First Teenager Helped by A&O Home Shares Testimony with Ubim Kids & Church
July 17, 2024
Dear brothers and sisters,
Time is flying so fast it’s hard to believe it is July already. We hope and pray that each church and all our friends who pray and support us are doing well. We are doing great and are being blessed by our Lord with His wisdom in our life.
We have gone back to helping one of the missions that was being taken care of by a group. The leader moved, but thank God, three of the ladies who helped with the teens and children are still helping! So, we go there to preach. They do a great job.
We were blessed this month with two visits. One was Debbie who used to go to the Alpha and Omega Home. She wanted to visit where we live and work now. She came with a friend and we had a great time. Also, the first teenager we helped when we started the home came with his family. He is now a lawyer and takes care of the music ministry in Garça. We have had a fantastic time. He gave his testimony at the church about how God changed his life from a drug kid to serving God. We were glad he gave his testimony because there are lots of drugs in the communities where we work. For those of you who help in this ministry, that is a blessing for you also.
Sunday for lunch, we had a get together with several people who had been to Alpha and Omega and some other friends. We had 30 here. What a wonderful, blessed time of fellowship.
Love in Christ,
Odali and Kathy Barros
Love in Christ,
Odali and Kathy Barros
Contact Info:
Odali & Kathy Barros
Iranduba, Amazonas
Brasil, SA
odali_kathy@hotmail.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.
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Disciples Making Disciples in France!
July 15, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers. Judy and I hope that your summer is going well. Shortly after I wrote the last letter, two of our Bible study groups met together for a picnic at a park that is home to many unusual birds. It is interesting to see this delightful part of God’s creation.
Even more delightful is a conversation that I had during this picnic with a young lady. She is the granddaughter of Marinette, the oldest participant in the Group that meets at Mazere. The granddaughter is in her early twenties and it had been a dozen or so years since we had last seen her. She was very interested in the fact that I had been a biology and chemistry teacher. She informed me that she used to be an atheist but now believed in a God that she described as “unknown”. This opened an excellent opportunity to discuss the one “I Am” God who is Spirit, but Who came to reveal Himself to us and save us.
Another blessing is the news shared by a young lady, Roxanne, who trusted the Lord and followed the Lord in baptism about a year ago. She is the only believer in her family. She faithfully participates in our church fellowship and has already read a good part of the Bible. She meets with two other young ladies, our granddaughters, for Bible studies on a regular basis. They are all college students. A couple of weeks ago, Roxanne, shared the blessing that she had just started having Bible studies with two of her friends who were interested in knowing about her faith. They are studying through the book of Romans. Disciples making disciples just as Jesus commanded.
It delights us to see our Savior at work in those who participate in church and Bible studies as well as stirring the hearts of those who are lost and drawing them to Himself.
Your fellow servants in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
2 T Impasse de la Picardie
31830 Plaisance du Touch
France
JMHatcher@aol.com
Present USA phone 1-812-416-1033
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.
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Encouraging Brazilian Pastors, Evangelizing Students, & Youth Camp
July 15, 2024
Family News
Everyone successfully completed their school year and was promoted to the next grade. Sarah graduated from high school and two weeks later was accepted into ESPM, a Brazilian university. She plans to study communications and publicity. I (Judson) celebrated my birthday with dengue fever. The fever lasted for almost a month. Thankfully, the cold sweats, brain fog, and constant itching are over! Raquel is in excellent health and is actively engaged in serving others.
Evangelism, Five Decisions at Camp, and Ministry At Large.
The soccer school allows us to evangelize students every week and build bridges with the parents. Our teams participated in a one-day tournament, winning half of the matches against other teams.
Through Rede Convivencia (Togetherness Network), under the leadership of Pastor Eliezer, we had a youth camp with 40 students, which rendered five salvation decisions. Benjamin (my son) traveled 6 hours to join the camp and also made important decisions during the camp.
Last week, I visited several pastors and their families in our Rede Convivencia. We made stops in São Paulo state in Pompeia, Marilia, Vera Cruz, Alvaro de Carvalho, Fernão. In Paraná state, we visited pastors in Cornélio Procópio, Assaí, and Urai. Pastor Elieser joined me on this journey to minister to pastors and their families.
