Pastor's Blog

The following was sent to me by Chuck Rockwell:

“My family and I greatly appreciate the love and support shown to us by our Friendship Church Family and others after the passing of my wife Beth Rockwell.  God bless you all.”

Earlier I posted the obituary for Chase Chambliss’ father, Mr. Danny Chambliss.  Pray for Chase and his family during this time.

Our schedule for this Sunday morning, 9/1, is normal – 9:00AM Sunday School; 10:00AM worship.  I hope all of those in town will be faithful to join us.

We will NOT have any evening activities/service on our campus this Sunday evening, 9/1.  Please pass the word.  My hope is that families and friends can use this time to enjoy good, wholesome fellowship.

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

Daniel “Danny” Carter Chambliss Sr. Slipped away from this life and on to glory at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center on Monday, August 26th, shortly after 5:30pm. He was with family as he passed. A lifelong resident of Semmes, Alabama, Danny was a member of Semmes First Baptist Church for many years until he followed his family with Christ to Moffet Road Assembly of God, now known as Refuge Church, until his health declined. He graduated from Semmes/Mary G. Montgomery High School in 1969. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Danny served his country in Vietnam. Upon returning home, Danny met his beloved wife Sharon, settled down in the Semmes community and raised a family. During his life, he had many careers including being an EMT, a police officer for Prichard and Bayou La Batre, Al., little league baseball umpire, and being an entrepreneur with his own private investigator’s business and lawn care business. He was an avid outdoorsman who always felt the peace and tranquility of God’s creation anytime he stepped foot in the deer woods or had a fishing pole in his hands. He passed this love on to his son, son-in-law, grandsons, and any others he had the joy of spending time with. “Coach Danny” also had the honor and privilege of helping to build Semmes Ball Park from the ground up where he coached many young men for years in football and baseball as well as serve on the board and as president. Later in life, he would go on to mentor youth by leading the Royal Rangers at Moffet Road Assembly of God. Danny is proceeded in death by his father, John Allen Chambliss Jr. and mother, Helen Watson-Allen. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Rosen-Chambliss, daughter, Bridgette (Jeffrey) McCammon, son Daniel Carter “Chase” (Bridget) Chambliss Jr. as well as eight grand children: Rachel McCammon, Jonathan McCammon, Seth McCammon, Phillip McCammon, Paul McCammon, Grace McCammon, Ava Chambliss, Sawyer Chambliss. His two sisters: Raye Darlene Allen (Scott) Glassburn and Liladean Allen (Lucien) Schexnayder and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

Visitation with the family begins at 10:00AM on Friday, August 30, and continues until the service begins at noon.  Visitation and service will take place from Serenity Memorial Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.

I had the privilege of preaching one celebration of life service yesterday and then attending another one.  Beth Rockwell’s service was graveside and the Lord blessed us with a nice breeze.  Yes, it was on the warm side but God was gracious.  Again, thank you to those who helped minister to Chuck and family following the service.

The service for Miss Vinnie’s brother was really good.  Honestly, I felt as though I had been to church.  It seemed the only thing missing was they did not receive an offering – LOL!  Thank you for praying for the Nowell family.

I learned of another passing yesterday afternoon but I need to get approval before posting it.  Pray for the family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Good day in our services yesterday.  Bro. Abel did well in preaching the Word yesterday morning.  Jeanette Bates & Paul Davila did well in sharing during the evening service.  The fellowship was sweet and our staff, deacons and wives did a great job of hosting the fellowship.  The ice cream was awesome!  Thank you Lord for a really good day!

The graveside celebration of life for Beth Rockwell takes place today at 11:00AM at Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Pray for Chuck, Greg and the entire family.  Thank you to those who are helping feed the family following the service.

The celebration of life for B.V. Nowell will take place today from the Corinth Free Will Baptist Church in the Waynesboro, MS beginning at 2:00PM.  Visitation with the family will take place from noon until the service.  Keep praying for Miss Vinnie & family.

Spoke to Rachel Walton this morning and she is doing well in her recovery.  Keep praying.

Thank you for Henry & Sue Wyse for hosting Jason this past weekend.  Ditto for Jimmy & Dede Tagert for doing so this coming Sunday and Monday.

By the way, the church office will be closed on Monday, 9/2, for Labor Day.  Just FYI.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday morning and evening.

