jesus.

The second night of our ten days of prayer was special as fifty-five folks joined us in the auditorium.  I cannot explain it but there has been something “different” in these first two times of prayer.  As someone prayed last night, a time of refreshing!  Tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night will see us meet in the auditorium at 7:00PM.  Folks are asked to use the West side door to enter and exit.  Everyone invited to join us!

The visitation with the Ernie Myer family takes place at the Cottage Hill Memorial Funeral Home today from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Pray for Ernie’s family.

Kathy King remains in ICU.  Keep praying!

Infant Everly Perry is doing much better!  Keep praying!

Friendship family, a “cash only” offering will be received this Sunday morning, 6/2, to help Johnny & Sharlene Sessions as they travel to Missouri for a church build mission trip.  Their son, Jarrod, will do likewise the following week.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

VBS, VBS, VBS!  We begin this Sunday evening at 5:00PM in the CAB and then will continue for the following five days from 9:00AM until noon daily!  Pray for this week of ministry!

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

Our first ever ten consecutive days of prayer as a church family got off to a very good start last night.  We had a total of twenty-seven folks (fifteen ladies/twelve men) gather at 7:00PM.  Small groups prayed and then we gathered at the altar and prayed as a collective body to close out the evening.  I am thankful to each person who attended this meeting.  (We had five additional ladies who prayed earlier)  I am in hopes that our numbers will increase daily but my real prayer is that those who know they are supposed to be there will obey God.

One of the things that impressed me most was that when we finished our prayer time almost each person present just stayed around and fellowshipped.  That lasted for a solid thirty minutes for the majority and longer for a few.  That is good stuff!

Tonight, we will meet at 6:30PM for Bible study and then begin praying promptly at 7:00PM.  Then Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights we will begin at 7:00PM.  Sunday night will see us begin praying as soon as the evening service concludes.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Join us!  By the way, we do not promote class wise until August 1.  There seems to be some confusion surrounding this so this if just for clarification’s sake.  I appreciate all of our teachers/workers.

VBS 2024 begins this Sunday evening at 5:00PM in the CAB!

GRACE Ministries mission trip takes place June 13 – 20.

Youth camp will be June 21 – 24 in Panama City, Florida.

Kathy King is in ICU.  Pray for Kathy, Matt & Jasmine.

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

Our ten days of prayer begin tonight at 7:00PM in our auditorium.  Those who can are invited to join us for this time of praying – nothing else.  Praying for a move of God within us and among us.  Something only He can do!

The church office will be open this morning from 9:00AM until noon as it will be manned by Bro. Chris Scofield.  (Speaking of Bro. Chris – there will be a “to go only” lunch provided following the morning service on Sunday, June 9.  Proceeds to help offset the cost of youth camp.  Eight dollars per person with a maximum of forty dollars per immediate family.  More details forthcoming!)

I am very grateful to those who are ministering to Matt, Kathy & Jasmine King during this time.  Good stuff.  Keep praying for this family.

The visitation with the Cleo Breland family will take place today from noon until the 2:00PM service.  Everything will take place at the First Assembly of God in McLain, Mississippi.  Pray for Aunt Cleo’s family.

Continue to pray for Carolyn Walker during her time of sorrow.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

The visitation with the Ernie Meyer family takes place Thursday, 5/30, from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Everything will take place at the Cottage Hill Memorial Funeral Home.  Pray for Sharlene and the Myer family.

Special “cash only” love offering this Sunday, 6/2, during our morning service to invest in the ministry of Johnny & Sharlene Sessions as they will leave Sunday afternoon heading to Missouri to take part in a church building construction.  Pray for safe travels and a fruitful ministry.  Give as the Lord leads!

VBS, VBS, VBS!  The Friendship family will join the other one hundred thousand churches who will be hosting VBS next week.  Pray for this ministry opportunity which begins this Sunday night, 6/2, in our CAB.  Going to be great!

Three recent blessings I have observed – Johnathan Jordan repaired the popcorn machine in the CAB.  “Big deal, you say?”  Well, no one has been able repair it.  Simply plugging it in was a huge help!

Jarrod Sessions repaired the leak on our screened in porch.  That was last Monday and it still has not leaked even one drop!  I was able to “bless” Jarrod with a very special check!

