Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [May 2016]
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.
May 12, 2016
Dear friends,
We are so thankful to the Lord for you. Here is a snapshot of what has happened and our plans for the near future. Read and pray.
SPRING CONFERENCE
A few days ago Melissa (4 yrs. old) asked, “When will I get to see my friend from the church? He is funny. I want to play with him and hug him.” She was referring to Chaden (Dan & Traci Price’s son, Jim & Mary Miller’s grandson) at Thompson Road Baptist Church during the BFM conference. I was encouraged to see how quickly the two of them hit it off so well. They played, ran and laughed together. An enjoyable experience like this makes the conference even more special. Traci “Miller” Price is a long time family and college friend who travelled to Lexington from Tennessee for the BFM Conference in April. I am so glad the conference generated a meaningful friend for our little Melissa and that our families are connected because of Jesus. The conference was themed “Every disciple… A disciple-maker” and the speakers were a great encouragement to us all. I enjoyed speaking on a subject that is close to my heart, “Disciple-Makers”. I am so grateful to our friends at Thompson Road for the love demonstrated to us all during our time together.
FAMILY
We have a huge blessing to share. Sarah, Laura, Benjamin and Melissa have progressed well in their English language, reading & comprehension skills. When we first arrived in the States in July 2015, they spoke some English, but didn’t know how to read and write. Almost a year later, they are now fluently speaking, thinking and writing in English. The school year will be over on June 9th and they look forward to swimming, camping and hiking during the Summer (until our return to Brazil). In the meantime, we are having fun with the family, which includes Melissa having decided to cut her own hair after finding the scissors. Fun times. Raquel has the privilege of receiving Vanessa Martiny this week. Vanessa and Raquel were in the same doctoral program several years ago. She was also our neighbor for many years in Virginia Beach.
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
The school year at Liberty University is officially over. During this time I was able to influence several hundred students within the undergraduate Pastoral Leadership Program at Liberty. I enjoyed meeting and befriending several world-renowned professors and pastors, locally and from around the country. Thanks to the Lord for the many lasting memories and connections made during this time. In addition to serving as adjunct faculty, I had the privilege of coordinating the LU Pastoral Advisory Board with 51 pastors. I also joined the Pastoral Leadership capstone course panel in oral finals for graduating seniors – an ordination simulation. It has been a blessing to serve under the leadership of my dear friend, Dr. Dave Adams. I was honored to be the recipient of the Liberty University’s “Church Leadership & Church Ministries Service Award” for my time and service invested at the School of Divinity. Following graduation next week, we will hit the road to be with the churches we’ve yet to visit.
VISION FOR CHURCH PLANTING
We are excited about returning to Brazil. Our plan is to move from Manaus to São Paulo as soon as we arrive. The vision in São Paulo City is to church plant using the subway system as our framework. There are 65 terminals and we plan to start churches within vicinity of each terminal entrance/exit. We need your prayers and support as we prepare the teams for each location. A lot of training and equipping is planned. Our vision is to recruit, train, place and network local church pastors for each church plant.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Kids’ school – When we arrive, Brazilian schools will be in the second semester and we will need to find a school to enroll our four kids.
- Automotive – The sale of our car in the US and purchase of a new one in Brazil.
- Moving – Once we arrive in Brazil we will have to move our belongings from Manaus to São Paulo, a total distance of 2,507 miles by road and river.
- Housing – Upon arrival in São Paulo city we will be looking for a home to live. We are searching for a safe, yet strategic place to call home.
- Finances – Any moving endeavor is always expensive. Pray for the Lord’s provision.
Grateful always,
Jud Hatcher
Furlough Address:
216 Mill View Ln
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(859) 608-4742
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
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Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [October 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.
October 7, 2015
Dear friends,
This last month has passed so quickly.
Family
Our kids are doing well in school. Their greatest difficulty is still the English language, but they are committed to learning. They regularly bring books home from the school’s library and we take them once a week to the public library. Bedtime is a hard time for me, as I have to insist they stop reading and turn off the bedroom lights. I am grateful for their desire to read in English. The kids are doing well socially too, as friendship comes easy to them. I would be harder on us as parents if they were having difficulty making friends. Raquel is doing great, she participates in a women’s midweek Bible study and is connecting well.
