Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ:

     

 

        April 23, 2017 marks the beginning of an awesome journey for me.  It is the day that I was officially joined to the wonderful family of the Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Cane. At 59 years old this was my first assignment to pastor, and this year, December 2020,  if the Lord allows, will be the milestone of forty five years in the preaching ministry.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.  Not always do we have a clear vision or perspective as to exactly where God is leading us, but it is always beneficial to trust where He leads.  

       

        The Friendship Baptist church is rich in legacy and historical relevance, and it is indeed a pleasure and a privilege to be given the opportunity to serve.  The people are amazing and have proven to have a heart for God and the well-being of the church called Friendship.

         

        At the time of this greeting, our church community, city, state, nation and the world are having to adjust our lives, work and worship to survive this pandemic of COVID19.  It is challenging, frightening, and a bit overwhelming because we are having to practice social distancing and take other precautions to protect our health and the health of those around us, but I am certain that God will bring us through this, just as He has delivered His people and His church throughout history.  And when we come through, we shall come forth with great praise and thanksgiving for our God is indeed good all the time, and all the time He is good.  “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.  I know that the best is yet to come.  We haven’t seen nothing (anything) yet.

       

        God promises to be with us through the fire, through the storm and through the rain.  And tho weapons shall be formed against us, they shall not prosper. God instructs us to be strong, and of good courage, because He is Emmanuel.  Whatever lies ahead, whatever the future may hold, don’t worry, and don’t fear, He holds our future.  And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13.   Your servant in Christ,

             

 

                                Stanley E. Blackshire
                         Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church