Pastor's Blog

First, happy birthday to my wife, Lisa.  She has had a good day.  She is a much better pastor’s wife than I am a pastor.  I am blessed!  Yes, she looks young enough to be my daughter.  Just glad I got her to say “yes” before she wised up!  (Spencer Bell – take note!).

I am mainly writing tonight as I am now in a place where I take a sabbatical from all personal electronic devices on Sunday.  It has worked well for me and I pray that God is being glorified.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow, Sunday, 5/31.  Sunday School begins at 9:00AM.  The praise team will rehearse, get sound checks, et cetera in the auditorium beginning at 9:10AM.  Worship service begins at 10:00AM.

Bro. Abel will be preaching in my absence in the morning and our children’s choir will minister during the evening service.  Pray for these two services.

Where am I?  Hartselle, Alabama.  Several weeks ago I talked to the deacons individually through email about taking one Sunday morning in order to attend a church service with my Mama.  They unanimously (individually) endorsed the idea.  So, Lisa and I drove up today (Saturday, 5/30).  It has been a good day.  Saw Mama for a very quick visit, visited with Pastor Jack & Miss June Bailey, had a meal with Eddie & Sue (Big Bob’s), visited Kent & Kandy in Athens and then visited Pastor Joe, Lori and Ty in their home.  Long day.  Hard day.  Good day.  Thankful!

Lord willing, I will be on the church campus Monday morning for the start of our 2026 VBS.  Pray for this ministry.

Keep praying for Tucker Vice.  Pray for a miracle.

Attend our services tomorrow!

It was nice being back in the auditorium for the services yesterday.

Still praying for Tucker Vice.  June 9 is the date for the appointment with the specialist.  Praying for a miracle.

Keep praying for Annette Williams.  She is recovering at her daughter’s house.

Maxine Dupont went through a rough patch but the Lord blessed and she is now doing much better.  Maxine was such a great part of the Friendship family until she moved to Texas.  She is an absolute sweetheart.  Pray for Maxine!

Andy Hamil continues to need our prayers as he awaits the “next” in his situation.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty.

Keep praying for Bonnie Smiley.  Pray for no more infections.

Pray for Mark Mast & Rex Looney.

Pastor Joe David Bailey’s mother-in-law, Jennifer Breedlove, passed from this life earlier this morning.  Pray for Joe David, Lori and the family.  I have known Jennifer all of my life.

“Chloe’s Challenge” continues until Sunday, 6/7.  Who is next on the “I will finance the building of a house in Guatemala” list?  You can contact me for more information or to make a pledge.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 5/31.  Praying for a great attendance!

Our 2026 VBS begins this Monday, 6/1, through Friday, 6/5.  Pray for VBS.  Please note that we will not have our regular services next Wednesday, 6/3.  Thank you Bro. Abel for reminding me of this important detail.

It is not too early for you to begin praying for our GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala the dates of June 11 – 18.  Thirty-nine team members representing four states and several churches.  The largest number of team members will be from the Friendship family.

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

Andy Hamil received news yesterday that he does have a malignancy in his colon.  It appears surgery will be the first option.  Pray for Bro. Andy and Miss Betty.

Miss Annette Williams had rotator cuff surgery yesterday.  Second time on same shoulder.  Praying for a good outcome this time.

John Peacock is in Jacksonville, FL this week.  Pray all goes well.

Rex Looney was discharged from the hospital yesterday after spending five nights there.  Had to have his gallbladder removed and then an infection joined the party.  He come home with a pick line.  Pray for Dr. Rex.

Missionary Mark Mast has been having an issue with is eyes.  It has the potential to be very serious down the road.  Pray for Mark & Tina.

Regular schedule on our campus today.

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

REFRESH is here!  After six Sundays in the CAB we are now set to reenter the auditorium at 10:00AM today.  The forecast is calling for rain but we are not discouraged.  Looking forward to an absolutely great day of worship!  Join us!

