Pastor's Blog

It was a rainy Sunday morning and we all know what is said about rain and Baptists when it comes to church attendance.  Well, that was not true yesterday morning as we had a packed house including folks sitting in the choir loft.  How about that!  Obviously, it did not hurt that the men from the Mission of Hope joined us be we would have had a strong attendance without them.  Wow, what a Sunday morning.  The proverbial “cherry on the top” was having Justin & Amber Dunnam join the Friendship family during the invitation.  Praise the Lord!

Eddie Albritton is experiencing some pain due to his surgery.  Pray for Eddie to recover quickly.

Eddie’s younger sister, Wendy, remains in the hospital but should be discharged later today.  Pray for Wendy and family.

The visitation with the Jack Dowdy family will take place in our auditorium this Saturday, 4/5, from 2:00 – 4:00PM.  Continue to pray for this family.

I am told that we had another great day of soccer this past Saturday which was preceded by a great night on Friday.  As I have written many times, pray for this ministry, Bro. Abel and all who help in any way.

Unless something happens, all three of the remaining 2025 GRACE Ministries trips are now at capacity plus.  I will gladly add anyone to a waiting list but the prospects are not good.

Speaking of mission trips, thank you to the six ladies from the Friendship family who baked cakes for the University of South Alabama’s Baptist Campus Ministries auction this past Friday night.  Those cakes sold extremely well.  The proceeds will help college students spend six to nine weeks on the mission field this Summer.  Good stuff!

Congratulations to the Auburn basketball team for reaching the Final Four.  I have had Auburn as my pick to win it all since the season began.  I am also glad to see Florida in the Final Four.  SEC, SEC, SEC!

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

Where have the blog entries been this week?  Well, I have not exactly been sitting on my hands.  However, I will simply say “I have a red truck” and move forward.  My apologies.

Eddie Albritton had surgery yesterday morning and the doctor said it went well.  He is at home recovering.  Pray for Eddie.

Eddie’s younger sister, Wendy, will have a biopsy today.  The most recent news coming to her from the medical folks has not been the best.  Pray for Wendy and her family.

Also, Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, has been moved to a long term rehab facility.

Soccer tonight and tomorrow morning.  Pray for this ministry.

By the way, even if you do not attend the soccer games why not come support our students by purchasing a burger, fries, Conecuh dog, nachos, et cetera from the concession trailer?  Good food at a great price helping a potentially life changing experience for our students.  Contact Daphne Hutto if you need specifics.  Also, you (adults) are invited to help work the concession if you so desire.

The Lord blessed us with four good days with Evangelist Michael Mason.  It is my opinion that the Friendship family embraced Bro. Michael and his preaching more this time than ever before.  That is not to say that they have not embraced him in past years but this time was special.  You attended well and gave an outstanding love offering.  Thank you!

Lord willing, Lisa and I will make a very quick trip to Decatur to visit Mama tomorrow.  I have not seen her since February 11 and March is almost gone.  Pray for us to have safe travels.

I am looking forward to being in the pulpit this Sunday morning and evening.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family plus many guests.  Pray for our services!

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

Praise the Lord!  The Lord used Evangelist Michael Mason in a powerful way to preach the Gospel to us in both services yesterday.  We were blessed with an excellent Spirit, strong attendance and a general excitement among those in attendance.  The proverbial “cherry on the top” was seeing Miss Bonnie Smiley (sp?) join the church by transfer of letter in the morning service.  God is good!

Sue Wyse told me last night that there will be a memorial service for Jack Dowdy on Saturday, April 5, from 2:00PM until 5:00PM.  This service will take place in our church auditorium.  Keep praying for the Dowdy family.

The visitation with the Pastor Terry Rainey family takes place tonight in South Carolina and the celebration of life service will take place tomorrow afternoon.  Pray for Shannon, Chris and the family.

It was good to see Lee Sessions and Clinton Stringfellow in our morning service yesterday.  Pray for these men and their respective health issues.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, has yet to be moved to a rehab facility.  Keep praying for this situation.

Our service tonight begins at 6:30PM sharp.  I suspect we will be dismissed around 7:45PMish.  Friendship family, please pray, attend and bring others with you.

Congratulations to Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi & Tennessee basketball teams for advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tourney.  It is possible that six of those seven could advance to the Elite Eight.  How sweet would that be!  SEC, SEC, SEC!

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

Terry Joe Rainey
August 13, 1949 — March 19, 2025
Campobello, SC

Pastor Terry Joe Rainey, 75, passed away at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Pastor Rainey was currently serving as the pastor at Motlow Creek Baptist Church and had preached his final sermon this past Sunday. He had served this church for the past 20 years and had served his Lord faithfully as a Pastor for 52 years.

He was the first of 3 sons of the late Harold and Ruth Rainey of Easley, SC.

Pastor Rainey was married to the late Cookie Smith Rainey. Survivors include his beloved daughter, Shannon Frances Sally Hood (Chris), brothers Steve Rainey, Butch Rainey (Sharon), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, three brothers in law and four sisters in law.

He finished Wren High School in Piedmont, SC, attended Anderson University, Columbia Bible College & Gardner Webb. He undertook extensive study of the Bible as a lifelong pursuit.

Terry was saved, born again and baptized at Geer Memorial Baptist Church, Easley, SC in 1971 and then surrendered to enter the Ministry in 1973. A talented musician, Terry was an accomplished drummer and used that skill in his charismatic approach to serving our Lord. He sang numerous solos of Gospel music at his church and during his Evangelism, sometimes singing together with wife, Cookie or son in law, Chris Hood. His first pastorate was Unity Baptist Church in Woodruff, SC. He served as Pastor at Airport Rd Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC, Centerville Baptist Church in Anderson, SC and Mt Vernon Baptist Church and Christian School in Stockbridge, Georgia. Terry also led numerous youth camps in various locations.

