Pastor's Blog

Here are words that are proverbial music to my ears:

*We had a good day yesterday. We had a nice crowd and bro Johnny did an excellent job preaching.

*Gary and Rachel had the ice cream truck come as an after church treat for the kids.

*The children’s choir did an absolute amazing job.

Bro. Abel sent an email to me during the night sharing these things.  Lisa had already messaged me basically sharing the same words.  To God be the glory!  Friendship family, “thank you!”

Bro. Abel also shared that Miss Johnnie is doing much better physically and that she “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  Keep praying!

The visitation with Pastor Terry Glasscock’s family will take place tomorrow night and the celebration of life service will take place Wednesday afternoon.  I am still reeling from his passing.  Pray for his family and his church family.

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

My heart is heavy this morning as the news came to me that Pastor Terry Glasscock, First Baptist Wilmer, passed from this life early yesterday morning.  I have had a restless night.  Pastor Terry preached for us at Friendship on Sunday evening, May 5, 2024.  God used him to speak to us.  Pastor Terry was a wonderful man of God.  I know that his family and his church family are devastated today.  I am asking the Friendship family to join me in praying for the Glasscock family and the First Baptist Wilmer family.  May the God of all comfort sustain them as only He can!

Bro. Abel messaged me to say that there were over sixteen hundred folks in attendance in our CAB for yesterday’s basketball games.  Wow!  He said the day went well.  To God be the glory!

Bro. Abel also shared with me that Miss Johnnie Grant is in the hospital and will most likely be there for a few more days.  Pray for Miss Johnnie and Charles.

My prayer is that many members of the Friendship family will attend the services on our campus today.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be preaching AM & PM and our children’s choir will be ministering as a part of the evening service.

Big day for the GRACE Ministries team today as we have church this morning and then the wedding ceremony of Jonathan & Hilda this afternoon.  May God be glorified.

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

Today marks a day of remembering the military personnel and civilians who died at Pearl Harbor in 1941.  Also, those who were injured.  Obviously,  a tough day for America.

Also, I personally remember today as Craig Kirschenman’s birthday.  How could I ever forget as he only reminded me like one million times – LOL!  I miss Craig!

Our basketball leagues continue league play today beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry!

Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be preaching at Friendship in both services tomorrow, 12/8.  A love offering will be received for him.  I am praying for a great attendance along with a great spirit in the services.

Our children’s choir will be ministering in our 5:00PM service tomorrow.  Pray for them!

We need folks to help with the cooking for the holiday meal for our senior adults.  Sign up now if you have not done so already.

Senior adults, we need you to sign up to attend on Wednesday, 12/18, from 10:00AM until noon.

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

Robert’s and Roseanne’s granddaughter has improved greatly and was moved into a regular room yesterday.  Praise the Lord!  Keep praying!

The celebration of life service for Pastor Ronnie Maxie will take place on Monday, 12/2, in Richton, MS.  I will post the obit once it is put online.  Pray for the family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

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

Robert’s and Roseanne’s granddaughter has been moved to ICU.  So, please increase the intensity of your prayers for her.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 12/1/24.

Herbie and Dana hosted Charles, Ann, Lisa and me for Thanksgiving lunch yesterday.  Dana literally began cooking at 3:00PM on Wednesday and finished at 10:00AM Thursday.  Yes, she stayed up all night cooking!  Her first time to cook a Thanksgiving meal. The results?  Excellent!  She had enough food to feed Carter’s army and it was all delicious!  Did I have my doubts?  Yes.  Were they dispelled?  Absolutely!  Great job, Dana!

Lisa and I are in Hartselle, AL today visiting Mama and family.

Lord willing, we will see you Sunday morning for Bible study and worship.

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

Word came shortly after 7:00PM last night that Pastor Ronnie Maxie has passed from this life and entered Heaven.  Pray for Elizabeth, the boys and their families during this difficult time.  Obviously, arrangements pending.

Bill Kendrick sent word last night that Robert & Roseanne’s granddaughter had been taken to the hospital due to excessive bleeding.  She is only one week from having had surgery.  Not sure if she was admitted but do ask that you join me in praying for her, the medical folks and the family.

Deidra posted a blog on the Shining Light Abroad Ministries website yesterday.  I am told that there are pictures on the GRACE Ministries facebook page.  Why?  All of the older girls from Colegio JET are enjoying a stay in the city and they are having a blast!  Special thanks to each person who has given to make this a reality.  The proverbial ball on this outing began to roll on October 3, 2024 at the GRACE Gathering in Zeeland, Michigan.  Good stuff!

I sat through one of Bro. Abel’s team devotionals last night.  Short, but strong!

