Pastor's Blog

I am going to have to go with the “no news is good news” today regarding things from home as I have not received any updates.  Bro. Abel is traveling so I fully understand the “why” he has not updated me.  Just pray for those whom we have been listing.

Flag football tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Time change on Saturday night – “fall back” one hour prior to going to bed.  (The Fall time change Sunday is my favorite Sunday of the year and I am going to miss it this year due to being in Guatemala!)

Special offering for our Refresh project on Sunday, November 9.  Pray fervently and then give sacrifically as led by the Lord!

Special homecoming supper/fellowship on Sunday, November 9, in the CAB beginning at 5:00PM.  Meat and drinks provided by the church.  Please bring sides and desserts.

The third day of the conferences and revival services went well here.  A special thanks to Spencer Bell, Doug Chappelle and Rex Looney for being here to lead these ministries.  I so appreciate their heart for GRACE Ministries!

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

First, a correction as I gave some incorrect information in yesterday’s entry.  Can you believe I made a mistake?  Tim Knighten did not see a doctor at Houston Methodist but simply dropped off a copy of his medical records/history.  The folks at HM will review those records and then set an appointment for Tim to come to see their doctor(s).  So, Tim & Peggy wait on the call.  Keep praying.

Bro. Abel tells me that Marie Brooks is better and should be discharged from the hospital at some point today.  Pray for Marie & family.

I “think” Jeanette’s newest granddaughter may be discharged from the hospital today,  Keep praying for Wes, Rebekah and the baby.

Bro. Abel also tells me that we had a good day in our services yesterday.  He said the youth building was filled for Bro. Jacob’s first service – praise the Lord!

A good second day of ministering to pastors and other church leaders in Guatemala yesterday.  Several obstacles came up but when all was said and done the Lord blessed the singing, preaching and teaching of His Word.

The revival service at Iglesia JET was great.  The place was literally packed.  Our missionary/pastor friend, Mark Mast, was in attendance with twelve others from Michigan. Bro. Rex did a nice job of leading the musical worship and Pastor Doug Chappelle did likewise in preaching the Word.  Thank God for a really good night!

I missed the softball game but I know one must have taken place based on Spencer Bell’s attire.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 11/2.  Remember, time changes this Sunday morning at 2:00AM so “fall back” one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

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

First, let me give you an update on Tim Knighten.  He and Peggy arrived at M.D. Anderson on Sunday night, 10/26.  Scans were done on Monday and they met with the doctor for the results yesterday.  The good news is that Tim’s situation with his malignancy continues to be great.  Praise the Lord!

The not so good news is that they found a problem with his carotid arteries.  The Lord blessed and Tim was able to get an appointment yesterday afternoon at the Methodist Hospital in Houston.  They will be doing more testing and setting up a plan of action.  Pray for Tim & Peggy!

Word came to me from Bro. Abel last night that Marie Brooks has been admitted to the hospital.  Lisa had told me late yesterday afternoon that was a possibility.  Pray for Marie.

Praying for those in Jamaica and Cuba who are being affected by Hurricane Melissa.  What a powerful storm!

Tonight will mark Bro. Jacob’s first Bible study with our students.  Pray for all to go well.

Jimmy Tagert has taken the lead in handling the air conditioning situation in our auditorium.  I appreciate his diligence and expertise.  Hopefully, all will be well this Sunday, 11/2.  Jimmy is not flying solo so I not only appreciate him but the others who are helping too.

Friendship family – regular schedule on our campus today.  Special “refresh” offering on Sunday, November 9.  Homecoming meal/fellowship on 11/9 beginning at 5:00PM in our CAB.

Yesterday was a long day for those of us involved in the Christian workers conference and revival service on GRACE Mountain.  We left the mountain at 5:30AM, did the conference, returned at 4:30PM and then had the revival service beginning at 7:00PM.  We had a really strong attendance in the revival service.  I am thankful to Spencer Bell, Doug Chappelle and Rex Looney for their ministry yesterday.  I was a bit confused when Spencer asked the pastors at the conference what percentage of their offerings went to the CP – talk about calves looking at a new locked gate!  Oh well, he is young!

I appreciate Bro. Abel filling in for me today.  Pray for him.