The one-year-old church plant in Marilia, which meets in Américo and Paula Pinotti’s garage, celebrated three baptisms and their first Lord’s supper last week. Américo was mentored by Pastor Gilberto Steffano during his formative years. Recently, Américo requested my mentorship for pastoral ordination and guidance in organizing the new work.
Pastor Raimundo Pinto, the lead pastor for the church plant in Aracajú (Northeastern Brazil), inaugurates the new building at the beginning of August.
Our student ministry evangelism gathering drew several new students and made new connections. We played volleyball, indoor soccer, and foot-volleyball.
Foster Care
Raquel actively works in recruiting, training, equipping, and networking couples and families to serve as foster care parents to attend to the immense need of at-risk children in São Paulo city. She is a strong advocate and voice in one of the world’s largest metropolises – São Paulo city is still learning what foster care means and how it benefits children and society. The court system recently inspected Raquel’s foster care intake facilities and received high marks from the city officials. We are grateful to Jason and Nikki Estes for their encouragement, mobilization, and partnership in significantly impacting the lives of precious children in foster care.
Prayer Requests
1) The purchase of a car.
2) Finances for Sarah’s first year in a Brazilian university.
3) The new school year is starting soon for Laura (12th), Benjamin (10th), and Melissa (7th).
4) Family health.
5) Evangelism and church growth
6) Judson’s doctoral studies and dissertation on pastoral succession in Brazilian churches.
Grateful always,
Judson and Raquel Hatcher
Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522
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.
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Praying for Graduated Students
July 10, 2024
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
We graduated some beloved students this past week. It was a crazy, hectic week that left me running around like a chicken with my head cut off, not to mention that I had to take Julie to the airport and was thus left alone with Chloe (more on this later). But graduation is so much more than just walking down the aisle in fancy regalia and receiving a diploma…and much more than the week leading up to it…and much more than the big celebrations following it. No, graduation is the culmination of years of Biblical, theological, and practical study and work put in by both student and teacher. It is so awesome to see the change in students from when they arrive to when they graduate, and they all change so much. They don’t leave perfect, but I pray they leave better. They still don’t know everything (neither do I), they still aren’t the best preachers (neither am I, and most are better than me), they still make mistakes (so do I), and they still have a long way to go (and, yes, so do I). It is very satisfying to see their growth and to know how appreciative they all are when they leave for what they have learned. For me, I have only one goal for these students. OK, it’s one goal that leads to one result (is that really two goals?). I want them to know and love Jesus more, and as a result that they might minister the gospel better to believers and unbelievers. My goal for them is not more Biblical knowledge (although I do want this for them and they do get it), nor is it better theological understanding (although I also desire this for them and they do get it), nor is it more education (and, yes, they obviously leave with that). No, my goal is that they know and love Jesus better and can minister the gospel to people better because of it. I remind my students of that goal in every class whether it is hermeneutics, basic theology, or financial management. And now this graduating class is moving on to other things and my prayer remains the same: Lord, make them better ministers of Jesus, for the glory of Your name and for the good of Your people. I am sad to see this class go because I will miss spending time with them, but I am happy that better ministers of Jesus have graduated. I ask youto pray for these beloved students by name: Simon Wakaba, Stephen Kamau, Rachel Gatobu, John Victor Okawa, Kanaiyo Arem, Yoyce Wangari, Margaret Ngeiryo, John Gitonga, Gideon Kithuka, Augustus Mwanthi, Asifiwe Precieux, Jiresse Kabala, Rachael Mbithe, Steven Kasereka, David Mundeke, Christine Njoki, Joshua Mutuku, Joel Mwongela, Winrose Echelel, Samuel Mwangi, David Ndungu, Robert Amisi, and Abednego Muluki.
Julie is in the States for a month visiting our children and parents. Oh, no, what am I going to do without her? Chloe and I are left here alone in her absence. I’m sure Chloe will be getting very tired of me very soon. Every day she asks me, “Is mommy coming home tomorrow?” I keep telling her, “No, it’s going to feel like a very long time and then, all of a sudden, she’ll be back.” You all can pray for Chloe and me as we face the long month together and you can pray for Julie as she faces the rigors and strangeness (yes, after being away for sixteen years it can feel strange to us now) of the United States without us.