Yesterday afternoon, Rhett Butler showed up at my house bringing a freshly cooked batch of corn beef hash!  It brought back so many memories of Soy as, he too, loved corn beef hash.  I am very thankful to Rhett for remembering this old, fat pastor!  Very good stuff!

I will be out of pocket today with the visitation and service for Lisa’s Aunt Cleo.  However, Lord willing, I will be back for the prayer meeting at 7:00PM.

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

Ronald Ernie Myer Jr., age 67, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in
Grand Bay, Alabama. Born September 25, 1956, in Mobile, Alabama, Ernie
attended Alba High School. There he excelled in basketball and football.
Those of you who had the pleasure of knowing him, can say he was an
avid Alabama fan. Ernie enjoyed the company of family and friends. He
took pleasure in hunting, fishing, and football season.

Ernie worked at the papermill after his schooling, some years as a
construction worker, and then went on to retire from the Alabama State
Docks. He was a Master Mason of the 767 Masonic Lodge.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents: Ronald E Myer Sr. and Shirley
A. Myer (Hollis). He leaves behind: wife, Cindy Myer (Beach); children:
Mandy (Mickey) Godwin, Telisha (Yancey) Allen, Stephanie (Dennis)
Kinnell, Trey Beach; grandchildren: Bayleigh Godwin, Payten Allen, Gavin
Kinnell, Ty Kinnell, Solomon Beach, Bricklynd and Presleigh Godwin; great
grandson, Anthony (A.J.) Bolton; sister and life-long best friend, Sharlene
Sessions (Myer).

Active pallbearers are Mickey Godwin, Tyler Bolton, Eric Raley, John
Sessions, Jarrod Sessions, and Johnny Patronas. Wake services will be
held at Cottage Hill Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 and chapel service will immediately follow.
Interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask you donate
to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Services for Mrs. Cleo D. Breland, age 104, of McLain will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the McLain Church of God. Mrs. Breland passed from this life on May 24, 2024 at her residence. Bro. Lance Hobby, Bro. Randall Broome and Bro. Ken Hembree will officiate the service with burial to follow in the McLain Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Tim Odom, Richard McClendon, Frank Smith, Gary Stevison, Ronnie Landrum, Tracy Freeman, Randall Broome and Dakota Hobby as alternate.

Praise to the Lord! Mrs. Cleo was a founding member of the McLain Church of God. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all. She loved to sew, talk on the phone, and work outside in her flower beds. She served as Sunday School teacher and church clerk for over 50 years. She loved to spend her days sharing her love for the Lord with everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy A. Breland; parents, C.L. and Florence Lorena Broome; son, Barry Wayne “Zeke” Breland; daughter, Roberta B. “Polly” Breland; sisters, Frances Broome, Lokey Stevison, Sue Freeman, Beatrice Ladner, Betty Landrum and Edith Maxie; and brother, Gene Broome.

She is survived by her daughters, Wanda Mizelle and Joette Hobby, both of Lucedale; sisters, Ann Clark of Grand Bay, AL, Laura Milam and Vivian Odom, both of Richton; brothers, Billy Broome of Richton, Bobby Broome of Grand Bay, AL, and V.R. Broome of Richton; 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 28th at McLain Church of God.

First, on this Memorial Day I remember each member of our military who gave their life defending our freedoms.  I am a grateful American!

Just before 2:00AM today, one of our veterans passed from this life.  Grady Walker was in our morning service yesterday and came to the altar during the invitation.  Pray for Carolyn and family as they walk through this valley.

The visitation and service for Cleo Brelant, Ann Clark’s sister, will take place tomorrow, 5/28, in McLain, Mississippi.  Pray for the Breland family during this time.

The family of Sharlene Sessions’ brother, Ernie, will be meeting the funeral directors today to set the arrangements.  Pray for this family too!

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Our evening service was well attended and we saw three young people follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  Praise the Lord!

Our ten days of prayer begins tomorrow night, 5/28, at the auditorium beginning at 7:00PM.  Pass the word!

The church office is closed today.  Laura will be in the office Wednesday afternoon from 1:00PM until 4:00PM and then on Thursday morning from 9:00AM until noon.

