Pastor's Blog

Happy birthday to my wife, Lisa.  What a joy she is to me!  She remains in Guatemala so I will not get to see her today but I do pray she will have an awesome day.  Not present on your birthday – no present!  Lisa is the best thing to ever happen to me outside of Jesus.  I thank God for my wife and I pray that she will have a great birthday!

The visitation with the Robert Baria family takes place tomorrow, 5/31, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service – all in our church auditorium.  Keep praying for Roseanne and the family.

The arrangements for Allen Glover’s brother, Edward, are as follows:  visitation this Monday, June 2, from 2:00PM until the 3:00PM service.  Visitation and service will take place in our church auditorium.  Burial, with military honors, will be in the Grand Bay cemetery.  Pray for Allen and family during this time.

Betty Hamil continues improve slightly day by day.  Keep praying.

Dr. Keith came home Wednesday and continues to recover from his surgery.  Pray for Dr. Keith.

Tina Sprinkle also continues to recover at home.  She is a trooper.  Pray for Tina and Kevin.

What happened to yesterday’s blog entry?  That is a great question and one I cannot answer.  Cyber thieves?  I am calling for a full scale investigation.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 6/1.  Friendship family, let’s put a priority on being faithful during the months of June and July!

Our Vacation Bible School begins Monday morning at 9:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.  (I appreciate my brother, Eddie, and his company going the extra mile to get the shirts printed!)

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium – both services.  I will have the privilege of taking Lisa’s parents to Richton, MS for the celebration of life service for Ann’s sister-in-law, Gertrude Broome.  Lord willing, I will be present for the evening service but Bro. Abel will still be the one teaching.

Allen Glover’s brother passed from this life late last night in a Montgomery, AL hospital.  Pray for the Glover family.

Betty Hamil remains in the hospital. She is “better” but still has a fairly long road in front of her.  Pray for Betty and Andy.

I am not sure if Dr. Keith was discharged yesterday.  He is still having pain if he tries to move.  Pray for Keith & Cindy.

Tina Sprinkle remains Tina Sprinkle.  She is at home recovering and is tough as nails!  Pray for Tina & Kevin.

Clinton Stringfellow and Wendy Keyes are both still taking their respective chemo treatments.  Pray for them.

Here are the arrangements for Robert Baria:  visitation this Saturday, 5/31, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM celebration of life service.  This will be a memorial service.  Everything will take place in our church auditorium.  Pray for Roseanne, Bobby, Kevin, Darlene and the entire family.

Joey & Bibbi and two of their children just returned from spending a week doing ministry on GRACE Mountain.  I appreciate them doing so.  They had a good week of ministry and I am thankful that are now back home.

Please continue to pray for Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie Clark.

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

Roseanne Baria and her sons will go to the funeral home today to make arrangements.  It is “possible” that the service will not take place until as late as next week.  We will know for certain after today.  Pray for Robert’s family.

Good news – Betty Hamil has been moved from ICU and placed in a regular hospital room.  I spoke to Andy yesterday via the phone and plan to see Betty today.  Keep praying.

Heard from Cindy Stanford last night and Dr. Keith is doing great without any pain – unless he moves!  Pray for Keith to mend quickly as the Lord wills.

Spoke to Tina Sprinkle yesterday.  She still has that positive spirit and is recovering.  As usual, she seems more concerned with the others who are going through difficulties than she is about her own self.  I think that is Scriptural!  Pray for Tina!

Brad & Daphne had Devon, Witney and their children over yesterday as the Edwards family will be moving to the Boston area very soon.  This will be Devon’s last assignment (four years) before he can retire from the Coast Guard.  I am happy for him and I will miss Devon and the children.  Pray for this family!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching both times in the auditorium as I will be taking Charles & Ann to Richton, MS for the visitation/service for Gertrude Broome.  Pray for Billy and family.

