Always on the Mission Field
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
February 11, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
You never know when the Lord may open the door for you to speak to someone about Christ. I was flying back from Florida this past Friday night and a young man sitting next to me told me that it was only his second time to fly. His first airplane flight was just a week earlier on his way down to Florida. He was from western Kentucky.
As he spoke, I asked God to open the door for me to speak to him about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Maybe five minutes after that prayer Trenton asked me if I was speaking on the phone in another language when he first sat down next to me. I told him, “Yes, I was speaking in French.” This led to his inquiry about why I spoke French and I told him that I lived in France. Shortly thereafter he asked me if I was there for a job, and we were off… to heaven! So, for the rest of the flight we spoke of our need and Christ doing all necessary for us to be forgiven, become God’s children and live with an eternal purpose. He did not make a profession of faith on the spot, but did speak of his need and how God had brought others unexpectedly into his life to talk about salvation.
All of us are always on the mission field. It is important to realize that this is the reason our Heavenly Father has left us here on earth.
So, why was I in Florida, anyway? Paul and Wanda Hatcher were returning from Manaus, Brazil where they had been for the last 6 months. The Lord richly blessed their ministry to the Tabernacle Baptist Church and other churches during this time. They were returning bringing with them our father, John A. Hatcher, who’s health has declined substantially. All of us in the family are very grateful for the continual and demanding care that Paul and Wanda have committed themselves to provide for our parents during the past five years. They have done this as a ministry to enable Judy and me, David and Pennie, and Kathy and Odali to give ourselves to ministry where God has placed us.
So, I was at their house in Florida to clean, sort and move things to provide the best circumstances for their return and sort through documents so that Paul and Wanda would have the all they needed to care for Dad in the home and provide for future care.
I then drove to Miami to pick them up and taxi them back to central Florida. The Lord worked everything out perfectly and I also enjoyed visiting with a couple of churches in central Florida where we have family and friends.
We are looking forward to being back with Emmanuel Baptist Church of Bellbrook, OH, February 21-23, for a series of meetings on following Jesus to make disciples. If you live in this area and are interested, you can contact Pastor Darrell Messer for further information. We are also looking forward to being with New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, KY on March 1 and celebrate with them 23 years as a church.
We thank God for your prayers and faithful support.
May the Lord bless each of you,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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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Celebrating the Church’s 90th Birthday in New Building with New Professions of Faith!
Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.
June 18, 2019
Dear Brethren,
For a long time, we have known that we needed to expand our facilities if we wanted to continue to absorb growth. To that end we built a new steel building over the top of our old building. That was the easy part. Getting up the gumption to tear down the old building and rebuild was the hard part. It had to be done though, so on January 13th we held our last service in the old building. From there on out we held services on the third floor of the annex.
On January 18th we started the demolition. The goal was to move back in by the church’s birthday on May the 12th. Those four months were intense, to say the least. I only made three mission trips during that period. For the whole time I worked 10 to 18-hour days. Naturally, I caught a lot of grief from my wife (not so much because of the long hours), but because from time to time I was 30 feet above the ground in the rafters. The Lord protected us all and there were no serious accidents or injuries.
On May the 10th we held a three-day meeting to celebrate the church’s 90th birthday. Brother Joe Brandon organized the church with 13 members on May 12, 1929. Today the church has well over 1600 members including those who are in our 9 chapels here in town. Pastor David Hatcher was our guest speaker. On Saturday we had our annual pastors and missionaries meeting with over 100 workers present.
Our former seating capacity was 830. The goal was to double that with the new building. We put every available bench, pew and chair in there. We still had room for another 200 seats. We filled the building every night. The guys who take care of stats for me counted over 1400 on Sunday night. The best thing though was that during the meeting there were 24 professions of faith.
A few months ago, I designed the new pews for our new building. We managed to get 8 of those finished for the church to see in time for the anniversary services. We will be building over 100 of these to be able to fill those extra spaces and replace some of the older pews. I am telling this mostly for the following reason: I told the church that once we got moved back in, I was going to take off a month and rest. So just before I left Cruzeiro do Sul, I stretched out on one of the new pews to begin my rest!
