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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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [August 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We thank God daily for your faithful support. Thanks also to each of you who from time to time send a card or write a letter to encourage us.
The month of July news begins with the baptism of Samuel, the young man that I mentioned in my last letter. He is the son of Vietnamese parents. His mother was the first to be saved in her family who were Buddhist. She was saved during the Vietnam War and escaped in an overloaded boat that eventually was rescued. There is a church of Vietnamese people that meets on the opposite side from us of the Toulouse metropolitan area. It is made up of people who were saved through missionary work in Vietnam and their children. Their entire service is in the Vietnamese language.
Samuel’s Baptism
Because Samuel had gone to this church with his parents when he was a boy, he wanted to get baptized in front of them as well as our congregation. So, we made arrangements to have a joint service with them and use their baptistry. The pastor asked me to preach before I baptized Samuel. The sermon was in French and the rest of the service was in Vietnamese. This Vietnamese church shares a building with two other churches, one French, one Korean. The building is marked with bullet holes. You may remember the terrorist who killed a number of people in Toulouse last year including several paratroopers and a number of children leaving their Jewish school. He lived just across a one lane street from this church building. When the police tried to arrest him he barricaded himself in and eventually came out firing. He was killed in the shoot out and it left marks on the church building.
I don’t know what language we will speak in the New Jerusalem, but we won’t need buildings, we will all understand each other, there will be no bullet marks or war or terrorists, and we will enjoy the Lord and each other forever! Doesn’t that make what we do the most exciting promising thing that can be done?
So, you continue giving and witnessing where you are. We continue giving and witnessing here. God makes it all happen and enables us to participate. Every place is different and in different places we are at different stages in the process of plowing, sowing, cultivating, watering and reaping. But God receives glory in all of this. This was so clear to me as I read the June Mission Sheet letters. The Radfords and Tates deal with challenges that are partly the result of colonization and God is helping them learn how to be more effective. Mike Creiglow mentioned a city of 8,000 with one Adventist Church and four kinds of Pentecostal churches besides the Catholic Church. Tournefeuille, the city where our primary work is located has a population of 30,000. Besides us there is the poorly attended Catholic Church and a Synagogue that meets in a house. We deal with result of forced falsely called “Christian religion” that spread by the sword and kept kings in power. It is like planting seed in granite. But, our Lord Jesus has chosen us, disciples (not just pastors and missionaries), to be the light of world and the salt of the earth. He uses our life’s witness and our words to make more disciples who in turn will make other disciples. It has been happening for 2000 years and will continue until our Eternal King manifests Himself.
After our last youth meeting at the end of June, the mother of one of the participants requested the schedule for the coming School Year youth meetings so that they could put it on their calendar and not let anything get in the way of the daughter attending. This young lady is Abigail’s friend. Abigail, who was baptized less than two years ago has brought several friends to youth meetings and church services. This is how it works, friends bringing friends.
Last Sunday, a young married man who comes regularly to church services told about his progression in spiritual matters. He, along with many here, was an atheist. His parents were atheist, his brother and sister are atheist. His parents both died before he became a teenager. I asked him, “What did God use to change your mind?” He answered, “My wife and her way of living and Joachim.” He said, “Joachim started out like me, he didn’t believe, but he examined the truth and became a believer and he didn’t go crazy.” Joachim was the first person that was baptized here. This is why we keep plowing the granite!
Thanks for being used by God to contribute so that we can let Light of Jesus shine through us here.
Your fellow servants in Christ,
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 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
July 1, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.
(Ecclesiastes 11:1,6)
The preceding passage in the concluding portion of Ecclesiastes has often been an encouragement to me. The value of this inspired advice was once again evident in some of the events that took place in June. I will share a bit that might also encourage you.
On Wednesday nights, I have Bible study with a young man named Samuel. We have studied through the Gospel according to John and are now in the letter to the Romans. This young engineer had not made a profession of faith though we have been studying the Bible together weekly for nearly a year. Because he comes straight from work we enjoy Judy’s good cooking each Wednesday evening before diving into the Bible. As we ate a couple of weeks ago, he mentioned how long we had been having the studies together and I did not quite see where the conversation was heading. However, at the end of our study that evening, he again said something similar and then added, “I was wondering when I could get baptized.” He then went on to share how he had always seen Christianity as do, do, do and that now he could see that it was a joy to live out what Christ has done for us. He has trusted Christ and will be baptized next Sunday.
In the middle of the month, the community choir that I sing in had a planned a retreat. I was not particularly interested in going because my worldview is so different from the other members of the choir. However, remembering that I joined this choir to make friends to whom I could witness of Christ, I signed up to go. Most of the members of this choir are atheists or agnostics. You could count on the fingers of one hand those who are religious and they know nothing about the Christ of the Scriptures. During this weekend, I was able to “sow the Good Seed” in several lengthy and in depth conversations. I do not know “which will prosper” but I will mention an event that happened the following week that underscores the importance of sowing.
