Thanksgiving Conference, Pray for Jean-Luc, Visiting Churches in USA
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 15, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sister,
Judy and I just returned from the Annual Thanksgiving Conference held in the facilities of New Hope Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, MI. The folks from Grace Baptist Church, Wyandotte, MI, and New Hope worked together seamlessly to provide unforgettable hospitality and meals. We thoroughly enjoyed the time with you folks and were greatly blessed by the communication of God’s Word through the speakers.
As we returned home, we received the news that Jean-Luc Veuillet, a faithful member of the church in Tournefeuille. France, was in the hospital being treated for a torn carotid artery. Jean-Luc is a faithful believer and leader in the church. He and his family help in teaching and music ministries and are a source of great encouragement to the whole church. We would appreciate your prayers for this man of God.
We continue to hear good news from our home church in France. The church has an internet site for our church body only where the members can speak to one another sharing news, prayer requests and blessings. Judy and I are able to keep up with what is happening there and they can get first handed news from us.
I am scheduling meetings with churches in the USA between now and the end of January. We would love to come to your church to tell about the work in France and/or share what God has placed on our hearts that might help your church serve where you are. It is our desire to do whatever we can to be a blessing and glorify God. Contact me at jmhatcher@aol.com if you would like for us to come to your church.
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers.
Your team members,
John and Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
S’more Time to Share the Gospel!
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
October 10, 2019
Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,
We hope that this letter finds you enjoying the Lord’s presence and looking on the fields that are ripe for the harvest. Along the roads in Indiana yesterday I noticed many farmers gathering the harvest. This certainly reminds us of the Lord’s admonition that fields are ready for harvest.
It is cooler in France as well as in the USA, a good time to have one of the young peoples’ favorite activities for youth night…roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for “smores”. I am including a picture Amanda sent me of this part of the youth meeting this past Saturday. The youth meetings have been an excellent means to share the gospel. The believing young people have brought dozens of friends. Some of those who have come in recent years are now off to college. Pray for God to bring spiritual thirst and salvation to those who have not yet trusted Him. Pray also for those who are believers and now in University settings that the Lord would guide them and use them as His light in their new situations.
Roasting smores at a youth meeting in France
Judy and I have been volunteering in an excellent missionary outreach to children in the Evansville Public Schools. Cheryl Simmons, a lady who was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church when I served as pastor before going to France, is the director of this ministry. Steve, her husband, who came to the Lord during our ministry at Emmanuel moves and sets up trailers near each of the 23 elementary schools in Evansville. One day per week the third and fourth graders in each school who have their parents’ permission are released to go to these trailers to be taught Bible lessons. A number of volunteers serve as teachers and assistants in this great Bible ministry to children. Each year a number of these children trust Christ.
Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.
Your fellow servants,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Opportunities Arise as You Walk with Jesus
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
September 3, 2019
Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,
I am sitting in the glider on David and Dulce’s porch listening to the cicadas. God’s wonderful creation even in its suffering state is absolutely amazing. Judy and I had the enjoyment of time with our grandchildren while David and Dulce celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. We were able to come to Chicago to spend time with our children and grandchildren because Peggy, Judy’s sister is doing much better. Thank each of you for your prayers on her behalf.
In Evansville, Indiana, this past month we also spent time with Philip, Amanda and our granddaughters from France. Our oldest grandchild, Abigail, began her first year studying to be a Physical Therapist. We will certainly miss her as a missionary in France, but God continues to guide her as He does each of us giving her the privilege of being His light at the University of Evansville. Philip and the rest of his family are now back in France.
David & Dulce with their family
John & Judy with some of their grandchildren in Chicago
Sometimes an opportunity to share the light of Jesus comes when we least expect it. The following incident that took place this Spring near our home in Tournefeuille is an example. Judy and I were on our daily trek when we came alongside a young lady who was walking her dog of a rare breed. We commented on the beauty of her dog and ask her about its breed. She mentioned that she had seen us out trekking before. This led to a conversation about where we were from and her volunteering that she had been to New York and was impressed by the multi course meal that she ate there. I was impressed, considering the fact that meals in France usually have many more courses than American meals.
Her features led me to ask if she was of Italian descent. You know, New York, big meals… She then said that she was Jewish and was in New York visiting distant relatives at the time of a religious holiday. This led to discussion of Judaism. She told us that her family was non-practicing but that her mother named her Elliana because God answered her prayer to have a child. This led to a brief discussion of the beauty of her name and the God who loves. It also stirred my heart to prayed repeatedly about our next contact with this young lady and that she would come to trust Christ.
While in the US, Judy and I trek in parks. As we cross people or walk along beside them great opportunities arise. We have had the opportunity to witness, to fellowship with believers, hear the testimonies of others. God is always at work.