I do not have an explanation but it has been my experience over the past couple of weeks that folks have been extremely gracious, kind and very much in a thanksgiving spirit.  Refreshing!

Lord willing, I hope to spend some time with Mama on Friday.  Also, Lord willing, I plan to be in the pulpit on Sunday.

I pray that you will have a great Thanksgiving Day with Jesus.  “Always be thankful!”

No services, Bible studies, classes, et cetera on our campus today – morning or evening.  We will resume with a regular schedule on Sunday, 12/1 – Sunday School at 9:00AM, morning worship at 10:00AM, adult choir practice at 4:15PM, evening worship at 5:00PM and children’s choir at 5:00PM.

On Sunday, 12/8, Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest messenger in our 10:00AM and 5:00PM services.

Spoke to Joey Bosarge yesterday morning.  Kenzie did well through her surgery and, so far, the recovery is going as expected.  Keep praying for this sweet, young lady.

How did the ministry trip go yesterday?  It went well.  I am not going to throw anyone under the proverbial bus but suffice it to say that I made the trip solo.  Just the facts!

In case you have not noticed, the men’s basketball teams at Auburn University and the University of Alabama are good – really good!  Nine of the top twenty-five teams in the AP poll are from the SEC.  Impressive!

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

How about a huge thanksgiving praise on this Thanksgiving week?  Angie Bentley’s mother had been diagnosed twice with Alzheimer’s but the third, and final, tests reveals she does not have it.  She does have a form of dementia that can be treated with medication.  Praise the Lord!

My thoughts this morning are on some of our out of town prayer needs – Decker Terry in Montgomery; Carla Parker in Tennessee; Dottie Clark in Guatemala and Maxine Dupont in Texas.  Please join me in continuing to pray for these folks.

Bro. Chris Scofield and I making a trip today to help meet a need in a family’s life.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Our church campus is quiet this week outside of basketball practices.  No services/classes tomorrow.

Lisa and I will be with family on Thursday and then will visit with my Mama on Friday.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit this Sunday, 12/1.

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

Happy fifteenth birthday to our oldest grandchild, Titus.  Lisa and I love Titus and are proud of him.  I hope he will have a great day today.  Happy birthday, Titus!

My apologies for being silent on the blog front for the past week plus.  Life can throw us curve balls with the unexpected which precipitates changes.  Thank you to those who have reached out to me and a special thank you for the prayers.  I am very thankful to Eddie & Sue, Pastor Jack Bailey, Pastor Joe David Bailey, Brad & Daphne, Eddie Albritton, Dr. Keith Stanford, Bro. Abel, Bro. Chris, our deacons, Stacey & Gayla Dyess, Cindy Stokes, Jennifer Davis and most of all, my wife.  Obviously, it goes without saying that I am thankful to anyone I may have missed on this list.  Thank you Jesus for watching over me!

It was good to see Betty Hamil in our services yesterday.  She spent three days in the hospital last week but was in her regular place yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

McKenzie Busby is having her tonsils removed today.  Kenzie is such a sweetheart and I pray that all goes well.

Still praying for Lisa’s cousin, Pastor Ronnie Maxie.

No services, classes, et cetera on our campus this week.  We will meet again this Sunday, 12/1, at 9:00PM for Sunday School and then a regular Sunday.

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

Sorry for no entry yesterday.  What happened?  Yes!

Greg Boutwell’s brother, Curtis, has passed from this life.  Here is some information from his online obituary:

He was predeceased by: his brothers, Glenn Boutwell, David Boutwell and Greg Boutwell. He is survived by: his wife Jamie Kay Williamson-Boutwell; his children, Dylan Boutwell and Alisha Boutwell; and his brother Tommy Boutwell (Audrey).

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16th 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at the Mack Funeral Home Chapel (22154 AL-59, Robertsdale, AL 36567). A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 16th 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Baldwin Memorial Cemetery (20058 US-90, Robertsdale, AL 36567)

Pastor Ronnie Maxie, former pastor of Union Baptist in Grand Bay, is in a Hattiesburg, MS hospital in an ICU.  He, his wife, Elizabeth, and their family need our prayer support.  Pastor Ronnie is a good man!

We prayed Wednesday for a very young mother who has been diagnosed with a malignancy.  She has three small children.  I do not know if I have the liberty to share her name but do ask that you pray.

Keep praying for Miss Dottie Clark in Guatemala.  Ditto for Carla Parker in Tennessee!

Pray for Miss Maxine Dupont.  Likewise for Decker Terry.

Obviously, we continue to pray for Darrell McMann and his family.  Service on Monday, 11/18.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 11/17.  Hope you will join us for Bible study and worship.

Someone reminded me that Lisa comes home Wednesday.  Folks, just let me enjoy this time of peace and quiet!

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