Bev and I have been in the States for almost a month. We will be returning to Brazil on June 20. I still have most of the finish work on the building awaiting me besides 3 other building projects, not to mention all the other regular jobs that I must keep up with. So, pray and rejoice with us about all the great things that are happening in Cruzeiro do Sul.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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My “Raison D’être”
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 12, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Fussy babies, worried moms, scared friends, those with an uncertain future, those who are clueless to their need of a Savior, Bible studies with young Christians who eagerly desire to live for Christ, youth launching out into a future they hope is bright, empty nesters who, all of a sudden, wake up to realize that their home is void of what gave them purpose, children with minds waiting to soak up the teachings of the Bible, those who retire and wonder “now what?” Does this sound like the world that surrounds you? It’s the world that surrounds me!
My “raison d’être” is to share Christ in the place he has placed me, but how does that work out in my daily life, how do I prioritize, how do I keep my eyes on the goal? GOOD QUESTION!
First, by fixing my eyes on Jesus. How much does He love me? What are His plans for me? How did He interact with those around Him? What did He do when…?
As James 1:5 says, “…ask for wisdom…” Seeking God’s leading is first and foremost. Daily communication with the Father through prayer and Bible reading is necessary for my personal well-being and for being able to give wise counsel and how to share Him with people who don’t even consider that they have a need of Him.
Often “getting into people’s lives” requires making muffins, offer of babysitting, a dinner invitation, picking up mail, invitation to a church event, with the prayer of being ready to give an answer to the hope that I have. Often we stand in amazement when we are asked a question, seemingly coming from nowhere, yet knowing it is God as He does go before us. Oh how we rejoice as we see God open doors that normally would be nailed shut!
Again, you may say, “Hum your life is not much different from mine.” Yes! One difference is God has placed me here and you there for the same purpose, that His Good News of Salvation would be heard.
And, I can only be here because of your love for the Gospel and your generosity toward us. Thank you!!!! May God bless us all as we labor, each in our corner of the world.
With love from France,
Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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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Every Disciple is a Missionary
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 31, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The news from Southern France is good. Participation in the Sunday meetings has been good. This coming Saturday, September 2, will be the first youth meeting for the new school year. It has been a great blessing to have Philip and Amanda and our grandchildren serving with us. What great missionaries they are. Our Granddaughters have been very effective in reaching their friends in the public schools where they attend. Their parents have done and continue to do a great job in encouraging the girls in their walk with Christ and have been great examples as they reach out to their neighbors, co-workers and others with whom they have formed relationships in their community.
Our passion is to make disciples and every disciple is a missionary. This is how the Gospel impacted lives in the first decades following the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Note Luke’s inspired words, “And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (emphasis is mine) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:1-4) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21)
Judy has completed the therapy following her kneecap surgery but continues to work hard at getting full normal use of her leg. We walk in the neighborhood and exercise at the YMCA in Evansville. In these two activities, we have been able to make many contacts and have had many good conversations. Judy is now meeting weekly with a lady she met who needs Christ. They are studying through the Gospel of Matthew.
Peggy is doing better. One of the blessings we have is to participate in a Bible study she has with a couple in her home. The lady trusted Christ after being in a Bible study with Peggy for over a year and a half. She has followed the Lord in baptism. The husband is very interested. Just since we have been here the study has gone through the two letters from Peter and is now in first John.
Thank you for your faithful participation in the ministry in France and the continued support as we serve here while waiting to return to France.
Rejoicing in Christ, John and Judy
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher[at]aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Outreach & Training in Mutirão
Odali and Kathy Barros served the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil together from 1987-2013. In late 2013, they transitioned to Manaus in Northern Brazil to start sharing the Gospel and planting churches in villages along the river.
September 14, 2016
Odali and Kathy Barros are reaching out to several different communities in Brazil.