Remember, no evening service today.

The church office will be closed tomorrow, 5/25, in observance of Memorial Day.

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

The day I have been anticipating is almost here!  “REFRESH SUNDAY 2026” takes place tomorrow, May 24, beginning at 10:00AM for worship in the auditorium.  The building, the landscaping, the sign, everything looks great!  Fresh would be a good word!

Our Sunday School begins at 9:00AM tomorrow.

No evening service tomorrow.

Regular schedule on Wednesday.

The Friendship family will host a service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Matt Davidson will be sharing the spoken Word and his wife, Jackie, will be sharing the message in song.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Andy Hamil got some news yesterday from his latest medical tests that he did not want to hear.  However, he and Betty are trusting God through it all.  Andy will see more medical folks Tuesday and Wednesday.  Pray for Andy & Betty.

Bonnie Smiley was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Prayerfully, she will not get another infection and will then be able to have her hip replacement surgery.  Pray for Bonnie.

Still praying for a miracle in Tucker Vice’s situation.  Pray, pray and then pray some more.

This Sunday, May 24, is our Refresh Sunday!  How do I know?  Because I read it on the electronic sign in front of our auditorium!  Yes, we now have an electronic sign.  Praise the Lord!  Gary & Rachel Walton got the ball rolling initially.  Jerry Poiroux, Bro. Jacob, Allen Glover and Bro. Abel took it from there.  The Lord’s timing is always impeccable!

So, we will gather for Sunday School this Sunday, 5/24, at 9:00AM and then enter the auditorium at 9:50AM to celebrate Jesus!  I am encouraging each member of the Friendship family who is in town this weekend to join us!  What a day that is going to be!  Hallelujah!

We had folks working late last night getting the last minute things done in preparation for this Sunday’s service.  Thank you to each one who has helped in any way.  To God be the glory!

It would be great if we have three more pledges to bring “Chloe’s Challenge” to twenty houses.  Very possible!  Our deadline is Sunday, June 7.  We have had young people to senior adults give to this challenge out of their desire to be a blessing.  Who is next?

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

Tucker Vice remains on the top of my prayer list as I am asking God for a miracle in his eye.  Please join me in this prayer.

As far as I know, Bonnie Smiley remains in the hospital.  I will check on her today.  Pray for Bonnie.

By the way, I made a mistake!  Are you serious?  I am.  It was not Sheila & Nadine who took Bonnie to the hospital.  It was Nadine and Mariam Moates.  Mariam is a sweetheart and I apologize for getting confused.  The mistake is mine and I own it!

Katie Tillman is going to “milk” her “surgery” for all she can get!  She missed church last night.  Sent me a message asking if we were going to provide a meal for her family?  Threatened to have her Mama come to the church to give me a piece of her mind if we did not.  So, Lisa provided a dessert for Katie and sent it home with Grant last night.  All of this for having one tooth extracted?  Katie, I do have the picture and I will use it!  Just saying!

John & Alaina Peacock went to Montgomery Monday – Wednesday.  John received some excellent help.  They will be in Florida for a few days next week and then the trip to Montgomery will be regular for like six weeks.  Keep praying for John!

Seventeen!  That is the number we have reached (given/pledged) for “Chloe’s Challenge!”.  How about that!  Our goal was twelve.  Our end date is Sunday, June 7.  So, let’s reach twenty!  Those houses will be built at some point in 2026.  One of our older teens gave of her own money ($550) yesterday to financially sponsor a house.  How about that!  Remind me again of why you cannot give?  Thank you to each person who has given and to those who will give between now and June 7.  (I wanted to write 6/7 but. . .)

Refresh Sunday is almost here!  What a great day it is going to be!  Even though it is a major holiday weekend let’s have a SRO attendance.  Join me in praying that God will be glorified!  I am so excited about this day!