Teaching and Networking
I am enjoying my time at Liberty University as an adjunct professor. Teaching and mentoring is part of my DNA and I feel at home engaging with students. The Lord is giving me the opportunity to connect and network with new pastors at existing churches around the Virginia and North Carolina region. The opportunities to work with Dr. David Adams at the School of Divinity in the Pastoral Leadership Program and with Dr. Matt Willmington at Thomas Road Baptist Church is never boring. This experience is also a great learning opportunity for me. I do stay busy, but that is part of my life’s routine anyway.
Upcoming
This coming weekend we plan to participate in the “Testify to the Gospel Conference” at Grace Baptist Church in Fairborn, OH where my dear friend, Mark Pyles is pastor. The following week I will participate in the Refuel Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church, where Jonathan Falwell is senior pastor.
Our prayer requests are as follows:
- Our finances.
- Our children’s education and English language.
- Expanding our support base network.
- For our unsaved neighbors.
Grateful,
Jud Hatcher
Furlough Address:
216 Mill View Ln
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(859) 608-4742
judsonhatcher@hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [September 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.
September 3, 2015
Dearest of friends,
I just want to start out by saying thank you. Thank you, Lord, for blessing our family and for blessing the families and churches that bless our family. A personal thank you to the following churches and their pastors that have blessed us since we arrived in the States:
- New Life Baptist Church – Pastor Steve Wainright
- Calvary Baptist Church – Pastor Jeff Hurst & Pr. David Mitchell
- Thompson Road Baptist Church – Pastor David Parks
- Center Point Church – Pastor Tim Parsons & Pr. Todd Thomas
- Addyston Baptist Church – Pastor David Pitman & the women’s ministry
- Concord Baptist Church – Pastor Jimmy Reagan
- Grace Baptist Church – Pastor Mike Pyles
- Buck Run Baptist Church – Pastor Hershael York
- Thomas Road Baptist Church – Pastors Jonathan Falwell, Matt Willmington & Dave Adams
- East Keys Baptist Church – Pastor Dan Hillard
- The Baptist Church at Andover – Pastor Eddie Schwarberg & Pr. Donovan Stewart
So much has happened during these last several weeks since we returned to the United States—it is unbelievable. For starters, the Lord provided us with a great car for a great price. We purchased a KIA Sedona 2009, in clean condition. Already we’ve driven over 5,000 miles in 6 weeks as we’ve traveled and visited family, friends and churches.
Jud is currently assisting in teaching a Church Planting course for Pastoral Students with Dr. Matt Willmington.
A casual family picture of the Hatchers!
Secondly, the Lord opened up the door for me to serve at Liberty University’s School of Divinity as part of our stateside assignment (furlough) during this year. Several months back, while in Brazil, I contacted Dr. Dave Adams, who is the director of Pastoral Leadership program at Liberty University and requested to serve with him in any capacity that I might gain additional mentoring. (Dr. Adams was one of my professors at Lexington Baptist College along with Dr. Ed Overbey, Dr. Hershael York, Dr. David Hatcher, Dr. Larry Robbins, and others.) Through Adams’ leadership I was invited to assist in a non-remunerated role as Adjunct Faculty for Pastoral Leadership in the School of Divinity. Per agreement, my financial support continues through Baptist Faith Missions. I was also grateful for the response received from Bro. Dave Parks as he communicated with the directors of BFM concerning this matter. The Lord has opened many doors for additional mentoring and networking opportunities. I’m overwhelmed by the receptivity of the faculty and staff and overjoyed with gratitude with this one-year partnership. I’ve had the privilege of interacting with world-renowned faculty and leaders, including Jonathan Falwell, Drs. Ed Hindson, Elmer Towns, Troy Templeton, Jonathan Geukgeuzian, Scott Phillips, Chris Gnankan, Troy Matthews and others. I am currently under the mentorship of my dear friends Dr. Dave Adams and Dr. Matt Willmington—what a delight it is to see strategic leaders in action. I see this moment as additional training grounds for what lays ahead in Brazil when we return in July 2016.