The outreach stretches for eight weeks in three different communities.
Pictured below is a gathering in Mutirão where they had 150 people present.
The building pictured is 8 meters x 15 meters (~26 feet x 49 feet).
They are using this ministry to train some of their people and then plan to move it to cities far away. Pray for those serving and for those who will hear the Gospel!
Odali & Kathy Barros
Caixa Postal 1
Iranduba, Amazonas 69.415.000
Brasil, S.A.
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
Blog
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Feeling Like a True Missionary
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
June 29, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Some days I feel like a true missionary. I felt that way a few days ago when Julie and I went to visit Amy and Josiah at RVA, their boarding school located in the Great Rift Valley. To get to the school we need to go down a steep, winding road to half-way down the escarpment where the school is located. Usually we are able to take this “main” road down the escarpment. But the government is currently paving parts of the road and with the recent rains in that area the road had been closed. So, the only way Julie and I could get down the escarpment to see our kids was to take the alternative route. This alternative route was a narrow, mud-filled path that led down the escarpment. It is primitive enough that nobody bothered to close it even though it was in much worse shape that the “main” road that actually had been officially closed. I put the vehicle in 4-wheel drive, low gear and started down the mountain. I guess some men would think this an adventure. I, on the other hand, get nervous in those situations, knowing that at any time I could be slipping off the crown of the path and hopelessly stuck. Julie and I were able to slip and slide our way down the path to the school, white knuckling the steering wheel the whole way. But we had to make it down because it was Amy’s 16th birthday. And make it down we did. That day I felt like a true missionary.
But I guess true missionaries do other things too, that are a bit more mundane, if not more important. This past month I taught a week long class to 11 students on Biblical Financial Management. It is an important class because the whole idea of managing finances is somewhat foreign to many Kenyans. There is very little concept of the future in their culture. And their cultural ideas of money is quite often very contrary to the Scriptures. For example, if money comes into their church via offerings and the Pastor has a need (say, to pay school fees for his kids), then he oftentimes feels quite justified in taking the church’s money and using it for his own personal needs. This practice is widespread and nobody thinks anything of it. The younger generation of Kenyan church workers see the practice as immoral but usually don’t have the clout to confront the older generation of pastors. The goal of my teaching in this class was to try and reach this younger generation and to get them to follow Biblical principles in the way they use money in their families and churches. We have to think “generationally” as we try to grow the Kingdom of Christ in Kenya.
I will be heading to the States for the month of August for Emily’s wedding. Please pray for our ministries and those here who will be overseeing things while we are in the States.
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
Visit their blog!
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The Challenge of Missions (Part 6)
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 6
[click here for previous chapters]
MISSIONS IS ABOUT GOD’S WORK
Although men are indispensable to the work of missions, it is no human project. Love drew Salvation’s plan—eternal Love—long before man was brought on the scene. It is His plan for men to be shareholders in all that He is and has. “Let us make man in our own image,” said the Tri-personal God. “One that is like us who will be able to participate in and enjoy all that is ours.” Man would be able to be in God’s presence and enjoy communion with Him. Man was made to be free, but, his allegiance had to be voluntary. This makes the testing of man’s will not only a possibility; but a necessity. For this reason the arch enemy was allowed to enter man’s domain. Man’s will was on trial.
Man failed to make the right choice and forfeited his dominion to the ruler of darkness. Why was man created so he could sin? Here enters the debates about free will. C. S. Lewis wrote, “When we have understood about free will, we shall see how silly it is to ask, as someone asked me: Why did God make man of such rotten stuff that it went wrong? The better stuff a creature is made of—the cleverer and stronger it is—and the better it will be if it goes right, but, also, the worse it will be if it goes wrong. A cow cannot be very good or very bad; a dog can be both better or worse; a child better or worse still; an ordinary man, still more so; a man of genius, still more so; a superhuman spirit—best or worse—of all.” Satan went bad and man went bad because he chose to follow him. Due to man’s choice, eternal punishment, determined for Satan and his angels, became the lot of sinful man. Justice so demanded.
