Special Pizza Day for Unchurched Friends

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.

May 21, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We pray and hope that you have had a wonderful, blessed month. We have had a great month with lots of activity at the church.

We had a special friends’ pizza day at the main church. The goal was to bring friends that were not church people to the special day. What was wonderful was that several people got involved in putting things together and helping serve the pizza. The youth help make the pizzas and help serve pizza and drinks. We had lots of people that came. There were around 200 people there. Then we also had Mother’s Day supper. That special day is put together by the fathers and the kids. That was also great. We had mothers who came from the Ubim mission. We had a sermon first then worship while the food was being served. It was fantastic.

This month, the Lord willing, we will start back working on the church building of Cacau and the camp. We have had lots of rain which makes it difficult to work outdoors. Now the rainy season is slowing down which helps.

We are also in process of training some new people to take over the mission at the village of Multirão. Kathy started there, and after a year, a group from Manaus took over the ministry. They were there for 9 years. They informed us that they are moving so they are turning over the mission back to us. So, for the next month while they get ready to move, we are taking different adults and youth to see who will take over the mission. Pray that God will place the people that will take over with a passion for God and ministry.

We want to thank each one of you for your prayers and support. You are an important part in our ministry. May God bless each one of you.

Love in our Lord and Savior,
Odali and Kathy Barros

Pizza Day

Mission of the Village of Multirão

Contact Info:
Odali & Kathy Barros
Iranduba, Amazonas
Brasil, SA
odali_kathy@hotmail.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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Students Surrender to Christ in São Paulo

Jud and Raquel Hatcher are third generation missionaries serving the Lord in São Paulo, 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.

Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522

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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Field Representative Report – August 2023

An update from Pastor David Pitman, Field Representative

2023 began with George Sledd and Sheridan Stanton presenting BFM to the Founders Conference in Florida.

In March, Darrell Messer and David Pitman were with Pastor Mark Campbell at Emmanuel Baptist, Salyersville, Kentucky.

Our team made its second visit to CBTS in March. 

In March BFM also displayed at the Addyston Baptist Church’s Men’s Retreat (Ohio) and the Spring Conference at Grace Baptist Church of Fairborn, Ohio.

Darrell Messer and Mark Pyles will lead our team’s return to G3, Atlanta in September.

David & Kym Pitman and Jonathan Turner are representing BFM in Brazil.

October 19-20, David & Kym Pitman and Dan Hillard will represent at DBTS in Detroit.

Pray for us!


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Intensive Outreach

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Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.

March 15, 2023

Dear Friends,

In my last correspondence I shared the marvelous news with you that Yago and Manoela, our missionaries to Portugal, were privileged to lead their first convert to Christ. Since then, they have kept up weekly Bible studies with Emanuel, the new disciple. This past Saturday, Emanuel braved the cold Atlantic waters and followed the Lord in baptism. He is thrilled with his daily walk with the Lord and the study of His word. At the same time, just as the Lord warned us, persecution has already begun. Some of his friends and family are trying to mock him and belittle his faith. Yago and Manoela were careful to point out to him to expect this kind of treatment and not to lose heart. In fact, it is a sign that the Lord is truly in and with him, for that is how the world and the devil treat God’s children.

Yago and Manoela are still searching for a house closer to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. They have begun several home Bible studies with believers scattered about in that general region. Where they live now is not conveniently located due to the cost of time and money getting to Lisbon. We are praying for them to find an adequate house or apartment within their budget where they can hold small groups and a weekend Bible club for children. Please pray with us for them to locate the right house for their work.

At our church’s new location, we have discovered some, let’s say, “interesting” challenges. We knew that the building would need some work done on a leaky roof. That was included in the contract for the property owner to fix back in December. Here we are in the middle of March and almost daily we are having to haul out buckets full of rainwater that drops right in the middle of our auditorium. The problem is being resolved, but it’s taking way longer than we anticipated and the constant rains require that we spend quite an amount of time mopping up water and moving furniture so that it won’t get wet. The good thing about this challenge is that our members are getting a good taste of investing their energy and resources into the Lord’s kingdom. We will be putting on a major Easter play production and we expect the building to be near full for two services. A leaky roof in the middle of a packed house could cause some very unpleasant scenes. So, pray that the workers can get the job done in time for the presentations and that the leaks are truly eliminated, please.

Today we went to the airport to pick up a team of 8 volunteer evangelists from Virginia. This is their 4th or 5th visit in about two years. They are some of the sweetest and humblest people we’ve met. But they are very bold in evangelism. They witness everywhere they go. In the markets, in the restaurants, in the parks and schools and the Lord has seen fit to bless with many people turning to Christ. They will be with us for 6 days of intensive outreach to over 4000 people outside of the church building. Mostly non-believers, for now, but we hope that many will be saved in these next few days of outreach.