Bags of GRACE, bag of GRACE, bags of GRACE!  Contact me for the details.  It is going to be a great ministry.

If you see my wife, will you please send her home!

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

As you read in my earlier entry, Robert Baria passed from this life around 4:00AM today.  I spoke to Roseanne and they will go make the arrangements tomorrow.  Pray for Roseanne, her sons, and the entire family.

Spoke to Andy Hamil and the thinks that Betty is making a slight improvement.  She wants out of the ICU.  Pray for Betty and Andy.

Tried to contact Tina Sprinkle but was not successful.  She is at home.  Keep praying.

Dr. Keith Stanford had his gallbladder removed this morning.  All went well but he will be kept in the hospital for another day or two.  Pray for Keith & Cindy!

Ann Clark’s sister-in-law, Gertrude Broome, passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for Gertrude’s family.

The Lord blessed us in our services yesterday.  Yes, our attendance was down some because of the holiday weekend but, all in all, we had a good Sunday.

My wife and Jennifer Davis are enjoying their time in Guatemala.  I am happy for them.

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

Roseanne Baria just messaged me to let me know that her husband, Robert, has passed from this life and entered Heaven.  Pray for her and the family.

Robert Baria was discharged from the hospital and was then taken back and readmitted.  Wow!  Pray for Robert but especially pray for Roseanne.

As far as I know, Betty Hamil remains in ICU.  She is not a happy camper.  Pray for Betty and Andy.

Keep praying for Tina Sprinkle as she continues to try and heal.  Tina has been through so much.  Pray for Kevin.

Service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Everyone invited.

Visitation with the Doris Dowdy family takes place in our auditorium tomorrow, 5/24, from 2:00 – 3:00PM.  Eulogy service begins at 3:00PM.  Those bringing food to minister to the family are asked to have it in the Preschool Building by 2:30PM.  Pray for the Dowdy family.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Robert Baria is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital today.  Pray that all goes well.

Betty Hamil did not get moved from the unit to a regular room yesterday.  Maybe today.  Thank you to those who are helping transport Andy to, and from, the hospital each day.  Keep praying for Betty.

Tina Sprinkle remains hospitalized.  This sweet lady seems to have difficulty after difficulty when it comes to her health.  Pray for Tina and Kevin.

Thank you to each person who will be helping this Saturday with the meal for the Doris Dowdy family.  Please have all food in our Preschool Building by 2:30PM.  Remember, the visitation with the Dowdy family begins at 2:00PM and goes until the 3:00PM eulogy service.  Continue to pray for this family.

Our Wednesday morning service numbers were down for the third consecutive week.  However, yesterday’s number edged up ever so slightly.  Thank you Shawn Siker for taking care of the sound!  We had a fair attendance last night but can always do better.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 5/25.  The Summer season will be officially upon us.  Which will it be – the Bible or the beach?  (Asking for a friend!)

Our Vacation Bible School takes place June 2 – 6.  We are still blessed to be able to have a morning VBS.  Bro. Abel is our VBS director.  Pray for this important week of ministry.

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

Andy Hamil called me around 9:00PM last night to inform us that his son-in-law, Buddy, had passed from this life thirty or so minutes earlier.  Never the news you want to hear but it definitely comes at a difficult time for Andy & Betty.  Pray for Anita and the family.

Andy also shared that Betty had a good day yesterday.  The belief is that if Betty continues to improve then she will perhaps be moved to a regular room as early as today.  Keep praying for Betty and Andy.

Robert Baria was moved to a regular room yesterday.  That is a step in the right direction.  Keep praying for Robert & Roseanne.

Tina Sprinkle remains in the hospital.  I will get an update today but do ask that you continue to pray for Tina.  Such a sweet lady!

I ask you to join me in continuing to pray for Clinton Stringfellow as he is still taking chemo treatments.  Clinton is a good guy!

Pray for Eddie A’s sister, Wendy, too.

