Pastor's Blog

I was totally unaware of the fact that Donnie Felps had been admitted to the hospital.  Marisa sent me several electronic updates but, for whatever reason, they did not arrive to me until last night.  So, Donnie was discharged before I knew he was admitted.  I appreciate Marisa keeping me updated.  Pray for Donnie & Marisa.

Gayla Dyess’ two brothers continue to need our prayer support.  One of them will be going to India soon for a job and also to receive medical treatment.  Pray.

Our grandson’s (Cooper) procedure yesterday went very well.  They did not have to do what they thought and were able to do something less.  He still had to be sedated but he did well.  Thank you for praying.

Lisa’s dad, Charles, most likely will be discharged from the hospital at some point today.  I was his “sitter” for several hours yesterday afternoon/early evening.  He was very sleepy and it took an effort for me to awaken him in order for him to sign the new last testament and will I drafted for him.  Thank you for praying for Charles & Ann.

Soccer tonight beginning at 5:15PM and tomorrow beginning at 8:45AM.  Please support the concession stand as all proceeds will go to help our students attend camp next July.  Pray for Bro. Abel and this ministry.

Church fellowship at Presley’s Outing this Sunday, 9/27, beginning at 4:00PM.  Baptism at 4:30PM and supper immediately following.  Kevin Sprinkle will be at the gate collecting the three dollars per person entry fee.  Friendship family, please bring the sides and desserts.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning.

Lisa is scheduled to arrive home late tonight.  I was not even aware she was gone until Miriam told me this past Wednesday morning before our service.  Just saying!  Yes, I miss my wife and look forward to her being at home and in the kitchen!

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

Very short entry this morning. Sorry!

Donnie Felps did receive the blood yesterday morning.  The doctor decided to take a different approach instead of waiting a couple of weeks before doing anything else.  Pray for Donnie & Marisa.

Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark, was admitted to the hospital last night.  He received one unit of blood.  I will check on him later this morning.  Pray for Charles and Ann.

Our grandson, Cooper, is having oral surgery this morning which requires sedation.  I will go check on him first thing before heading to the hospital.  Pray for Cooper.

Church fellowship this Sunday, 9/27, at Presley’s Outing.  Kevin Sprinkle will be the gate keeper as far as collecting everyone’s entry fee of three dollars.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning.

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – 10:00AM & 6:00PM.

Our annual church fellowship at Presley’s Outing takes place this Sunday, 9/27, beginning at 4:00PM.  We have someone from the church helping man the gate and receive the entry fee.  The cost is three dollars per person and exact change will be much appreciated.

The church will provide the burger, dogs and drinks and all that goes along with them.  Members of the Friendship family are asked to bring the sides and desserts.  If possible, please bring enough for those attending with you plus three others.  Thank you in advance for doing this.

Our deacons are leading this fellowship and I appreciate them doing so.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism at 4:30PM and will eat immediately following.

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

Happy twelfth birthday to our granddaughter, Audrey.  This is the reason Lisa is presently in Guatemala.  I pray that today will be an absolute blast for Audrey.  She loves it!  Soy & Deidra’s daughters are now 14, 13, & 12.  Happy birthday, Audrey.  We love Audrey.

Donnie Felps saw his oncologist yesterday.  Donnie’s blood count is low.  He will receive blood today and then will go back to the doctor in two weeks to discuss the next steps.  Pray for Donnie & Marisa.

Bro. Abel has made a change in the Friday soccer schedules.  The Minis will now begin play at 5:15PM and the K5 – 1st grade will begin play at 5:30PM.  Hopefully this will give ample time for the games to be finished before it gets too dark.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

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

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance in our evening service was a down some but the Spirit in both services was good.  Wonderful move of the Spirit in our morning invitation and that was repeated in our evening service.  Our grandson, Asher, made a public profession of faith in the evening service.  We are thankful!

Friendship family, thank you to those who responded by “helping” meet a financial need during our morning invitation.  What a huge blessing.  Two needs were presented to me.  One was immediately met yesterday and the funds are available to meet the second one in the near future.  Thank you for trusting my judgment and for obeying the Lord’s leading.

