Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [January 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
January 3, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are back home in Tournefeuille, France. We left Chicago early on the first day of 2013. The Lord has continued to bless the church here while we were gone. The faithfulness of those who are a part of the congregation encourages us. Our goal is to establish congregations that are independent and self-supporting with local leadership. Thank you for your faithful support which enables us to continue working toward this God-given goal.
The month of December was spent enjoying the fellowship of our family and friends in the Chicago and Evansville area. The time with our three children and their families who live in the United States was priceless. What a blessing it is to have children who are serving the Lord. Making the most of these rare moments with our grandchildren was a source of great joy.
John & Judy Hatcher with their children, children’s spouses, and grandchildren on Christmas Day
Judy and I were able to spend several delightful hours with Erna and Joe Stibi who are now members of First Baptist Church, Niles, Illinois. About the time we came to France, Erna worked as a crossing guard on the corner next to East Maine Baptist Church’s building in Niles, IL. Judy was entertaining some of the Ruth and Bob Rossman’s children while we met in the church and introduced herself to Erna. Since I was spending some time with the church there, Judy suggested that I might like talk to Erna some more. I followed her advice. Speaking to Erna, I learned that she had immigrated to the US with her family from the former Yugoslavia when she was just a girl. She was open to the Good News of Jesus Christ. I mentioned this to Emily Keys, a member of East Maine Church. She picked up the baton and was soon having Bible studies with Erna. Soon, Erna trusted Christ. Not long afterward, Joe, her husband trusted Christ and they were both baptized in fellowship with the East Maine Church. In December they took us out for lunch and we were thrilled to hear the story of how God moved both of them from Eastern Europe to the United States where they came to know and trust Christ personally. There are a lot of people who need to hear about Christ living around us. May God help each of us to “reach out and touch someone”.
While with Judy’s sister, Peggy, in Evansville we were able to see many of our loved ones in Christ. It had been quite a while since we had seen many of these brothers and sisters in the family of God and it warmed our heart. Separation is part of our earthly life, but we look forward to eternity when we shall be forever with the Lord and each other!
John & Judy’s latest grandson.
The six week sabbatical spent away was good for Judy and me. It is always good to have time to reflect on what the Lord has done, is doing and wants us to do. We have returned encouraged.
Please, ask God to give us wisdom to serve Him faithfully making the most of every opportunity. There are 60 million in the this country who need Christ and our efforts are like dust on the scale, but we have a wonderful Savior who “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
Thanking God for your partnership with us 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 [September 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
September 8, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for your faithful support. God is using your investment in His Kingdom for the salvation of those who are in need of Christ and His glory. We hope that you will be encouraged as you read about what God is doing here in southern France.
Our world is constantly changing. This includes our lives, our churches and our opportunities. During the past month, two families that have attended regularly for several years moved with their jobs from here to to Northern Germany. Joachim Ilenberger, was the first person to be baptized here. His son, Theo, was the most recent. Out of this family of five, 3 were saved and baptized. Joachim’s father was a German fighter pilot during World War II. Isn’t it great how God works? His father is still living and advanced in age. Would you take time to pray for his salvation? Pray, also, that this family will be able to find a good church near them. Though this is not easy in Germany, humanly speaking, it is much easier than in France. Baptist churches in Germany have a total of about 300,000 members. Baptist churches in France have a total of about 3,000 members.
Joachim and his daughter,Carla, playing music before Theo’s baptism.
Our God does not cast dice; He is working out His plan. So, we are praying and have confidence that God will lead the Illenberger family to witness for Him and find a fellowship of believers where they can participate and continue to grow in the Lord. The other family of five who moved has one person that clearly indicated faith in Christ, but the others came and showed an interest. They expressed great gratitude for the encouragement that they received in attending on Sundays and through the Bible studies. Pray that they will also will seek and find a congregation where Christ is exalted.
A part of our ministry here is staying in contact with and teaching those who have moved away. This unexpected opportunity has enlarged this “disciple making process” into 7 different countries. God has made it possible for us to do this relatively easily through electronic communication. God enables all people and uses even the products of their work for His glory. Man made boats transported Paul and man made technologies make it possible for us to stay in contact with those to whom we are ministering. But, it is people, like Paul, you and me through whom God displays the glory of Christ in a personal way. God has placed each one of us in the place where we can let the Light of Christ shine through us.
The Sunday services and Bible studies closer to us are going well. We rejoice in Christ and what He is doing in the lives of His children and how He is drawing others to Himself.
The Lord willing, we will be in the USA and at the 2012 Thanksgiving Conference sponsored by New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, MI. We would love to see you there.
