Pastor's Blog

I would ask you to join me in praying for the Horace Sparkman family and the Ronnie Cox family as both of these men passed away over the weekend.  Horace was a neighbor to my parents and I attended school with his three sons.  His funeral service took place yesterday.  Ronnie was a dear friend, hunting & fishing partner, et cetera to my dad and his service will take place today.  Death stings! 

I would also ask you to join me in praying that one of the young ladies in Michigan will receive her passport today.  She is scheduled to go to Guatemala on Thursday on our GRACE trip but her passport has been delayed big time.  One young man going on the trip received his just yesterday which was an answer to prayers.  Again, folks need to apply for their passports very, very early as the system is back logged big time.

Our final GRACE trip of the summer begins this Thursday, 8/2, and ends 8/9.  This is our college/young professionals trip with everyone on the trip, with the exception of eight folks, being 25 years of age or younger.  This trip will see 33 folks from Alabama, Michigan, and Wisconsin join together to do ministry.  After this trip, we will have hosted folks from twelve States and Canada since we moved into our mission house in 2002.  Wow, we serve an awesome God!  By the way, Daryn Kuipers is coordinating getting the Michigan folks to Guatemala and I appreciate his help.  It can be really hard leading Yankees!

I learned yesterday that Morris Dupont has been moved from ICU to a room in a local hospital.  Sharon Skipper is scheduled to have a heart cath at some point today. 

We are focusing on getting ready for the new church year which begins tomorrow.  I continue to be excited about the selection of classes being offered during our Discipleship Training hour this quarter.  Bro. Jerry has done an excellent job of putting together a great line up of teachers and classes for all age groups but especially for our adults.  I want to encourage you to make plans to join us for DT on Sunday afternoons at 5:00PM.  The Lord continues to bless our Sunday evening services and we give Him thanks! 

There will be a wedding shower for Autumn Rivers Brooks this Sunday, 8/5, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  (I broke out into a cold sweat thinking I had another wedding but this one has already taken place)  Autumn is a granddaughter of Linda Green. 

I trust that you will have a blessed day today! 

We give thanks to God for His blessings on our services yesterday as we had a good last Sunday of the church year.  What a joy to see Hien (pronounced Henny) Tran make a public profession of faith in our evening service and then to see her and Ashley Crawley follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

Wow, our bus ministry faced some challenges yesterday morning as one bus was involved in an accident and another one caught on fire.  Thankfully, the accident happened early in the route and no riders had gotten on the bus and the other bus had a brake fire so all of the passengers exited orderly and safely out the front door.  God has faithfully watched over our buses, drivers, and riders since 1972 and we give Him the praise for His continuing watchcare.  We must be diligent in praying for Bro. Benny and this ministry.

Our students had a good time of fellowship at late night bowling.  Thanks to Ben & Diane Vickers for taking care of the food, to Melissa Brown, Diane Cordelle, Chris & Nicole Taylor, Rita Vice, & TJ Vice (mother/son?) along with a number of our college folks for serving as our chaperones. 

Also, thanks to Chris & Nicole for leading Endure this past weekend.  It was good and we learned a few things along the way that will help in future events. 

Our Girls In Action and Royal Ambassadors will have their awards/recognition service this Wednesday night, 8/1, at 7:00PM.  This service will take place in the fellowship hall, I think.  Parents and other family members are invited to attend. 

Our deacons have selected Larry Whitehurst to serve as chairman for the new church year, Morris Bryant as vice-chairman, and Ben Vickers as recording secretary.  We have a great group of guys serving as our deacons and I look forward to seeing how God is going to use them to help us grow spiritually over these next twelve months.  Pray for our deacons. 

The Personnel Committee has entered into an agreement with Betty Creech to serve as our interim custodian.  Pray as this committee seeks God’s guidance in filling the permanent custodian position. 

Dale Bosarge preached yesterday in both the morning and evening services for Trinity Baptist Church on Tanner Williams Road.  They are presently without a pastor and this was a good ministry opportunity for Dale.  I appreciate Dale being willing to go minister in this way. 

Pray as we begin this new church year.  Pray for our new slate of teachers who will begin this Wednesday night and those who will begin Sunday.  Thanks to those who attended the meeting yesterday afternoon.  Pray that God will bless our efforts this year as we seek to win the lost to Jesus and make disciples. 

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

I normally don’t post on the weekends but wanted to remind the Friendship family of the anniversary reception today from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall and of the Walton/Haynes wedding tonight at 6:00PM.  You are invited to attend both of these happenings.

Our students seemed to be having a good time at Endure last night even though Chris didn’t allow any parents (can you say helicopter?) to attend.  Pray that they will have safety in their travels and the canoe outing today. 

Tomorrow is our final Sunday of this church year.  I want to encourage each member of the Friendship family to be in his/her rightful place for Bible study and worship.  I look forward to joining you there!  To our other readers, go to church!  Be faithful!