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

Bonnie Smiley has been admitted to the hospital.  She was taken to the emergency room on Monday morning and yesterday morning she remained in a hallway waiting for a room.  Pray for Bonnie.  Thank you Sheila Booker and Nadine Holifield for getting Bonnie to the hospital.  Mariam Moates has also been a great help to Bonnie.

Keep praying for Tucker Vice and a complete healing of his eye.

I am praying for Katie Tillman although I am still not happy with her as she did not let me know she was going to have surgery.  I will not forget easily!  However, I am praying!

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

I am very excited about this coming Sunday, May 24, and our 10:00AM service.  Friendship family, if you are in town please help us have a standing room only crowd for this most special day.  May God be glorified!

No evening service this Sunday.

I was wrong!  I know you have a hard time digesting that statement!  However, it is true!  I thought we had ten houses financed through “Chloe’s Challenge” and that is the number I shared yesterday.  One of my daughters firmly scolded me sharing that we had eleven houses financed!  She was correct!  That is good news!  The greater news is that another house was spoken for yesterday which brings our total to the goal of twelve!  How about that!  We still have three Sundays to go and I am praying for more folks to step up and meet the challenge.  We cannot get too many houses!  By the way, Lisa was not surprised that I was wrong – she is used to it!

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

Tucker Vice continues to be on the top of my prayer list.  Prayer for a miracle regarding the healing of his eye.  Join me in that prayer.  June 9 is the important date.

Katie Tillman had a surgical procedure last Friday.  Something to do with her sinuses?  Anyway, pray for Katie!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.  Our adults will meet in the CAB.

“Chloe’s Challenge” is on target to reach (exceed?) the goal of having the funds to build ten houses in Guatemala.  We are presently at ten houses funded and our goal is twelve.  The end date for this challenge is Sunday, June 7.  Who will be next?

By the way, I missed game seven of the game between the Pistons and Cavs.  Anyone know who won?  (Asking for a friend!)

I want to say a huge “thank you” to the folks, men and women, who worked really hard yesterday getting the chairs moved from storage and into the auditorium.  It took all morning plus but things are shaping up nicely as we will return to the auditorium for worship this Sunday, May 24!

Remember, no evening service this Sunday.

Online registration is available for our VBS.  Pray for VBS which will be June 1 – June 5.

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

Happy birthday to our son-in-law, Brad Hutto.  I pray that he will have a great day.  We are thankful for Brad.  He is a great son-in-law, good husband and good father to four of our grandchildren.  The best thing is that he took Daphne off of our hands. . .  LOL!  Thankful for a son-in-law who loves the Lord and serves Him faithfully.  Best wishes to Brad!

We were blessed with a really good final Sunday in our CAB worship services.  Praise the Lord!  I appreciate all who have helped these past six Sundays go smoothly.  Obviously, we give God the highest praise!  He is good!

We will meet in the CAB this Wednesday, 5/20.  Regular schedule.

On Sunday, May 24, we will all enter the auditorium at 9:50AM.  Details TBA. I hope you will be able to join us.  We had a “Let’s Make A Deal” in last night’s service.  Our morning service this Sunday, 5/24, will go past 11:00AM.  We will then not have an evening service due in large part to it being Memorial Day weekend.

Pray for Tucker Vice and the situation with his eye.  Pray for a miracle!

Pray for Andy Hamil as the doctors try to decide the “what is next” scenario.

Our VBS is June 1 – 5 from 9:00AM until noon daily.  Pray for this important week of ministry.  Pray for Bro. Abel & Tiffany as they lead us through this week.

“Chloe’s Challenge” has gone well as we now have finances for ten houses to be built in Guatemala this year.  Our goal is twelve funded by Sunday, June 7.  Who will be next?  Contact me personally if you will help.  Checks should be made payable to GRACE Ministries.

I do want to thank each person who worked in the soccer concession stand and to those who were the customers.  Thank you for supporting missions and the John Peacock family.  May God bless you!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  The garden (early then late), church chairs and a concession trailer are all calling my name today.