Pastor's Blog

Regular schedule on our campus today beginning at 10:00AM and 6:30PM.  Praying for a good number of the Friendship family members to join us.  Will you be one of them?  I pray so!

Clinton Stringfellow was moved from the rehab facility to the hospital yesterday as he has been diagnosed with pneumonia.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Arnold Strahan was supposed to be discharged from the hospital yesterday but I am not sure if that happened or not.  He was in pain and the decision would depend on how he did in his initial physical therapy session.  Pray for Arnold.

What has been the response thus far for the call for eight women (baking) and the eight men (mission trip) up to this point?  One sweet lady called and graciously committed to bake a cake.  Otherwise, crickets.  My wife would normally bake two or three cakes but she will not be in the country during those days as she will be on a mission trip to South Africa.  We do have one lady who promised to bake a cake last year but then “forgot” to do so.  I wonder if she will step up this year?  Who?  Yep, she is the one!

The concept of having a “men only” building team going to Guatemala is brand new.  Waiting to see the response before going definite.  Why eight?  So each man will have his own room and bathroom.  Again, it will be a Sunday through Saturday trip at some point in September.  Brothers, the ball is now in your proverbial court.

Two things relating to our student ministry.  First, we have  gift “cards” got the Tidal Wave carwash.  They are ten dollars each and allow the holder to get a thirty something dollars wash with an expiration date of early 2027.  All proceeds from this effort will go toward summer camp for our students.

Second, there will be  pulled pork dinners (sandwich, bag of chips, cookie and soft drink/water) available immediately following our morning service on Sunday, March 29.  The suggested donation is eight dollars per plate with a maximum of thirty dollars per immediate family.  Take outs only.  There will be a limited number of the dinners available during the soccer games on Saturday, 3/28.  More information to come.

Speaking of soccer (why would you?), our league play begins on Saturday, March 21.  The highlight of the season will be our concession stand which will once again feature our soon to be famous five dollars combos.  I hope that folks will come just to purchase a combo which will help the ministry portion of our June GRACE Ministries trip.  Here is the good news – you can eat and you do not even have to watch the soccer games!

Pray for Bro. Abel and our soccer ministry.  Bro. Abel did me a huge favor yesterday and I am most appreciative.  It is about Jesus!

Now I will sit back and watch my email inbox go crazy with baking ladies and mission trip men responding.  Just saying!

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

Arnold Strahan’s surgery went well yesterday.  Prayerfully, he will be discharged from the hospital this morning.  Arnold is such a great gentleman and faithful member of the Friendship family.  Keep praying.

Clinton Stringfellow continues to appreciate all prayers for him.  He remains in the rehab facility.

Gary & Rachel Walton continued working on the landscaping on our campus yesterday.  I appreciate all they are doing.  Pray for them and any others who are helping.

The area in front of our Preschool Building doors is much improved and looks great.  Thank you to the person responsible for doing this work.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism in our service this Sunday evening.

I am looking for eight ladies to each help by baking a cake or pie for an auction that will take place on Friday, 3/27.  This is for the Baptist Student Ministries at USA and will help support their summer missionaries.  We did this last year and it went well.  Can/will you help?  Contact me personally.

I am looking for eight men.  No baking involved.  Considering putting together a group of eight me to travel to Guatemala during September.  Exact dates TBD.  The plan would be to leave on a Sunday, go the lake on Monday, build houses/do other work Tuesday through Friday and then return home on Saturday.  Interested?  Contact me personally.

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

Arnold Strahan will be undergoing hip replacement surgery around 9:30AM today.  Pray that all goes well.

Clinton Stringfellow remains in the rehab facility.  Pray for Clinton to get stronger day by day.

The Roberson trio will be our guests on Sunday evening, 3/22, in our 5:00PM service.  A love offering will be received.  These folks are relatives of Jo Nell Barnes.  Make plans to join us for this unique service.

Speaking of love offerings, we will be receiving love offerings weekly for John & Alaina Peacock.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

In last night’s service, the Friendship family unanimously added the title of Associate Pastor to Bro. Abel Garcia.  My earlier entry focused on that called and Bro. Abel’s response.

Does anyone know of a house to rent in the Grand Bay area?  If so, please contact me personally.

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

The Lord blessed us with a really good day yesterday.  Praise Him.  I received the following from Bro. Abel early this morning:

Last night, I was deeply honored to be given the title of Associate Pastor by the leadership of Friendship Baptist Church and affirmed by my church family.

My heart is both grateful and humbled.

While a title does not change my love or passion to serve my Lord and His people, I fully understand the weight of the love, trust, and responsibility that comes with it. I do not take that lightly.

I began my ministry journey here many years ago serving in the bus ministry and children’s ministry. The same excitement, passion, and love for serving that I had then is the same excitement I still thrive on today.

For over three decades God has allowed me to serve in many places and many ways, but being able to serve this church family at Friendship is a true blessing. Your encouragement, prayers, and support mean more than words can express.

I also want to say thank you to Pastor Teddy for your trust, leadership, and friendship. I am grateful to serve alongside you and under your leadership as we seek to faithfully shepherd God’s people.

As the Lord continues to give me strength, wisdom, and guidance, I promise to serve you with all that I have — with love, faithfulness, and a heart for people.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2

My prayer moving forward is simple:

That I would remain faithful to Christ, faithful to His Word, and faithful to the people God has allowed me to serve.