They tell me the wedding shower for Deidra was well attended.  All I know is that when I got home a little after 10:00PM, the living room was filled with gifts.  Thank you to each person who attended and to those who hosted that event.  Deidra and Michael thank you for your generosity especially in light of the fact that our church has had like two million showers this summer!  By the way, some of our Yankee friends sent gifts which arrived in Memphis yesterday so thanks are in order there too! 

Speaking of Yankees, we have two who are scheduled to go to Guatemala next week but their passports haven’t arrived yet.  Would you please pray that these would arrive in the next day or two so their minds can be at rest? 

I will reiterate my belief that anyone who doesn’t have a passport and even thinks they might leave the USA for a mission trip, cruise, to visit Canada (you could go visit Mark Mast & family) in the next year or so should go ahead and apply for a passport immediately!  The only exception would be for those who are about to turn sixteen years of age – they should wait until their birthday so their passport will be in effect for ten years versus five years.  Otherwise, what are you waiting on? 

Speaking of Yankees, Dan & Heidi Smith and their children were flown via a corporate jet from Guatemala to San Antonio, Texas yesterday.  Dan was admitted to a hospital for some tests.  Thanks for your prayers for this situation! 

There have been no significant changes in the folks we have been mentioning as patients in the local hospitals.  Miriam Moates had a heart cath yesterday morning but I am not sure what the results of that test were.  There was a visitation for the Auld family last night and they appeared to be doing well all things considered. 

Tina (Kevin) Sprinkle’s daughter, Amber, is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital today in order to have her labor induced as she gives birth to her first child.  Pray for this family during this precious time! 

I did get an e-mail update from Trish Cohen yesterday.  She was discharged from the hospital this past Monday and sees the doctor again this coming Monday.  She is doing well and asks for your continued prayer support. 

The Friendship family will host a service at the Mission of Hope tonight.  That service begins at 7:00PM and you are invited to join them. 

Chris & Nicole Taylor will host “Endure” for our students tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  I don’t know all of the details but do know they will be going on a canoe trip tomorrow.  Pray for this event!  Also, please note that our student ministry will have a late night bowling fellowship this Sunday, 7/29, and all participants must attend the evening service.  The cost is $3 per person. 

Don’t forget the 50th wedding anniversary reception for Charles & Ann Clark tomorrow from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  Gary & Rachel will be united in marriage at 6:00PM at their home on Lakeside Circle.  You are invited to both of these happenings.

Deacons/staff meet this Sunday at 4:00PM as do the teachers/workers for the upcoming church year.  Baptismal candidates meet at 5:30PM as we will observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening worship service. 

Life is so short and so uncertain.  Skip Prosser, 56, the basketball coach at Wake Forest, was found in his office yesterday having passed away from an apparent heart attack.  Here was a man in what seemed to be good physical health who had just gone for an afternoon jog.  Life is short – it pays to be ready!  Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?

My sister-in-law, Sue, and niece, Jamie, arrived yesterday afternoon in order to attend the shower and the anniversary reception.  I think the real reason they came was so Sue could celebrate her birthday, which is today, with me!  (She always wanted to marry me and when I refused she married my brother instead)  Happy birthday Sue!  (Birthday wishes also go to Diane Vickers & Janiece Medrano today) 

Charles is not a happy camper as he found out that I mowed our lawn yesterday but didn’t mow his!  My first problem today is that I can’t find my shoes I wear when I mow which means that they are out in the shed!  This would mean “thanks” to the ladies who attended the shower last night because, according to my wife, you can’t have those kind of shoes in the house i.e. back utility room if company is coming!  So, it looks like today I will have to do like Deacon Dewayne & Deacon Dirk and simply go shoeless as I cut grass as it is too dark in the shed to locate my shoes!  Life is good! 

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

Word came to us yesterday that Jack Leasure has been placed in a local hospital.  I don’t know the details but do ask that you pray for him.  Morris Dupont was hopefully going to be moved out of ICU yesterday.  James Swann was better and Vance May continues his therapy.  Mrs. Jackie Goff learned yesterday that one her older sisters has cancer and it is severe.  Kenny Lingle had a death in his family and has gone to Texas for the service.  Kayla & Hannah came home from the hospital. 

Dan Smith in Guatemala will be flown to the States tomorrow in a corporate jet.  Pray that he will do well and will actually be able to make it all the way home to Michigan. 

Tonight is Deidra’s wedding shower beginning at 6:30PM and ending at 8:30PM.  It is a come and go event.  Tomorrow night is the service at the Mission of Hope beginning at 7:00PM.  Endure begins tomorrow night too and ends late Saturday afternoon.  Charles & Ann’s anniversary reception is Saturday from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  Gary & Rachel wedding is Saturday at 6:00PM.  All members of the Friendship family are invited to the anniversary reception and the wedding. 