For God’s Glory 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 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
July 31, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am writing a little earlier than usual. We have more than enough news for our allotted space in the the Missions Sheets, so we will share it with you and save what comes later for next month.
The young man who trusted Christ last month was baptized a couple of weeks ago. We do not have a baptistry so we just use a place that has “much water.” Theo asked to be baptized near his “fishing hole,” a location on a river not far from his house where he had fished with his dad and friend. We had a special afternoon meeting in this beautiful setting and a good number of believers and interest folks were there to witness the baptism, This included a couple of people (not in the pictures) that were just in the area. One of our men remarked that it may have been God’s way to give them the gospel. Theo was in his mother’s womb when she and his father first began coming. His father was the first person to trust the Lord and follow the Lord in baptism here.
John Mark Hatcher baptizes young Theo, who trusted Christ last month. He was baptized in a “fishing hole” not far from his house.
Though our attendance is usually down in the summer, we have recently had a good number on Sundays with a number of visitors. If my memory serves me well, we have had visitors every Sunday during the past month. One of these, this past Sunday, was a man we met at the neighborhood picnic last month. He seems to be quite interested and said he would return with his three boys when they get back from visiting their grandparents.
The Lord has opened doors for us to have increasing interaction with several families in our neighborhood. As a matter of fact we are watching houses for several people while they are on vacation. When they give us their keys and ask us to take in their mail, it is evidence that they trust us. When people trust you, they are more likely to listen to what you say. It is an indication that one has an effective life witness to them.
One of the families, whose house we are watching, moved in across the street from us last year. As they were preparing to leave, Judy got the idea of giving a CD to them that is Bible verses set to music sung by children. They were very appreciative and said that they would listen to it during their trip. This family has three primary school aged children.
A crowd gathers for Theo’s baptism
Another blessing during the last couple of months is that some who have trusted the Lord in the past have returned to participate more faithfully.
Philip and Amanda, our son and beautiful daughter (French way of saying daughter-in-law) return along with their children this coming Friday, the Lord willing. They have been in the states for six weeks to visit family and friends there. What a blessing it is to have them here working with us. As we have mentioned in the past, Philip works as an engineer to support himself and their family as missionaries here. It has been really encouraging to have participants from the congregation stepping up to the plate while they are away. Our job is to make disciples to Christ.
I will close, since my letter is long enough, with the news that Judy’s annual exam showed that she is still cancer free and now has been for over 11 years. God has truly blessed us with the opportunity to serve Him together. Thanks for your faithful participation with us.
Joyfully 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 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
July 3, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The month has gone by quickly. Yesterday, I realized that it was time to send you a letter telling how God has blessed here during the past month. Judy and I hope this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings.
The youth meeting we had shortly after I wrote the June letter went well. We did not have a large number, but sometimes more progress is made when there are less present. Young people, like older people, invest a lot of effort into appearances. As the size of the audience increases, the sincerity tends to decrease as an effort is made to impress others, especially those of the opposite sex. We discussed the parable of the rich fool who made great plans, but whose life ended the evening of the day when he made his seemingly important decisions. Included in this discussion was the nameless man’s request for Jesus to make his brother share the inheritance and Jesus’ refusal to do so. Reflecting on this text in God’s Word would do us all good. Please, pray that God will move in the hearts of these young people. None of them has made a profession of faith.
The ladies in our church also had a ladies day (afternoon). They do this two or three times each year to encourage one another to love and good works. Judy said that this was one of the best.
The young married man that I mentioned in my last letter continues to come regularly and shows great interest and understanding though he has not yet made a profession of faith. We are greatly encouraged by his interest and pray that he will soon trust the Lord.
Another young man who has been brought by his parents since he was an infant, trusted Christ at home and wants to be baptized. Two other grade school aged children have indicated privately that they have trusted Christ. We are thrilled that God has used the teaching of His Word in words and actions to touch the the lives of these youngsters. In both cases, the parents have taught the children and sought to obey the Lord in their daily walk. This reminds me of two important scriptural passages. “Let the children come unto me for of such is the Kingdom of God.” and “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
We are greatly encouraged by another fifth grade aged girl who comes regularly, though no one else in her family comes. She is from a neighbor family. We pray that she will be saved and that God will use her life and words to lead her family to Him.
Our son Philip, his wife Amanda, and their children are in the USA for a few weeks to spend time with Amanda’s family, Philip’s siblings and aunt, and other family members. We are so grateful to have Philip and Amanda and their children serving together with us here. God has used them to multiply the outreach. As you pray for us, please pray for them. God has given Philip an engineering job here to meet their financial needs. They are an integral part of the missionary team here.
