Missionary Update: AJ & Barbara Hensley in Brazil [May 2015]
The Hensleys have spent nearly 15 years serving in Brazil. They run a vocational school and orphanage in Caraguatatuba and have also established a church and mission points throughout the city.
May 9, 2015
Friends and family,
It has been good visiting Churches and meeting new friends. We have been in Western Ky. with Pastor Foy and in the Perryville Baptist Church where we met new friends. We met with Pastor Dan Russell and the seniors at Immanuel Baptist Church and were able to tell them about Gods work here in Brasil. We also were at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, this is where Barb’s mom is a member, and they gave a generous offering to buy more chairs for our mission Church. Thanks to them and First Baptist Church in Bastrop, Texas who also gave for the chairs, we will be able to purchase more than anticipated. It is good to have these kinds of problems–not having enough chairs for the people to sit.
On our return to Brasil, my car was a little sick. It did not want to start, oh well you know, a new battery. We then proceeded to go to the mall to pay some bills and after taking care of business, we returned to the car. Guess what, the car would not start. So the battery was not the problem. After an hour of trying to start the car, raising the hood and looking (oh by the way, that also did not help), I called a tow truck. Three days later the mechanic called and said that my car was ready. It was an electric problem, about the size of your thumb.
This would not have been to big of a problem except that Barbara’s car was also in the shop and had been for about 6 weeks. Oh well–all’s well that ends well. We got both cars back the same day. God is good—and all the time. Or as I say AWESOME!!!
While we were home we were able to remodel Barb’s mom, Mrs. Reba’s, bathroom and bedroom. This was accomplished with the help of my brother Ralph from Paris and John Greatbatch and Barb. A real family effort. THANKS friends and family.
While we were in the States our Sunday School almost doubled. Another reason why we are in need of chairs and tables. As you know, we feed the children on Sunday mornings and some of those children do not have a place to sit. I am not complaining just relaying the AWESOME blessing.
We were in Garca, Sao Paulo, two weeks ago with the Seminary and after the classes we were able to attend a pastor’s conference there. There were around 500 pastors in attendance. It was very encouraging to see so many people interested in God’s Word. We were able to tell them about our seminary, Caragua Baptist Seminary, and created a great deal of interest among those 500. Hopefully next semester some of them will attend there in Garca. This semester we had 15 students in attendance. We were planning to have classes in three different locations; however, things changed due to circumstances. You guessed it, car problems. We were in two cars because of all the luggage we had due to two weeks on the road. Also we had books for the three classes, about 125 books. We were using two cars, mine and a rental. As we were leaving Garca the rental car overheated. Cracked radiator. It was just a pin hole but it rendered the car unusable. You would think —rental car -no problems—but these things happen. We lost over a day and this caused us to not have enough time for our Sao Paulo classes. We had to reschedule these for August or September. Then we moved on to Orlandia where we had 43 students. It was a great class and good fellowship. Our thanks to Dr. Edge from 1st Baptist Church in Bastrop Texas for the wonderful instruction on the Old Testament Survey.
In closing we are asking for the prayer warriors to put our prayer requests on your daily prayer list. Sunday School, cars, church growth, seminary, and music leaders in the Church. And oh! by the way, my car tires have no more treed, so I guess I need new tires. Pray for our needs and the wonderful people we encounter here in Brasil.
In His Service,
Aj and Barbara Hensley
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [May 2015]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
May 08, 2015
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful for God’s goodness and grace this new month. Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He supplies our every need and much more; and we are so grateful to our God.
The first weeks of April, Wanda, Willa and I were in Manaus. It was great to see all our friends and co-workers. It was also a time of rejoicing and celebration of all that God has done and is doing in the gospel ministry in Brazil. Forty years have gone by quite rapidly, that is how long we have been serving in Brazil through the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Our ministry as senior pastor has been to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ, baptize, teach them the teaching of Christ, train and equip the saints. The church has prayed and sent many to the mission fields to reach people with the gospel and start churches. I terminated my service as senior pastor; and the church unanimously called a new pastor, Pastor Michael Samples, who had served as coordinator of our training program for eight years. The church continues to grow and be enthused regarding the spread of the gospel to all Brazil.
