Pastor's Blog

Gary Walton just contacted me and can use all available help to plant shrubs, bushes, flowers, et cetera this afternoon.  Pass the word, please.  Thank you!  (Gary plans to work until dark thirty so you have a pass to miss this evening’s service if you are working with Gary)

Clara Broadus is having an outpatient surgical procedure done this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Clinton Stringfellow is scheduled to be moved to hospice facility later today.  Please continue to pray for Clinton.

John Peacock continues to undergo physical therapy.  Keep praying for John & Alaina, please.

The plan is to provide three evening meals (supper) weekly for John, Alaina & the boys through April.  Daphne is coordinating this ministry opportunity so please contact her at daphnehutto@gmail.com or text (251) 533 4595.

Regular schedule on our campus today.

Soccer begins this Saturday, 3/21.  Come and eat!

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

Clinton Stringfellow is in the hospital.  I visited with him yesterday (sat by his bed and prayed) but he was in a deep sleep.  I spoke to his nurse and she said he had fallen asleep a few minutes prior to my arrival (and I had not even started preaching).  Clinton needs much prayer.  Join me in praying, please.

Keep praying for John Peacock and his wife, Alaina.  John needs some miracles to take place in his life.  Remember, love offering for the Peacocks for the next three Sundays.

Also, looking for members of the Friendship family to sign up for the meal train for the Peacocks.  Contact Daphne Hutto (daphnehutto@gmail.com) or (251) 533 4595 to sign up or to get more information.

Someone signed up yesterday to bake two pies for the auction on 3/27.  So, we now have the eight requested plus one.  Thank you to each lady who is baking for this mission opportunity.  As I am writing this, a sweet lady message me to say that she will also do a sweet for the auction so our total is now ten!  Praise the Lord!

I asked for eight men to consider joining us for a trip to Guatemala in September.  Wow, we had ten sign up and tickets were purchased yesterday.  Five of the ten will be first timers to Guatemala.  Exciting!

Bro. Abel will be busy this week getting ready for soccer’s opening Saturday, 3/21.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

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

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  God moved among us and I am most thankful.  We saw one public profession of faith and three follow the Lord in believers baptism.  Thank you Jesus.

A happy Mama called me last night to share some great news regarding one of her children.  I rejoice with her!  God is faithful!

Clinton Stringfellow is not doing well.  He has now been admitted to the hospital, again.  Please stop right now and pray for Clinton.

I have another very serious prayer request but it is not one that can be shared publicly.  God knows so please join me in praying.

John Peacock continues his recovery at home.  He has a long road to complete recovery.  The Friendship family has given generously over the past two Sundays to help John, Alaina and their boys financially.  Thank you.  I have asked Daphne Hutto to organize a meal train for the Peacock family which basically means folks will take a night of providing supper for the Peacock family.  Will you help?  Maybe some members of a SS class, a ministry organization, et cetera.  We can/will provide the means to get the meals to them if you cannot do so.  My plan is to do this through the end of April if the participation is sufficient.  You can just tell Daphne which night(s) you are willing to help and she will put you on the list.  Pass the word, please.  Contact Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com or (251) 533 4595.  Or, you can order from a restaurant that delivers (or has it delivered).

We have three more Sundays to give to the Peacock offering.  We will end it on Easter Sunday.  Friendship family, pray and give as the Lord leads.  I am praying for a miracle offering when all is said and done.  Why are we helping the John Peacock family?  Simple answer – the Lord laid it on my heart and I am simply obeying Him.

By the way, a men’s Sunday School class at Danville Baptist Church learned of this need and gave a significant offering yesterday.  How about that!  Thanks to my brother, Eddie, for being sensitive to the Lord’s leading.

I am still one cake short of my goal of seven cakes/pies for 3/27.  God will provide.  Interested?  Contact me personally.

I am waiting to receive absolute confirmation via email from two men (those will come this morning) and our September “men only” GRACE Ministry trip to Guatemala will be filled.  We have seasoned men and first timers in the group.  I am excited.

I am doing a horrible job of promoting the car wash certificates.  Friendship family, please help me by asking for them.  Great gift at a great price.

I am excited that Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest messenger on Easter Sunday morning for our 8:00AM & 10:00AM services.  Praying for two overflowing services.

Spring soccer leagues begin this Saturday, 3/21, at 9:00AM.  We need folks to come buy food from the concession stand even if you are not going to watch soccer.  All proceeds will help the ministry portion of our June trip and some of them will go to the John Peacock family.  Pray for our sports ministry.

Hey, God is moving at Friendship and the forces of hell are on the prowl.  Be vigilant.  Put on the whole armor of God.  Resist the devil!