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

Mr. Berry Van “B.V.” Nowell, 91, of Waynesboro, MS passed peacefully from this life Saturday, August 24, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Waynesboro, MS on Saturday, November 5, 1932, to the late Buddie and Lucy Pitts Nowell. Mr. Nowell proudly served in the United States Army. He was a devout member of Corinth Free Will Baptist Church where he served as an ordained deacon for 55 years. He retired as a Drilling Superintendent for Texaco Oil Company. After retirement B.V. went back to work with Block T Petroleum as a Consultant.

B.V. was a courageous man of faith who devoted his time to helping his church, family, friends, and neighbors. His faith and integrity inspired many who knew him to surrender their lives to Christ. Throughout B.V.’s long life, he was known for his incredible work ethic and generosity. His heart was as big as his faith, and he lived each day with a spirit of compassion and humility. He found joy tending to his cows, bailing hay, listening to gospel music, cherishing moment with his family, and enjoying evenings on the porch with the love of his life, his wife, Edna. He was celebrated for his infectious sense of humor, consistently finding ways to bring joy and laughter to those around him. B.V.’s legacy of love, faith, and hard work will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to be touched by his life. May he rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that he has gone to his eternal reward, leaving behind a world made better by his presence.

Mr. Nowell is preceded in death by his parents, Buddie and Lucy Pitts Nowell; brother, J. W. Nowell; two sisters, Dorothy Hinton and Betty Ruth Sharkey; two Sons-In-Law, David Boaz and Johnny Shoemaker. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Edna Earl Sanderson Nowell; two daughters, Debbie Shoemaker and Regina Hancock (Paul), all of Waynesboro, MS; two granddaughters, LaBreeska Atkinson (Sam) of Sylvester, GA and Laken Hancock of Waynesboro, MS; great grandson, Jakin Atkinson of Sylvester, GA; brother, Rev. Norman Nowell (Azalene) of Waynesboro, MS; two sisters, Vinnie Mae Brewer of Grand Bay, AL and Donna Dunnam (Cecil) of Waynesboro, MS; a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Mr. Nowell will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Monday, August 26, 2024, at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church, 2320 Camp Eight Road, Waynesboro, MS 39367. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, August 26, 2024, at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Ronald Nowell, Rev. Burl Brewer, and Rev. Larry Reynolds officiating. Interment will be in Corinth Free Will Baptist Cemetery in Wayne County, MS.

Elizabeth Ann Rockwell, age 80, passed peacefully from this life and entered Heaven August 22, 2024 at her home in Grand Bay Al. She was a loving daughter, wife and mother beloved by all who knew her.

She was born on October 8, 1943 in Meridian, MS. Elizabeth was the daughter of Vivian Kathleen and Sim L. Richards and was raised in Gulfport, MS. After graduating from Gulfport High School, She and her mother moved to Moss Point, MS. Elizabeth went on to graduate from Perkinston Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Home Economics. After graduation, she returned to Moss Point where she married “the boy next door”, Charles Ernest Rockwell, son of Reverend Ernest Rockwell and Ruth Goff Rockwell. Charles and Elizabeth moved to Grand Bay in 1967 and in September of 1971, they became the proud parents of their son, Gregory Ernest Rockwell.

Elizabeth was a caring and much loved educator in the Mobile County School System and a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church. Even in her failing health, she remained steadfast in her faith and her love of God.

She is survived by her husband, son and daughter-in-law, Katharine Rockwell.

A graveside service for Elizabeth will be held Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Serenity Memorial Gardens, 8951 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582.

Good morning from Rocky Ford, Alabama.  Came up with Titus, Grayson Glenn, and Colby Scofield.  Watched Danville’s football game last night (great nephew, Jace) and will be visiting with Mama this morning.

Good news – Sonny & Jeanette Bates met with the doctor yesterday who has recommended Sonny to a specialist.  He also recommended a pill that has had a good track record thus far.  That meeting will take place next week.  The doctor told Jeanette that Sonny will “live to a ripe old age!”  Praise the Lord!  Thank you for praying!