So, let us all walk with Jesus this month… and the next … and the next.
Your fellows on this journey,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Church Camp, Fellowship, and Encouraging Disciples in France
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 10, 2019
Dear Brother and Sisters,
We thank God for each of you who have been used by God to help and encourage us. In the middle of July Judy and I were able to be with East Keys Baptist Church in Springfield, IL. It is always a blessing to be with Dan and Marsha Hillard. Judy especially enjoyed Marsha’s enthusiasm in her service to the Lord. I have also known the Hicks family since a child, and it is always a blessing to be with them again. The entire church is always very welcoming, and we thank them for the fine reception they gave to us.
Church camp!
A week later we had a wonderful time with the Foster family at their reunion. Peggy, Judy and I were able to visit with members of their paternal and maternal families. On Sunday we were blessed in the services of First Baptist Church of Lloyd, KY where Russ Foster, a cousin, is pastor. I was encouraged by their desire to reach out to untouched families in their community. The next day the girls dropped me off at youth camp sponsored by the Addyston Baptist Church which included participants from Hope Baptist, Fairfield, OH; Bible Baptist, North Vernon, IN; Dearborn Baptist, Aurora, IN; Emmanuel Baptist, Bellbrook, OH; Trinity-Northbrook Baptist, Cincinnati, OH and Doorway Baptist, Charleston, SC.
Church camp
I enjoyed speaking to the campers and counselors and the great time of fellowship with David Pitman and Philip DuBarry, their families; Alicia and other members of my paternal family and many wonderful friends in Christ. I met several brothers and sisters in Christ that I did not know previously. I enjoyed the lessons by Pastor Pitman, Philip DuBarry and Russel as well as the message by Steve Hall. It was a blessing to see the joy of those who received Christ while there and the way the Lord was at work in many. I am including pictures of the participants and counselors. Thanks so much Deborah Hall for passing along the great pictures. Thanks, Addyston Baptist, and especially the ladies for your generous gifts.
We are glad to be able to be it regular contact with believers in France and to be able to have Bible studies and encourage disciples through internet communication. There, as well as here, some are touched by death, others by illness and other challenges of our world that is groaning in travail waiting to be delivered. However, the light of Jesus dissipates the darkness and we enjoy hearing testimonies about how God is at work.
May the light of Jesus shine through each of us.
Your brother and sister,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Wherever We are is No Surprise to God
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
July 9, 2019
Dear Brother and Sisters,
It is a joy to know that our Saviour will never leave us nor forsake. His presence has been evident to us this month and I hope the same is true in your life. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us and Judy’s sister, Peggy. Some of the difficult symptoms she had when we arrived have improved. There have been a battery of doctor appointments and we have been glad to be here to get her to these. We are now awaiting answers on options for treatments in University Medical Research Centers.
I had the privilege of being with Paul and Wanda and our father, John A. Hatcher, last week in Florida. They are all moving back to Manaus, Brazil, today. Your prayers for them as they seek to minister would be greatly appreciated. During my time with them in Central Florida we had great fellowship.
The Lord has opened up doors to visit and speak in supporting churches and I am enjoying these opportunities and times of fellowship. If you are interested in us coming to share what God is doing in France or to minister to your church in any way, it would be delighted. Contact us through the email listed above.
Peggy has a couple of Bible studies that meet in her home and we have enjoyed participating in these. News from France is good and the brothers and sisters in Christ show great concern for Judy’s sister. With long distance communication today, it is possible for us to continue part of our ministry.
But, wherever we are is no surprise to God and He brings across our paths those who need to know Christ or believers who need to be encouraged and are and encouragement to us. Judy and I like to do Nordic Trekking for exercise. Since we do this on neighborhood streets and in public parks it, opens up many doors of contact. It is a bit unusual to see trekkers around this part of the country so people stop and ask us about it and one thing leads to another and Jesus shows up on the scene!
May God bless you and use you as His light where you live!
Thankfully yours,
John and Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
There are Always Ups and Downs
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 11, 2019
Dear Brother and Sisters,
Last month I wrote, “There are always ups and downs. Sometimes what seems to be a down becomes an up.” At the time I certainly did not think that I would be writing the present letter from Evansville, IN. Many of you know Judy’s only sister and that she has been dealing with cancer the last few years. At the end of May, Judy and I decided that the Lord wanted us to come to Evansville to help Peggy because of the illness related circumstances that she was facing. The encouragement of the believers in our congregation in Tournefeuille helped us much in the decision process. They have really stepped up to the plate. We have now been here for two weeks and thank God for the opportunity that we have had to be of assistance to Peggy.
