A New Believer in Mazere
November 12, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s Thanksgiving month and we have much for which to be thankful. You are on our Thanksgiving list.
Last week at our Bible Study in Mazere, a young man testified that He had put his faith in Christ the previous weekend. I mentioned this career soldier in army special forces in my last letter. He just recently started coming to the Bible study. It is great to see his interest and commitment to the Lord.
Once a month, we have a men’s prayer breakfast. This past Saturday there was a range of men from twenty years old to seventy-one years old present. It is very encouraging to see the interest that these men have in helping each other through fellowship, counsel and prayer. The ladies meet every other week for prayer.
Our Sunday meetings and other Bible studies in six other locations are going well and we are encouraged by what God is doing in the lives of the individuals who participate.
Patricia, a lady who lived not far from us when we met her in our former neighborhood, has been in long term hospital care for several weeks. We have witnessed to her as have others from our congregation over the last dozen or so years. Judy has picked her up and brought her to our church meetings. She shows greater interest now and asks for prayer, but has never made a clear commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Barbara, one of the ladies from our congregation, has done a lot to help her. Your prayers for Patricia are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you and your ministry.
Your fellow servants,
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.
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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
Bible Studies Going Well
February 14, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hope this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings. This past Sunday, Timo (a young man who started coming with his family when he was in Primary School) gave the message at our church service. He made a public profession of faith and was baptized about a year and a half ago. He has grown by leaps and bounds. Though he is a quiet guy, he has brought many friends.
Timo gave a message based on “A Case for Christ”. He got the word out to his friends, and we had a room full of university-aged young people. One young man who was present has recently left the Watch Tower Society religious group. He has trusted Christ and is excited about serving the Lord.
Our Bible Studies with the former Jehovah’s Witness participant are going well. She and her family desperately need a church with which they can fellowship. This is a great problem here in France. The closest Baptist church that we know of is over an hour drive from this family. They are about a three-hours’ drive from us. It would cost them about $50.00 in toll plus about the same amount in fuel. Judy and I are thankful that we are able to have Bible study with them using the Internet.
A couple of days before our Bible Study in L’Union last week, Blandine (the host) texted inviting us to dinner and indicating she would like to talk to us. We were not able to have dinner together as we had another Bible Study scheduled at this time. However, we did manage to get to her house a bit ahead of time. When asked what she wanted to discuss the answer was, “I want to get baptized.” She has been saved for many years and has had the dream of getting baptized in the Jordan River. She decided that she need to stop dreaming and follow the Lord in baptism. So, it is on the schedule!
There is a lady who comes to one of the Bible studies in Mazere has not made a profession of faith. She is married to a man who is a vocal atheist. Last night at the Bible study she mentioned someone that she wanted to invite to come.
We have been touched by deaths and serious surgeries during the last few days. Our hearts go out to the families touched by these painful circumstances here and in the USA. It reminds us of the necessity of sharing the Good News.
Thank you for your participation in the work God has sent us to do.
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
Many Opportunities to Witness Over Meals
December 15, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying the New Year. Judy and I are very grateful for the many blessings received from our Heavenly Father during 2023. Among other things, our home and meeting place is now in a new house. More importantly, we have had new young people attending our meetings who show a great interest in spiritual matters and one young lady who trusted the Lord and participates regularly in Sunday worship. She is the only believer in her family.
In my last newsletter I mentioned that we were going to be dining in two different locations later in the week. The meals with friends were a great blessing. The first was in the home of a Swiss couple who are participants in the Bible study group in Mazere. They invited the whole group to their home for a Swiss Fondue. Two ladies who are believers and regular participants in this Bible study are married to men who claim to be atheists. Both of them were at the dinner and much of the conversation revolved around spiritual issues. It was a great witness to these two men.
The second dinner was in the home of our neighbors. They have eaten with us in our home, but it was the first time that we had been invited to eat in their home. When we sat down to eat the lady said, would you pray before we eat. She had liked it when we prayed before the meal at our table. Our evening was great, and the couple was very open with us about their lives. Please pray for them to trust Christ.
One of the ladies in our church who is a chiropractor loves to invite folks to her home for a Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving is not a Holiday in France, but most people know about it because they have seen American-made movies that include Thanksgiving meals. Because it is not a Holiday in France, Annaelle holds the Thanksgiving meal on a Sunday and invites the church to come for service at her house and eat some of the desserts. She invites her dinner guests to stay for the service. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet people and share the gospel with them. After the service, one of the ladies who Annaelle has brought to church meetings in the past, told me, “I have a lot of questions (about spiritual matters) I want to ask you.” God is clearly at work in this lady’s life.
May God bless you, your family and your church during the coming year and until Christ return for us,
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
Meals: Great Opportunities to Discuss Spiritual Matters
November 17, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying blessings from the Lord and filled with gratitude during this Thanksgiving Season. Judy and I are very grateful to our Lord and Savior for all of the gifts we have received from Him.
