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.

December 14, 2015

Dear friends,

I recently received an email from a student, who had an assignment from his Christian School teacher to write about an overseas missionary. His great questions led me to include them here with my answers.

1. Can you tell me a little about what you do in Brazil? I see from the Baptist Faith Missions website that you are part of the “Seed Factory” church planting initiative – can you tell me about that? How many churches have you planted?
   I am a pastor, church planter, professor and pastor trainer in Brazil. I’ve participated in 24 church plants. My first church plant was in 1998, alongside me were 7 pastors-in-training. In one year we saw 320 people professed Christ and 285 of them were baptized. The “Seed Factory” is the concept where every church produces “seed” for sowing and heavily focuses on reproducing leadership and sends out as many church planters as possible. My wife (Raquel) and I have four children – Sarah, Laura, Benjamin and Melissa.
2. Can you please tell me a few prayer requests you have so me and my classmates can pray for you?

• I am currently recuperating from a fractured fibula and a damaged Achilles tendon.
• Government instability in Brazil.  The president is currently under an impeachment process for corruption.
• Economic vulnerability in Brazil. A year ago the Brazilian Real (currency’s name) was 2.35 for every 1 US Dollar. Within the last few months it has risen past BR$ 4.00 / US$ 1.00.
• Our children’s English and schooling.

3. What challenges have you faced in Brazil and what changes have you had to make to your life to be a missionary in Brazil?

• I was held hostage by five armed thieves in a travel bus while traveling in Northeastern Brazil. An armed police officer was in the bus as well. There was gun fire exchange, with 1 dead and 5 wounded. Four of the wounded persons were sitting near my seat. Now, I try not to travel by bus at night.
• Two men (one was a pedophile who received church discipline the week before) attempted a force entry into my home as I stood at the door. Since then, cameras were installed at every point of entry of our home.
• Month-to-month financial support.

4. When do you start your mission work in Brazil and how long have you been there?
   I am a third generation missionary in Brazil. My grandparents (John & Alta Hatcher) arrived in Brazil in the early 1950’s and my parents (Paul & Wanda Hatcher) arrived in the early 1970’s. I was born and raised in Manaus. I am a dual citizen (American and Brazilian), bilingual (fluent in English and Portuguese) and am also bi-cultural.

   My family and I are on a one year furlough/state-side assignment. I am currently serving as visiting professor / adjunct faculty at Liberty University’s School of Divinity in Pastoral Leadership.

   As stated earlier, I began my ministry in Brazil in 1998. I have served as a missionary support worker & as missionary through Baptist Faith Missions since 2003.

   When we return to Brazil in July 2016, we plan to start churches in Sao Paulo city. Sao Paulo is the 7th largest city in the world with 29 million people. We plan to start churches throughout region of the subway system. The subway has a network of 67 stations and services 4.9 million people every day.

5. What are some interesting things about Brazil that my classmates and I might not be able to learn from doing research online?
   Watch this video on YouTube concerning Sao Paulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3pBJTTjwCM

   You can find all kinds of interesting info by searching on the internet for the Brazilian cities. Here are a few: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Joao Pessoa, Joao Pessoa, cidade de Natal, Boa Vista, Macapa, Porto Velho, Londrina, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Palmas, Rio Branco, Campina Grande, Teresina, Sao Luiz & Campinas.

   There is a lot of research & census info at: www.ibge.gov.br/english.
   You can also find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/judsonhatcher

6. I see that your wife, Raquel, is a Brazilian.  Has that helped your ministry in Brazil?  Describe any extra challenges you face.
   Yes, the fact that my wife is a Brazilian is a major advantage for doing ministry together. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from an American university. So, our American education and connections open a lot of doors. Essentially, what an American pastor/family is to a successful church plant in the United States, we are in Brazil.

   The greatest challenge was getting Raquel’s American citizenship. It was only on May 19, 2015 that she finally received her American citizenship, despite being married for 17 years. Now, all of us have dual citizenship. All this time, she was an US “Permanent Legal Resident”, but every time she traveled she endured 4 to 5 hours of waiting at the airport and was threatened to be deported once. Later, we received a letter of explanation from immigration services stating they had lost her documents/file internally, thus complicating our life. Thankfully, these years of extra legal costs and travel frustrations are over.

Grateful,
Jud Hatcher

Furlough Address:
216 Mill View Ln
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(859) 608-4742
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
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