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

Good morning from GRACE Mountain.  Thank God for a safe day of traveling yesterday.  I was joined in Atlanta by Spencer Bell, Doug Chappelle, Haley Rae Garnett and Rex Looney.

First, I want to give a belated welcome to Bro. Jacob Hall as he began his ministry at Friendship yesterday.  Praying for many fruitful years of ministry for him.  We will have an “honest sweet hug” front pew shower for Bro. Jacob, Allyson & Presley this Sunday, 11/2.  Bring diapers, wipes, a cake, pie, cookies, et cetera to bless this family.

Second, I want to congratulate Bro. Abel Garcia on the birth of his grandson this past Friday.  All is well and we give God the glory.

Full day here as we leave the mountain at 5:30AM for the pastors conference, return around 5:30PM, have a revival service at Iglesia JET beginning at 7:00PM.  I look forward to hearing Dr. Rex lead in worship and to hearing Dr. Doug preach the Word.  Pray for God to show up and show out!

Speaking of God showing up and showing out, He did exactly that yesterday as a huge donation was promised to the building of a physical building here on GRACE Mountain.  Wow!  God is faithful!  More details later.

Friendship family, special Refresh offering on Sunday, 11/9.  Pray & give!

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

Happy birthday (belated) to my sister, Melissa.  Her big day was yesterday.  I hope she had a great day.

Happy birthday to my younger brother, Freddie.  I hope that his day will be great!

We were blessed with a good day yesterday.  Yes, the rain did keep a good number of Baptists away but thank God for the rain!  Thank you to each person who attended our Sunday School and worship service.

Our annual Hallelujah Festival was well attended and TJ & Lindsey Vice did a nice job or coordinating it all.  Special thanks to each person who helped in any way.  Thank God for the CAB!

I am traveling to Guatemala today in order to take part in a pastor’s conference featuring Dr. Spencer Bell, Dr. Doug Chappelle, and Dr. Rex Looney.  Pray that God will move among us this week.

Got to board.  Blessings!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our evening service was especially well attended and the Spirit was great in both services.  Thank you, Jesus.

Bro. Abel will become a grandfather again tomorrow.  He should be heading North at some point today.  Our mini’s soccer has been moved from Friday night to Saturday morning.  Bro. Abel has plans to be back soccer and flag football Saturday morning.

Bro. Jacob Hall will begin his ministry at Friendship on Monday, 10/27.  Pray for him and his family as they make this move and begin this new phase of ministry.  Exciting time for our student ministry.

It appears almost certain that our annual Hallelujah Festival will be held inside the CAB this Sunday, 10/26, from 4:00PM until 6:00PM.  The weather forecast has been consistent for several days calling for Sunday to be a rainy day.  I will hear from TJ Vice today and will post the final decision on Saturday morning.  However, I am almost one hundred percent certain the inside plan will be route we will take for this year’s event.  Stay tuned!

Jimmy Tagert is leading the charge in handling our heating/cooling situation in our auditorium.  I appreciate his time and effort.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning.  Friendship family members, come join us for Sunday School beginning at 9:00AM and the worship service beginning at 10:00AM.

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

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

The visitation/service for family and Sharon Jardee takes place today at 11:00AM and noon respectively.  Everything at Serenity Funeral Home.

A HUGE thank you goes to each person who came yesterday and helped load the container.  We were a bit short on help but the Lord certainly used those who came to be a blessing.  I appreciate Mike & Wes driving all the way from Knoxville, TN to bring much of the stuff too.  Did we have obstacles?  We did.  Did the Lord allow us to overcome them?  He did.  Praise Him!

We need candy for the Hallelujah Festival and we need folks to host trunks/booths/whatever.  The time will be from 4:00PM until 6:00PM.  What if it rains Sunday?  TJ Vice has a back-up plan.  The man is always prepared.  Can you say Eagle Scout?

Special offering on Sunday, 11/9, for our auditorium refresh project.  Special anniversary fellowship meal on that day beginning at 5:00PM.  More details coming soon!

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

Special thanks to Eddie Albritton & Joey Bosarge for their help last night in getting the final boxes ready to be placed on the container this morning.