As Judy and I were praying Wednesday morning following the above mentioned retreat, there was a knock at the front door. When I opened the front door a lady from the next block over was standing there with her two young boys. We met this lady at the annual neighborhood picnic a year ago. She immediately asked if we had Bible instruction for children. We had invited these two boys to our last “Vacation Bible Club” and they did not come. We often speak to this lady as we pass in front of her house walking. We pray for her and many of our other neighbors nearly every day by name. A school mate of the oldest boy informed him that God was still alive. He came home and told his mother who decided that they needed some instruction about God. However, she told us that she did not want them to be taught lies so she came to us. The two sons have been to Sunday school that last two weeks. Their mother told me that when they arrived home the first Sunday, they said, “We want to make sure and go back next Sunday.”
The mother expressed an interest in studying the Bible with Judy and I, along with her husband. Yesterday, we had this year’s neighborhood picnic and once again made new friends to whom we can witness. We had some good conversations about spiritual matters. One of the neighbors, who lives across the street from us, announced to several of us who were sitting together what a blessing it was to listen to our services from his house. He also mentioned how much better our Sunday School was than Catholic Catechism.
So, “let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)
Sowing in France with your help,
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 [June 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 3, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our desire is that this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings where you live and serve. We thank the Lord for His blessings and above all His presence in us. We are encouraged by what the Lord is doing on several fronts. The Bible study in Mazere, about 45 miles by car south of here is going well and during the past few months we have had several new participants. We would one day like to see a church in this growing city with a population of about 3,500. At present there are only two believers in the group that actually live in the city, though we average about 7 or 8 at the Bible studies.
The youth meetings are on the increase and those coming are showing interest.
Another area of activity that causes us to rejoice is the meetings with youth. The attendance at these is on the increase and those who come show an interest. Of those who now attend, only one has actually made a profession of faith and followed the Lord in baptism. We hope many others will follow.
I like to keep a positive note and share with you what God is doing, but there are bumps in the road here as there are everywhere. This past week I have been a little frustrated by the lack of commitment and selfishness of some believers. It is important, however, to remind myself of God’s patience with me and His forgiveness. We must continue to sow the seed and disciple those who believe as we look to Christ for strength and trust Him to work in hearts and lives.
Of the youth who now attend the meetings, only one has actually made a profession of faith and followed the Lord in baptism. Pray that many others will follow.
Judy and I pray together each morning after our personal time in the Word of God. Thank God for you. If you would like for us to pray about your area of ministry, we would love to do so. We know that you have family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even people who frustrate you that you would like to see trust Christ. We would be glad to pray with you for them. You contact us through the email or mail address below. We are not interested in forwards off the internet, so be please to not send us links and copies. We are interested in praying for you and your needs personally, so please do not hesitate to share these. We would like to be a blessing to you as you are to us.
May God’s blessings be evident to you during the month ahead.
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 [April 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 1, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your participation in the ministry here. Judy and I pray for you daily and thanking God for your faithfulness. Four weeks ago we celebrated 40 years of marriage. We enjoyed a quiet evening meal in a restaurant and reviewed God’s blessings on our lives. Little did we know, when we started our life together, what our Savior had in store for us. We are grateful for what He has done and is doing in the lives of children and grandchildren. Serving our Lord together has been a great joy as we have seen many come to new life in Christ. When Judy and I married, she had not been out of Kentucky too many times, but six weeks after committing ourselves to each other in the Lord we moved to Brazil. The Lord has enabled us to be witnesses on three different continents. The journey has truly been an adventure.
So, presently we are in France, a very different culture from Brazil or the United States of America. Our Creator and Redeemer, however, is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God has chosen us, His redeemed children, to be His witnesses in the sea of humanity so desperately in need of the eternal life that He offers.
A view of John Mark & Judy’s neighborhood from their front window.
Here are a few tidbits from our adventure this month. Early in the month, we were invited to dinner in the home of a couple who live just around the corner from us. They have been our neighbors for about a year and wanted to show their appreciation to us because we watched their house and watered their plants while they were away on vacation. During the evening we talked to them and another neighbor couple about faith in God. Neither of these couples have any religious practice.
About the same time, I had a lengthy discussion with a neighbor just across the street about God, homosexual marriages and abortion. This family, with three children, drive some distance on Sundays to go to a church that has mass in Latin, because, according to him, “it is the Universal language.” To our knowledge this family is the only one in our large neighborhood that goes to church anywhere. We pray that they will understand that they need Christ instead of a religion.