May God bless you and may your light shine for Christ where you are. Thanks for your faithful support and prayers.
In Christ in France,
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [June 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
Dear Co-Laborers,
We thank God for the blessings He has showered on us during the past month. You are among those blessings. Your faithful giving enables us to continue doing the work God has called us to do. Your prayers make us effective. The Sunday meetings in Tournefeuille have been well attended and there is evidence of growth in those who are believers. The Bible studies in various locations are also doing well with interested participants.
About half of the attendees in the Bible studies and Sunday meetings have not professed faith in Christ. It is encouraging when we notice their interest in spiritual matters, especially when they ask questions which indicate the Spirit of God is at work in their hearts and the Word of God is having an impact on their thinking. This has been the case this month with some of those who have not yet made professions of faith.
Attentive listeners in a children's class at Tournefeuille
We have also had a number of opportunities to present the Good News in contacts outside of regular meetings. This is very important and usually results from a long term commitment to the process that starts with making contact and continues with the training of disciples after they have publicly committed their lives to Christ. Activities involved take place in this sequence:
- Look for opportunities to make new acquaintances.
- Spend time with people with whom we become acquainted
- Listen to people in order to know them and build up credibility to get a valid hearing for the gospel.
- Converse with people about God, His Word, and the Good News in Jesus Christ.
- Pray continually during all of these steps since we can do nothing. It is Christ Who works through us.
- Read and study the Bible with those who show an interest. We usually begin studying through the Gospel according to John.
- Continue to study the Word of God with those who make a profession of faith helping them discover and put into practice the commands of Christ. This includes Baptism and participation in the assembly of believers using the abilities that God has given each one for the good of the body of believers and a witness to non-believers.
A number of important activities are on the books for the next couple of weeks. They will be history by the time many of you read this letter. Those who received the news electronically can pray for the upcoming Youth meeting, Ladies day, and Gospel concert. Please pray for Yoann, the husband of one of the believers. He attends regularly and needs Christ.
Your team mates for Christ in France,
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark and Judy Hatcher in France [April 2012]
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 in Christ,
Greetings in the name of Christ from Southern France, which is north of most of you. We are approximately on the same latitude as Toronto, Canada. Yesterday we arrived back home from Manaus, Brazil which is just south of the Equator. So, we are a bit off keel time wise and climate wise. Some may think that I am always off keel.
We were in Manaus to see my parents and siblings. Though we are able to speak with dad and mom weekly by phone we wanted to be able to be with them for a face to face visit. Dad turns 87 on April 30 and mom will turn 87 in September. They continue to serve the Lord faithfully. They are still involved in a church plant about 30 minutes drive from their house. It was a great blessing to visit for about 10 days with the family, including Paul and Wanda’s children and grandchildren. We share in common not only family ties but spiritual family ties. We were also able to enjoy worshiping together with many of our Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ and had the opportunity to speak and preach several times.
Two days before leaving France we had another meeting with youth. This time we had a progressive dinner. We had nibbles and salad at the first home, spaghetti and meatballs at the second home and dessert at the last home. Most importantly, we had spiritual food at all three homes. At each place someone gave their testimony about how they were saved and we presented the Gospel. Time in vehicles between homes was also a valuable opportunity to discuss spiritual matters and answer questions on a personal level. We have two more meetings with youth scheduled before the end of the Spring semester. This is presently an open door for reaching young people who are desperately in need of Christ in a godless society. We are a bit saddened by the fact that one of the teenage girls who has been most effective in bringing friends is leaving this week to spend the rest of the school year in Germany as a part of her learning German program.
On the next to last Sunday of March, two of our regular families communicated the news that they were being transferred elsewhere with their jobs. This will leave a sizable dent in the congregation because each of these young couples has three grade school aged children; ten people gone at once.
We have been praying for the Spring conference. May God used what took place there to help us all in the service of the Lord. Thanks for your faithful support.
Until next month,
John and Judy 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 [March 2012]
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 in Christ,
The tornadoes and storms through which many of you are going have been in the news here. We think about you and pray that the Lord will protect you from harm. This relates indirectly to one of our Bible studies this week. This study is in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The judgments on the lost world symbolized by the blowing of the 7 trumpets draw our attention to the folly of human behavior.
Many people are concerned about protecting themselves from climate changes and the effects that these might bring on them. It is debatable whether we can do much to avoid these disasters. However, anyone can avoid the greatest disaster of all by trusting Christ and being eternally saved from all physical disasters. This is something that anyone, anywhere in the world can do. Yet, few are willing to surrender to Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, our mission here, and your mission there is to bring to the attention of folks around us that Jesus is the only sure hope. May our Lord help us to do the job effectively.
