Pastor's Blog

Elizabeth Ann Rockwell, age 80, passed peacefully from this life and entered Heaven August 22, 2024 at her home in Grand Bay Al. She was a loving daughter, wife and mother beloved by all who knew her.

She was born on October 8, 1943 in Meridian, MS. Elizabeth was the daughter of Vivian Kathleen and Sim L. Richards and was raised in Gulfport, MS. After graduating from Gulfport High School, She and her mother moved to Moss Point, MS. Elizabeth went on to graduate from Perkinston Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Home Economics. After graduation, she returned to Moss Point where she married “the boy next door”, Charles Ernest Rockwell, son of Reverend Ernest Rockwell and Ruth Goff Rockwell. Charles and Elizabeth moved to Grand Bay in 1967 and in September of 1971, they became the proud parents of their son, Gregory Ernest Rockwell.

Elizabeth was a caring and much loved educator in the Mobile County School System and a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church. Even in her failing health, she remained steadfast in her faith and her love of God.

She is survived by her husband, son and daughter-in-law, Katharine Rockwell.

A graveside service for Elizabeth will be held Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Serenity Memorial Gardens, 8951 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582.

Good morning from Rocky Ford, Alabama.  Came up with Titus, Grayson Glenn, and Colby Scofield.  Watched Danville’s football game last night (great nephew, Jace) and will be visiting with Mama this morning.

Good news – Sonny & Jeanette Bates met with the doctor yesterday who has recommended Sonny to a specialist.  He also recommended a pill that has had a good track record thus far.  That meeting will take place next week.  The doctor told Jeanette that Sonny will “live to a ripe old age!”  Praise the Lord!  Thank you for praying!

More good news – Derek Brown messaged me to say that his heel is broken in a different place.  No surgery required and he can return to work, as planned, on 9/4/24.  He will have physical therapy twice a week.  Again, praise the Lord!  Derek appreciates the prayers.  (By the way, Derek going back to “work” is about like Al Stokes going back to “work” if you know what I mean.  I have been on a mission trip with both of them and “work” would not be a word I would use to describe either of them!)

Miss Vinnie called me yesterday morning to share that her brother is very low physically and is expected to pass at any time.  Pray, please!

There will be a graveside service for Beth Rockwell on Monday, 8/26, beginning at 11:00AM from Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Keep praying for Chuck, Greg and family.

Looking forward to our services tomorrow.  Join me as we celebrate Bro. Abel’s fifth anniversary on our staff.  “Sweet” fellowship tomorrow night.  Deacon Eddie says “not so fast my friend” on the ice cream outcome!  Deacon Vice says “watch this” on the sweet bologna.  It has gotten tense!  Still looking for some additional folks to share three minutes or less about how God has used Bro. Abel in your life.  The clock is ticking so email me like five minutes ago!  A love offering for Bro. Abel will be received.

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

Beth Rockwell passed from this life shortly after noon yesterday.  Pray for Chuck, Greg and the family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.  Beth was a sweetheart!

Rachel Walton was discharged from the hospital yesterday around noon.  She is not completely well but is glad to be home.  Pray for Rachel & Gary.

I did not call Miss Vinnie yesterday to get an update on her brother.  Keep praying!

I failed to mention in yesterday’s entry that Chris & Pepper Scofield became grandparents again this week.  The baby boy is in NICU at a hospital in South Carolina.  Pray for the baby and his parents.

Service at the Mission of Hope tonight with Wes Bates preaching.  Jeanette Bates will be doing the music.  Pray for this service will begins at 7:00PM and everyone is invited to attend.

We will celebrate Bro. Abel’s anniversary this Sunday.  “Sweet” fellowship Sunday night.  Deacon Tillman says “bring it on” to the other eight deacons.  He is extremely confident!

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

Rachel Walton remains in the hospital.  That is the bad news.  The good news is that she finally got placed into a room!  The better news is that she “may” be discharged today.  Keep praying for Rachel and Gary.

Miss Vinnie Brewer’s brother is on hospice care and the family was called in yesterday.  Pray for this situation.

There are a couple of other like situations but I do not know if I have permission to share them via the blog.  Just pray.

By the way, I shared an anonymous situation last week and am happy to report that all is well.  Thank you, Jesus!

Sonny Bates meets with the doctor tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30PM.  Pray without ceasing!

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Let’s build on that going forward!

Big day for the Friendship family this Sunday as we celebrate Bro. Abel’s fifth anniversary on our staff this time.  He will be preaching in our 10:00AM service and then we will gather at 5:00PM in the auditorium before making our way over to the CAB for a “sweet” fellowship.  You are asked to bring those sweets.  Deacon Davila seems to be eyeing the upset when it comes to the homemade ice cream although Deacon Tillman remains confident.  Deacon Vice is working on a sweet bologna secret and Jerrod Sessions has already found one.  Should be interesting.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  By the way, our church office will be open today from 1:00PM until 4:00PM.  Laura will be in the office if you need anything.

Rachel Walton remains in the hospital.  That is the good news!  The not so good news is that she has basically been in the hallway ever since she got to the hospital.  Shortage of beds – obviously!  Pray for Rachel and Gary.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and tonight at 6:30PM.  Remember, the CAB opens at 6:00PM for our 6th graders through seniors only.  All other classes begin at 6:30PM.

I am joining Bro. Abel in encouraging folks to attend our Wednesday services/classes.

Also, I am encouraging everyone (regardless of age) to go to the Sunday School class for their age group/class.  Adults, you can be an effective part of the class designed specifically for your age group.  It starts with you!

