The Importance of Connections
March 14, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Connections are important in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. This past Saturday evening at our youth meeting we discussed sharing the Gospel in deeds and words. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The primary way we first start sharing our light is through our deeds. As the old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” We discussed with the young people what they could do that would show God’s love and open doors for sharing the Good News.
One of our top priorities is doing good deeds; not to earn our way to Heaven but to channel the love of Jesus to those who need the same gift of eternal life that we have received. Everyone needs to be loved with the unconditional love of God who, “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” As many of you know, our primary way of making disciples through inductive Bible studies. The people who come to these Bible studies are people with whom someone who is already a disciple of Jesus has made a connection.
Connections are made by helping people physically by taking them to the doctor, school or shopping; being a friend to those who are lonely; listening to those who need an ear to hear them; helping them with studies or language learning; taking care of pets when the owners are away; watching their houses, taking in mail and other things when they are away; and so on.
When people know you love them by the deeds that you do, they begin to listen when you share what makes you tick. If they conclude that you are happier, more at peace, or joyful than they feel, they are more likely to come when you invite them to a Bible study to share with them your motivating faith.
Your connection with us is the means that our Heavenly Father has used to keep us in France connecting with people who are or become seekers. One day you will connect with these folks in Heaven. And, I don’t think you will have to learn a new language to speak to them.
So, thank you for connecting with us and keep praying for us as we try to connect with others and pass on the Good News of Jesus Christ,
John and Judy Hatcher
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, 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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God’s Hand at Work in Hurricane Irma
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
October 8, 2017
Dear Friends,
I’m almost certain that you either saw or read the news reports on Hurricane Irma as it passed through the Caribbean islands and then hit Florida. My family and I are living in the Tampa, Florida area and we were keenly aware of the meteorologists’ predictions about the size and intensity of that storm as it approached us. As a boy being raised in Florida in a Christian home, I had the experience several times of seeing how parents who trust in a sovereign Lord face the threat of nature’s forces with faith and confidence. Hurricane Irma’s arrival gave me the opportunity to exercise my own faith and trust in God’s power and goodness and to show to my own children and a Brazilian family who took refuge in our home during the storm that we truly do trust in Him.
Since the hurricane’s passing, I have also had numerous opportunities to minister to people whose homes were devastated by the winds. As I traveled about putting temporary tarp coverings on exposed homes, I ran into many people who are were more sensitive to their vulnerability and limitations and this afforded me the chance to share Christ’s love with them. I know that God was at work in a myriad of ways when He allowed that storm to come our way, but I am certain that at least two of those ways was to prepare the hearts of a family of five who came to my home and three homeless men who I ministered to in Naples, Florida where the damage was quite severe.
When we first went to Brazil 32 years ago we didn’t really know what to expect in terms of what we should take to be prepared to live and minister. Our 30 years there helped us be more discerning in our purchasing and packing and Charlene has been very busy using her keen sense of bargains as we get closer to our departure date.
Our evangelistic teams, Projeto Vida, are in two separate towns sharing the gospel in public schools as I write. There has been a great work of the Lord in leading many to repent of their sins and trust Christ as their Lord and Savior. I am looking forward to the days ahead when I can be with them in this unique gospel ministry.
If you or your church would be interested in meeting Charlene and me, or getting to know us better while we are still in the USA, please feel free to contact me at the address/phone number below for us to plan a visit.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Stateside Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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