Keep praying for Ernest Tucker.  This is Bro. Johnny’s brother.

Also, keep praying for Scott & Nanette as they navigate helping Hunter & Korie with the baby.  Scott is always willing to help anyone and I appreciate his attitude.  Nanette too!

Members of the Friendship family, we need your help in a big way this Saturday.  We will minister to the Doris Dowdy family (think Sue & Henry Wyse) with a meal following the eulogy service which begins at 3:00PM (visitation at 2:00PM).  Rita Boutwell has once again agreed to coordinate this ministry but we need you to help provide the food and have it in our Preschool Building no later than 2:30PM Saturday.  The family will then take it to Henry & Sue’s residence for the meal.  Please send me an email (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) today if you will help.  We will need for our younger ladies to step up in a huge way to help with this ministry.  Sign up sheets will also be available in our two services.  Thank you in advance for helping!

Regular schedule on our campus today.  One major change is that our students will move from the CAB back to youth building for their Bible study as the Spanish church is now meeting in the auditorium on Sundays.

GRACE bags are coming.  Details very soon!

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

Thank you to each person who helped minister to the Bill Goff family through the meal yesterday afternoon.  Very much appreciated by the family and the pastor too!  Keep praying for the Goff family.

Also, thank you to each person who attended the visitation and/or service for Clara Broadus’ brother and family yesterday afternoon.  The burial will take place today in Spanish Fort, AL.  Please continue to pray.

I need to update the arrangements for Sue’s mother.  The visitation will take place this Saturday, 5/24, beginning at 2:00PM and lasting until a 3:00PM eulogy service.  Everything will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for the Doris Dowdy family.

The Friendship family will have the opportunity to minister to the Dowdy family through a meal following the service this Saturday.  Those helping are asked to bring the food to our Preschool Building by 2:30PM on Saturday.  The meal will then be taken to Henry & Sue’s house.  Thank you in advance to those who will be helping.

Robert Baria and Betty Hamil both remain in ICU.  Keep praying!

Tina Sprinkle remains hospitalized too and continues to need our prayers.

Bro. Johnny Tucker’s brother, Ernest, is also in ICU in a local hospital.  He is in pretty tough shape and prayers are appreciated.

I “think” Scott Fontenot will drive to Hattiesburg, MS to be with Hunter, Korie and the baby.  Nanette arrived there yesterday.  Pray for this family.

Bro. Abel and Candy will be celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary this week.  I pray it will be a good week for them.

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

Roy Durante Johns, a man of unwavering faith and deep devotion to family, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born on June 7, 1948, in Salem, Alabama, Roy was raised with strong work ethics that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from Baker High School and Troy State University before beginning a distinguished and proud career as an officer in the United States Air Force. Roy served his country with honor and dedication, embodying the principles of duty, discipline, and patriotism in every step of his military journey.

After retiring from the Air Force, Roy and his wife made their home in Brundidge, Alabama, where he spent many meaningful years with his family and community.

Roy’s life was deeply rooted in his Christian faith. He served faithfully as a Gideon, sharing the Word of God with conviction and compassion. His belief in the power of prayer and Scripture was a guiding light for his family and all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Anita LeGear Johns; his children, Roy Johns II (Nicole) and Angela Johns; and his grandchildren, Kacie Blankenship (Taylor), Roy Johns III (Mary Elizabeth), Lillian Boyer, and Eleanor Boyer. Roy was also a proud great-grandfather to Brayden, Blakelyn, Brent, and Roy Johns IV. He is also survived by five siblings, who will remember him with deep love and respect.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Walter Johns; his mother, Cora Lee Handley; and three siblings.

Roy will be remembered for his strong will, gentle wisdom, and the steadfast love he gave his family. He lived a life of purpose and principle, always putting his faith and loved ones first.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 19, 2025, from 4:00 until 5:00pm, at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, followed by funeral services at 5:00pm.

Graveside services, with military honors, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00am at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.