Finally, the Lord has directed us every step of the way in our transition from Brazil to Lexington, KY, and then to Lynchburg, VA. We are currently renting a three-bedroom townhome in a quaint neighborhood with campus transportation to and from work. The kids are enrolled in a local public school and loving it. We look forward to connecting with you and at each opportunity.
Jud Hatcher
Judson Hatcher
judsonhatcher@hotmail.com
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Face to Face is Better than Facebook: How you can help connecting with your missionaries while on furlough
by John Mark Hatcher, missionary to France
We are grateful for the many conveniences available to us that facilitate communication worldwide. But, there is no better way to communicate than face to face.
Judy and I have lived and worked in France for 16 years. We are profoundly grateful for the faithful support that we receive from many people we have not met. But, we want to meet you. I think all the missionaries you support want to meet you personally. Why? New generations and new members in churches have a difficult time relating to missionaries they have never met. It is easier to understand the vision and passion of a missionary when you can personally talk to them and listen to them. The missionary better knows how to communicate with his supporters when he knows them personally. A missionary may be used by the Lord to help you reach out to folks in your community who need Christ. The missionary understands better how to pray for people he knows personally.
Making these personal contacts is not always easy because we can not be away from the work we are called to do for long periods of time. The longest amount of time Judy and I have spent in the United States since moving to France was 11 weeks. So, it is important that we make the best use of these short visits to the USA if we are to meet are supporters.
Here is what you can do to make this happen:
- When you see in our letters that we are going to be in the USA, contact us as soon as possible to set up a time to visit you or your church.
- Do not worry about not being able to give a big love offering. We know that churches are often strapped financially.
- If you know of a car that is available for us to use, let us know. It is expensive and difficult to purchase a car for a few weeks and then resell it. It is much less expensive to pay for insurance (and even monthly car payments) on a car loaned to us. So, if you have a car that is not being used (even temporarily) that you could loan to us when we are in the USA, contact us or David Parks.
You are important as an integral part of what God is doing.
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [July 2014]
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.
Dear Friends, June 30, 2014
Thanks to our good Lord for all His provisions. We are all doing well; we had a blessed month. We visited the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mims, Florida, and had a great time of fellowship with Pastor David Humphries. Dad shared about the mission work in Brazil during the Sunday School hour, and, I preached in the morning service. After the service, there was a fellowship meal; we had a great time talking to the brethren, and the food was delicious. We are thankful for those who lift us up in prayer and faithfully contribute to missions.
The Lord gave us the opportunity to receive visits from family from Brazil – my brother, David, and his wife, Pennie; my sister, Kathy; our daughter, Michelle, and our grandson, Luke. It is great to have special time with family. We always have a good time of joy and celebration for all God is doing.
We also received a visit from a couple of families from the church in Manaus who were in the Orlando area for few days. It’s good to hear and to talk about the stories of God’s interaction in our lives and in the lives of our friends.
During June and July the world soccer cup has all Brazil in a state of high emotions and, of course, the expectation of winning. Several of the soccer games were hosted in Manaus. Everything comes to a standstill on game days. Several of the churches had special rallies and evangelistic outreach for the sports enthusiasts. Pray for all those who professed their faith in Christ during this season, that they may grow in the Lord and be steadfast.
Concerning our prayer request last month, Pastor Adolfo Escote, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Santa Etelvina, in Manaus, who had retina displacement in both eyes, is much improved; there is still a minor displacement, however, the doctors have let him return to work. We thank our father for His goodness so richly and abundantly supplied to Pastor Adolfo and his family.
God bless each of you. Thanks for your prayer and faithful support to the work of missions; may God be your great reward. We pray for you that your remembrance and knowledge of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase, that your trust and faith in him may be steadfast in all things, and that the love of the 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
615 Key West Avenue
Davenport, Fl 33897-6300
(239)227-6551
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher [May 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
Dear Brethren and Friends,
Greetings to each in the Wonderful Name of our Savior. We are enjoying our furlough time here in the States. The Mission Conference sponsored by the Thompson Road Baptist Church blessed us this week. (You who were not able to attend missed great blessings: the warm Christian hospitality of the TRBC, the fellowship of pastors and people from other churches, and edifying messages from God’s Word brought by missionaries and pastors.) I would like to encourage each pastor and your people to plan to attend this conference next year, if at all possible. It was a great joy to see friends and pastors who have been our constant fellow-workers for many or all of our sixty years in Brazil. They are still going and pressing on with the missionaries.