We continue to serve out of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, our sending church to continue to do missions in Brazil. I am so grateful for all God’s blessings and grace. In God’s plan some give, some plow, others sow and others reap – it is always God that gives the increase. The results sometimes are visible and we rejoice in the Lord; and we are glad because you are partakers also with us. The increase God is giving will be motive for much rejoicing in eternity to come.
I want to personally thank those of you who support the ministry with your prayers and your financial generosity. Those who hear the gospel are also eternally grateful that you prayed and that you gave.
Wanda and I are currently in Florida, caring for senior missionaries – my dad and mom, John and Alta Hatcher who served 60 years in Brazil and my mother-in-law, Willa, the widow of Wilford McGary, missionary to Appalachia for 35 years. All of them will celebrate or have celebrated their ninetieth birthday this year. Wanda and I consider it a privilege and joy to be with them and care for them. The 30th of April we celebrated Dad’s 90th birthday in Lexington, the day after the Baptist Faith Missions conference. It was good to be with the family for this wonderful occasion. Certainly God is gracious beyond measure.
The Annual Baptist Faith Missions Spring Conference was a great encouragement. The encouragement from the word of God was great. “To Know Christ – And To Make Christ Known!” was the theme. I always enjoy seeing supporting pastors and friends and fellow missionaries serving on the field. Thanks to Pastor Dave Parks and the Thompson Road Baptist Church for your hospitality and love. You are great hosts; may God richly reward you.
We pray for you that your knowledge and remembrance of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that your trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action, with thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.
Love, Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
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Missionary Update: Odali & Kathy Barros in Brazil [May 2015]
Odali and Kathy Barros served the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil together from 1987-2013. In late 2013, they transitioned to Manaus in Northern Brazil to start sharing the Gospel and planting churches in villages along the river.
May 8, 2015
Greetings, to all our friends that are great prayer partners and supporters. We pray that all of you are well and enjoying the blessings from our Lord. We are all doing great. Things have been a little different this last month while Kathy is in the US visiting her parents and also seeing our children.
Things here are doing well. This month I will become the pastor of the Living Rocks Baptist Church, where have been attending. It is 20 miles after you cross the river from Manaus. The bridge that we cross to go to Manaus is almost 2 miles long. The view is beautiful. Since the bridge was built, it has made life much easier for those who live on the other side. Before I was married and worked with Paul Hatcher at Tabernacle Baptist Church, I went across the river almost every day. It sure took a lot longer to get across besides all the waiting time for the barges. So praise God for this wonderful bridge! Also they have more roads that take us places that you could only go by boat a few years ago. On these roads there are many small dirt roads that end up in small communities. There are many of them. These are the places that we are visiting to see which ones might have a Baptist work. Pray for us as we reach out to these places and that God will open homes where we can start.
The bridge leading to Manaus.
Kathy told me about the conference and how great it was. She was really excited and rejoicing in how every one was enthused about missions and just having wonderful fellowship. We praise God for that and pray that our love will grow more and more each day. Sounds like Kathy is having a great time with family and friends.
We have had several friends that came to see us here at our place. Friends that we have known since we were single and then worked with some of them when we were all young married couples. Some have just found out that we are back in the Manaus area. It has been great to see them again and have fellowship with them.
Pray for us as we take on the leadership of this church. Many of the members have not been involved in any kind of ministry before. We want to teach them the importance of serving in the church and help them find an area that they can serve.
Thanks for you love and support! God bless each of you.
Odali and Kathy
Odali & Kathy Barros
Caixa Postal 1
Iranduba, Amazonas 69.415.000
Brasil, S.A.
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher in Brazil [April 2015]
Jud and Raquel Hatcher serve the Lord in Manaus, Brazil. They are part of the “SeedFactory” church planting initiative, which is a movement to plant churches in all 26 Brazilian capitals. Since 2006, 43 churches have been started in 5 states.
