Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [April 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 7, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Spring Conference hosted by Thompson Rd. Baptist Church starts 3 weeks from yesterday and we hope to see you there. It has been six years since we last participated in this conference in Lexington, KY. It is not possible for us to be away from Tournefeuille, France for lengthy periods of time, particularly during the school year, without adversely affecting the work here. We will be in the USA for just a few days to celebrate Dad’s 90th birthday and to attend the Spring Missionary Conference.
The main work here in Tournefeuille is going quite well. I am including some pictures taken during the song part of the service Sunday. We have had new visitors and promises from several others to come as well. The Lord has given us a number of good contacts lately and we are grateful for these opportunities to share the Good News.
At Pujaudran, our newest Bible study there have been new folks at each meeting and a great participation. The couple who host this Bible study came here in a job transfer and we met them shortly after they arrived. They were already believers and are great recruiters. Eva, the wife, was born in Malta to Polish parents. She grew up in Australia where she was taken to a Baptist Youth camp by a friend. She trusted the Lord and was baptized in a Baptist church. He grew up in a family of believers and trusted the Lord early in life. Their example underscores the importance of making disciples who are in love with the Lord and ready to communicate that love with others.
In Mazere, things are also going quite well. At our meeting last Wednesday we had two first time participants. Douceline the young lady who hosts this study in her home also has Bible studies with two other ladies at other times during the week. We are very encouraged by what is happening in this town.
There are other Bible studies that we do not lead. Philip and Amanda have a Bible study once a week and Wendy, the single missionary who works with us also hosts a weekly Bible study.
Inductive Bible studies are the primary means that we use to communicate the Gospel to those who do not know Christ. After people trust the Lord, these continue and become the primary means of discipleship. When people do not know God or do not have any knowledge of His word, they must first understand before they can trust. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. A passage which encouraged us to move in this direction is Paul’s experience at Ephesus which led to Gospel being propagated throughout Asia Minor where Paul himself was not able to enter earlier, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:9-10)
So, we continue and are thankful daily for your faith support.
Anticipating getting to see you at the Lexington Conference,
John and Judy
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [March 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 5, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings. You are a blessing to us and the work of the Lord in France.
As mentioned in our last letter, Darrell and Shirley Messer were with us for a few days early in February. We certainly enjoyed visiting with them. Unfortunately, our winter school vacation started just as they arrived and our Sunday meeting was a record low for the last couple of years. Several of our regularly scheduled Bible studies and activities did not take place for the same reason, but the Messers were able to see some of what God is doing here.
Two days ago, Judy and I celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe that it was really that long ago. When I was about ten years old, my mother encouraged us in one of our family devotional times to begin praying for the person God wanted us to marry. I began doing this on a regular basis and God certainly answered my prayers. As Christ and the apostle Paul tell us, some people receive the gift of being able to serve the Lord as a single person. I am so grateful for several believers that I know who have committed their lives to the service of God as single people. The Lord created us and knows us intimately. He certainly knew that I would not be very effective alone. I am thankful beyond words for the life and ministry mate God gave me.
Last week we started a new Bible study in the neighboring department. We had intended on starting it two months ago but the host couple lost a newborn child and postponed the first meeting. I had met this couple last November when they arrived in our area with a job transfer. What a wonderful surprise we had for the kick off last Wednesday. Thinking that there would be perhaps 6 individuals present, we were thrilled to have a dozen. This new couple are great recruiters. Judy and I both delightfully await what God will do through this Bible study. Our other Bible studies are going well as are the Sunday meetings.
Dad turns 90 in April and we are planning to be in the US for just a few days to celebrate this event with Dad and the family and also to attend the Spring Missions Conference hosted by Thompson Rd. Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. It has been 6 years since we were last at this conference. I would love to see you there.
We pray that God will meet your needs and use you as His light where you live. Please pray for us.
Proclaiming the Good News in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [January 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
January 5, 2015
Dear Teammates,
We wish God’s richest blessings on each of you during the coming year. Yesterday evening we were looking through some family pictures with our granddaughters and their parents and one of the pictures was of my mother and father. It was taken on dad’s birthday many years ago. The cake made by my sister was inscribed in Portuguese with Psalm 65:11 – “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness.” How true this is for us this year.
Your faithful support is one of the blessings that we have received. It is a blessing to us as well as to those who hear the gospel or are helped in their Christian walk through our service here. We are thankful for the blessing of being able to shine the light of Christ in a country that is so dark. We are grateful that we do not have to do this in our strength. God opens doors. God gives contacts. God gives us the ability to communicate the Good News as the Holy Spirit empowers His Word through our mouths. How great is our privilege to be ambassadors for Christ.
Some moments are more difficult than others because we live in a fallen world where there is tribulation. Just a couple of weeks ago most of our time was spent helping a young couple whose baby died 6 days after an early birth. However, this couple knows the Lord and they have the hope of Christ in the middle of their sorrow. As we waited for the funeral service to start, I was able to witness to the wife’s distant cousin whom I had just met.