Two Yankees (Tennessee), Mike & Wes, arrived around 5:00PM yesterday with a U-Haul truck, two U-Haul trailers and a full size truck loaded with Christmas packs for Guatemala.  Of course they just happened to mention that they love seafood so off to Bozo’s II we went.  Good food and good fellowship with a stop at Lowe’s to finish their packing list.  When they got back to our house they were two tired men.  Today will be another long day for them.

This morning the container is supposed to be on our campus at 9:00AM.  We have two hours to get it loaded and sent away.  Yes, we could use “all hands on deck!”  No heavy lifting just a lot of boxes with mainly the Christmas bags inside.  If available, please come help.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Praying for a great attendance and a great spirit in those services.

We will have a homecoming meal/fellowship on Sunday afternoon, November 9, in the CAB beginning at 5:00PM.  Pot luck style.  More details to come!  Mark the calendar.

The visitation with the Sharon Jardee family takes place tomorrow morning beginning at 11:00AM.  The service begins at noon.  Everything at Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the family.

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

The visitation with Sharon Jardee’s family will take place this Wednesday, 10/22, from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Visitation and service will both take place from Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for Sharon’s family during this time.  Sharon was a wonderful lady.

Our Refresh Committee did a nice job yesterday afternoon of presenting the seating options for the auditorium.  There was a nice spirit within the meeting with good information, questions and discussion.  The vote was taken at the close of the evening service and the result was chairs.  So, the Refresh Committee will now get us the best deal possible on chairs.  Thank you to each person who attended the meeting and to those who voted.  A very special “thank you” to the nine members of the ad hoc Refresh Committee for their prayers, time and efforts.  Remember, the special offering will take place on Sunday, 11/9, in both services.  Pray without ceasing and then give sacrifically!

The Friendship family extended a unanimous call last night to Jason Fosmore to serve, on a part time basis, as our Bus Director/Children’s Church Director.  He has already been serving in this role for the past six weeks or so.  The best thing about Jason is his wife, Laura.  I am thankful to have Jason in this position.

Friendship family – help needed!  First, we need bags of wrapped candy brought to one of the services this Wednesday or to the morning service this Sunday, 10/26.  This is for our annual Hallelujah Festival which will take place this Sunday afternoon on the back forty.  We cannot have too much candy!

Second, we need individuals, families, classes, et cetera to host a booth/trunk for this event.  Contact Lindsey Vice for the details or to sign up.

Third, we need help tomorrow morning, 10/21, beginning at 9:00AM to load a container which will be shipped to Guatemala with our “Bags of GRACE” plus other items for Clubhouse Ministries.  The staging will take place here on our campus.  Many hands make light work so guys, please come!  Pass the word and join us at 9:00AM, please!

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

Sharon Lee Gensler Lamb Jardee of Grand Bay AL Born December 19, 1941 has left us to live life everlasting with her Lord and Savior on October 17, 2025.

She was a shining example of strength and perseverance. No matter what life threw at her, she was able to overcome it & beat the odds even if it seemed impossible to achieve. She was a woman of faith, but also a woman of tremendous courage. She may be gone from this world , but her light will shine bright in the presence of the Lord forever.

She is survived by her Daughter Kelly Marie Lamb Fields.

Grandsons: William Joseph Fields, & Troy Michael Fields

Granddaughters Kristen Diane Oswalt Clendennin, Rachel Leigh Oswalt Hatley.

Great Granddaughters: Kirsten Leigh Fields, Ansley Kay Fields, Emma Diane Hatley.

Great Grandsons: Gregory Tyler Clendennin, William Jase Hatley, Tucker Drake Hatley, William Grey Fields.

Great Great Grandson: Jaxon Gregory Clendennin

And many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by Her Husband Lawrence Reid Jardee, Her Mother Ruth Marie Cunningham Gensler, her Father Joseph Edward Gensler, her Daughter Terrie Diane Lamb Oswalt, her sister Ruby Marie Gensler Gulley, and two brothers, Joseph Clarence Gensler & John Edward Gensler.

Pallbearers: Joseph Fields, Troy Fields, Aaron Barnett, Joey Brakel, Terry Dean Dees, Robert Gulley.

John 13:19
” And Because I Live, You will live. “