Dear friends,
Preaching at the State House of Representatives
I had the privilege of preaching twice at the Amazonas State House of Representatives. It is a rare opportunity to speak before these government officials and the Lord allowed me to speak two times just this year. The packed auditorium was full of energy and the Gospel. It is exciting to see how interested people were in listening to the plan of salvation.
Church Relocation
Five weeks ago the church plant moved from the restaurant to a private school. The new ministry location has a gym, a swimming pool (we now have a place for baptisms), an auditorium and air-conditioned classrooms. The church is riveting excitement. Every Sunday, we have first time visitors from the neighborhood. The Lord is moving mightily.
Church Ministries
We started a children’s club and a middle 
school ministry on Saturday mornings. The kids love every moment when we are together and cannot wait for the following Saturday to arrive. Two of them call me on the phone every week just to tell me they plan to bring a friend. We share a Gospel story, a memory verse, scripture songs, activities and a snack for the kids.
Pastoral and Ministry Leadership
The Lord is preparing our leadership team thru some incredible twist of events. Up until just recently, the church plant struggled with ministerial leadership. We now have a great praise team leader, a youth pastor-in-training and a new senior pastor (My family and I are leaving for the US in July).
Stateside Assignment
Beginning in July, our family plans to be in the States for a year and reside in Lexington, KY. Pray for us as we make schooling arrangements for Sarah, Laura, Benjamin and Melissa. We are also praying for a good vehicle to use while in the US. Thank you for praying for us. I’ve attached several pictures for you to see. If you are on Facebook, friend me by using my email address judsonhatcher@gmail.com or search for Judson Hatcher. I post my thoughts, news updates and pictures on a regular basis.
Baptist Pastors’ Network & “CELEBRAI”
Every month we have a Baptist Pastors’ Network fellowship. Last month we planned and organized a special service held at Tabernacle Baptist Church. We called it “Celebrai: Encontro de Igrejas Sementeiras” (Celebrate: A Gathering of Seed Factory Churches). It was a special service, as it was Dad’s (Paul Hatcher) last Sunday as senior pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Churches came from all over town and a few pastors flew in from out of state. The main auditorium was packed, as were the overflow auditoriums equipped with projection screens containing images from the service. Michael Samples was introduced as the new senior pastor. All churches present are daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter churches of Tabernacle Baptist Church under dad’s leadership as pastor.
Family
These last few months were tough. Our three-year-old daughter, Melissa, caught malaria. We suffered greatly as we saw her agony in pain, lose weight and cry in delirium. It was not a fun experience. We posted several updates and photos on Facebook and many of you prayed for her. THANK YOU! We truly are grateful for every word of encouragement and intercession. Truth is, all of us were sick during these last few weeks, but nothing compares to what Melissa endured. God always protects and gives grace to those in need. Lord knows we needed much.
We love you and are grateful for you. Thank you.
Jud Hatcher
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Missionary Update: Mike & Beverly Creiglow in Brazil [April 2015]
Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.
April 15, 2015
Dear Brethren,
First Baptist Church just sent out our newest missionary family. Idevaldo, Queila and their two little girls left for the city of Jordão on March 17. The town is just 8000 people of which half are Indians from three different tribes. Jordão is at the mouth of the Jordão River. The town actually sits on the banks of the Tarauacá River with the Jordão flowing in on the other side. The Tarauacá is a tributary of the Juruá River (our river) and flows into the Juruá hundreds of miles down stream from us. Just to remind you: The Juruá River is a tributary of the amazon. All this to say that Idevaldo and family are way back in the bush, almost on the Peruvian border.
It took several days to get their furniture and baggage there. The river is very small and shallow. Even though we are still in the rainy season, one day without rain that far up means that only small canoes can get through. They finally got everything there and moved into the house we rented for them. They have already had the first services and 9 people have been saved. We are the first and only Baptists in the whole region.