Our first weekend of soccer went well.  Great spirit, great enthusiasm, great weather.  Thank you to each person who helped in any way.  It will all happen again this Friday and Saturday.  Thank you to those who supported the concession stand.

Our annual church fellowship at Presley’s Outing will take place this Sunday afternoon, 9/27, beginning at 4:00PM.  The church will provide the burgers, dogs and drinks (tea & water).  Members of the Friendship family are asked to bring two sides each and a dessert.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus three others.  Our guests do not need to bring anything.  Pass the word.  Invite folks to join you.

I am flying solo this week as Lisa left yesterday heading to Guatemala.  She is there to celebrate Audrey’s birthday tomorrow.  I pray it will be a good week for Lisa, Deidra and the girls.

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

Alaina Peacock sent me a message yesterday letting me know that her husband, John, suffered what appears to be seizure yesterday morning.  It could have been a stroke but the belief is it was a seizure.  John had a CT and EKG done yesterday and will have an EEG once he gets back to Mobile in a couple of weeks.  Pray for John & Alaina.

Keith Barrett is in Birmingham today for tests.  Pray for him!  I sure hope he studied!

Kaydenz Edwards suffered a concussion in a soccer game yesterday.  She is fine.  Needs rest and hydration.

The visitation and celebration of life service for Carol Lucky’s family went well yesterday.  Thank you Friendship family for supporting Terry & his family during this time.  Special thanks to Brad Hutto for singing, Jeanette Bates for playing the piano, Bro. Abel for the many things (slide show, sound system, opening/closing of the buildings, et cetera) he did, those who brought food and to those who served as hostesses.  Jobs well done!

Dr. Brian Ellis will have surgery next Friday, 9/25.  He has a malignancy in one kidney.  The kidney may have to be removed.  Pray for Dr. Brian.

Bro. Abel hosted the opening ceremony for the soccer leagues last night.  I have not spoken to him but I can assure you it went well – always does.  League plays begins tonight and continues in the morning until noon.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.  Bro. Abel & Candy will have their respective afternoon classes beginning at 4:00PM.

There will be a meeting in the auditorium Sunday immediately following our 5:00PM service.  This meeting will be for the parents of the students who plan on going to camp in July of 2027.  This will strictly be about fundraisers.  Pass the word.

Sign up for the June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala continues through Wednesday, September 30.  You must contact me via email (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) in order to sign up.  Remember, I assume nothing.

Good luck to the Alma Bryant varsity football team tonight as they host MGM.  This will be their next to last home game for the season.

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

Happy fiftieth wedding anniversary to my older brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue.  I pray they will have a great day!

The visitation with the Carol Lucky family will take place today beginning at 11:00AM and conclude when the celebration of life service begins at 1:00PM.  Both events will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for Terry & family.

Our soccer leagues begin play this Friday night, 9/18, and continue this Saturday morning, 9/19.  Pray for this ministry.  The proceeds from the Fall soccer leagues will go toward our Summer 2027 student ministry camp.

Bro. Abel is teaching a class at 4:00PM on Sundays (auditorium) and his wife, Candy, is also teaching one at the same time in the youth building.   You are encouraged to attend one of these classes.

Also, Jeff Holifield is teaching a men’s class during the Sunday School hour on Sunday mornings.  All men who are not presently involved in a SS class are invited to attend.

Our annual church wide fellowship at Presley’s Outing will take place on Sunday, September 27, beginning at 4:00PM.  The cost will be three dollars per person (regardless of age) beginning at 3:00PM.  Those wishing to arrive earlier will need to pay the regular admission fee at the entrance (I think that fee is ten dollars for adults and three dollars for children).  Need more information?  Contact me via email at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

Anyone interested in joining the June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala are asked to sign up via email no later than Wednesday, September 30.  This trip tends to focus more on our students so keep that in mind.  Email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net to sign up.  Please do not assume that I know you are planning to join this team.

