Disciples in France Sharing the Gospel with Others!
February 17, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings from Southern France which is far north of where most of you live. Plaisance du Touch is about the same distance from the North Pole as Toronto, Canada. However, our winters are not extremely cold due to the Gulf Stream that warms western Europe.
God continues to touch lives around us. It is wonderful to be sharers of the Good News here and to be used by God to disciple those who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Yesterday, Rose, a lady who was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, told us excitedly about a door that God opened for her to share the Good News. She was waiting for minor surgery to remove the chemotherapy port that had been used for her treatment. A conversation with another lady awaiting the same procedure began and God guided her to be able to give her testimony and share about her faith as the other lady asked questions.
Roxane, a young lady who is a member of our congregation, studying to be an engineer, shared how God had given her the opportunity to share the Gospel with a friend for whom she had been praying. Roxane trusted the Lord and followed Him in baptism less than two years ago. She is the only believer in her family, but a flame of fire for the Lord in her gentle way of passionately seeking the lost and sharing the Good News.
We have regular Bible studies in six different locations in addition to the regular church meetings. Some of these are groups of saved people growing in the Lord and encouraging each other and some are groups of seekers meeting in the home of a believer with whom they are friends.
Several of those who were seekers have trusted Christ in the last year and are reading through their Bibles. It is exciting to receive phone calls or text messages from these new believers asking questions from their reading. Here are a couple of questions I received this past Saturday: “How come prophet Nahum proclaims condemnation of Nineveh when Jonah tells about their repentance and forgiveness?” “How were Pharaoh’s men able to do some of the same signs as Moses?” How would you answer these questions? If you need help, ask one of your spiritual leaders.
We are very grateful for your contribution to what God is doing here.
Your Fellow Servants in France,
John and Judy
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
God at Work in Your Work with Us
January 14, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your prayers and generous support. Judy and I are doing fine and are thrilled to see God at work.
Yesterday afternoon we left Galen, Tammy and Holly Gerig at the Toulouse airport to begin their return to Ohio after having spent a wonderful five days together. They have supported us for years and we enjoyed their company as we were able to introduce them to some of those whose life God has touched.
Your work with us enables us to have regular Bible studies in six different locations as well as the regular Sunday meetings here in Plaisance du Touch. Judy and I also spend time counseling believers to help them learn and apply God’s principles to their personal and family lives. There is also regular pastoral work such as visiting the sick. Our Savior often uses human difficulties to lead individuals to understand their need of Him.
We are delighted with those that the Lord has added to our congregation this past year. Among them is a couple who are believers with a two-year-old son and another child on the way. The husband started Bible study with Judy and me about 12 years ago. After studying the Bible together for about a year, he trusted Christ as Savior and followed the Lord in baptism. He later moved to Germany and met a girl there from El Salvador. She started going to church with him and trusted the Lord as Savior. They were married in 2018 and lived in Paris until last year. When they moved back to our area last year, they began participating in the church here.
A young lady about 20 years old was saved and baptized about a year and a half ago. She is active in church, youth meetings, ladies’ prayer meetings and Bible study with our granddaughters Camille and Emily. She also meets regularly with two friends who are interested in Christ for Bible study. She does all of this while going to Engineering school and working.
It is a delight to see what God is doing! We are glad to have you as part of our team.
Your brother and sister,
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
The Invisible Operation of God Surfacing
June 10, 2024
Dear Fellow Servants of Christ,
God is at work and we are delighted to see what He is doing. We have a number of meetings that take place an hour or hour and a half driving distance from our home in various directions. During these drive times we often contemplate and discuss what we notice our Savior is doing. There certainly are many things that He is doing that we do not see.
Last week was one of those weeks when the invisible operation of God begins to surface in an astounding way. At our meeting in Mazere on Tuesday three people came who do not normally participate in this Bible study. Two of them we had never met before. We had a great study of the parable of the rich man who planned his future after a great harvest only to die the evening of his planning. The twelve participants were really into the discussion of this lesson from Jesus.