Sunday night will see us observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening worship service.  Baptismal candidates need to meet in the Pastor’s office at 5:30PM. 

Sunday afternoon there will be a deacons/staff meeting at 4:00PM in the Pastor’s office and a teachers/workers meeting in the auditorium at the same time. 

Sunday night we will have a late night bowling fellowship with our students and are opening to this to our rising 6th graders.  This will be their welcome to the student ministry fellowship!  The cost will be $3 per person and all participants must take part in the evening worship service. 

Our Personnel Committee will take verbal applications for the interim custodian position until tomorrow, 7/27.  Contact Vinnie, Jim, Ben, or Kerry to apply. 

Today is Rickey Barkley’s 65th birthday and Carolyn is hosting a party for him today from 2:00 – 4:00PM at their home.  You are invited to stop by for some food & fellowship. 

It has been almost four weeks and I had begun to forget about that wedding whip!  However, with the shower being here tonight it has reappeared and Lisa is cracking it telling me to get the yard work done today!  So, out the door I go to try and complete it before work time this morning! 

I pray that you will have a wonderful day with Jesus! 

There have been no significant changes in any of our folks who are in the hospital.  Morris Dupont is perhaps the most serious of those hospitalized right now as he remains in ICU.  However, Vance May was in therapy yesterday when I stopped by for a visit and Mr. Swann was sleeping (and I wasn’t even preaching!) so I don’t have a true update on them.  I expect Kayla and Hannah will come today.  Plans call for Bro. Jerry to make hospital visits today so I will update tomorrow.  Pray for these folks! 

Dan & Heidi Smith from Michigan lead a ministry to Guatemala.  Their base of operation is near our mission house.  Dan has had to be hospitalized in Guatemala from what appears to be salmonella.  There is even talk of trying to get home on a medical jet but that hasn’t happened just yet.  As the Lord brings him to your mind, pray for Dan Smith.

Students participating in Endure this weekend must pay their $35 tonight!  If you have any questions, please contact Chris Taylor as he and Nicole are leading this event. 

Thanks to those who helped Docia & Larry with the food for the Hacker family yesterday. 

Derrick e-mailed to say that the Texas team is doing good on their first trip to Guatemala.

Deidra’s wedding shower takes place tomorrow night beginning at 6:30PM in our home.  It ends at 8:30PM and is a come and go event.  Ladies, you are invited.

The Friendship family is invited to the 50th wedding anniversary reception for Charles & Ann Clark this Saturday from 2:00 – 4:00PM too.  Remember, no gifts but you can give any cash to me and I will make sure Charles gets it! 

The Personnel Committee is taking verbal applications for the interim custodian job until this Friday.  Contact Vinnie Brewer, Jim Sciple, Ben Vickers, or Kerry Woods to apply. 

The 2007-08 deacons will meet this Sunday, 7/29, at 4:00PM in the Pastor’s office.  The 2007-08 teachers/workers will meet at the same time in the auditorium. 

First Baptist Citronelle has a new pastor – Beaver Charpie.  He received an almost unanimous call this past Sunday and will begin is ministry there in August. 

Today is a regular Wednesday at Friendship and is our final Wednesday of this church year.  Many thanks to those who have served in any capacity on Wednesday nights for these fifty-two weeks.  I hope you will join us today at 10:00AM for prayer and Bible study or tonight for the Bible study/class for your age group. 

I pray that you will have a great day in the Lord. 

I received an e-mail from Docia Thompson last night giving some information relating to Dawn Hacker’s mother.  The funeral service is going to be private.  However, Docia is graciously leading an effort to provide a meal for the family for tonight, 7/24.  If you can help with this meal please call the church office and Miss Edna will put you in touch with Docia.  You can bring the food to the church and Larry & Docia will deliver it to the family.  Thanks to those who will help and please pray for this family during this time. 

Please continue to pray for Vance May, James Swann, Morris Dupont, and Kayla & Hannah Hatcher as they all remain hospitalized.  Also, pray for Carla Kyser as she meets with doctors to determine the next course of action relating to her cancer. 

We have a group from 1st Baptist Waxahachie, Texas using the mission house in Guatemala this week.  These folks are first timers so pray for them as they do ministry. 

There was a problem with the oven in the mission house last week and, thanks to Larry Whitehurst, one of the Texas team members was able to secure the part needed, take it with him, and repair the oven yesterday.  That Larry is one smart dude! 

Our friends in Michigan who are going to be on the team in Guatemala beginning August 2 need to remember the 6:30PM meeting tonight at the home of Ross & the Queen.  Also, remember there are no pick up trucks allowed in that exclusive neighborhood! 