We will celebrate Bro. Abel and his fifth anniversary this Sunday.  I am looking for five folks (maximum) to volunteer to share a testimony about Bro. Abel in our evening service.  First come, first served!

Remember our “sweet” fellowship Sunday evening in the CAB.  Which of our nine deacons can make the best homemade ice cream?  Grant Tillman tells me it will not even be close!  We need everyone else to bring a sweet i.e. pies, brownies, cakes, bologna.

The humidity in Grand Bay was fifty-four percent earlier this morning.  Thank you, Jesus!

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

Gary Walton called me last night to let me know that his wife, Rachel, had been admitted to the hospital.  Truth is that they did not have a room for her so she was in holding somewhere and Gary was not allowed to see her.  Pray for Rachel and Gary, please.

As far as I know, everyone else in the Friendship family is doing well.  Sonny Bates will meet with his doctor this Friday to learn about a treatment schedule.  Pray.

Speaking of prayer, I join with Bro. Abel as he challenged us during the teacher’s meeting this past Sunday for us to make attending our Wednesday prayer service a priority.  Will you join us?  10:00AM or 6:30PM.

Speaking of Bro. Abel, this Sunday, 8/25, will see us celebrate his fifth anniversary as a staff member.  He will preach in the morning service and we will have a “sweet” time in the evening service.  You are asked to bring a “sweet” to the 5:00PM service.  We will begin the the auditorium and end the night in the CAB.  Remember, a love offering for Bro. Abel will be received in both services and there will be a table for cards in the CAB.

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

Happy eleventh birthday to our granddaughter, Nora!  I hope she will have an awesome day.  We love Nora and hope her birthday will be the best!  Happy birthday, Nora.

Miss Jo Nell’s test yesterday left her with some decisions to make.  She has another test today.  Pray for her to have wisdom as she makes these health decisions.

Clara Broadus has been put on a heart monitor for a month.  Pray that will show no problems and also pray for a situation with her eye.

Pray for Miss Vinnie’s brother and her great grandson with their respective health issues.

Miss Dottie Clark is doing well as she can now get around with the aid of a walker.

Andy & Betty Hamil will be driving to central Mississippi today.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Very late entry.  My apologies.

Miss Jo Nell Barnes is having a test today and is scheduled for another one tomorrow.  I sure hope she is studying hard!  Pray for all to go well.

It was good to see Robert Baria in our service yesterday morning.  Wow, he took a hard fall.  The good news is that he got a great report regarding his malignancy so we give God the praise.  Keep praying!

Sonny Bates is still scheduled to see the doctor next Friday, 8/23.  Pray!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Strong morning attendance.  Good evening attendance.  Thank you, Jesus.

The morning service proved that our Pentecostal friends have nothing on us!  Just saying!

I had a good meeting last with Joey & Bibbi Bosarge last night regarding our home school co-op.  This is a growing ministry.  They meet each Wednesday.  Pray for this ministry.  I just refer to it as the BJA.

Also had a good meeting last night with Dede Tagert regarding our student choir.  She is in charge and I am simply following her lead.  Got questions?  Contact Dede.  Dede has an awesome attitude!  (The best part is that, as a part of our agreement, she and Jimmy will be hosting Jason every other Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  How nice is that!)

Colby Scofield graciously took Jason home last night after the service.  Very nice of him.

Forecast high for Grand Bay today is 94; Holland is 77.  Please!  LOL!

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

Happy birthday to my niece, Jamie Glenn.  How old?  Yes.  Jamie is the daughter of Eddie & Sue.  I hope she will have a great day.  (Translated – she gets to go to Taco Bell with her friend, Mandi!)

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning @ 10:00AM and evening @ 6:30PM.

One major change regarding our evening classes.  The CAB is now to be used exclusively by our student (6th graders through high school seniors) ministry for their activities and Bible study on Wednesdays.  They begin at 6:00PM and no other persons will be allowed in the CAB.  Please do not bring/send your younger children (5th graders and under) early.  All other classes begin at 6:30PM.  Again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

There will be a visitation and service for Mr. Otis Collier, Sr today at Mobile Memorial Funeral Home.  Visitation from 11:00AM until the noon service.

Still praising the Lord for Larry’s good report yesterday.

Still praying for Jo Nell and her doctor’s visit tomorrow.

Still praying for Sonny Bates and his upcoming visit with the doctor to set a treatment plan/schedule.

I do not complain about the weather.  However, it is no secret that I have always been partial to cooler (cold) temperatures.  Last Friday and Saturday the weather in Michigan was heavenly!  Highs in the low seventies, low humidity, lows in the upper fifties, nice breeze constantly blowing – wow!  Which made me ask the question, “why are the Yankees so blessed?”  The forecast for Grand Bay over the next fifteen days calls for our lowest high to be ninety-one and our lowest low to be seventy-four.  The humidity will be ninety percent and higher daily.  Not exactly cool!  Again, why are the Yankees so blessed?  (By the way, the Southwest corner of Michigan is absolutely beautiful!  I could live there if it were not for the Yankees!  Just saying!)

My cousin, Tony, and his family are moving tomorrow from Michigan to Tennessee.  I am not sure what they did wrong but they are obviously being punished!

In the meanwhile, I am thankful to live in Alabama.  Grand Bay in particular!

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

The doctor just told Judy & the boys that all is well.  Zero problems.  No blockages.  Praise the Lord!  Larry will soon be discharged and headed to the house.  Thank you for praying!