Pastor's Blog

Once again, God used Evangelist Ken Freeman in a mighty way to minister to the Friendship family.  We saw 15 folks pray to receive Jesus as their personal Savior yesterday in the two services.  Awesome!  The attendance was excellent in all three services.  You gave very generously to support the ministry God has given to Ken.  What a great day – glory to God! 

Twenty-eight of our senior high students and five chaperones leave today at 12:30PM for a week of camp in Orange Beach with Ken.  Lord willing, I will be in that number as a chaperone.  Once again, Chris & Nicole Taylor will lead this group.  Pray that this will be a life changing time for our students and adults. 

Our slate of nominees for deacon is now set – Sonny Bates, Glenn Cooper, Kenny Lingle, Carl Moulds, & Jerry Whitmore.  The Friendship family will be asked to select three of these men to serve for three years in the role of a deacon beginning 8/1/08.  Pray.  This election will take place this Sunday, 6/22, during the evening service. 

Also, the Finance Committee has finished their work of putting together the proposed budget for 8/1/08 – 7/31/09.  Copies will be distributed this Sunday morning, 6/22, a meeting to discuss and amend will take place at 4:00PM, and the budget will be voted on during the evening service with no further discussion.  I thank God for these folks and the many hours of prayer and preparation they have given to this proposed budget.  I ask you to pray about this important aspect of our ministry too. 

Chris has done a nice job of giving our website a new look.  We are asking you to help us.  If you would like to receive our newsletter via e-mail then please take the time to sign up from the home page of this site.  If you are on our USPS mailing list then we will simply remove your name from that list and everything will be sent electronically.  (You can, by request, received everything both ways)  We are trying to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. 

Anna Carol told me yesterday that infant Blake is still making progress.  He initially lost some weight but is now holding his own.  Pray for Nick & Jenny and their entire family as they wait on the day when Blake will get to go home.  Jimmy Crawley, Tryone & Michael’s dad, is still undergoing tests so your continued prayers are appreciated.  Carla Kyser begins another round of treatment today.  Clara Broadus & Bro. Robbie Howard both have surgery scheduled for Wednesday.  I am told the funeral service for Tom Russell was Jesus exalting! 

Camp calls.  I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Remember, sign up for the newsletter via e-mail – do it now while you are thinking about it (your boss won’t mind)! 

Our middle school students and chaperones returned from Wild Week yesterday around noon and they were pumped!  We had three students pray to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and the entire group seemed to have a great time!  They really enjoyed Kacy Benson and Nick Thurmond.  I pray that God will take the events of this past week and use them to spark revival within the Friendship family. 

The folks going on our June 27 – July 4 GRACE trip were pretty pumped today too as they had a very successful fish fry/yard sale to raise funds for the ministry portion of their trip.  Thanks to each one who worked, to those who donated items, and to those who bought a fish dinner and/or items from the yard sale.  The yard sale continues until noon today! 

Our children’s church will be pumped tomorrow, 6/15, as Kenneth Etta from Wild Week does some incredible stuff in children’s church.  This guy is so strong!  He can literally tear a huge phone book in half with relative ease.  It is awesome!  Pass the word as our children don’t want to miss seeing this guy! 

Our 10:30AM crowd in the auditorium will be pumped as Evangelist Ken Freeman brings the message from the Word.  Pray, attend, and bring others with you.  Ken will preach at 5:00PM too.  I believe we are going to have a great day in the Lord! 

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

God gave us a good Thursday.  Lisa and I had a brief meeting with another couple and then I headed to Tillman’s Corner to meet with Jerrod Brown & Shannon Hughes.  Jerrod is the Campus Minister at the University of South Alabama and Shannon is his associate.  They both have led groups to Guatemala over the past couple of years working within the framework of the partnership between Alabama Baptists and the National Baptists of Guatemala.  They have already booked dates for 2009 and want to partner with GRACE Ministries for the long term.  We had a productive meeting and I appreciated being treated to lunch.  It was also a joy to be joined by Jerrod’s wife and baby. 

Blake Bosarge is, according to grandmother Anna Carol, right where he is supposed to be.  He remains hospitalized but is making progress.  Please remember to pray for the Tom Russell family tonight as they have the visitation at 1st Tillman’s Corner. 