However, God is, more than Justice. He is Love and Mercy. He had another plan built upon the person of the Son. That project included grace and mercy for those under eternal judgment. There would be redemption for the cursed. —“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1 To justify sinners and be perfectly just, God gave His own Son to redeem men from the curse of sin. Romans 5:26
The Damascus Road experience of Saul of Tarsus shows that missions is God’s project. The glory of the risen Lord cast a blinded Saul to the ground. “And a voice said to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?’ and he said ‘Who art thou Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecute.’ Saul had persecuted the servants of Christ—the church—but in reality he was warring against Jesus, for He indwells His servants and His churches. Missionaries, get this into your minds and hearts. Missions is God’s work and when people despise you, they are despising the Lord. When God’s people and churches neglect this work they are neglecting the work of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit made this clear as he led Luke to write the book of Acts. It is the evidence that Missions is God’s work, and is under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught this to the apostles before returning to Heaven. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he might abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth; who the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him for he dwells with you and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17) Jesus said the world would not receive (be able to take) the Holy Spirit. Then Judas, not Iscariot, asked how the Comforter could come and be known to them and not to the world. To this question Jesus replied, “If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him…These things I have spoken unto you, being present with you. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, which I have said unto you.” (John 14:23-26) In Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen of the book of John, Jesus continues His teaching about the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In His last conversation with the apostles Jesus made it clear there would be a change of Leadership from the Son to the Holy Spirit. “And being assembled together with them, commanded that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard from me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence…but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. “(Acts 1:4,5,8)
The Holy Spirit came as promised. His coming was evidenced by miraculous gifts given to the apostles. They spoke in tongues without having studied them. They received the power to heal, to prophecy, to discern spirits, as well as other gifts. The Holy Spirit directed the apostles and the churches in the apostolic period concerning the work of God.
First, the Holy Spirit identified and accredited those chosen as apostles, His church, who were to do His work. Peter stood with the eleven and declared that the Holy Spirit was identifying the servants of the Lord (Acts 2:7,14,18). His presence and power were manifest in the apostles’ wisdom and courage, as (Acts 4: 13-16) well as in their works. The Holy Spirit directed the choice (Acts 6:4-8) of the first deacons. The Holy Spirit blessed the ministry of Philip, both in public preaching and in personal (Acts 8: 5-8,26-39) evangelism. The leadership in the churches was directed by the Holy Spirit: Peter was sent to the Gentiles to the house of Cornelius (Acts 10). Barnabas was sent to Antioch (Acts 11:22-24). Paul and Barnabas were sent from the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). The book of Acts is the witness of the Holy Spirit as to whom God had called and set apart. The ministry of Peter is foremost in the first part of the book and the ministry of Paul is in the spotlight in the last half of the book. (Cf. Galatians 2:8) The Holy Spirit continues to call and prepare men for the ministry.
In addition to the choice and accreditation of God’s servants, the Holy Spirit instructed them WHAT to do. First, they were to preach the message of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection. They did so continually. The twelve preached on the day of Pentecost, they preached in the Temple, they preached publicly, they preached from house to house, they preached to the Samaritans, and they preached to the Gentiles. They heralded the message of Jesus Christ to the multitudes, they conversed the message de Jesus Christ privately, they told the message as they fled, as they hid, when they were free, when they were in prison, when in court, and when shipwrecked. Secondly, they baptized the ones who believed. Churches were established and confirmed in the faith. They did not go about selling sacraments nor did they carry a pocket full (Chaucer) of pardons “hot from Rome.” Their ministry was of the Word of God. No sacramental plan of salvation is led by the Holy Spirit whether it be from the church of Rome or the churches of the Reformation. Preach the Word! because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” is the Spirit’s instruction.
