“…’Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’”  -Matthew 25:23

Harold Foley Bratcher, one of our beloved missionaries to Brazil, was promoted to Heaven on Friday afternoon, March 23, 2018.

Bro. Bratcher arrived in the Amazon Valley on July 15, 1959, to begin a 53-year love ministry with the people of Brazil. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 24, 1927. His dear wife of 53 years, Hattie Marie Moore Bratcher, was born in Richmond, Kentucky; they met while Harold was pastoring Newby Baptist Church, and were married on December 27, 1954. After 52 years of faithful service to Brazil, Marie peacefully entered into the joy of her Master on February 4, 2011.

The Lord blessed their union with three sons: Dr. Asa Mark Bratcher of Manaus, Brazil, missionary to Brazil for 35 years; Pastor Stephen M. Bratcher of Ocala, Florida; and Joel Bratcher, now residing in “Glory,” who at the age of 6, drowned in the Amazon River on August 17, 1971. His body is buried in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Manaus, Brazil, only a few feet from the grave of Missionary E.A. Nelson, “The Apostle of the Amazon,” where both “await the sounding of the trump” on Resurrection Morning.

During his 53 years in Brazil, Harold, with the help of his son Asa, organized over 20 Baptist churches and many other missions in the Amazon Valley. Together they have baptized thousands of Brazilian people.

A memorial service for Bro. Harold Bratcher will be held at Calvary Baptist Church (343 Big Hill Avenue, Richmond KY) on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 11:00 AM. The Bratchers invite all friends and family and all that have been blessed by this great man of God.

Click here to read a brief history of their ministry.

“Disse-lhe o seu senhor: Muito bem, servo bom e fiel; sobre o pouco foste fiel, sobre muito te colocarei; entra no gozo do teu senhor.”  –Mateus 25:23