Pastor's Blog

I posted the obit for Belvin McDonald.  We need folks from the Friendship family to help with the feeding of the family on Friday. Please call the church office or contact Tina Wilkinson.

Diane and family will go to the funeral home today to make the arrangements for Diane’s father.  Keep praying for the Brannon family.

I ask that you continue to pray for Bro. Jerry Hovel and the others who are battling the virus.

The Lord blessed and my brother, Eddie, & I had an easy day of travel yesterday.  We landed in Guatemala City at 12:33PM and were in the parking garage at 12:54PM.  If you have flown here previously then you will understand what a “miracle” that was!

Yesterday was the first day of school for the students at Colegio JET.  Eddie & I were able to visit the older students who attend in the afternoon session.  We will see the younger students this morning.

Deidra has me lined up with meeting after meeting after meeting beginning this morning.  Of course, that is my purpose for being here.  Pray that all goes well, please.

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

Belvin Levi McDonald, Sr., a native of Grand Bay, AL, passed away January 10, 2021.

He was born November 23, 1932, on Hall Rd in the family home and considered Grand Bay to be his home.

He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Thornton McDonald; parents, Bedford and Harriet McDonald; sister, Joyce Gardner; and step-son, Randal “Randy” Reeves.
Suvivors include his children, Joy Scott, Karen (Hector) Saldivar, Linda (Darrell) Whidden, Belvin “BJ” (Kim) McDonald, Jr.; step-children, Kerry “Speedy” (Lyn) Reeves and Mary Dueitt; sisters, Jeanette (Tommy) Mizell and Betty (Paul) Ford; brother, Gerald (Theresa) McDonald; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; other relatives, and friends.

He graduated from Mobile County High School and served in the Marine Reserves for two years before joining the Navy for four years. While in the Navy he served during the Korean Conflict on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). He retired from Ingalls after 31 years and loved fishing and going out in his boat after retiring.

He enjoyed Mardi Gras and was involved for over 15 years. He and his wife, Betty, were chosen to be Emblems of the organization, and they served as President one year.

He loved most sports. He started the football program in Grand Bay and ran it for 14 years. He coached many young boys in football and baseball. He was president of Grand Bay Ballpark for 5 years and coached women’s softball team “Silk Ridge” for 5 years; they were Alabama state champions in 1974. He loved Crimson Tide and was a crazy Alabama fan. ROLL TIDE

The family will hold a private visitation and funeral service on Friday, January 15, 2021 at Serenity Funeral Home.

The service will be streamed for the public on the same day at 2 PM at serenityfuneralhome.com

The celebration of life service for Belvin McDonald will be private.  It is scheduled to take place this Friday.  The Friendship family  will feed the McDonald family following the 2:00PM service.  Please call the church office or contact Tina Wilkinson if you can help provide food.  Pray for the McDonald family!

I do not know the final arrangements for Diane Bryant’s father, James “Jim” Brannon.  Keep praying for the family as they walk through this valley.

Keep praying for Bro. Jerry Hovel.  He and Tena are in quarantine until this Sunday, 1/17.  Also, pray for the others from the Friendship family who are battling the virus.

Donnie Felps continues to need our prayer support.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  We welcome Kevin & Amanda Steele to the Friendship family by transfer of letter and baptism.

Lord willing, I will board a plane in a couple of hours heading to Guatemala in order to take care of some administrative matters.  Colegio JET begins classes today.  Pray for traveling mercies and a productive trip.  Many thanks to Todd Stork for helping me get the test.  I am telling you that Todd is a jewel!

For those who viewed yesterday’s 8:00AM service online, the password must be all lower case letters.  That will be true this Sunday, 1/17, too.

I have plans to watch the Alabama game tonight.  If I get too, great.  If not, oh well.  Obviously, I am pulling for Alabama to win the championship.

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

I spoke to Bro. Jerry late yesterday afternoon and he was feeling probably some better than he had been in the morning.  Ross Hatcher had sent some OTC medicines to him.  Keep praying!

We have four or five others within the Friendship family who are presently battling the virus.  Pray for those folks too.  (I do not divulge names unless receiving permission from the person infected)

Diane Bryant’s father was moved to a different hospital and some of the family members were allowed to visit with him yesterday.  That is definitely a good thing for Mr. Jim and the family.  Keep praying.

Received word yesterday that Belvin McDonald is not doing well.  Pray for Belvin.

Basketball leagues are in action today.  Pray for Eddie A and this ministry.

Here is the schedule on our campus for tomorrow – worship at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  Sunday School at 9:15AM.  AWANA ministry at 5:00PM.  All children, 5K through fifth grade in the CAB with Dylan & TJ during the 6:00PM hour.

I still do not know anything definitive about children’s choir but I know Miss Tena will not be present due to the need to quarantine for ten days due to being exposed to the virus by her husband.  I will announce something definite in the services tomorrow morning.

I now have the password for those wishing to access the live stream during our 8:00AM service tomorrow.  That is the only service that will be live streamed.  I think there have been three or four folks request the code.  I will reply to those folks today.  Remember, the live stream will not be available without the code.  The absolute best way to contact me about the code is via email – pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

The van purchased in Guatemala by SLAM is a 2018 Toyota with sixty thousand miles.  I finally got a picture and some information.

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

The biggest news coming out of the Friendship family today is that our Associate Pastor, Bro. Jerry Hovel, has tested positive for the virus.  When he called me, he was trying to get in touch with his primary care doctor for advice and direction.  Bro. Jerry asks for prayers and I ask that you join me in praying for him.  God is bigger than this virus so let’s pray for a complete healing in Bro. Jerry’s life.