Alta and I have been blessed to see some of our grandchildren and grandchildren. God has blessed our family and we thank and praise Him. All of our fifteen grandchildren are serving the Lord in very special ministries. Eight of our great-grandchildren have trusted the Lord as Savior.
At the end of May we will be moving to Florida for the rest of our furlough, the Lord willing. Work in Brazil continues and seems to be going well. Pray for us. I do not drive much any more so all of our travels will be with Paul and Wanda.
We hope to see many of you our dear friends while here in the States. Thanks to each of you who have been our prayer and providing force for many years,
In the Name above all names, we thank you,
John and Alta Hatcher
1012 Balsam Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
859.277.3716
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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Missionary Update: The Radfords on Furlough from Kenya [May 2014]
Nathan and Carrie Radford serve the Lord in Kitale, Kenya. Their main ministries include indigenous church planting, a prison ministry, and a hospital ministry for mothers with premature babies.
May 5, 2014
Dear praying friends,
As I write this prayer letter, my mind is already thinking to about a month from now, when Lord willing, we will be boarding a plane to head back to Nairobi and our life in Kenya. It is hard to believe that our furlough here in the States is almost over. It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were heading back to America. It is honestly amazing how quickly time passes.
Please pray for us and the upcoming term. There is a lot to pray about. Please pray for our family and the adjustments ahead. Our daughters will now have to be in an adjustment phase of their lives, and we will all need time to adjust back to life in a different country thousands of miles away from our home country. We will probably face some issues of “reverse culture shock,” which basically is adjusting back to a different country and ways of doing things. We go through “culture shock” when coming back to America after living overseas for many months, then go through “reverse culture shock” when returning. So, it is always some form of cultural shock and adjustments.
The Lord will help us through it all, I am confident. We trust in Him, pray to Him, and rely on Him through all these challenges. I like Jeremiah 23:23-24, which states “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” It is wonderful to know that God is near, not afar off, and will help us each step of the way.
Please pray for the country of Kenya, the people there that we desire to serve and reach, and for us through the daily challenges. We thank the Lord so much for each one of you who prays for us, gives sacrificially, and has partnered with us in any way to reach the people of Kenya. You mean more to us than you will ever know and we are so thankful to you.
I will do my best to give you a current update once upon arrival back to Kenya, Lord willing. The main thing to pray for at this time is what I have previously mentioned and our upcoming trip across the world. Traveling with children is a challenge, so we would covet your prayers for that also. We appreciate each of you so much and will keep you updated. Take care and God bless you.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
315 College Street
Youngsville, PA 16371
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher of Brazil [April 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
March 31, 2014
Dear Brethren and Friends,
Alta and I greet you from the Mission House in Lexington, KY. We arrived in the States on the 28th of March. Paul and Wanda had made arrangements for us to come to Manaus to bring Alta and I home for furlough. David came to Urai and helped us on the trip to Manaus. We were in Manaus for eight days. On our last Sunday before leaving Urai, the Church in Urai had a special service for us with pastors and people from all their missions and churches we had begun. It was an emotional experience.
The next day we flew from Londrina to Manaus. On the 28th of March, we arrived in Nashville where Paul rented a van. We arrived in Lexington with all our baggage on the 28th. We are living in the Mission House that was prepared and waiting for us. We plan to be in the Mission House for at least two months and to attend the Spring Missions Conference at Thompson Road Baptist Church on April 28, 29, 30.
On our first Sunday home, we attended the Bible School and morning service at the Thompson Road Baptist Church where Brother Dave Parks is pastor. That night we attended the services at the New Life Baptist Church where Brother Steve Wainright is pastor. We were blessed to have fellowship with the dear people of these two faithful churches.
Paul, our son, and Wanda are on furlough, also. They are caring for us. We will probably be living in Florida part of this year also.
WORK IN BRAZIL – Praise the Lord, the work in Brazil continues to grow and reach out.
Alta and I thank you for your prayers and financial support through our sixty years as missionaries in Brazil. God bless you.
In the Name of our Lord Jesus,
John and Alta Hatcher
1012 Balsam Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
859.277.3716
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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