The English Bible study in Mazere that began a month ago is going quite well. Two new participants were present and involved at the most recent session held the day before yesterday. This Bible study is for people who are interested in improving their English and getting to know the Bible better. The latest additions are an English lady who has lived in France for about twenty years and a French girl who is a senior in High School. The young lady’s mother was at our first Bible study and had returned. There are a total of seven people in this Bible study. The English lady has lived in France for about 20 years with her husband who claims to be an atheist. She certainly does not need to improve her English, but seems to be quite interested in knowing the Bible better.
This week seems to be banquet week. Tuesday evening, we had dinner in the home of the Iranian couple who participate in one of our Bible studies. There were twelve of us from the Bible study present and Sh____ put out quite a spread of traditional Iranian dishes. It is great to see this couple’s great interest in spiritual matters. Tomorrow we are having a Swiss fondue lunch with the members of our French Mazere Bible study in home of one of the couples who are a part of this group. We will have dinner in the evening in the home of our next-door neighbors. They have never attended the Sunday meetings but have indicated that they will do so. Meals are great opportunities for getting better acquainted with people and often lead to conversations about spiritual matters. Following the Lord Jesus’ example in sharing meals is one of the highlights of “making disciples” and we love it!
We also love being on the same team as you! Please continue to pray for us including the activities and contacts mentioned above.
May the blessings from our Father fill your lives,
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
Two Baptized and a New Bible Study in English
October 16, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings. Since I last wrote to you, things have exploded in Israel and Gaza. It isn’t the first time it has happened in our lifetimes or during the last several thousand years. It is good for us to remember that God is on the throne. It is important to put our trust in Him; not in human strength or wisdom. Our present Sunday study is the Book of Isaiah. The present events underscore God’s message to Israel through Isaiah.
Yesterday, the son of the couple that hosts our Bible study in the city to L’Union was baptized. It is delightful to witness his enthusiasm for Christ. It is wonderful to see how God works through His children to bring others to himself.
If you have been praying for our newest Bible study with the couple who left the Watchtower Society, God is answering your prayers. Please continue to pray. The lady is quite interested and seems to have truly placed her faith in Jesus Christ. The husband seems to be more reticent; perhaps fearing that he will fall prey to another religious slavery machine. Upon reading this letter, would you pray for their witness to the wife’s family. They will be visiting them during the next couple of weeks and this family is also controlled by the Watchtower Society.
We have been very encouraged by the participation in our Sunday meetings. One lady who had not come for a long time is now attending. She shows an interest and the desire to continue. Another young lady (in first year of University) who trusted the Lord a few months ago through the influence of a Christian young man she was attracted to in High School attends regularly with great interest. She followed the Lord in baptism a couple of weeks ago. You may remember reading in our letter in late Spring about the many young people who came to Youth meeting through contact with Timo, who trusted the Lord and was baptized last summer. This young lady is one of these young people.
This week we will be beginning a second Bible Study in the city of Mazere. It will be in English to attract individuals who want to improve their English. Some folks that we did not previously know have committed to participate. These are contacts of the hostess who works in the Library and Museum in this City. We will be studying through the Gospel of Mark.
Thanks for participating with us in these endeavors.
Yours fellow servants in Christ,
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
Unexpected Gifts from the God Who Never Changes
September 17, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are thankful for the many different ways God showers us with blessings. Some can be put in the category of “never changing” and others in the category of “surprise, surprise, surprise”. Don’t you like them both; the reliability of our eternal Father who never changes and the unexpected gifts of His amazing creativity?
About three days ago my phone rang and I was surprised to see the name of a pastor friend on the screen. We had not spoken to each directly by phone in a long time. That was a surprise, but the best was yet to come. He proceeded to tell me that he had been contacted by a couple who had seen his church’s service on the internet. They wanted to get involved in a Bible study. Vincent, the pastor friend, thought that they would profit from a Bible study with us. He knows several people who have grown in the Lord through the Bible studies we lead. He wanted to contact me before putting them in contact with us.
The couple, longtime “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, had recently concluded that the JW religion was not biblical. We got in contact with them and are beginning to have weekly interactive online Bible studies. Our first meeting lasted three hours. Over the years they had begun to have questions about the “Watch Tower Society” and its teachings. When they could not go to the meetings because of COVID, they began searching the Bible on their own and the Holy Spirit certainly used the Word of God to speak to their hearts. They live nearly two hours by car from us. We hope to be able to meet them face to face soon. Your prayers for this couple (S and T) and their two children would be greatly appreciated.
Here is a glimpse at our schedule this week. Sunday: weekly church service; Monday: internet Bible study of Jeremiah; Tuesday: Bible study with believers in the city of Mazere (about 1 ½ hours from our home); Wednesday: meeting to speak English with folks with whom we have been able to share the Gospel; Thursday: Judy and I meet with a disciple for family and spiritual growth counseling; Friday: Bible study with new couple mentioned about; Saturday: Bible study and children’s Bible class in Campagne sur Arize (about 1 ½ from our home); and Youth meeting back in our town. We are delighted for the opportunities the Lord gives us to serve Him and those who serve with us. Above all, we are grateful for the wisdom and strength He gives us to do so.
And, we are very thankful that you are “in the ship with us”!
May God’s richest blessings be evident to each of you,
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