In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser

Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.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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BFM Outreach at CBTS National Conference

An Update from Pastor David Pitman, BFM Field Representative

We are thankful for opportunities to introduce BFM to new friends. We are available to present at conferences and at churches. In March, Jonathan Turner, Darrell Messer, and I met over 250 registrants at the first CBTS National Conference in Louisville, Ky. The conference was also live-streamed to an audience, in English and Spanish, averaging 150 viewers. Our 90 second advertisement, prepared by Philip Hatcher, was broadcast repeatedly throughout the conference and live-stream. We were delighted to meet Paul Washer who was first introduced to missions by our beloved Homer Crain, long time BFM missionary in Peru.

We were delighted to meet Paul Washer who was first introduced to missions by our beloved Homer Crain, longtime BFM missionary in Peru.
Directors Jonathan Turner and David Pitman
Director Darrell Messer
Chatting with conference attendees
BFM ad in the conference program

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BFM NATIONAL CONFERENCES OUTREACH – WILL YOU HELP US?

Over the past three years, Directors of BFM have been attending and representing BFM in other national Conferences. These Conferences are also attended by numerous pastors and members of like-minded churches that share our core values of the Doctrines of Grace, local church, and Baptist distinctives. There are many such churches and brethren whom we have met and have yet to meet.

Through these contacts, God has been pleased to open their hearts with interest and inquiries concerning the ministries of BFM missionaries. Some have begun partnering with BFM with their monthly support. We bless God and thank them for the opportunities God has opened up for our acquaintance with one another, fellowship around our common convictions, and partnerships in support giving.

All of these efforts have been under the leadership of our David Pitman, our Field Representative. We want to pass on to you a request from him [and us] to help us with the expenses for these and future outreach opportunities we are planning.

Dear Brethren,

I am very thankful that we were able to present BFM at the October G3 Conference to over 6,400 attendees. We are praying for abiding fruit like partnering sending churches and missionary candidates and missionary support contributions. 

There will be no G3 Conference in 2022. I propose that we return to the Founders Conference in January, 2022. What I ask is for 6 churches to give $300 each to help with the cost. I will ask Addyston to be one of those churches. 

Thank you.

David Pitman, Field Representative

Of course, these outreach efforts require expenses. BFM has purchased the opportunity to set up an exhibit table and display along with numerous other ministries in attendance at these Conferences. We have also produced handout cards and other materials to be distributed. We have funded the travel and accommodations for our Directors to attend and personally represent BFM.  

Please join us in praying for the Lord’s pleasure in these activities and in your financial sharing in the expenses to continue this valuable outreach.

Here are some sample images from the last Conference.


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Faithfulness in Available Opportunities

Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.

In my last correspondence, I mentioned that there was a possibility that our governing authorities might extend the COVID lockdown for a longer period and that is what happened. In fact, we had to hold all the worship services during the month of March by live video rather than in person. There is an upside to this in that we are all getting more adept at using technology and social networking to further the cause of Christ. I know that I, myself, have gotten more adept at speaking to a camera with no one present, except Charlene, and I had never done that before. We have also seen a huge increase in the number of viewers of our services than what we were having in person. We improved the equipment we were using and plan to continue to minister with it even after returning to live services next week.

All of our outreach team members have been actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel in ways that differ from their usual public school presentations. The number of people that they have been able to reach was greatly reduced, but the Lord knows that and we know that what counts is faithfulness in the opportunities available. Nonetheless, they all are getting antsy to get back out on the highways and into the many towns where there are no evangelical churches. The Lord willing, the tight COVID restrictions will be lifted very soon and public presentations will be possible.

I ask that you remember us in your prayers, both for wisdom to know how to minister in these strange new times and that we’ll have increased opportunities to share the gospel in the coming weeks.

We are extremely grateful to you who have been faithful to pray for and support us in our labors.

In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser

Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.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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S’more Time to Share the Gospel!

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”

October 10, 2019

Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,

We hope that this letter finds you enjoying the Lord’s presence and looking on the fields that are ripe for the harvest. Along the roads in Indiana yesterday I noticed many farmers gathering the harvest. This certainly reminds us of the Lord’s admonition that fields are ready for harvest.
It is cooler in France as well as in the USA, a good time to have one of the young peoples’ favorite activities for youth night…roasting hot dogs and marshmallows for “smores”. I am including a picture Amanda sent me of this part of the youth meeting this past Saturday. The youth meetings have been an excellent means to share the gospel. The believing young people have brought dozens of friends. Some of those who have come in recent years are now off to college. Pray for God to bring spiritual thirst and salvation to those who have not yet trusted Him. Pray also for those who are believers and now in University settings that the Lord would guide them and use them as His light in their new situations.

Roasting smores at a youth meeting in France

Judy and I have been volunteering in an excellent missionary outreach to children in the Evansville Public Schools. Cheryl Simmons, a lady who was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church when I served as pastor before going to France, is the director of this ministry. Steve, her husband, who came to the Lord during our ministry at Emmanuel moves and sets up trailers near each of the 23 elementary schools in Evansville. One day per week the third and fourth graders in each school who have their parents’ permission are released to go to these trailers to be taught Bible lessons. A number of volunteers serve as teachers and assistants in this great Bible ministry to children. Each year a number of these children trust Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.

Your fellow servants,
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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