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

Very late entry.  My apologies.

What a beautiful day weather wise.  I know the weather folks predict we will get some cooler tempartures for a couple of nights next week but I fully believe Spring is here.

John Peacock suffered a seizure Wednesday night.  He was taken to the hospital and kept in the ER until late yesterday afternoon.  All of the tests came back good.  Keep praying for John & Alaina.

Speaking of the Peacocks, we will receive a special offering for them this Sunday morning and evening.  We will do this until Easter Sunday.  Thank you for praying and thank you for giving as the Lord leads.

Lord willing, we will observe the ordinance of baptism this Sunday in our 5:00PM service.  Candidates, come prepared.

Remember, the Roberson trio will be our special guests on Sunday, 3/22, in our 5:00PM service.  A love offering will be received.  Pray, attend and give as the Lord leads.

Our adult choir will present their Easter music on Sunday, 3/29, in our 5:00PM service.

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning services – 8:00AM & 10:00AM.

Gary & Rachel Walton are working feverishly to get the landscaping renovation complete by Easter Sunday.  I so appreciate their efforts!

Six ladies have signed up to provide seven cakes/pies for Friday, 3/27, for the USA BCM bake sale.  Need one more but would take up to ten cakes/pies.  Next?

Two men are committed to the September trip with three others strongly leaning that way.  First come, first served.  The proposed dates are Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  Contact me personally, if interested.

Friendship family, car wash certificates are available now.  What a great gift idea for anyone who owns a vehicle.

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

Keith & Aninha Barrett either left late last night or very early this morning driving to the Chattanooga, TN area in order to attend a funeral service for a friend this morning.  From there, who knows where they will land.  Their plan is to be in our service next Wednesday, 3/18.  Pray for traveling mercies.  (“Old” people really do not need to drive at such odd hours.  Just saying!)

Arnold Strahan was discharged from the hospital.  Keep praying!

Clinton Stringfellow was taken to the hospital but then sent back to the rehab facility.  Continue to pray for Clinton.

I met with someone last night who shared a very serious prayer need.  I am not at liberty to share the details but I do ask for you to pray diligently.  God knows.

John Peacock continues to rehab at home and is making progress.  Pray for John & Alaina and their boys.  We will receive another offering for them this Sunday, 3/15, in both services.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  We give Him the glory!

Our Spring soccer leagues begin play on Saturday, 3/21.

The Roberson trio will be our special guests on Sunday evening, 3/22.  Save the date and join us for this special service.

Our adult choir will present their Easter musical on Sunday evening, 3/29.  Pray and make plans to be present.

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning worship services – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 3/15.  Looking for a move of God among us.  Please join me in praying with expectation.

The church yard is going to be a mess for a few days due to this rain.  Thank you for understanding.  I appreciate Gary & Rachel doing such a great job of leading this landscaping project.  It is going to be very nice once completed.

Our ladies have responded well to the call for cakes/pies for the USA BCM summer missions opportunity.  We have six ladies who have agreed to bake seven cakes/pies.  The goal is eight but we will take ten.  Next volunteer?

We have had two men sign up for the September “men only” mission trip to Guatemala.  I have decided on the dates which will be Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  This includes Labor Day which will help those men still working to save a vacation day.  Grant Tillman is going to be the next one to volunteer so that leaves us needing five more men.  Contact me personally.  Yes, you have time to get/renew your passport.

Our students have car wash certificates available.  Great gift idea for only ten dollars.  They will also host a pulled pork “to go” only dinner on Sunday, 3/29, immediately following our morning service.  Eight dollars per person with a maximum of thirty dollars per immediate family.  Limited number available on Saturday, 3/28, at the soccer games.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  (Did I mention our adult choir Easter musical?)

Regular schedule on our campus today beginning at 10:00AM and 6:30PM.  Praying for a good number of the Friendship family members to join us.  Will you be one of them?  I pray so!

Clinton Stringfellow was moved from the rehab facility to the hospital yesterday as he has been diagnosed with pneumonia.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Arnold Strahan was supposed to be discharged from the hospital yesterday but I am not sure if that happened or not.  He was in pain and the decision would depend on how he did in his initial physical therapy session.  Pray for Arnold.

What has been the response thus far for the call for eight women (baking) and the eight men (mission trip) up to this point?  One sweet lady called and graciously committed to bake a cake.  Otherwise, crickets.  My wife would normally bake two or three cakes but she will not be in the country during those days as she will be on a mission trip to South Africa.  We do have one lady who promised to bake a cake last year but then “forgot” to do so.  I wonder if she will step up this year?  Who?  Yep, she is the one!