I am including a picture of the group that meets in Mazeres worshiping together. This group is quite an encouragement to us. We meet in the apartment of a single Christian lady who moved to this city for her library/museum job. She is truly a missionary in this area. During the week, she has two other Bible studies with ladies. She is one example of believers who have grown in the Lord and are truly disciples who are reaching others.
The group in Mazere worships together.
The group in Mazere worships together.
We are thrilled to see individuals of all ages, children, teens, men and women who attend meetings regularly who seem to be attentive to spiritual matters. It is our hope they will soon make public commitments to Christ.
Don’t give up praying for and seeking to share Christ with those that you know. We received the good news last month that our daughter’s father-in-law trusted Christ. He was led to the Lord by his son, our son-in-law. We have been praying for this friend since meeting him at our daughter Lydia’s wedding 10 years ago. “In due season we will reap if we faint not.”
Until next month,
John and Judy
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [November 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 5, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Next week is the Thanksgiving Conference hosted annually by New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn, MI. We are grateful, members of New Hope, for all the hard work and financial commitment that you give annually to this event because you love the Lord, those who need Christ and us. Our prayer is that God will use these meetings for His glory and the blessing of all who attend.
The Vacation Bible School, held the week before last, went well and some of the children attended for the first time. Our theme this year was the Word of God. Job commitments reduced the number of people from our congregation involved in teaching and helping with the children. However, the leadership team worked together smoothly and we were very happy with the outcome.
We are also happy with the development so far of the free English class for young children who live near us. This has opened a door with the parents. One of the parents mentioned that she told a friend of hers about our introduction of kids to “the faith” and that when we had Vacation Bible School next time this friend wanted to send her children.
Our next monthly youth meeting is this coming Saturday. We continue to have new children at nearly every meeting. Reaching children and young people is very important. Generally, people here think that believing in God and interest in spiritual things is a thing of the past and only for unintelligent people. Having contact with young folks who have not yet become hardened is a great opportunity.
During the past month we have had the opportunity to develop a number of new contacts and friendships. Some of these came unexpectedly as extensions of former relationships. We also reconnected with people we had not seen for a while. Please, pray with us that God will continue to open doors and that we will use the opportunities effectively.
May the Lord’s richest blessings be evident to you today.
John and Judy Hatcher in France
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher [October 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
October 6, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The beginning of September in France is referred to as “la rentrée” which translates into English, “coming back into”. It refers to the fact that everyone comes home for children to start school. It is also the time of the year when we restart most things that run on a weekly schedule. We are encouraged by the what has taken place this month.
Last Sunday we had a church dinner and the time of fellowship with God’s people went very well. Individuals who normally do not come were here, as well. This makes it possible for them to get acquainted with people who are members of the church. Outsiders are more likely to return to a meeting where they know someone.
Making meaningful contact with people is an essential part of making disciples. This is a reality of our ministry that is underscored in the Scriptures: “Go ye therefore”, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Paul in Athens) “in the market daily with them that met with him.” We pray for God to give us these contacts and we try to “walk circumspectly” (looking around) for those that God brings across our path.
Last week we had dinner with a couple of our neighbor families to discuss teaching English to the young children. The dinner allowed us to become better acquainted with these neighbors and we will be teaching their children simple English one afternoon each week. When you love and serve people they listen to what you have to say.
Wendy, the single missionary who works with us, hosts “English Night”. Teenagers and adults come because they want to improve their English (and enjoy a meal). We help Wendy with this because we want tell them about Jesus. This past Saturday we had an excellent discussion with those who were there about the dysfunction of human beings without God and God’s intervention to restore our ability to love and do right. Among those there was a young man in his mid-thirties who’s father was 16 at the time of his birth, a young lady who recently failed in her studies to be an interior designer and is now working as an aide in a nursing home, and a social worker; individuals who need Christ.
Tonight our Bible study in Mazère about 45 miles South of where we live was well attended. We began a study on the Sermon on the Mount. Douceline, who hosts this study in her home, meets with two ladies on other days for regular one-on-one Bible studies. There is evidence of God’s grace in many ways in the lives of the people who participate in the Bible study including the spiritual growth of the hostess.
Your giving demonstrates your love for God, us and people who need Christ. Your giving enables us to minister in five different cities. Your prayers are answered as God empowers His Word.
Let us all not weary in well doing for in due season we will reap if we do not faint!
In France,
John and Judy Hatcher
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [August 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 4, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am writing this letter to you from the Chicago where we will be during the month of August. On July 19, Téo Hatcher was born to David and Dulce Hatcher. He is their third son and our 10th grandchild. A few days after the birth we arrived to help the family. We are grateful for the good health of mother and child, that we have this wonderful privilege of being here with them and to visit with others in our family.
Philip, Amanda and their children just returned to France after visiting with family in the USA this school vacation. God has provided the means for them to do this once every two years. Things would be very different in France if we did not have Philip, Amanda and their children working together with us. We thank God for placing us together in the endeavor that He has set before us.