The Thursday night meeting was moved to a location about 30 minutes further from our house than where it typically takes place. It would be in the home of a lady who has been coming to the meetings for over a year. She had turned her ankle and could not drive, so she asked if we could meet at her house. For various reasons there were only half as many as usual and two additional people who wanted to come for the first time could not make it. But, our Father was at work. The lady with the turned ankle, not a believer, was in tears as the others explained to her about trusting Jesus Christ and giving their own testimonies. What a night!
A wonderful week: 7 meetings with different texts at each, many hours of driving, and loads of blessings. On the way home from one of the meetings we were contemplating that God is not done with us here yet!
Thanks for your participation in what God is doing here. I will close with an example of how God uses you. At the beginning of the month Judy and I took a trip to celebrate our 50 years of marriage (a year late). We ran across a Texan recently widowed who wanted to help his church more effectively. Part of the discussion was about the Bible studies we do. When we chatted with him the next day, he told us about a video he had seen online posted by Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston, WV that helped him understand our ministry and gave him ideas for what he could do at his church not far from Austin, TX. AMEN!
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
What Does Being a Missionary Entail?
August 9, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying your summer. Judy and I walk daily for exercise and to keep our bodies from getting too creaky. It is a joy to talk to the Lord as we walk thanking Him for the beauties of creation He has placed around us. The good health God has given us is a great blessing.
You may wonder from time to time what being a missionary entails. We can not speak for others, but our lives involve people and the Lord. One aspect is keeping our eyes and hearts open to contacts that God brings across our paths. Seeking to display the love of God in actions and words is very important. We look for opportunities to tell about our Savior and what He has done and is doing for us and inviting them to trust Him.
We look for ways to connect regularly with people and seek opportunities to give a word of testimony here and there. A list of these activities would be quite long. One that we have been doing for about a year now is weekly English Conversation with two ladies who are 60 years old. One of them we crossed a few times in our daily walks. One day we began talking when we met and she indicated that she would like to be able to speak in English because her daughter’s future husband was Australian and could not speak French. The other lady was someone we had known for years. We crossed her one day in our walks as she was heading into the community center to sign up for English conversation classes so that she could speak to her only grandson whose father is Malaysian. Since the son-in-law doesn’t speaks French, their family language is English. So, each week we meet for one hour and speak only English. We have talked much about spiritual matters, not just in English, but outside the “hour” in French. We hope and pray that both of these ladies will trust Christ as Savior.
One part of our lives for Christ in France is leading three different groups in different cities to know God better through His Word. These are much like the Bible studies the Apostle Paul had daily in Ephesus when he was thrown out of the synagogue. Two are primarily groups of believers and one is all people who God has stirred to seek Him through their friendship with the hostess who really wants to see them saved.
We do counseling with believers to help them deal with issues in their lives and become God’s light where they are. We have prayer meetings and live Bible studies at a distance using the internet.
God has blessed us more than we can explain. He fills us with hope and encouragement and you are one of the ways through which He does this. May God continue to bless you.
Your sister and brother in Christ,
Judy and John
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
A Glimpse into the Life of Judy Hatcher in France
April 19, 2023
Bonjour from France.
First of all, thank you for your loving support for almost 24 years here. God is gracious! Fifty years ago this year, John and I started our life together. First, in Brazil for about a year and a half, then Evansville, Indiana for almost 25 years and then, here in France. Over the years we have lived in different cultures, reared children, enjoyed grandchildren, laughed and cried together, laughed and cried with friends and family.
While lots of things have changed, the basic hasn’t. We still have a desire to share the gospel and how it has changed our lives with people around us. Presently, what does my life look like? How do I fill my time? We are presently involved in three Bible studies: one where the majority are unbelievers…two with Christians who are growing in how to live their faith. I participate in these and also teach a children’s class at one of them. We host the church family each week in our home. I get to pray together with my French sisters in Christ. We connect with those who don’t know Jesus personally by way of English conversation class weekly. We share a coffee, listen to life problems, and counsel pre-marriage couples.
However, among the most exciting part of our days is walking! Yes, walking. French people appreciate the outdoors and it is not unusual to see people walking, running, pushing strollers, or riding bicycles. It has become our inroad to French life. Often and at the most unexpected times, God brings someone across our path that needs to hear about Him. Often, we will be walking along, someone will say hi…a conversation is started…et voila! Sometimes it’s because they hear us speaking English…often, it’s John’s friendly -never-meet-a stranger personality. Whatever the means, God opens doors that, humanly speaking, we would have no access to.