Our Personnel Committee continues to accept applications for the position of interim custodian.  All applications need to be verbal and must go through Vinnie Brewer, Jim Sciple, Ben Vickers, or Kerry Woods by this Friday, 7/27, no later that 5:00PM.  This interim custodian will begin working next Monday, 7/30. 

All students wishing to take part of Endure this weekend must pay their $35 by tomorrow night.  Questions?  Contact Chris Taylor. 

Our 2007-08 deacons need to note that we will have a staff/deacons meeting this Sunday, 7/29, at 4:00PM in the pastor’s office.  Also, during that same hour Bro. Jerry needs to meet in the auditorium with all of the 2007-08 teachers/workers.

I trust that you will have a great day with Jesus.  Tell someone that Jesus is alive!

I stopped by and visited with Marisa Felps today to check on her daughter, Carla.  She has an additional spot in her arm and they can do no more radiation.  So, they are considering their options.  Carla is frustrated and is in constant discomfort in her arm.  Please pray that the doctors can find a treatment that will eradicate this cancer.  Pray for Marisa as she juggles a lot things at home, work, et cetera. 

Bro. Jerry shared with me today that Vance May, Linda & Nancy’s brother, has been moved from Birmingham to a Mobile hospital.  Please pray for him. 

I learned today that Martha Patrick’s brother, James Swann, was admitted to the hospital early this morning so please pray for Bubba and Martha.

Also, I received a message today from John Bos, director of Christ For The World in Orlando, FL, today.  His mother-in-law, Jean De Ridder, fell about six months ago breaking a hip.  Last Friday she fell again breaking the other hip and her pelvis.  She has undergone surgery but certainly needs our prayer support. 

Maxine Dupont called the office this afternoon to tell us that her husband, Morris Dupont, is in an intensive care unit in a local hospital.  Bro. Kerry has gone to check on him so we can hopefully share an update tomorrow. 

Pray without ceasing!

I failed to mention in my post this morning that Kayla Hyatt Hatcher was in the hospital and that they were inducing labor today.  I visited Kayla, Ryan, and family around 11:30AM.  Hannah made her grand entrance into this world shortly after 1:00PM checking in at 7 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long.  Congratulations to Ryan & Kayla and their families.  Pray for these new parents and this precious addition to their family. 

First, I received news last night that Dawn Hacker’s mother had passed away very unexpectedly yesterday.  The details I have are too sketchy for me to fill in the blanks at this time so I will simply ask that you pray for Tony & Dawn and their family. 

It was so good to see Linda Green in our 10:30AM service yesterday.  She was discharged from the hospital on Saturday afternoon and, true to form, in church the next day.  Linda has been the epitome of faithfulness to the Lord through the church for as long as I have known her. 

It was also good to see Mary Lee Owens in our 8:00AM service.  Pray for her as she adjusts to life on earth without Ronnie. 

The Lord blessed in our services as we saw Gary Walton receive Jesus as his personal Savior in the 10:30AM service and then saw him, Sueanna Bryant, and Michelle Palmer follow the Lord in believer’s baptism as a part of our evening service.  We thank God for giving the increase and we give Him the glory! 

Our Personnel Committee has asked me to announce that this Friday, 7/27, is the absolute latest for anyone to apply for the interim custodian job at the church.  As it stands now, they plan on conducting interviews this weekend.  Contact Vinnie Brewer, Jim Sciple, Ben Vickers, or Kerry Woods.  (Andy Hamil is also on the PC but he is out of town)

The wedding of Wes & Rebekah was very nice and very well attended.  Now we move to the wedding of Gary Walton and Rachel Haynes this Saturday at 6:00PM at 11251 Lakeside Circle.  You are invited.  The dress is casual and the theme is Hawaiian. 

My wife, Lisa, and her sister, Kim, will have the privilege of hosting a 50th wedding anniversary reception for their parents, Charles & Ann Clark, this Saturday, 7/28, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  You are invited and no gifts please!  (As I announced yesterday, if you want to give cash then just give it to me and I will make sure Charles gets it!) 

We are also hitting full stride in getting ready for Deidra’s wedding and her church wedding shower takes place this Thursday night, 7/26, from 6:30 – 8:30PM in the parsonage.  This is a “come and go” shower.  All ladies of the church are invited to attend.

I am encouraging each member of the Friendship family to be involved in doing ministry through the Friendship family.  If you are willing to serve in any capacity, please contact any staff member.  Each member is a minister! 

On a personal note, it was such a huge joy for me to see Vince, Tanya, Madison, Morgan, and Chance Bosarge in the services yesterday.  I missed this family during their exile to Michigan and am certainly glad they are home! 

Our blog readership is increasing and it appears July will be our most read month ever.  We are up to nine readers per day!  Again, thanks mama, my three siblings, and my five first cousins! 

I pray that you will have a great day with Jesus.  Tell someone that Jesus lives!