Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [November 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 5, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Next week is the Thanksgiving Conference hosted annually by New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn, MI. We are grateful, members of New Hope, for all the hard work and financial commitment that you give annually to this event because you love the Lord, those who need Christ and us. Our prayer is that God will use these meetings for His glory and the blessing of all who attend.
The Vacation Bible School, held the week before last, went well and some of the children attended for the first time. Our theme this year was the Word of God. Job commitments reduced the number of people from our congregation involved in teaching and helping with the children. However, the leadership team worked together smoothly and we were very happy with the outcome.
We are also happy with the development so far of the free English class for young children who live near us. This has opened a door with the parents. One of the parents mentioned that she told a friend of hers about our introduction of kids to “the faith” and that when we had Vacation Bible School next time this friend wanted to send her children.
Our next monthly youth meeting is this coming Saturday. We continue to have new children at nearly every meeting. Reaching children and young people is very important. Generally, people here think that believing in God and interest in spiritual things is a thing of the past and only for unintelligent people. Having contact with young folks who have not yet become hardened is a great opportunity.
During the past month we have had the opportunity to develop a number of new contacts and friendships. Some of these came unexpectedly as extensions of former relationships. We also reconnected with people we had not seen for a while. Please, pray with us that God will continue to open doors and that we will use the opportunities effectively.
May the Lord’s richest blessings be evident to you today.
John and Judy Hatcher 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 [November 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 2, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The month of October was encouraging in many ways. We had a full house nearly every Sunday of the month. Forty people in our living room is a full house. There is good evidence of God at work in the lives of believers.
On the 12th of October we had the first youth meeting for this school year. We were expecting a pretty good turn out and we were not disappointed. We had 23 adolescents. This is all a result of friends bringing friends. This coming Saturday will be the 2nd youth meeting of this school year. We would appreciate your prayers for these meetings. It is really a great opportunity to communicate the Gospel. Since half of the French population is atheist, 10% muslim, 2 % active Catholics and the rest “non-practicing”, the general opinion is that only the mentally incompetent and freaks believe the Bible. By the time people reach adulthood they are very hardened and biased against Christ.
The week before last we had Vacation Bible School which also went very well. Our lessons this year were on the “big picture” of God’s plan for human beings. We taught about Creation, The Fall, The Flood and the ministry of Christ to save us. Amanda also prepared and wrote songs that emphasized the truths we studied. Nothing helps one remember the truth better than setting it to a memorable tune. The value of music in praise of God and retention of His revelation is emphasized throughout the Scriptures. It is really great to work with such a talented and committed team of workers.
Another opportunity this month was the result of a sad event. One of the ladies that made profession of faith a few years ago committed suicide. I believe that she really knew the Lord, but she certainly had a lot of ups and downs in her life. However, the funeral service did give an opportunity to proclaim the gospel to folks from different backgrounds including several Muslims. We are reminded regularly that we are here because our world is a fallen world that is filled with people who are in desperate need of Christ.
I will close with the testimony of a lady who is member here. She was not saved here, but came here from another Baptist Church after they moved to a city neighboring our city. She grew up in a home of atheists. Nevertheless, God gave her a hunger to know him and she went searching. She went to a reformation church to take religious classes but as it turned out the pastor who gave the classes did not even believe that the Bible was God’s word. Knowing of her interest in searching for God, someone invited her to a series of Bible studies where she trusted Christ. However, no one explained to her the need to participate in a church. When she was 17 years old she spent a few months in South Africa helping in an orphanage, I think. While she was there she read through the entire Bible. Two of many things that came out of reading her Bible was first, she was impressed by the faithfulness of God as revealed in the Old Testament. Secondly, she recognized the need to be a part of a body of believers. She was at that age more independent and able to follow through with what she realized was God’s will. Her parents still are not saved but she is married and she and her Christian husband have 2 children and participate regularly with us.
Thanks for participating with us in what God is doing here. God is using you to meet our needs as we seek to serve Him here.
Serving with You,
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher [December 2012]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”
November 30, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Vacation Bible School in Tournefeuille held the first week of November went wonderfully well. The teachers were all well prepared and worked together flawlessly. The theme was reaching children around the world. We had special emphasis on Latin America, Asia, India and Africa. This included information on people groups and stories about missionaries to each of these continents, Bible stories, memory verses and a number of other activities. The gospel was clearly presented through the spoken and sung Word. It is really encouraging to observe the diligent and joyful service of the believers. Our oldest granddaughter, Abigail, participated for the first time as a leader. The primary purpose of this effort is to proclaim the Gospel. So, everyone involved was delighted that we had a good number of children participate who were from families outside the church. This underscores the importance of faithfully sowing and living the Word. Most of these who came were from ongoing contacts of many years.
John Mark Hatcher teaching VBS in France
On November 15 Judy and I left France to spend 6 weeks with our daughter Lydia to help her and her family after the birth of her and Adam’s 3rd child. Elias James Reece was born as we traveled. Mother and child are doing well. We are enjoying the visit with them and have also been able to spend time with our daughter Laura, son David and family, and a number of fellow believers. The Lord willing, we will return to Tournefeuille, France on January 1.
Three of the girls at VBS!
This trip to the US made it possible to attend the Thanksgiving Conference sponsored by New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, MI. Thanks to all from this church and Grace Baptist Church, Wyandotte, MI for making the Conference a blessing to us and all who attended. We were able to fellowship with many brothers and sisters in Christ from Michigan whom we had not seen for many years. This was only our second time attending this conference since going to France in 1999. It was also delightful to visit with Sheridan and Anita Stanton, my aunt Neree, cousin Bob and wife Sharon and the Gerig Family who drove from Columbus, OH to see us.*
The time spent with the directors was fruitful. We thank God for each of these who serve us and our supporters faithfully. Their continuous labor, your support and the prayers of many are being used by God to enable us and the other missionaries associated with Baptist Faith Missions to proclaim the Good News, disciple believers and establish churches in France in and many other parts of the World.
Judy Hatcher serving at VBS
The news from France is encouraging. Some of our Bible studies and activities must be put on hold while we are away, but the Church at Tournefeuille and many of its activities continue because of those that are faithfully serving there. It is truly a team effort.
May each of you enjoy God’s blessings and be fruitful in the service of the Lord.
Serving the Lord in France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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*Editor’s Addendum: You can listen to Bro. John Mark & Bro. Sheridan Stanton sing “I Love to Tell the Story” together at the Thanksgiving Conference on the BFM Youtube Channel.
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