Thank you, Friendship family, for your love, encouragement, and support through the years. I look forward with great excitement to what God will continue to do in and through our church in the days ahead.

Blessings,
Bro. Abel

Spring forward tomorrow night!  Remember, remember, remember!

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 3/8, and will observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening worship service.

Continue to pray for Clinton Stringfellow.

Had what I consider a divine appointment yesterday.

Also, saw Ben Thomas of al.com fame as he was covering the high school state basketball tournament.  Remind you, he never paid me for doing his and Michelle’s wedding and yesterday he asked if I could spot him lunch money?  Typical AU grad!  Just saying!

The Lord blessed me with traveling mercies for eleven hours yesterday.  I watched most of the Bryant girl’s game and, yes, they were soundly defeated by Hoover but they were winners.  Congratulations to them on making it to the Final Four.  History was made!

Here is the bad news – Jack’s is not serving bologna biscuits or the bologna biscuit at this time.  Crushing!

I had a really good visit with Mama.  Got to see Eddie for a few minutes and then had some good conversation with Mama.  Yes, I remain her fifth favorite child but it seems I am getting closer to being number four on the list.  Mama looked, and sounded, much better than the last time I saw her two weeks ago.  Thank you for praying!

I was going to spend the night with Eddie & Sue but their two hundred dollars per night fee was more than I wanted to pay.  So, I just drove home.  When you drive seventy miles per hour on the interstate your little Corolla gets shaken a bunch by the other vehicles flying by on the left (or right)!  Just saying!

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

Good day in our services yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

I am driving up to visit Mama today and plan to drive back tonight.  I “may” stop by the Legacy Arena and catch some of the Bryant game as I cannot see Mama until after lunch.

I was wrong yesterday about our Wednesday morning services during our Refresh project.  We WILL have them as we will meet in the CAB since it will be continually set up for our Sunday services.  Thank you to Bro. Abel for keeping me straight!  So, ignore everything I said yesterday regarding our Wednesday morning services.

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

As I wrote in my second entry yesterday, Clinton Stringfellow has been moved to a rehab facility.  Pray for Clinton.  The man needs to be in the field planting watermelons.  That would make him happy!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  If things go as planned, we will not have our Wednesday morning services the five Wednesdays in April (1, 8, 15, 22 & 29).  The folks who normally attend those services will be asked to join us in our 6:30PM services during that time period.

Spring forward this Saturday night, 3/7.  My least favorite Sunday of the year.  Congress, set a time and leave it alone!  By the way, the studies show standard time is the best for us.

We are “Marching to Easter” and will receive a special offering in all of our services with the intent of sponsoring a teacher’s salary at Colegio JET.  The goal is seven thousand dollars.  Pray and give!

Lord willing, I will go visit my Mama tomorrow.  Hopefully up and back in the same day.

Yes, I did!  Was it tough?  Absolutely!  I attended basically two and a quarter of girls soccer games late yesterday afternoon and last night.  Watched Nora’s game (thank God for the mercy rule), caught roughly the last quarter (time wise) of Anna Jo Jordan’s game (Anna Jo got injured in the first half so I did not get to see her play) and the watched Bryant’s varsity game in which Addison Z played and seeing Blair Hatcher play too was a bonus.  How did it feel?  Came home, took a shower, repented and went to bed!  Just saying!  The bright spot was getting to spend time with granddaughters, Emmy & Nora.

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

Went to the hospital to visit Clinton but he was not there.  He was moved to a rehab facility in Mobile.  Pray that the PT will help Clinton regain his strength.

It is worse than I thought – I am considering attending not one, but two, girls soccer games later today.  Somebody please have me committed!  NOW!

My plan is to visit Mama on Thursday.  Hopefully that will become reality.

Clinton Stringfellow is perhaps a bit better but he still has a long way to go.  He is very weak physically.  Pray for him to moved to a rehab facility.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

The Refresh of our auditorium will begin the week following Easter Sunday.  Volunteers will be needed to help.  Henry Wyse will get us the details as to the timing and scope.

We are “Marching to Easter” and part of that will be receiving a special offering each Sunday with the entirety of the offering going to sponsor a teacher at Colegio JET in Guatemala.  Our goal is seven thousand dollars.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Soccer practices have resumed on our back forty.  Pray for this ministry.

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

Happy birthday to Lisa’s sister, Kim.  How old?  Well, she is definitely older than me.  She used to babysit me which is how I met Lisa.  Just saying!  I hope Kim will have a great day!

Wow, what a great Sunday at Friendship!  We had two professions of faith, one salvation and two baptisms.  The spirit was excellent and the attendance was very good!  The worship during Jeanette’s special was very special.  To God be the glory!

Clinton Stringfellow remains hospitalized.  Rita told me that he had a better day on Saturday.  Lord willing, I will visit him today.

There was a celebration of life service for Bernard Cohen on Saturday and one for Ernest Tucker on Sunday.  Pray for these families.

Our deacon’s meeting on Sunday was excellent!

Gary & Rachel Walton, along with a great nephew, did a great job of removing the shrubs from around our church buildings this past Sunday.  The landscaping is a work in progress so please be patient.  The flag pole out front is nice!

The annual “spring forward” time change takes place this Sunday!  My least favorite Sunday of the year!  I am praying for a really great day in the Lord!

We are now “Marching to Easter!”  Details to be announced.

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