You know, after reading back through this newsletter, I realize I am the King of Parentheses (something should go here but I cannot think of what).
Blessings to all,
Roger, Julie, & Chloe
CONTACT INFO
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.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.
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Bluegrass Baptist Seminary Prepares for Graduation
July 5, 2024
Dear friends and family,
As we here in the USA are getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July, Barbara and I are making our final plans and travel arrangements for the First Pastoral Graduation. This graduation will have 11 Pastors receiving their Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries. This is such an accomplishment! These Pastors have been in class since before the Covid pandemic, which is the reason for the delay in this graduation. The first master’s class graduation was this past year and it was for the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. In this graduation we had many church leaders and others who just wanted to extend their personal Bible knowledge, AWESOME!!!
These Pastors who will be graduating in July have had additional classes they were required to take for the Pastoral Ministries Degree, those being: thesis writing, Greek and Hebrew, and the completion of their chosen thesis. I send a hearty congratulations to them and thanks to all who helped sponsor, and for the many prayers sent up for this ministry. AWESOME is the God we serve!!!
I am trying to keep this letter short because the next one will be filled with pictures of this labor of love and the Pastors who have stuck to the plan. Bluegrass Baptist Seminary has many things planned for the rest of this year and the next! So as you go to your prayer closet, remember us in your prayers—the students, the professors, the translators, the volunteers, the facilitators, BFM, the many supporters of BFM, the AWESOME God and prayer warriors who make all this happen.
Barb and ask for prayers as we go. There will be many challenges on this trip. Also pray for our health as we are no longer in the spring of our youth. Pray for connections as we travel over the country of Brazil. There is one more request regarding our travel: we have just been informed that there will be a change in the cost of additional baggage. It has always been $100.00 for each additional suitcase but now they will be charging $400.00. And if you know how Barbara packs, you can just imagine that she has three we will be needing to carry and pay for—things the churches need, Seminary needs, and personal requests from Pastors and our family. This will add a great cost for this trip, but we know that God is in control.
Thank you in advance for the prayers.
In His service,
AJ and Barbara
CONTACT INFO
AJ & Barbara Hensley
30524 Mimi St
Sebring, FL 33870-0530
AJ: 859-539-2302 | Barbara: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@gmail.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.
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Julio Boldly Shares the Gospel with Teens
July 2, 2024
Dear Friends,
Julio is one of our missionary volunteers who travels with Projeto Vida, our evangelistic travel team. Julio is a quiet man, usually not speaking unless spoken to. This changes, though, when he gets a chance to talk about Jesus. Recently, after our drama team performed some gospel skits in a public school, Julio was talking one-on-one with a teenaged boy. In just a few seconds, a whole group of the boy’s friends circled around to listen to what they were talking about. Julio saw the opportunity and sensed that the Lord was leading him to share with them all what Christ had done for them. He presented the gospel clearly and persuasively for several minutes. When he finished, he asked the whole group if any of them was willing to surrender their life to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Fourteen teenagers’ hand shot up and they each confessed Christ as Lord right there in the school gymnasium! I am so thankful to have a part in Projeto Vida’s ministry and for young men like Julio for the boldness and spiritual insight to follow the Lord’s leading in presenting the gospel.
Pastor Cledson continues to lead the church in Curitiba in growth and outreach ministries. He has shown tremendous wisdom and awareness of God’s leading through some tough trials. There was an influential young man in his church who attempted to lead several other youth in an erroneous direction doctrinally, but Pastor Cledson was able to exhort the youth group as a whole using the Scriptures to show the fallacy the young man was trying to spread. The young man refused to repent of his error, but thankfully, the error was stopped from spreading on to the group through Cledson’s mature handling of the situation.
Yago and Manoela are still ministering faithfully in Portugal. Manoela still hasn’t received notice about her permanent visa, but they have Bible studies weekly with several believers and share the love of Christ through their daily contacts with the Portuguese people.