Our folks have been working getting ready for the yard sale/fish fry which will help support our ministry efforts in Guatemala.  Yesterday, they sold almost $700 worth of “stuff” even though the yard sale doesn’t “officially” begin until today and concludes tomorrow at noon.  The fish fry will go from 11:00AM until 2:00PM today.  Come buy some “stuff” and enjoy a fish dinner all the while supporting a good cause! 

My beloved Lakers took it on the chin last night and I have to believe the game was rigged!  I haven’t watched a total of two quarters through the first four games of this series but I am a Laker fan and a Celtic disliker!  (Lindsey/Jennifer/Deidra – that may not be a word but don’t fool with me right now!) 

The Arkansas team is doing well.  They have one guy who, unlike Ryan Johnston from two weeks ago, is doing a nice job of blogging daily.  You can read his thoughts and see the pictures at www.radicalcleric.com.  They return to Arkansas on Saturday.  These folks are from Louise’s home church so it has been a good week for her. 

It is obvious that June 13th was a good day to be born as Betty Lou Creech and Lettie Sue Bailey (can you tell they are twins by their names?), Rita Vice, and Shari Compagner are all celebrating their birthday!  Betty & Sue are the same age while Rita and Shari are not!  I am going to figure that Samuel Acan will call Betty today and that will make her smile!  Alisha is away from her mama on this special day and that probably makes Rita cry!  Tom probably doesn’t remember that it is Shari’s birthday and that will spell trouble!  Happy birthday ladies!   

Our middle school students are scheduled to return home today.  I am going to guess 12:00PM – it will either be at that time, before, or after.  I would imagine they will have use of a cell phone as they get near Grand Bay.  They have had a good week. 

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

We had another good Wednesday yesterday.  We even had a dozen or so middle school students in Bible study last night which is good considering that 39 of our other middle school students are at Wild Week in Gulf Shores.  The 10:00AM crowd was down a bit but we still had a good attendance. 

Speaking of Wild Week, I did talk to Nicole Taylor yesterday afternoon and all is well.  She said the the students are having a very good time.  A couple of parents have spoken to their child and they are hearing the same thing.  So, pray that the final service tonight will be one in which God shows up in a mighty way. 

Jean Hatcher came home from the hospital yesterday and is doing good.  Burney Barnes is also at home.  Blake Bosarge remains hospitalized but Jenny did come home. 

The yard sale for GRACE Ministries will actually begin today.  However, we could still use more “stuff” to sell.  You can simply take it to the building located next to the State Farm office.  Tomorrow will see the yard sale (7:00AM) combined with a fish fry (11:00AM – 2:00PM).  Pass the word and help us support GRACE Ministries! 

The group from Arkansas staying in the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house must be staying busy and doing well as I haven’t heard anything from Louise.  They return home on Saturday. 

Another of our Michigan friends, Karen Koeman, is celebrating a birthday today!  Happy birthday Karen!

Two interesting stories from England – a guy fell from his couch while laughing at a television show.  The person living in the apartment below thought something was wrong and called the police.  The police arrived and began asking questions.  The guy got “irritable” so they arrested him and took him to jail. 

A lady was at a costume party when she began not feeling so well.  She went back to her hotel room and began to have contractions and literally gave birth to a son there in the room.  She was 26 weeks pregnant but did not know she was pregnant.  Reports are that the baby is going to be fine!  (Personally, I have a really difficult time believing a woman can be 26 weeks pregnant and not know it!) 

I hope you will have a great Thursday with Jesus. 

I pretty much live by the saying that “no news is good news” and I am applying that to our group attending the Wild Week camp in Orange Beach this week.  I intentionally did not call them yesterday because Chris is in charge and can handle whatever.  If he needs me then he will call me but otherwise everything is good. 

Speaking of Wild Week, I spoke to Ken Freeman via the phone yesterday.  He will be with us this Sunday in the 10:30AM and 5:00PM services.  Please pray for those services. 

Our first GRACE team of the summer will host a fish fry/yard sale this Friday, 6/13, from the building that formerly housed Bay Hardware.  (I appreciate Charles Clark allowing us use of this building which is located next to the office of the best looking State Farm agent I have ever seen!)  All proceeds from this event will be used for ministry purposes the week of June 27 – July 4.  Spread the word!

We return to a normal schedule for today with the morning service beginning at 10:00AM.  The only difference is that our 8:00PM Bible study is moving from the parsonage to Michael & Deidra’s house.  I appreciate them being willing to host this Bible study. 