Unfortunately I was not able to go along to help them with their move. My son Andrew fell ill suddenly about 4 days before that trip. He went to the doctor on a Thursday, ran some tests on Friday and on Saturday he and I were in Manaus. Five doctors that we talked to here told us that he should get out of Cruzeiro do Sul and see a specialized surgeon in a big city as soon as possible. We had all the appointments set up to see the doctor in Manaus before we ever left home. We were able to get all the tests and reserve the surgical center for the same week.
The surgery was 3 hours and went well. The recovery started great, but then there was a complication. He was in grave danger for a period of over 60 hours. I did not sleep or eat during that time. Many hours of prayer. He was conscious most of the time, but came very close to death. The Lord spared him though. We are back home now and he is recovering nicely.
The first Sunday back in the pulpit was a great and humbling feeling. That was Easter Sunday. My message started with God’s explanation that the life is in the blood. Then we went through the last moments of the death of Christ in the 4 gospels. Then I shared the sensation I had as a father seeing the life drain out of my son. My son was spared though. God’s Son was not. Nobody will ever know or fully understand what that feels like. Andrew and I can appreciate it considerably more now. Five more people gave their lives to Christ that night. Many tears were shed as they understood at least a little of what our God did for us. I still can’t stop crying every time I remember. Continue to pray for us. I am still not over this ordeal, by any means. It will be a while.
Andrew’s treatment was all done through private medicine. He doesn’t have insurance, since it doesn’t work that well in this kind of economy. If he had gone through the government provided “health care”, he wouldn’t be with us today. Anyway, if you would like to help, please do. He has a wife and 4 children to support and this was a major hit financially. Just hospital and surgery were about $7,500.00.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: Mike & Beverly Creiglow in Brazil [March 2015]
Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.
March 11, 2015
Dear Brethren,
Two and a half months into 2015 and we have had only 4 days with no rain. Many of the river towns of our state have had the biggest floods in history. Thousands of families, not individuals, but families are out of their homes. Cruzeiro do Sul sits so high that we have not had as much trouble. It is wet beyond belief though. I can’t mow our grass. I had some papaya trees that were producing, but have died and papaya is tropical and likes water!
The rains haven’t hurt attendance that much though. At this point we are above last year’s averages. Thirty-five new members were added by baptism. This was our first baptism this year. We also held the Lord’s Supper for the first time. We have been praying and working diligently to get the church back in moral and spiritual shape to continue these important life activities. A few more have been saved and a few others added by letter. We still have a way to go to get back to normal, but by God’s grace we will get there.
Since I fired my maintenance man, I have been working long hours trying to get all of the neglected work and repairs caught up. Things are shaping up nicely. It has been a challenge though to keep up preparing quality sermons, daily meditation sheets for the church, preparing lessons for membership classes, counseling, visitation and lessons for seminary classes while hanging doors and mopping floors. This week the Lord made sure I took a day off to rest. I caught some kind of bug and was so sick for a while that I was balled up on the floor in the bathroom. That last sentence was probably more info than you really wanted.
Since we are into more detail than you want….A couple of weeks back I went to teach about security of the believer at one of our congregations way out in the bush. The congregation is past the church at Assis Brasil. After the asphalt ends I continued on a wet messy dirt road for a few more miles then turned right on an even narrower dirt road, then right again, narrower still. The congregation has over 60 members. After introducing the subject and reading the first 2 texts I became suddenly sick and had to excuse myself. I asked them to sing some songs. I rushed out into the bush to “recover”. This all took me by surprise as I had been feeling great. For perhaps the first time in my many years on the mission field I did not have a wad of TP in my hip pocket. Well after my “recovery” I went back in and finished my lesson as if nothing had happened. The folks were very gracious and acted like they didn’t even notice. This had never happened to me in 49 years of ministry. New experiences happen all the time in missions. Most are fun, others not so much.