Charlene and I will be heading to Brazil in a couple of weeks to minister alongside Projeto Vida with a group of youth and their leaders from Virginia, USA. A couple of our old friends from Brazil, Rodrigo and Carol, have been teaching these young people some pantomime skits that we use in our public-school presentations. They have been practicing for several weeks and, when they arrive in Brazil, they will have the chance to perform these skits before the student body in several schools. Charlene and I will serve as translators, among several other functions, for this fine group. We ask that you pray the Lord will open hearts to turn to Christ.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Currently Stateside on Furlough from Brazil
Phone: (813) 501-9328
E-mail: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.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
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News & Reports – July 2024
The Online Edition of the July 2024 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/letter on our website.
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Students Knowing, Loving, & Following Jesus
June 14, 2024
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ,
I was reading over my newsletter from last month entitled “Is this Place Cursed?” I hope I did not come across too pessimistically because this place is definitely NOT cursed. Yes, I have come to the conclusion that it is a much more dangerous place to live than what I am used to in the United States. There are more natural disasters, the roads are much more dangerous, we face drought and floods, and even the smallest insects seem to be much more deadly. But God loves this place and God loves the people and we want to see them all knowing, loving, and following Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And, praise be to God, many of them ARE knowing, loving, and following Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And, praise be to God, some of them I get to work with and teach on a daily basis and get to see their growth and progress in the Kingdom of Christ.
Case in point: I am currently teaching our first-year students in a class called Basic Theology (Part 2). These are mostly young and inexperienced students desiring to enter the ministry and serve the Lord in the expansion of His kingdom (make sure to read “inexperienced” and not “stupid” because they are all, in fact, very bright and intelligent). We were talking about Salvation (Soteriology), and I wanted them to be aware that historically and also in the modern Christian world there are often vast differences in the way Christians have taught about Salvation – from Calvinism to Arminianism, from God choosing to man choosing, from sovereignty to free will, from determinism to Open Theism. My goal was to make sure they understood some of these differences, to look at the Scriptures to try and determine the answers, and to critically think about what God has revealed to us in His Word. The debates in this arena of theology have been hot for centuries and I wished them to be aware of the concepts, the terminology, and the approaches. It was a difficult conversation for many of them as they were not all aware of the differences or the terminology. Some of them struggled because they had never heard there was “another viewpoint” than the one they had always been taught and they were seeing things in the Scriptures that they were having to wrestle with. I wasn’t purposefully trying to confuse anyone, but it is good for future pastors and church leaders to be familiar with these concepts, and to be able to critically think about the Scripture’s teaching so that they are not swayed by every “wind of doctrine” that comes along. After long discussions I wanted to bring them back around to the Biblical teaching that salvation is by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Christ alone (solus Christus), to the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). One of my students, named Reuben, gave an illustration that showed confusion in some areas but great understanding in the important areas. He said: “Mwalimu (teacher), when the thief on the cross next to Jesus died and then appeared before the gates of heaven, they probably asked him, ‘Are you a Calvinist or an Arminian? How did you get here?’ The thief probably looked around and said, ‘I don’t know who Calvin is, and I don’t know anything about Arminianism, but I asked that guy on the middle cross to remember me and he told me that I would be with him in paradise. I’m with that guy on the middle cross.’” OK, there may not be perfect theology in Reuben’s illustration, but I agree with Reuben, I’m with that guy on the middle cross. Lord, bless these beloved students, followers of Jesus, and future church leaders and pastors. Help them above all things to cling to the man on the middle cross and to lead all the Kenyan people to cling to that man on the middle cross.
Another case in point: I also serve as the finance manager of the college. In that role I deal daily with the struggles and challenges of students to find the necessary money to pay their school fees. Paying school fees is probably the biggest challenge my beloved students face. We have policies in place at the school, but I have to be as gracious and merciful as I can be to my financially struggling students. I would rather be gracious and give them extensions than to lose a future church leader because he cannot pay his school fees and complete his Biblical education. I was working with one particular student over the span of a couple of weeks, her name is Faith, that was facing great challenges in paying her fees. In the end, I helped her complete her fees by paying the balance of 4000 shillings. This is only $31, but she was overjoyed. Like as if I was a king of old and in her tears of joy, she prayed that the Lord would bless me with long life, with peace and happiness, and with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lord, in return, would you bless Faith with the necessary funds for her school fees and may she all of her life direct and bring her Kenyan people to King Jesus.
Blessings to all,
Roger, Julie, & Chloe
CONTACT INFO
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.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.
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