Yesterday, as we were heading home on a typical Sunday afternoon walk with our family here, I had the chance to spend some time talking to a young couple who live on a street parallel to ours. She recently began singing in the choir in which I sing. Yesterday, I met her husband for the first time and had a lengthy conversation with them. He was born in Israel and is a non-practicing Jew. His grandparents moved from Poland to France after the second World War. They left France to establish themselves in Israel in 1951. His father was born in Israel just a few months later. A few weeks ago, as we were waiting for choir practice to start, this lady asked me why we were in France. As I began to tell her, another lady, to whom I have witnessed on several occasions said, “Be careful, or he will convert you!”
There are countless other stories that could be told. There are multitudes of individuals who are lost and in need of a Savior. We have the Good News. I wish they were all saved. We keep sowing the seed and waiting for the Harvest. Thanks again for your participation in this endeavor.
Sowing the Good seed 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 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
January 9, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Last month started well with the ladies of our congregation having one of their quarterly fellowship meetings at Suzanne Riedel’s house. The ladies have fellowship, share with each other the blessings they have received, pray together, and have a Bible Study. This time the Bible Study was on being the light of the world. Each lady listed the people that God had used as a light for them and then made a list of people for whom they could be light. They then prayed about this.
The men think these meeting are a great idea and want to have one for themselves, but they seem to have difficulties in planning and implementing. Philip and I have tried to leave the planning in their hands in order to help them take responsibility.
Lydia, our youngest daughter, along with Adam her husband, and their two children were with us for Christmas and New Years. This made the Holidays extra special. All the regular activities are going well.
Some ladies met together for a Bible Study and a time of fellowship last month. They studied about being the light of the world, listed people that God had used as a light for them, and made a list of people for whom they could be light.
Just before Christmas Steve Wainright asked me to put together some information about our call to France and what God is doing here. He wanted to make it a part of his message for the Winter Conference in Gotha, Florida. Since you may not have gotten to go to Florida, the same information might help drive some chill out of your bones wherever you are this Winter.
About fourteen years ago we were caught somewhat by surprise by God moving in our lives and hearts to move us to France in order to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The general job description did not change, but the people to which we were now directed was a total surprise.
In my teen years I had often told the Lord that if He wanted me to pastor or be a missionary I would be glad to do so. In response, Heaven seemed to be silent. Had God spoken to me earlier on this subject, I think that my preparation would have been quite different. As it turned out, following God’s general written directives and my interest in science, I prepared for a career as a doctor. My thinking was along these lines…people listen to their doctor so why not use this as a platform to communicate the Gospel.
I was totally upended by what seemed to be a clear call to be a proclaimer of the gospel that came to me in the middle of my Junior year at the University of Kentucky. It occurred when I was with a number of other believers in prayer. This was not the topic that we had been pursuing in the discussions prior to the time of prayer and it took me totally by surprise. Up to this moment I thought that I was following God’s will as I prepared for a career in Medicine. This new direction was confirmed in interesting ways from several different sources. After consulting with other believers, I said, “Lord, I am going to pursue this new direction assuming that it is your will.” Immediately, I had a sense of peace.
In retrospect, I realize that God wanted me to spend time on a public University campus in the field of natural sciences as part of the preparation for what He wanted me to do. God seems to be always using those who are willing in the present while simultaneously preparing them for service in the future. For brevity, we will skip forward through 26 years of preparatory service.
Once again, I was broadsided by this change in direction that God had in store for us. Within a relatively short period of time and through a number of confirming witnesses we became aware of the great spiritual need of the French people and were moved by a passionate desire to go and make disciples in this nation. A nation where over 50% of the people are atheist, 10% are Muslim, there is great despair and where all is tainted by general distrust. A nation where the number of believers is a fraction of a percent; one of the most unevangelized countries of the world. This country of 36,000 communities and a population over 60 million has just a few more than 100 Baptist churches with an average size of 30 members. Most of the people in these churches are immigrants. A nation for which I previously had no special interest!
We live and work in a city of 30,000. The only church besides ours is a small Catholic church. There is a synagogue that meets in a house. Our work includes several other communities in a radius of about 1 hour of driving time.
On arrival, we knew no one. God has marvelously intervened to bring people to Himself. Some of these have since moved away. There are people who were once a part of our congregation who now live in 7 different countries. We still have regular contact with many of these and they share with us what God is doing in their lives. There are about 35 people who meet in Tournefeuille. Of these, 19 have trusted the Lord and followed Him in baptism. There are other interested people and believers who participate in Bible studies at other locations. We have meetings for teenagers several times during the year. This is a new area of opportunity. Seventeen young people were at the last meeting we held.
We have contact with many people who do not participate in meetings and to whom we are able to witness. We are here to help them come to Christ and our desire is to see many disciples doing the same as God uses us and you in this endeavor.
Thank you for your participation. May God richly bless you.
Shining the Light in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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