Please know that Bro. Jerry does not need to be bombarded by phone calls during this time.  If you send him a message then please do so expecting no reply.  He needs to rest and focus solely on taking care of himself right now.  Thank you for understanding.

I was told today that folks, age seventy five and older, are now able to make an appointment to get the vaccine for the virus in Pascagoula.  You simply need to call and make an appointment.  Our senior adults in this age bracket may want to consider this option.

Marisa wrote me earlier this week saying that Donnie has good day, bad day.  Good hour, bad hour.  One of her main points of focus is trying to make sure that neither she or Donnie get the virus.  Pray for God’s protection over them!

As far as I know, Diane Bryant’s father was transferred to a different hospital last night.  One closer to Grand Bay which is better for the family.

We lost a fine man who worked with GRACE Ministries in Guatemala.  He was affectionately known as “Juanito” which means little Juan.  He was short in statue but was a giant of a man.  Deidra has written an appropriate blog about Juan that can be found at shininglightabroad.com.  Pray for Juanito’s family.

Speaking of Deidra, SLAM is now the owner of a fifteen passenger van.  It is a 2018 model with low miles.  Honestly, that is all I know at this point.  Thank you to each person who prayed and those who gave to make this purchase a reality.  To God be the glory!

Our basketball leagues resume play in the morning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 1/10, including the beginning of a new semester of our AWANA ministry.  I am checking with the leaders on the schedule.  I will post an update tomorrow or Sunday.

I am going to assume there will be no children’s choir this Sunday, 1/10, because of Tena’s need to quarantine due to Bro. Jerry’s diagnosis.  I will confirm that and post it either tomorrow or Sunday.

Finance Committee will meet this Sunday, 1/10.  Grant will let the members know the time.

I pray that you will have a good late afternoon, evening and night with Jesus.

A full blog entry will be coming later today.  Sorry for the delay.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I am praying that the members of the Friendship family will make attendance on Wednesdays a priority.  “This Is My Church!  How Can I Help?”

The visitation and service for Wendy Johnston’s maternal aunt takes place tomorrow.  I need to get a few of the details i.e. the name of the church being the main one.  Wendy, help me!

The medical folks are going to allow Diane Bryant’s mother to visit with Diane’s father today as they continue to make decisions regarding the next step.  The family is glad for this most recent decision.  Keep praying.

Plenty of openings on the January 28 – February 4 GRACE Ministries team going to Guatemala.  Fares can escalate at any moment so, if interested, please let me know like five minutes ago.

Keep praying for Elizabeth Sessions, Donnie Felps, JoNell Barnes, Larry Crawley, et cetera.

Lisa arrived home safe and sound around 11:00PM last night.  Thank God for Uber!  LOL!

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

The celebration of life service for Sonny Bates’ sister, Royuallyn Crocker, takes place this afternoon from First Baptist Trussville.  Pray for that service.

JoNell Barnes did not have her surgical procedure yesterday.  Her potassium level was too low.  Not sure what the plan is for rescheduling but ask that you keep praying for JoNell.

I appreciate Shawn Siker for the use of his generator for the Jack Sims service yesterday.  It was perfect!  I also appreciate Bro. Abel setting everything up, running the system and then taking things down.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

After many years of working in the church office, Miss Kittie Camp, has decided it is time for her to no longer work.  I agree with her decision.  Miss Kittie has been much more than a secretary and I am very grateful for her many years of service and ministry through this position.  Thank you Miss Kittie.

Lord willing, my wife will arrive home late tonight.  Pray for traveling mercies.  It will be nice for things to get back to “normal” around here for a day or two.

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

JoNell Barnes is having knee replacement surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  JoNell is a sweetheart and a very faithful member of the Friendship family.

The celebration of life service for Jack Sims takes place in the Grand Bay Cemetery today beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for Miss Annette, Todd and the rest of the family.

Keep praying for Diane Bryant’s father as the doctors try to decide how to help him.  Pray for the family too.

Also, keep praying for Donnie Felps.

Elizabeth Sessions is at home trying to get her blood pressure at a safe level.  Pray for Elizabeth!

Pastor Fred Wolfe passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Bro. Fred was at Cottage Hill Baptist for twenty five or so years and in recent years founded the Luke 4:18 Fellowship.  Pray for the Wolfe family.

We were blessed with some good services yesterday.  I am hearing from folks who are making the determination to join us in person very soon.  Some who have recovered from the virus were in attendance yesterday and that was a good thing!

I will be taking a small team to Guatemala the dates of January 28 – February 4.  If you want to join us and have a passport, please contact me immediately.  Would love to have more team members.  The needs are so very many right now.

Lord willing and if I can get a negative test result, I will be traveling to Guatemala next week to take care of some administrative matters.  My brother, Eddie, will be going with me.

Lisa is scheduled to arrive home tomorrow night.  That makes me happy!

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

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

The memorial service for Martha Kendrick takes place this morning beginning at 11:15AM.  It will be held in the chapel of the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa.  Keep praying for the Kendrick family.

Elizabeth Sessions called me yesterday to say that the spent a couple of days in the hospital because of high blood pressure.  She is home now with a new regiment of medications.  She asks the the Friendship family’s prayer support.

Basketball clinic in our CAB today.  I “think” it begins at 8:00AM for the youngest grade level.  Pray for this to be a day of ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 5:00PM.

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