A blessing that came along with our trip to the US was getting to see my sister and dear brother-in-law, Kathy and Odali Barros. Though I had seen Kathy not long ago, it had been nearly 10 years since I had seen Odali. They are in the US for a short time and will be returning to Amazonas next week. What a blessing to spend a couple of days with these members of our family this week.
We are not sure exactly what the next few weeks hold for us. I would be glad to set a tentative date to come to your church to tell what God is doing in France and minister to the folks in your congregation. You can communicate with us using the email address above. If you include your phone number I can call you to finalize plans.
Thanks for your prayers and continual support.
Yours in Christ,
John and Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
New Neighbor, Youth Meetings, & More
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
May 10, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I just finished reading the letters written by the missionary wives and thoroughly enjoyed them. Maybe the ladies should write our letters more often!
Yesterday, I was enjoying a great “down home” lunch of butter beans and corn bread and my thoughts turned to the excited way God has touched my life. Here I was eating a good old Kentucky meal, a reflection of my parents’ and wife’s roots and I began thinking of just how multicultural our weekly ministry is. Already this week we have had several Bible studies and prayer meetings in French, English and Portuguese. People in these meetings were from France, England, New Zealand, Brazil, Portugal, Central Africa, Germany, Switzerland, America and Algeria. All of that in just five days… Sunday through Thursday. The week is not yet over. Tomorrow we have a full day of cleaning house for church, counseling and Youth Meeting.
We love it!
There are always ups and downs. Sometimes what seems to be a down becomes an up. I will just give you a little illustration of something that happened a couple weeks ago. Judy and I returned from a visit and shopping and I could not locate the keys to get in the house. Having looked every in and out of the car and trying to contain my frustration, I decided that I might as well break in the house. As I was in the process of doing this, a lady walks up to our open front gate and says, “I live next door and I have been wanting to meet you. What are you doing?” I sheepishly explained the situation. She then looked down just under the front wheel of the car, picked up a set of keys and asked, “Are these what you are looking for?” We then spent a few minutes getting acquainted with this new neighbor who mentioned that one of the reasons she had anticipated moving in next door to us was that a person who used to live on the next street over told her how friendly we were and what great music came from our house.
We had been praying to meet these new neighbors, but our plan had fallen through. Judy usually makes “from scratch muffins with hand-picked blue berries” for new neighbors to break the ice. Just a week or so before she had mixed a batch, but for some reason (first time ever) when they came out of the oven, they were a flop. All along God had a plan and a way of saying, “I hear your prayers and I love you and your neighbors.”
We continue to be very encouraged by the commitment of members of the church. Tomorrow is youth meeting to be held and Philip and Amanda’s home. We usually alternate between our homes hosting these youth activities. Having 25 or so teenagers in your home for a meal, interactive games and Bible study requires a bit of work…before and after. One of our families asked if they could host the next one. Tomorrow, this same family is having the whole church and friends brought by members to their home after the morning service for a “potluck lunch” and viewing of the film, “A Case for Christ”, by Lee Strobel.
We hope this little tidbit of what God is doing in our corner will encourage each of you, our partners.
Rejoicing in France,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
My “Raison D’être”
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 12, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Fussy babies, worried moms, scared friends, those with an uncertain future, those who are clueless to their need of a Savior, Bible studies with young Christians who eagerly desire to live for Christ, youth launching out into a future they hope is bright, empty nesters who, all of a sudden, wake up to realize that their home is void of what gave them purpose, children with minds waiting to soak up the teachings of the Bible, those who retire and wonder “now what?” Does this sound like the world that surrounds you? It’s the world that surrounds me!
My “raison d’être” is to share Christ in the place he has placed me, but how does that work out in my daily life, how do I prioritize, how do I keep my eyes on the goal? GOOD QUESTION!
First, by fixing my eyes on Jesus. How much does He love me? What are His plans for me? How did He interact with those around Him? What did He do when…?
As James 1:5 says, “…ask for wisdom…” Seeking God’s leading is first and foremost. Daily communication with the Father through prayer and Bible reading is necessary for my personal well-being and for being able to give wise counsel and how to share Him with people who don’t even consider that they have a need of Him.
Often “getting into people’s lives” requires making muffins, offer of babysitting, a dinner invitation, picking up mail, invitation to a church event, with the prayer of being ready to give an answer to the hope that I have. Often we stand in amazement when we are asked a question, seemingly coming from nowhere, yet knowing it is God as He does go before us. Oh how we rejoice as we see God open doors that normally would be nailed shut!
Again, you may say, “Hum your life is not much different from mine.” Yes! One difference is God has placed me here and you there for the same purpose, that His Good News of Salvation would be heard.
And, I can only be here because of your love for the Gospel and your generosity toward us. Thank you!!!! May God bless us all as we labor, each in our corner of the world.
With love from France,
Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