The concept of having a “men only” building team going to Guatemala is brand new.  Waiting to see the response before going definite.  Why eight?  So each man will have his own room and bathroom.  Again, it will be a Sunday through Saturday trip at some point in September.  Brothers, the ball is now in your proverbial court.

Two things relating to our student ministry.  First, we have  gift “cards” got the Tidal Wave carwash.  They are ten dollars each and allow the holder to get a thirty something dollars wash with an expiration date of early 2027.  All proceeds from this effort will go toward summer camp for our students.

Second, there will be  pulled pork dinners (sandwich, bag of chips, cookie and soft drink/water) available immediately following our morning service on Sunday, March 29.  The suggested donation is eight dollars per plate with a maximum of thirty dollars per immediate family.  Take outs only.  There will be a limited number of the dinners available during the soccer games on Saturday, 3/28.  More information to come.

Speaking of soccer (why would you?), our league play begins on Saturday, March 21.  The highlight of the season will be our concession stand which will once again feature our soon to be famous five dollars combos.  I hope that folks will come just to purchase a combo which will help the ministry portion of our June GRACE Ministries trip.  Here is the good news – you can eat and you do not even have to watch the soccer games!

Pray for Bro. Abel and our soccer ministry.  Bro. Abel did me a huge favor yesterday and I am most appreciative.  It is about Jesus!

Now I will sit back and watch my email inbox go crazy with baking ladies and mission trip men responding.  Just saying!

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

Arnold Strahan’s surgery went well yesterday.  Prayerfully, he will be discharged from the hospital this morning.  Arnold is such a great gentleman and faithful member of the Friendship family.  Keep praying.

Clinton Stringfellow continues to appreciate all prayers for him.  He remains in the rehab facility.

Gary & Rachel Walton continued working on the landscaping on our campus yesterday.  I appreciate all they are doing.  Pray for them and any others who are helping.

The area in front of our Preschool Building doors is much improved and looks great.  Thank you to the person responsible for doing this work.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism in our service this Sunday evening.

I am looking for eight ladies to each help by baking a cake or pie for an auction that will take place on Friday, 3/27.  This is for the Baptist Student Ministries at USA and will help support their summer missionaries.  We did this last year and it went well.  Can/will you help?  Contact me personally.

I am looking for eight men.  No baking involved.  Considering putting together a group of eight me to travel to Guatemala during September.  Exact dates TBD.  The plan would be to leave on a Sunday, go the lake on Monday, build houses/do other work Tuesday through Friday and then return home on Saturday.  Interested?  Contact me personally.

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

Arnold Strahan will be undergoing hip replacement surgery around 9:30AM today.  Pray that all goes well.

Clinton Stringfellow remains in the rehab facility.  Pray for Clinton to get stronger day by day.

The Roberson trio will be our guests on Sunday evening, 3/22, in our 5:00PM service.  A love offering will be received.  These folks are relatives of Jo Nell Barnes.  Make plans to join us for this unique service.

Speaking of love offerings, we will be receiving love offerings weekly for John & Alaina Peacock.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

In last night’s service, the Friendship family unanimously added the title of Associate Pastor to Bro. Abel Garcia.  My earlier entry focused on that called and Bro. Abel’s response.

Does anyone know of a house to rent in the Grand Bay area?  If so, please contact me personally.

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

The Lord blessed us with a really good day yesterday.  Praise Him.  I received the following from Bro. Abel early this morning:

Last night, I was deeply honored to be given the title of Associate Pastor by the leadership of Friendship Baptist Church and affirmed by my church family.

My heart is both grateful and humbled.

While a title does not change my love or passion to serve my Lord and His people, I fully understand the weight of the love, trust, and responsibility that comes with it. I do not take that lightly.

I began my ministry journey here many years ago serving in the bus ministry and children’s ministry. The same excitement, passion, and love for serving that I had then is the same excitement I still thrive on today.

For over three decades God has allowed me to serve in many places and many ways, but being able to serve this church family at Friendship is a true blessing. Your encouragement, prayers, and support mean more than words can express.

I also want to say thank you to Pastor Teddy for your trust, leadership, and friendship. I am grateful to serve alongside you and under your leadership as we seek to faithfully shepherd God’s people.

As the Lord continues to give me strength, wisdom, and guidance, I promise to serve you with all that I have — with love, faithfulness, and a heart for people.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2

My prayer moving forward is simple:

That I would remain faithful to Christ, faithful to His Word, and faithful to the people God has allowed me to serve.

Thank you, Friendship family, for your love, encouragement, and support through the years. I look forward with great excitement to what God will continue to do in and through our church in the days ahead.

Blessings,
Bro. Abel