So, we pray, we walk, we talk, and God goes before us and opens doors!
May God bless you as you discover how to integrate into the lives of people around you and share His love.
Because of His love,
Judy 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
Travel for Church & Family Visits, Good Reports
June 17, 2022
Hello Friends!
Summer is fully on board! Here is the latest from us. Please, read on.
My grandfather John Albert Hatcher passed on May 14th. He and my grandmother went to Brazil after WWI and served faithfully as missionaries for 60 years. The Lord allowed me to fly to Florida to participate in the funeral services. This may have been one of the last extended Hatcher family gatherings, but it was great to be with so many of my aunts, uncles & cousins. I am grateful to my parents who took care of him for the last 8 years (along with his wife, my Grandma Alta Hatcher, and Grannie Willa McGary, from my mother’s side of the family). I was blessed to see my parents’ faithfulness and commitment to their parents in their later years. They truly exemplified what it means to “honor your parents”. We scheduled to be with my parents in Kentucky for one week. I pray our time together will be an encouragement to them.
Laura (15) was awarded a scholarship to attend Summit Ministries in Colorado at the beginning of this month. It was a two-week Christian worldview & current hot topics intensive designed for high school and college students. She had an incredible experience and highly recommended it. Sarah left for Manaus this past Monday for a two-month mission trip in the Amazon with Jonatas and Charis. Pray with us as the Lord uses her during this time and that the Lord will move mightily in her heart.
Laura’s last visit to the audiologist was yesterday. She continues to progress well as she adjusts to the cochlear implant and learns to hear through it. I had my oncologist visit this morning. Everything looks good, and the port catheter should be removed within the next few months. Everyone else is in good health.
Last week I spoke at the Ignited Sunday School class at Wheaton Bible Church, this weekend we plan to be at Durbin Memorial Baptist Church, Lexington, KY, and soon in Calvary Baptist Church, Teays Valley, WV. This last month there were several decisions in São Paulo with new opportunities for discipleship. I continue to mentor leaders through Zoom. We are currently finalizing arrangements for eleven pastors and wives (from four different states) to fly to Manaus to attend the church ministries & pastors conference organized by Nova Baptist Church, where my uncle David Hatcher is pastor.
Our hearts are ready to return to Brazil, but we must wait. Our current plans are to remain in the States until the end of the year to complete health treatments and follow-ups.
Attached is my article on disciple-making “The Zaccheaus Approach” and photos.
Grateful always,
Judson & Raquel
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.
Read more
Where is Light?
Hello praying friends,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Light in the dark…
Good morning from the land of lockdown! As the world experiences the uncharted territory (uncharted for us…the world has experienced plagues, etc., throughout history), the question arises, where is light? Can we shine the good news of Jesus while being distanced from others? Can we encourage one another to love and good works while being isolated? I would like to take a few minutes of your time and share with you how God has used what was meant for evil to do good in our corner of the world.
Since John and I are in Evansville caring for my sister, we try to be on the lookout for those God wants us to touch. We walk with trekking sticks in the neighborhood every day. Of course, that makes us an oddity! …but also opens doors to share (from a distance, of course). The COVID-19 has given an awareness to people of the frailty of life…of what is really important…and we have had opportunities to share the reason for the hope we have! Whether it’s on the street, in line to get into the grocery or the checkout lady, there are moments to point people to Christ, the only Hope.
Distance separates from our French friends who don’t know Christ, but we have internet connections and are able to say, “Hey, how are you doing? We are praying for you”. We want those we love to know that even though we are far away, our hearts and prayers are with them.
As a result of the virus, our church in France is not able to meet together as usual. They decided to get together online. They decided to meet in the afternoon for them, so John, Abigail (our granddaughter) and I could attend. Oh, the tears of joy that John and I shed as we sang, prayed and shared with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world!
Our Christian friends in the Ariège keep connected and we can share with each other our needs and blessings…in short, be an encouragement to one another.
I would like to leave you with a verse God gave me through my reading this week: “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
As we wait, we can be the light, knowing that the LORD is with us.
Yours together for the sake of Jesus,
Judy
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