We have openings on our December 1 – 8, 2026 GRACE Ministries trip.  Email me if you need more information or want to sign up.  Airfares are not passenger friendly at this time and that may not change for the better any time soon.  Just FYI.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  “Matlock” will be present as the pastor’s wife will be out of the country.

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

Short and sweet this morning.

Keep praying for Terry Lucky and family.

Bro. Abel is receiving a shot this morning to help with the pain he has been dealing with for some time now.  Pray it works.

Normal schedule on our campus today.

Soccer leagues begin play this Friday evening and continue Saturday morning.  Concession stand will be open.

Church wide fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, 9/27, beginning at 4:00PM.

Sign up for the June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries trip takes place through Wednesday, September 30.  Sign up by emailing me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Members of the Friendship family, I hope to see you in one of our services today.

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, and friend, Carol Oswalt Prince Lucky, born November 19, 1942, in Anniston, Alabama. Though born in Anniston, she spent most of her life in the community she loved dearly—Grand Bay, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Leila Oswalt; her brother, David Oswalt; and her sister, Diane Oswalt Enriquez.

For 33 wonderful years, she was the devoted wife of Terry Lucky of Ozark, Alabama. Together they made their home in Ozark before returning to Grand Bay, where they were surrounded by family and lifelong friends.

Earlier in life, during her 23-year marriage to Sammy Joe Prince, she faithfully supported military life and traveled the world. She lived in Frankfurt, Germany; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Rucker, Alabama; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During her first move to Germany, she lovingly adopted her son, Clay. On a later assignment in Wiesbaden, Germany, she welcomed her daughter into the world—two of her greatest joys.

She leaves behind her son, Clay Prince; her daughter, Laurel (Laurie) Prince Smith (John); her stepsons Keith (Kelly) Lucky and Chad (Kristi) Lucky; her sister, Laurel Gillher; treasured granddaughter, Abigail (Abby) Smith Bell (Taylor); along with other beloved grandchildren, stepchildren and step-grandchildren, and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

She was a proud graduate of Mobile County High School, Class of 1961. She built a respected career with Alfa Insurance, where she faithfully served for 25 years before retirement. Her work ethic, kindness, and dedication left a lasting impact on colleagues and clients alike.

A woman of faith, she was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and had previously been a devoted member of Ozark First Assembly and Grand Bay First Assembly of God. Her faith guided her life, and she quietly lived out that faith through love, generosity, and steadfast devotion to her family.

She will be remembered for her strength, grace, and the way she made everyone feel at home. Her love for her family was her greatest legacy, and her influence will continue for generations.

Though our hearts ache in her absence, we rejoice in the assurance that she is now at peace with Jesus.

Escorts include Bill Kendrick, Sammy Bowden, John Ladnier, Larry Whitehurst, Scott Fontenot, Tyrone Crawley, and Blow Joe Guidry

The obituary for Carol Lucky is now online at serenityfuneralhome.com.  Once I receive permission from the family or the funeral home then I will paste and copy it to this site.  I posted the arrangements yesterday.  The visitation and service take place this Thursday, 9/17, on our campus with the interment taking place in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Keep praying for Terry and family.

We will have a GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala the dates of Thursday, June 17, through Thursday, June 24, 2027.  Prayerfully, this will be a heavy student ministry trip.  I need the members of the Friendship family who plan to participate on this trip to personally send me an email no later than Wednesday, 9/30/26.  The cost of the trip will be airfare (each person purchases their own) plus five hundred dollars.  Questions?  Contact me personally.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

Soccer leagues begin play this Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.  Pray for Bro. Abel and this ministry.

Speaking of soccer, I have always been amazed at the number of folks who attend the games.  Impressive!  Last night, Lisa and I went to watch our grandson, Asher, play baseball at the local park.  I think there were probably one million folks in attendance.  I counted over four hundred thousand vehicles!  We are a sports driven society!  It did help me to see that folks in South Mobile County still love baseball.  LOL!

Church wide fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, 9/27.  The church will furnish the burgers and the dogs.  Members of the Friendship family are asked to bring the sides and desserts.  Cost TBA once we have confirmed with Mr. Presley.  Pass the word!

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