The visitation for the Tom Russell family will take place Friday night and the service on Saturday afternoon.  Everything will take place from the auditorium of First Baptist Tillman’s Corner. 

Happy birthday wishes to Gail Broekema from Michigan today.  She and her husband, Scott, have been used by the Lord to involve their whole church in GRACE Ministries.  Gail, I hope you have a great day! 

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

I have chosen to “cheat” again as it is a little after 12:30AM and I just returned from Orange Beach.   I decided to post real quickly before calling it a day. 

Deidra and I hit Sam’s early yesterday morning followed by Family Frozen Foods and Wal Mart.  We were purchasing groceries for the Wild Week campers.  Chris & Nicole Taylor along with nine other chaperones took 42 of our students to Orange Beach.  They arrived safely and had a wonderful first night’s service.  I drove over for that service and the students seemed to be enjoying themselves.  By the way, they are staying in Phoenix East.  Pray for them this week. 

I was busy with camp all day yesterday so I do not have a report on the folks in the hospital.  However, I can tell you that Tom Russell passed away early yesterday morning.  I appreciate those who contacted me to make sure I knew of his passing.  I don’t know the arrangements but do ask that you pray for the Russell family. 

A group in Ohio built a house for a 79 year old man – an outhouse that is!  He and the city were in a squabble over his old outhouse and this group came to his aid.  This new one sets on a concrete slab and over a one thousand gallon tank but it is an outhouse nonetheless. 

Today is Caroline Ford’s birthday so birthday wishes go to her.  Happy birthday Caroline! 

I hope you have a great Tuesday with Jesus! 

We had a great weekend and it was capped by our VBS Family Night last night.  I think I remember Myrtle saying that we averaged 309 in attendance which is a little lower than in previous years.  However, we had a good VBS and I appreciate all who helped in any way! 

It was a joy to see Holly Guidry make a public profession of faith in our 10:30AM service yesterday.  Her grandmother, Cecil, led her to the Lord.  Of course, I was blessed to have Deidra “come home” and Michael join by letter too.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

Jenny Bosarge gave birth to Blake last Friday morning.  He checked into this world weighing 3 lbs 14 oz and was 17 inches long.  Mother and son are doing fine although still hospitalized. 

We have six men nominated to serve as deacons.  We will check with all six of them to confirm their willingness to serve and then will elect three of them on Sunday evening, 6/22.  We will list those six names once we have made the necessary confirmation with each nominee. 

Pray for Louise Morris and her family as they will have the funeral service for her brother, Leo Reinwald, today in St. Louis. 

Chris & Nicole Taylor lead our middle school students to the Wild Week camp in Orange Beach today.  They will return on Friday so please pray for them.  Pray that God would speak to these students in a special way during this camp. 

Our summer missionary is doing great!  I am receiving regular updates from her and it seems the Lord is using them in a special way. 

Today is Miss Vivian Ladnier’s 84th birthday!  Happy birthday Miss Vivian!  What a young 84 she is as she leads our Sunday & Wednesday convalescent home ministry, our Mission of Hope ministry, worked in the VBS kitchen last week, and the list goes on! 

If my memory serves me correctly, this is the week for Leah Compagner’s wedding!  Congratulations Leah & Brian!  Leah finally hooked one and got him in the boat – amazing!

I hope you have a great Monday with Jesus! 

I failed to mention this morning that Steve Morris was having surgery today.  He had the surgery late this afternoon and did well.  He may spend the night in the hospital but that call hasn’t been made yet. 

The visitation for the Leo Reinwald family (Louise Morris) will be Sunday with a 10:00AM service on Monday.  Of course, all of this is taking place in St. Louis, MO but I do ask you to join me in praying for this family. 

Jean Hatcher is back in ICU and is having a rough go of it.  Burnery Barnes is in a regular room and may have gone home this afternoon.  His problem is related to his esophagus.  David Boutwell did not get moved to another facility and he didn’t seem sure if that was going to happen now. 

Vera Bosarge wrote asking us to pray for a neighbor who has been diagnosed with cancer.  Dale, Karla, and Davy are driving from Illinois to Orange Beach so pray for traveling mercy. 

VBS ’08 will end today as far as the classes are concerned.  However, we will have our “Family Night” service beginning at 5:00PM this Sunday, 6/8.  We have averaged a little over 300 folks each day which is lower than the past couple of years but we have had a good VBS.  Praise the Lord!

