Pastor's Blog

The GRACE Ministries mission trip scheduled for December 1 – 8, 2021 has reached capacity.  It has always been on a first come, first served basis.  There will be no waiting list as the folks signed up already have their tickets.  Plus, the airfares will only increase from this point forward and it would put those on a waiting list at a financial disadvantage.

I would strongly suggest that folks wanting to join us on a trip begin considering our June 2022 trip.  I anticipate it reaching capacity fairly quickly too.  What about the January/February 2022 trips?  They have already reached capacity.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news to those contemplating the December trip.  Thank you for understanding.

Perry McIntyre is the brother I met in Guatemala on June 15.  As he was working this past Wednesday, July 1, his life was needlessly taken by a gunman.  Perry was only forty nine years old.  He loved the Lord and his family.  He especially loved his only grandson, Jackson, who is around five months old.  Pray for Perry’s family as they will have a visitation on Monday night, 7/5, and a celebration of life service on Tuesday, 7/6.

Only ONE worship service on our campus tomorrow, July 4.  It will begin at 8:00AM and will conclude corporately before 9:30AM.  The worship music is going to be great.  Spencer Bell will bring the message.  Do not miss this service!  Let’s fill the house!

Childcare will be provided for children five years of age and under.  A love offering will be received for Bro. Spencer.

Pray.  Attend.  Bring others with you.

Our deacons will meet in the morning at 7:00AM.

The church office will be closed on Monday, July 5.  I will be in town, Lord willing, and am available in the event of an emergency.

If you or someone you know wants to go to Guatemala with our GRACE team the dates of December 1 – 8 then now is the time to commit.  Airfares remain good at the time of this writing but that is subject to change at any moment without notice.  Email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.  Do not delay!

By the way, my eighty two year old mama is applying for her passport and has plans to join us on that trip.  How about that!  I am excited for her!

Pray for Spencer Bell as he travels today.

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

JoNell, Peggy and the kids arrived safely in Arizona.  The visitation took place last night and the service will take place today.  Pray for JoNell, Peggy and the family during this time.

I was saddened to read yesterday of Coach Mark Richt’s being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Coach Richt is sixty one years old and retired a year or so ago after being head coach at Georgia and Miami.  I was blessed by his tweet announcing his diagnosis as he wrote – “Truthfully, I look at it as a momentary light affliction compared to the future glory in heaven. Thank you Jesus for promising us a future blessing of a glorified body that has no sin and no disease.”  Pray for Coach Richt and his family.

Deidra and I received a message late last night about a tragedy in South Carolina.  The name has not been officially released but a gentleman who spent June 10 – 17 on GRACE mountain was shot to death yesterday.  I met this man and his wife on June 15.  What a really nice guy and strong follower of Jesus.  I was only around him for parts of three days but was impressed.  My sleep was troubled last night.  Pray for this family.  I will share more details as they become available and are made public.

Deidra arrived in Mobile late yesterday afternoon.  She was delayed in Houston for about two or three hours but finally arrived in Mobile.  We are glad to have her here.  The best news about this?  Soy did not come with her!

After getting Deidra here, I went to our church auditorium for the ensemble practice.  I knew they would appreciate me working with them!  (Something like that!)  Folks, Sunday morning’s music is going to be a blessing!  Do not miss it!

Our Sunday service will begin at 8:00AM.  One service!  Pastor Spencer Bell will be the messenger.  We will receive a love offering for Bro. Spencer.  Childcare will be provided for children five years of age and under.  Do not miss this service!

One of the professional sports stars is complaining about having to “work” from December to June.  Poor guy!  He is only making millions to play a game.  Give me a break!

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

We were blessed with a nice day in our services yesterday.  I am very grateful to the folks who make attending the services on Wednesday a priority.  God is good!

The Friendship family has been in a nice stretch where no one has been in the hospital.  Praise the Lord!  We do have folks in need of prayer but no one is presently hospitalized.

I briefly spoke to Peggy Knighten yesterday afternoon and they were about one hundred and sixty miles from Albuquerque, NM around 5:00PM our time.  I think JoNell told me that would put them around four hours from their final destination.  Keep praying!

Our deacons will meet this Sunday, 7/4, at 7:00AM.

One service this Sunday, July 4, and it will begin at 8:00AM featuring the music ministry of the Friendship family and the Grand Bay Church of God.  Spencer Bell will bring the message.  Childcare will be provided for children ages five and under. Pass the word!

Deidra is scheduled to fly from Guatemala City this morning at 6:25AM, connect in Houston, and then arrive in Mobile at 4:20PM.  Pray for safe travels for her, please.

Pastor Doug Chappelle and his team are scheduled to leave Guatemala City around 1:00PM today.  They have had a good week of ministry.  Pray for traveling mercies.

A team from Kennedy Baptist is scheduled to arrive on GRACE Mountain today for a week of ministry.  Pray for all to go well.

Congratulations to the Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team as they are the 2021 College World Series champions!  SEC, SEC, SEC!  I fully expect Johnathan Jordan and Rick Bradley to be wearing their national champions t-shirts this Sunday morning!  As Dub Ladnier used to say, “if I tell you that a chicken dips, check under her wing for a can of snuff!”  Just saying!

Losing Josh Primo to the NBA draft is going to hurt the Alabama basketball team next season.  The youngster is good!

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

(P.S. – I posted this entry early so Elizabeth Westbrook will stop her whining!)