Not the least among the works of the Holy Spirit was His guidance concerning where and to whom to preach. He instructed the apostles to preach to Jew and Gentile. The twelve were reluctant to preach to the Gentiles—Peter being the most reluctant. But it was to Peter the keys of the Kingdom were given and he must be the one to use them. He and John (Acts 8:14-15) went to Samaria to verify the salvation of the Samaritans. It was righteous Peter who was sent first to the Gentiles—to the (Acts 10) house of Cornelius. After the vision in Joppa, Peter was sent to Caesarea with a zeal and enthusiasm equaled only by the prophet Jonas on his way to preach at Nineveh. But, the Holy Spirit taught him well and Peter learned the truth—Jesus died for Gentiles, also. Peter’s witness concerning the Gentiles was vital (Acts 11 & 15). The Holy Spirit led and directed the work of Paul. He did not permit the apostle (Acts 16:7) to go into Asia. He led him into Macedonia through a vision (Acts 16:9). The leadership of the Holy Spirit is just as vital to God’s messengers today.
J.A. Hatcher
[Click here to view all “The Challenge of Missions” posts by John A. Hatcher]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence. They now reside in Florida where they continue to share the Gospel with everyone they meet.
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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The Challenge of Missions (Part 5) by John A. Hatcher
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 5
[click here for previous chapters]
MISSIONS IS ABOUT GOD’S SON
Missions is about the position and the eternal work of the Son of God. Although the persons of the Trinity have just been discussed, it is necessary to speak more about the work of the Son. He has preeminence in all of God’s plans and purposes. In mission work, He must occupy the very same position of preeminence. God has determined that Jesus shall have preeminence in all things. A study of the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians will be of great benefit.
Missions is proclaiming to the world the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the eternal benefits offered to all who will receive His pardon and submit to His Lordship. “For by Him were created all things, that are in Heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: “who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1: 16-18. Forsaking family and friends, sacrificing all material ambitions, doing good to men, and even dying signify nothing unless Christ is exalted.
Many means and motives have been used to promote mission service and stewardship: the illiterate, the sick, the enslaved of vices, the hungry, the dirty, and the dying. All these can successfully motivate service and giving without the mention or even belief in Jesus Christ. Real missions must follow the purpose of the Father and the Holy Spirit—to exalt the Son.
Jesus must be exalted for the Father has so determined. Paul wrote that the Christian’s growth: his wisdom and spiritual understanding, his fruitfulness, his strength for patience and longsuffering, his thanksgiving to the Father, his inheritance with the saints, and his deliverance from the powers of darkness are benefits received from the Son. Col 1:9-13
Jesus must be exalted for He is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of every creature; He has the first place in every aspect of God’s work and dominion. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is the final and perfect revelation of God—He has first and final place in revelation.
He is the first to have overcome sin and the power of Satan. He is the first to have raised from among the dead. He is the first to come from and return to heaven. He is the first one born of and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the Sustainer of all things. He alone has the power and ability to stand between God and man. He is the person and message of reconciliation—the daysman of whom Job (Job 9:33) had not heard, Who puts His hand on God and on man—reconciling the sinner to the Holy God. What Grace! What a message! What a privilege men have to carry it to the ends of the earth! That is what missions is about!
In His exaltation Jesus is the head of the body, the church (generic). Idolatrous men carry their adored images and idols through the streets of many lands. They carry them on their shoulders to exalt, to praise, and to manifest their adoration, though their gods are dumb and dead. The churches of Jesus Christ have the privilege to exalt Him. He has redeemed them by His Blood. They are the heirs of His Kingdom. The church must carry the message of Jesus Christ on its shoulders to the ends of the earth. The processions of the wicked praise their idols; the church must walk in continual procession proclaiming the praises of Jesus. God is glorified in the church through the (Eph. 3:3) ages by the exaltation of Jesus Christ. God’s Son is what missions is about.
J.A. Hatcher
[Click here to view all “The Challenge of Missions” posts by John A. Hatcher]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence. They now reside in Florida where they continue to share the Gospel with everyone they meet.
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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