Jenny Bosarge remains hosptialized and she is in her 31st week of this pregnancy.  It appears they will simply let her continue to carry the baby as long as mother and/or son are in no apparent danger healthwise.  David Boutwell was to be moved to a rehabilitation center yesterday afternoon.  Burney Barnes remains in ICU.  Jean Hatcher also remains hospitalized.  Jimmy Crawley was scheduled to go home yesterday too.  Estuardo Morales went home yesterday.  Pray for all of these folks.

The funeral service for Paul Smith went well.  Thanks for your prayers.  The service for Dewayne’s aunt, Paulette Tillman, will take place this morning at 10:00AM. 

Our new website design is serving us well as we are getting a good number of hits each day.  (Of course, Chris has Nicole sitting home every afternoon & evening just continually clicking on the site to get the numbers up!)  Spread the word so we can get up to 10 hits a day – that would be awesome!

I promised that I wouldn’t mention her name on this blog but our oldest daughter is celebrating her 26th birthday today!  Claude Landry is also celebrating his birthday (not 26) as is our friend, Ron Haveman, from Michigan.  Happy birthday oldest daughter, Claude, & Ron! 

Tomorrow, 6/7, will see Jenni Kirschenman Godwin (25), April Waters Nicholson (26), and Roy Johns celebrate their birthday.  It will also see Ryan & Rochelle Genzink celebrate their first wedding anniversary!  On Sunday, 6/8, the Queen (Kathy Genzink) celebrates her (32nd?) birthday.  Rumor has it that she, as Queen, is demanding a holiday be declared in southwest Michigan!  Happy birthday and/or anniversary to all of these folks! 

I mentioned a couple of funeral services in this entry.  I did read the other day where the man who invented the Pringles can passed away and was cremated.  You got it – they placed some of his remains in a Pringles can per his request! 

Also, a lady in Grand Prairie, TX attended a minor league baseball game this past Tuesday night and won a $10,000 funeral for herself!  Talk about a prize you don’t want to redeem! 

Gotta go drive a VBS bus!  I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus! 

It is has been a busy, busy week and that is a good thing!  Our third day of VBS was our best attended of the first three days – I think we had 330 something.  Things continue to go smoothly.  Today is an important day as it our evangelistic emphasis.  Pray! 

Paul Smith’s funeral service will take place today at 2:00PM from the church auditorium.  Thanks to those who attended the visitation last night and to those who will attend the service today.  Bobby Stork has handled getting the pall bearers and I appreciate those six men.  Bro. Benny McGath, Bus Director, is taking off work to be present and I am grateful as Bro. Benny was a big influence in Paul’s life.  Pray that the Gospel will be clearly presented during that service.

The visitation for Dewayne’s aunt will take place tonight from 5:00PM until 8:00PM with the service tomorrow at 10:00AM.  Everything is from St. Michael’s in the Heron Bay area.

Jenny Bosarge was admitted to one hospital and then moved to another hospital yesterday afternoon as she is having some complications with her pregnancy.  It appears they will take the baby.  Jenny is in her seventh month of this pregnancy so pray that the baby will be born with no complications. 

Burney Barnes was placed in ICU yesterday and, obviously, is not doing well.  Jean Hatcher was having a pretty tough day yesterday too as she was in ICU recovering from her surgery.  No word on whether Estuardo Morales came home or not.  David Boutwell remains hospitalized.  Jimmy Crawley, Tyrone & Michael’s dad, is in the hospital as they are doing tests to determine his problem.  Pray for these folks. 

Leo Reinwald, Louise Morris’ brother, passed away yesterday afternoon.  Thankfully, all five of his siblings were there in St. Louis, MO at the time of his passing.  Pray for this family during this time. 

I need to remind our Finance Committee members (who don’t read this blog anyway) that they have a meeting tonight at 7:00PM. 

Katelyn Jackson is celebrating her 18th birthday today.  She is in Guatemala with the First Lacombe team so I am sure Derrick & Jodie will see to it that she has a great day!  Tiffany Bowden Fox is also celebrating a birthday today.  Happy birthday Tiff! 

Kerry & Sherry Woods are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary today.  (That is one ceremony I did that stuck – praise the Lord!)  Also, today is Sherry’s birthday – that Kerry is one smart guy!  Happy birthday Sherry!  Happy anniversary Kerry & Sherry – what a great couple! 

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus!  He is Lord!