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

MAJOR CHANGE IN PLANS FOR THE FRIENDSHIP FAMILY!  We will NOT be meeting for a joint service with the Grand Bay Church of God this Sunday evening, May 26!  There has been a death that will affect many of their church family and the service will be at 4:00PM in Baldwin County.  Therefore, we will be meeting at Friendship at 5:00PM for our regular service.  FYI – our joint service with the GBCOG has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 9, at 5:00PM.  Pass the word about this change, please.

Betty McMann is in the hospital.  Pray for her and for Darrell during this time.

Infant Everly Perry is having some struggles.  The family appreciates all of the continued prayer support.

Grady & Carolyn were spotted at the Waffle House yesterday.  However, Grady still needs our prayers in a big way.

Beth Rockwell remains at home but is also in need of our prayer support.

Jerry Francisco is also at home.  Jerry “celebrated” his eighty-seventh birthday on Wednesday but that was a really bad day for him physically.  He and Sandra have such a sweet spirit.  They appreciate the prayers.

Service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Bro. Abel will bring the message from the Word and his wife, Candy, will minister in song.  Pray for this service.

We are now on a regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Miss Jeanette, will you please plan the music for Sunday evening as Brad will be in “paradise” (per Mariam).  Thank you!

Pray for my brother’s mission team in Guatemala from now until Thursday, 5/30.  All hands are now on deck.

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

Our church office is open today from 9:00AM until noon.  Laura Fosmore will be there manning the proverbial fort.

Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, 5/27, for Memorial Day.

No real changes or updates on any of the folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying!

My good friend and brother in the Lord, Dr. Rex Looney, is making a ministry move.  This Sunday, 5/26, will be his last Sunday at First Baptist Hartselle as he will begin ministering at the Wooley Springs Baptist Church in Toney, Alabama on Sunday, June 2.  Dr. Rex is as good as they come!  He is as good as they come when it comes to leading worship and WSBC is fortunate to be getting him on their staff.  Dr. Rex may just be the most faithful of the thirteen readers of the blog!  He keeps Dr. Jack Bailey and me going!  Fun fact – WSBC will have VBS beginning 6/3 and will be attending the STS youth camp 6/21 – 24.  Congratulations Dr. Rex and Mitzi!

I am asking each member of the Friendship family who will be in town this weekend to join us for Sunday School and worship this Sunday morning and THEN join us for a joint worship service at the Grand Bay Church of God beginning at 5:00PM.  We will be traveling to their campus for this service.  Pray, invite others and join us!

The final twenty-six folks from the Danville area will join my brother, Eddie, Pastor Joe David Bailey, Pastor Spencer Bell, Pastor Josh Nelson and others today as they will be ministering on GRACE Mountain until May 30.  Obviously, my wife is there as well.  Pray for Deidra!  Just saying!

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

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

Grady Walker was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon and is now at home on hospice.  Pray for Grady & Carolyn.

Pastor Gene Clark’s wife, Sue, did very well through surgery yesterday.  Praise the Lord!  Keep praying!

Infant Everly Perry is doing well and they plan to close the incision today.  Pray!

I do not have an update on how Kathy King’s first day of chemo went but do ask that you keep praying.

Miss Annie had to be taken to the hospital but was returned back to the rehab facility last night.  What an ordeal.  What a day!

Bro. Abel had a goal of at least one hundred and fifty children registering online for our VBS.  Done!  Praise the Lord!  Pray for VBS!

Bro. Chris is trying to finalize our student camp numbers.  I am hearing of some folks who are using the “red truck” syndrome in order to keep their students from attending.  Folks, camp has the potential to be a spiritually life changing event in your child’s life!  It is where God called me to the ministry at fifteen years of age.  However, that “event” cannot take place if your child is not present.  Just saying!  Why not contact Bro. Chris right now and see if there is a space available for your student?

Henry & Sue Wyse asked me to share with you their absolute appreciation over the love offering given to Hunter & Josie!  Their budget is two thousand dollars per month and that is basically what you gave.  To God be the glory!

My brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, arrived safe and sound on GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon.  Twenty-one others will join them today and then twenty-six more will do so tomorrow.  Pray for them to have a great week of ministry.

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