He often entertained when the whole family gathered at the river for special occasions, using his unique talent as a comedian, to imitate virtually anyone, singing Gospel solos and leading the whole family in singing hymns together.

Pastor Rainey had many, many close friends who were involved in the Ministry. Several other young men were called to and presently serve as Pastors due to Terry’s leadership and mentoring. Together with Cookie, Terry conducted Revivals in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and Illinois as well as organizing Medical supply relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Together, through Life Aid Ministries, they raised over $4,000,000 worth of medical supplies for mission trips to Eastern Europe & Central America.

Pastor Rainey was internationally known as an Evangelist preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Russia, Romania, Guatemala & Hungary as well as across the South East United States.

His daughter Shannon, was involved with Terry and Cookie’s ministry by coordinating and planning event arrangements for Revivals.

A Clemson fan, Terry had a warm, friendly personality, was easy to talk with, had an excellent sense of humor and could have been an entertainer. A serious Bible Scholar, he preached with passion & integrity. He was admired, loved & respected by both sides of his family & by many, many friends in Christ & church members.

He will be buried at the Motlow Creek Baptist Church beside his devoted wife, Cookie.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 25,2025, at Holston Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Keith Kelly, Pastor Teddie Turrentine, Pastor Lloyd Stancil, and Pastor Eddie Burdette officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons from Motlow Creek Baptist Church.

Active Pallbearers will be Robbie Smith, Richie Smith, Mike Worley, Sam Worley, Bryan Yelton, Dagan Rainey, and Cameron Rainey.

The arrangements are entrusted into the care of Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.

An online guest is available at www.floyd’s greenlawn chapel.com

Earlier today Jack Dowdy was sleeping and peacefully passed from this life.  Pray for his wife, Doris, and the rest of the family during this time.  Sue Wyse is Jack’s step-daughter and Terrell Brooks is his brother-in-law.  More information to come.  Arrangements pending.

I am going to be honestly in saying that the unexpected passing of Pastor Terry Rainey still is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind.  The arrangements are still pending.  Pray for his daughter, Shannon, and her husband, Chris.  Rejoice that Pastor Terry is now in Heaven.  Shannon thinks that her dad has already connected with Soy – oh my!  LOL!

Bro. Abel asked me to do the beginning prayer last night at the opening of our Spring soccer league.  Wow, what a crowd!  Is there anyone in the world who can do a better job than Bro. Abel at coordinating a sports ministry?  He is top notch!  Games tonight and tomorrow morning.  Pray for this ministry.

Friendship family, pray for revival and then pray some more.  I like the following quote from Leonard Ravenhill – “You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire. Likewise, if your church is on fire, you will not have to advertise it. The community will already know it.”

There service for Kimberly Graham Waller will be a private and for family only.  Pray for the Waller family.

I have plans to do something today that I only have to do about two times each year in the States – get a haircut!  (It will cost me more today for one haircut then would cost for a haircut once a month for a year in Guatemala.  LOL!)

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

My world was rocked yesterday afternoon when I received word that my very good pastor friend, Terry Rainey, unexpectedly passed from this life.  The death of any pastor bothers me but especially the death of a close friend.  Pastor Terry helped do Soy & Deidra’s wedding in 2007.  He has preached revivals here.  We have done mission work together.  I was privileged to help with his wife’s (Miss Cookie) celebration of life service in July of 2015.  Pastor Terry was still pastoring the Motlow Creek Baptist Church in Campobello, South Carolina.  Pray for his daughter, Shannon, and her husband, Chris.  Arrangements pending.

The Lord blessed us with two really good services yesterday.  Praise Him!

Eddie Albritton’s sister is having a test today to see what is taking place in her body.  Pray!

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

My apologies for no entry yesterday.  Red truck.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  I pray that our attendance will be strong both times.

No real updates on those for whom we have been praying.  Just keep going before the throne.

Revival services Sunday, 3/23, through Wednesday, 3/26.  10:00AM and 5:00PM on Sunday.  6:30PM Monday through Wednesday.  Pray, attend, invite.

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

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  We basically had a full house in the morning service.  The evening service left something to be desired (good but not great) attendance wise but the singing and the preaching were spot on.  Pastor Roy can preach!  If you missed it, then you missed a blessing.  A word from God!

We now turn our attention toward the services Sunday, 3/23, through Wednesday, 3/26, with Evangelist Michael Mason being the messenger.  Al Stokes and some of the folks from Grand Bay Ministries will be our musical guests on Monday night, 3/24.  I am asking each member of the Friendship family to give absolute priority to attending these services.  Pray without ceasing.  No red trucks, please!

Riley Glass and Mariam Moates had a niece, Kimberly, pass away this past Saturday afternoon.  Kimberly is the daughter of Jean Graham.  Kimberly’s father, Thomas Graham, passed from this life last September.  Pray for this family.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, was possibly moved to another facility yesterday.  Mark’s son, Kyle, was in our morning service yesterday.  Keep praying for Mark and family.

Clinton Stringfellow is home and is waiting on the next decision by the doctors.  Pray for Clinton.

Opening day for the soccer leagues this Thursday, 3/20.  Pray for this ministry.  Games on Saturday, 3/22.

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

Glory to God!  The work day yesterday was amazing!  Simply amazing!  Children, youth, adults, senior adults, families, males, & females came together to “work” for the Lord.  I will post more probably tomorrow but Bro. Abel said that he has served in six churches and that was the best work day he had ever seen!  Good stuff!

Sunday School today at 9:00AM followed by worship at 10:00AM.  Then Pastor Roy Crouch and family will be our guests in our 5;00PM service.  Friendship family, please give priority to joining us in Bible study and corporate worship today!

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