Please pray for Brazil. You think the US is messed up? Take a look at Brazil. The socialist government of the past 12 years has managed to destroy all the gains made in the brief 8 year experiment with free markets that preceded the present administration. Besides the biggest corruption scandal in human history that is unfolding right now the country has been dragged relentlessly down the social reform path. Brazil is way “ahead” of the US on issues like abortion and gay marriage. Unrest is high and a potentially big nationwide protest is being planned for this coming Sunday. There are even many people calling for the return of the military regime! It’s bad.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [March 2015]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
March 05, 2015
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful for God’s goodness and grace this new month. Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He supplies our every need and much more and we are so grateful to our God.
Wanda’s mother, Mrs. Willa Mcgary came to live with us. She is the widow of pastor/missionary Wilford McGary, they were sent as missionaries to Kentucky’s Appalachia in the early 50’s and served there for thirty-five years. Well, on the forth of March Willa had her ninetieth birthday. Wanda planned a nice party and many of our old and new friends and brothers in Christ here in Florida came to rejoice with us. Willa and all who came enjoyed the food and fellowship. We are thankful for Mrs. Willa’s life of service to the Lord; and no doubt, one of her greatest joys and anticipations is the meeting of God’s children in church. We pray for God’s continual blessings on her life.
New mission starting in down town Manaus. Some years back we were able to purchase a vacant lot in the downtown area. Soon after, urban renewal took most of the land in the area – our lot not affected – and moved most of the people to other areas. Because of the uncertainty, we waited to see how the renewal would work out. Often, government projects in Brazil have a way of not getting finished, but this one was completed. The opportunity looks good and God has raised a team with a vision to reach the area. We are awaiting the building permit to get the construction underway. Pray for the permit and building to be finished as soon as possible; pray for the team, as they get started, to always have a heart to reach the lost and that the gospel seed will find fertile soil producing much fruit for the kingdom of heaven.
We pray for you that your remembrance and knowledge of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that your trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action, with thanksgiving to God though Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: Bobby & Charlene Wacaser in Brazil [March 2015]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
March 6, 2015
Dear Friends,
I got one of those horrible painful calls this week. My youngest sister called to tell me that my 80 year old mother has been diagnosed with Leukemia. She also said that it is in a very advanced stage and that she doesn’t have much time on earth. My mother knows Jesus and she is ready to go home to him, but I ask that you would pray for her to have the strength and grace to honor him in her final days in her pain and suffering. My dad has failing health also and the news about his bride of 64 years having a terminal illness has left him nearly without a will to live, himself. My wife, Charlene, and I will be taking a furlough to the US for some months to help my brothers and sisters out during this trying time for us all. All of our ministries here in Brazil are in the good hands of leaders and helpers we’ve prepared for just such a time as this.
Despite these weighty circumstances, we will continue our ministry partnerships with our Brazilian church, Projeto Vida and our young missionary to a Muslim country to the degree that it is possible. In fact, we have a group of 48 teenagers arriving in just a few hours to spend a week evangelizing in the local schools and public parks.
We will have the thrill of baptizing on this coming Sunday one of our first translator volunteers who recently surrendered his life to Christ. His name is Milton and he is 65 years old. When we met Milton 14 years ago he claimed to be an atheist. He loved to help us translate the gospel message every year when this group of youth comes, but just this winter, Milton sensed the Spirit of God speaking to him to repent and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He did that and now he wants to be baptized and let everyone know that he is now a follower of Christ. We are so thrilled and thankful to God for His mercy and persistence to extend salvation, even when we first reject His love. Milton is my new brother!
Before we leave Brazil next week, I am planning to seek out 3 of my close friends who have come to church on many occasions and, with whom I have shared the gospel several times, to seriously consider surrendering their lives to Christ. We never know how long we have in this world or what events may take place affecting future opportunities to share Christ’s message of salvation, so I don’t want to leave these friends without making an extra effort to persuade them to trust Christ. I pray that their hearts will be receptive to His grace.
Charlene and I are so thankful to all of you who pray for us faithfully and give so that we may serve the Lord through Baptist Faith Missions. We trust that He will bless you both now and eternally for your faithfulness.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
(813)481-7007
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
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