An Encouraging Retreat & Disciples Making Disciples
May 8, 2024
Dear Fellow Servants of Christ,
Today is a Nationwide Holiday in France celebrating the end of World War II in Europe. So, things are pretty quiet. We are very grateful for the blessings of God during the past month , among them your faithful support.
On the last weekend of April, the church that normally meets in Plaisance du Touch spent a blessed three-day weekend together in a country holiday rental. Holiday rentals are usually old farmhouses and buildings that have been modified to be rented to extended families and groups that want to be together for a few days.
Two years ago, at the end of the Covid pandemic the church decided to meet for a weekend of fellowship and mutual encouragement. The time spent together was such an encouragement that the suggestion was made to do this yearly. We eat together, study the Bible together and sing. The rest of the time is spent talking, walking and playing games together. Many of the members of our church and congregations in various places are the only believer in their family. The entire family of each member is invited. This gives those who are not believers the opportunity to see the fellowship among church members.
This past Saturday as Judy and I were driving to the town of Campagne sur Arize to the regularly scheduled adult and children’s Bible studies held in the home of Henri and Laure, Judy received a text from the hostess letting us know that her two brothers and a nephew would be there. This was delightful news to us. One brother lives about an hour away and the other one about two hours away. Laure has been very concerned about the spiritual needs of her brothers and has been praying for them. God brought them!
The first Sunday of May was a delight. Several members of the Plaisance church were sick and could not attend for other reasons. However, we had more in attendance than we expected. The special treat was Dennis, a man who we had never seen before. He is a longtime friend of Samuel, a fellow who trusted the Lord about 8 years ago after about a year of weekly Bible studies in our home. His friend, a very smart guy, went to jail. Samuel prayed for him and witnessed to him, and he trusted Christ. He is now out of jail and on fire for the Lord. He testifies that Samuel was the greatest human influence leading to his faith in Jesus Christ. Disciples making disciples! Thank you for your prayers.
Your sister and brother,
Judy and John 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.
Read more
Praying for Salvation
August 16, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our hearts are touched by the news that some of your families are touched by death and illness. It underscores part of our text from the message to our congregation yesterday, “…now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” We are daily reminded that we live in a dark world, but need to live in the reality of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world and our Eternal life.
Yesterday, a young lady from our congregation sent a text just as service was beginning. “Sorry, I can’t be with you. I found out yesterday that I have Covid.” This eighteen-year-old is the only member of her family who has trusted Christ and she was to leave today to go to Lyon to begin university studies. She is the daughter of neighbors and began coming to Sunday School about the time she started grade school. As she entered her teens, she made a public profession of faith and followed the Lord in baptism.
Let me set the scene for another event yesterday. One of our members has a husband whose parents, professing atheists, died when he was quite young. He had no Christian background. Two children were born to this couple and he, along with his family, regularly came to church. Considering his refusal to place his faith in Christ, his attendance for eight years was unusual. He had a good relationship with the men of the church, and we all prayed for his salvation. About two years ago he posted a note on the church communication site letting everyone know that he would not be coming to church anymore and did not want anyone to approach him about it.
Yesterday, I about fell off my feet as I was greeting people and saw this “I’m not coming anymore…” man walking from his car to the house. Would you pray with us for …oan..’s salvation?
A week ago, Judy and I drove about a 1000 miles round trip to St. Malo to spend a couple of days with a couple, members of our congregation, who moved to Brittany a couple of years ago. They are nearly our age. We had a good visit and were happy to hear that they are considering starting a church in their home. Please pray for God to give Dennis and Marianne God’s wisdom about this.
Thank you for your interest and support. May our Lord’s blessings be evident to you today.
In His Grace,
Judy and John Hatcher
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, 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.
Read more