More good news – Derek Brown messaged me to say that his heel is broken in a different place.  No surgery required and he can return to work, as planned, on 9/4/24.  He will have physical therapy twice a week.  Again, praise the Lord!  Derek appreciates the prayers.  (By the way, Derek going back to “work” is about like Al Stokes going back to “work” if you know what I mean.  I have been on a mission trip with both of them and “work” would not be a word I would use to describe either of them!)

Miss Vinnie called me yesterday morning to share that her brother is very low physically and is expected to pass at any time.  Pray, please!

There will be a graveside service for Beth Rockwell on Monday, 8/26, beginning at 11:00AM from Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Keep praying for Chuck, Greg and family.

Looking forward to our services tomorrow.  Join me as we celebrate Bro. Abel’s fifth anniversary on our staff.  “Sweet” fellowship tomorrow night.  Deacon Eddie says “not so fast my friend” on the ice cream outcome!  Deacon Vice says “watch this” on the sweet bologna.  It has gotten tense!  Still looking for some additional folks to share three minutes or less about how God has used Bro. Abel in your life.  The clock is ticking so email me like five minutes ago!  A love offering for Bro. Abel will be received.

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

Beth Rockwell passed from this life shortly after noon yesterday.  Pray for Chuck, Greg and the family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.  Beth was a sweetheart!

Rachel Walton was discharged from the hospital yesterday around noon.  She is not completely well but is glad to be home.  Pray for Rachel & Gary.

I did not call Miss Vinnie yesterday to get an update on her brother.  Keep praying!

I failed to mention in yesterday’s entry that Chris & Pepper Scofield became grandparents again this week.  The baby boy is in NICU at a hospital in South Carolina.  Pray for the baby and his parents.

Service at the Mission of Hope tonight with Wes Bates preaching.  Jeanette Bates will be doing the music.  Pray for this service will begins at 7:00PM and everyone is invited to attend.

We will celebrate Bro. Abel’s anniversary this Sunday.  “Sweet” fellowship Sunday night.  Deacon Tillman says “bring it on” to the other eight deacons.  He is extremely confident!

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

Rachel Walton remains in the hospital.  That is the bad news.  The good news is that she finally got placed into a room!  The better news is that she “may” be discharged today.  Keep praying for Rachel and Gary.

Miss Vinnie Brewer’s brother is on hospice care and the family was called in yesterday.  Pray for this situation.

There are a couple of other like situations but I do not know if I have permission to share them via the blog.  Just pray.

By the way, I shared an anonymous situation last week and am happy to report that all is well.  Thank you, Jesus!

Sonny Bates meets with the doctor tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30PM.  Pray without ceasing!

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Let’s build on that going forward!

Big day for the Friendship family this Sunday as we celebrate Bro. Abel’s fifth anniversary on our staff this time.  He will be preaching in our 10:00AM service and then we will gather at 5:00PM in the auditorium before making our way over to the CAB for a “sweet” fellowship.  You are asked to bring those sweets.  Deacon Davila seems to be eyeing the upset when it comes to the homemade ice cream although Deacon Tillman remains confident.  Deacon Vice is working on a sweet bologna secret and Jerrod Sessions has already found one.  Should be interesting.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  By the way, our church office will be open today from 1:00PM until 4:00PM.  Laura will be in the office if you need anything.

Rachel Walton remains in the hospital.  That is the good news!  The not so good news is that she has basically been in the hallway ever since she got to the hospital.  Shortage of beds – obviously!  Pray for Rachel and Gary.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and tonight at 6:30PM.  Remember, the CAB opens at 6:00PM for our 6th graders through seniors only.  All other classes begin at 6:30PM.

I am joining Bro. Abel in encouraging folks to attend our Wednesday services/classes.

Also, I am encouraging everyone (regardless of age) to go to the Sunday School class for their age group/class.  Adults, you can be an effective part of the class designed specifically for your age group.  It starts with you!

We will celebrate Bro. Abel and his fifth anniversary this Sunday.  I am looking for five folks (maximum) to volunteer to share a testimony about Bro. Abel in our evening service.  First come, first served!

Remember our “sweet” fellowship Sunday evening in the CAB.  Which of our nine deacons can make the best homemade ice cream?  Grant Tillman tells me it will not even be close!  We need everyone else to bring a sweet i.e. pies, brownies, cakes, bologna.

The humidity in Grand Bay was fifty-four percent earlier this morning.  Thank you, Jesus!

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