I want to mention three individuals for whom I am very grateful as we study the Word of God with others. The first two are my parents who are still serving as missionaries in Brazil at 86 years old. They taught me and, by example, encouraged me to read through the Bible and then continue reading through the Bible. This lifelong practice has helped me to see God’s revelation of Himself in a more complete and well rounded fashion than what is appropriated by reading most books and theological treatises and by listening to many well known preachers. Please, do not receive this as a condemnation of books or preachers. I am simply underscoring the value of knowing God’s word thoroughly and reviewing it regularly in its full scope. Thanks, mom and dad.
The other person who has had a great influence on me in understanding God’s revelation is Edward Overbey. As my pastor during my college years, he helped me greatly to work toward a correct exegesis of biblical texts. His patient and peaceful manner provided me with an outstanding example of applying Christlike principles in my interaction with others. Thanks, brother Overbey.
All of our Bible Studies are going well. We now have ongoing studies in Colossians, Revelation, II Timothy and the Gospel of John. God continues to open doors and we do the best that we know how in sowing the good seed. Last year three people who had professed faith followed the Lord in baptism. We would like to see many more saved and baptized, but our job is to display the light of the Gospel, sow the good seed, and disciple those who trust Christ.
The Hatchers sowing seeds in France!
As a boy, I was a charter member of the first church established in the work of my father in Manaus. Three baptized in one year would have been a banner year. Now that church, which has started many other churches, baptizes 50 – 100 hundred people every month. Last month they baptized 300 newly saved folks. These are folks who are serving the Lord and being discipled. I have been there among them. They are faithful to God’s word. So, what starts small can multiply…just as the Lord taught. This encourages us to keep working and trusting God.
Thank you for participating with us in the work of the Lord. Your praying and giving is not in vain. Many of you supported the planting of that little church in Manaus.
Today, Judy and I celebrate 39 years of married life serving the Lord together. It is a wonderful life. I asked God to give me the wife He wanted me to have. He gave and I have never been sorry for asking. Judy is a wonderful gift.
Serving the Lord 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 [February 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,
Greetings from frozen France. Well, I hope that we are not still frozen as you read this, but the last couple of weeks have been marked by unusually cold weather in all of Europe including Tournefeuille, France. Our winters are generally mild compared to where many of you live. There is rarely snow and little accumulation of the frozen flakes. We have only had mail service one day this week and trash collection is not taking place. Frozen pipes have been a common occurrence. This winter reminds us that God is in control! This includes opening doors that no man can close.
On Sunday afternoons after the meal, we have a review time and prayer for the work of the Lord here. Last Sunday, following prayer time I took a couple of the grandchildren out to do some impromptu sledding. The hill near our house was covered with sledders with parents watching. This gave me the opportunity to connect with many people I had not seen for a while and seems to have opened more doors for the future. God uses cold winters!
Greta with mother and siblings. She is the daughter of Joachim and Angela.
During the past month we have had a couple of first time visitors. One is the most recent child born to Angela and Joachim. What a joy to see God’s blessings on this couple who demonstrate clearly a love for the Lord since being saved. Joachim was the first person to be baptized into our congregation here. Greta is their third child. Two weeks ago, Joachim broke some sad news to us. This summer they will be moving to Germany with his job. This departure will leave a big gap. Former members of the Tournefeuille congregation are now living in six countries besides France. We have regular contact with most of these. Though it is sad to see them go, we know that historically God has used these movements of His people for the propagation of the Gospel. The church at Antioch and beyond are a good example of this. We work at preparing those who are saved to be good evangelists and disciple makers here or elsewhere.
Paolo, a young man that sings in the community choir in which I participate, came to our Sunday meeting for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I have been acquainted with him for about a year, but did not know much about him. With tears in his eyes, he told me about seeing is father for the first time in 20 years. His father’s departure from his home was quite abrupt and has marked his life. I told him about the Heavenly Father Who was always faithful. We pray that God will save this young man.
Pasqualine, is an eight year old girl who has been coming regular on Sundays. She is the daughter of a couple who also sing in the above mentioned choir. I have had the opportunity to witness to both of them but they have never come. Nevertheless, this daughter is quite interested. “Let the children come unto me.”
Sunday, Gilbert, another one of our men members, is teaching the adults for the first time. We are studying through the wonderful letter to the church at Colosse. This young man has really grown in the Lord during the last couple of years. His wife is saved and they participate regularly along with their 3 children. She also helps in Sunday School.
Thanks again for your participation in what God is doing here. Until next month, stay warm and above all seek to maintain a warm relationship with the Lord and His people.
For Christ in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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