During the one Sunday that neither Philip or I were there, the services took place with the participation of the French believers. The report we received is that things went very well. Our long term goal is to leave behind us completely self supporting, autonomous churches with leaders from among those that God has provided. We see progress on many fronts, but would like to see committed leaders from among those that have come to Christ there. Please, pray with us for progress in this area.
Yesterday, I had the joy of meeting with the East Keys Baptist Church in Springfield, IL. We had a wonderful day in the Lord. I had promised Dan Hillard that I would visit the church where he is pastor during the next trip to the USA. The loaned car from Adam and Lydia Reece made it possible to drive to Springfield to spend this blessed day with these folks that we love in the Lord. Thank You brothers and sisters of East Keys Baptist church for sharing this day with me. And, thank all of you churches and individuals who support us faithfully and have done so for such a long time. We will not be able to see most of you during this short visit to the USA .
As my parents and Paul and Wanda Hatcher are on furlough, I will be with them for a few days. I write this letter with great joy, grateful for the parents, children and grandchildren that God has given us. Judy and I both were led to the Lord by our parents who also taught and set a good example for us. As we observe how God is working in the lives of our children and extended family our “cup is full and running over”.
Rejoice in the Lord this month. He has and is doing great things.
Serving with you,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [July 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
July 5, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying the Lord. What a privilege we have as God’s children with continuous access to our Father and Saviour and with His Spirit united to ours. It is also a wonderful honor to represent the Eternal God, Creator of all things to the people who live around us.
Just after writing our last letter we participated in the annual outdoor dinner of our neighborhood which takes place in the street in front of our house. We made new friends and were able to reconnect with some people that we have not seen for a while.
During the past month we have spent part of our time reviewing the past year and making plans for the coming year. We discussed what we would teach in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Youth meetings. We determined changes that needed to be made in class groupings and how to effectively do what God has placed us here to do. We have also discussed ways that we can connect with the people that we are here to reach.
One of the things that Judy and I are going to be doing this coming year is an English Club to help young children in our neighborhood get started learning English. This is a result of a request made by the parents of these children. Judy and Amanda did this for several years in Tournefeuille and Judy and Wendy had an English Bible Club in the city of L’Union for several years. These have given us many long term opportunities. Several of the young people who now come to our monthly youth meetings are from families that we served in this way in the past. We follow the example of Paul who said, “I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” Judy also donated her time to teach English twice a week for several years in the past in one of our local public elementary schools.
English proficiency is required for anyone wanting to advance in white collar jobs and this is a need that opens doors for us. Parents are very interested in their children learning English to prepare them for the future. We want to serve them in this area to open the door to prepare them for eternity.
This is also a good time to remind you to pray for Philip, Amanda and their family, and Wendy who serve with us. Wendy is a single missionary who is supported by friends and churches in the US and Philip works as an engineer here to support his family while they serve with us. We thank God for your prayers and faithful support over many years.
Attendance in the services and Bible studies has been good and we see evidence of the Grace of God.
Serving with you for our Saviour in France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher [June 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 5, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Seventy years ago Americans along with others of the Allied Forces were embarking on the mission to recover Europe from the clutches of Hitler. Both Judy’s father and mine were a part of this massive operation. God used the involvement of our parents in the retaking of France to speak to our hearts about the spiritual needs of France.
In the Fall of 1997 Judy and I visited the beaches of Normandy during a trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary. This was our first trip to Europe together and we had no idea that God would ever place us here as His witnesses. During the week we spent in France, we saw no evidence of Biblical Christianity. This led us to start researching about the spiritual condition of France. It was the first of many sign posts that God used to direct us to France as missionaries.
It hardly seems possible that we have now been in France over 14 years in the service of the Lord. He has given us the opportunity to minister to French and Germans as well as many other nationalities during this time. The Good News of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, brings peace between us and God as well as between us and former human enemies. To God be the Glory.
But, make no mistake about it, we are still in a battle. However, we fight “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” And this country is certainly living in darkness. Though followers of Christ in France are a very small minority, the light of God that shines through us is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”. So, we give God all the glory and seek to be used by Him.
I am encouraged by the spiritual growth in the men of our congregation. Sometimes I get impatient because we so desperately need leaders who know God’s Word and are mature in Christ. So, you can pray for God to enable me through His Spirit to be patient. The congregation in Tournefeuille is doing well and we are thankful for what is happening in the various week day Bible studies connected to this congregation. We are also delighted to see how God is working in the lives of the children and young people who participate in the Sunday School and Youth meetings.
The meetings that we hold in Mazere, one hour south of Tournefeuille, are also a cause for rejoicing. There are now nine committed believers who participate in this Bible study and they are sharing the Good News with family members and others with whom they contact.
In two days we will be having our yearly neighborhood dinner. There are a number of new families in our area and this allows us to start relationships with them. Pray that God will enable us to use these opportunities to effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your fellow laborers in France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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