18 New Apprentices in Training & Sharing the Gospel

February 2, 2025
Dear Friends,
I was in Brazil the last couple of weeks training a new group of missionary volunteers for this new year. Our traveling evangelism ministry partner, Projeto Vida, tries to put together at least two training seminars per year: one in January and one in July. This past month we had 18 new volunteer apprentices coming from four different states. A couple of other veteran missionaries and I were the speakers/mentors for this conference. We spent one week in the biblical study of missions and evangelism and then the students accompanied our experienced team of missionaries on a 10-hour trip to the southernmost state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. There in a coastal city called Canoas, they spent the final week in one-on-one evangelism and outreach. The Lord blessed tremendously in at least two predominant ways: Lost listeners heard the gospel message and surrendered their lives to Christ and, also, our new volunteers were overwhelmed with how much the Lord used them to share the love of Jesus to the lost and are excited about getting out there and participating more.
While in Brazil, my former co-pastor, now senior pastor, invited me to speak to my former church. The good folks gave me such a warm reception. It was very encouraging to see how well Cledson has taken up the reins and how well he and his wife, Fabiane, are leading the church. One of the impressive details about Cledson’s leadership is how he guided the church through a very difficult and painful move to other facilities. I know how hard that can be since I’ve done it a couple of times throughout our ministry. It was clear that the Lord was doing the leading, because of the better location and lower costs. The former building was located quite a distance from a major road or street, but their new location is right in front of a main city bus terminal and a neighborhood park. During the course of a week, tens of thousands of residents pass right in front of the new location. The park also offers ample opportunities for evangelistic outreach through social interaction with the visitors and residents. And, as I mentioned, this better location also comes with a better price. God is so good!
I spoke with Yago and Manoela, our missionaries to Portugal this week. They shared the news that Manoela’s pregnancy is going fine. Yago got some good news about his “tent-making” vocational income as well. Microsoft Portugal has handed him a new set of working orders which assure that they will continue to receive a good portion of their financial support for an extended period. He had told me a couple of months ago that they had not received any contract information, and they were concerned that their income might cease. Yago conveyed to me, though, that he and Manoela were certain that the Lord was not finished using them in Portugal yet, so they were prayerfully seeking His leading and sustenance. With this new work order information, they can rejoice now that the Lord has confirmed their presence there for some time. We continue to pray for them to win lost Portuguese people to Christ and to build the church there.
On a personal note: After nearly three months, Charlene and I were able to move out of the hotel back into our home. The repairs after Hurricane Milton are nearly done, lacking only the kitchen cabinet tops and a little bit of electrical work. We still have not had much success getting our insurance companies to pay their due protection, but we will continue to appeal the process and pray that the Lord will lead us to a viable solution.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and kind support. We pray that 2025 will be a year full of ministry opportunities and results.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Currently Stateside ministering to Brazil
Phone: (813) 501-9328
E-mail: 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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News & Reports – June 2023
The Online Edition of the June 2023 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. This month, we are featuring our Veteran Missionary Pensioners.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/story on our website. To view a VMP’s profile online, click on their picture.

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News & Reports – June 2022
The Online Edition of the June 2022 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. This month, we are featuring our Veteran Missionary Pensioners.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/story on our website. To view a VMP’s profile online, click on their picture.
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VMP: Harold & Ursula Draper

“We served in Cuiaba, State of Mato Grosso from 1977-1979 in the Boa Esperanca Baptist Church.
We then went to Sao Luis, State of Maranhao for 8 years from 1980-1988.
Then, back to Mato Grosso for 21 years from 1988-2009.
Our ministry was in church planting, Bible teaching, and construction of church buildings.
Here are some of the churches we either started or nurtured:
In the State of Maranhao: Cruzeiro do Anil Baptist Church; Anajatuba Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Sao Mateus.
In the State of Mato Grosso: Boa Esperanca Baptist Church; Primavera do Leste Baptist Church; Novo Diamantina Baptist Church; Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church; Jardim do Fortaleza Baptist Church; Characa dos Pinheiros Baptist Church.
We started or helped start at least 10 Baptist churches and preached in many public places during our time in Brazil. Most of these works are still doing well. Since we have left Brazil, two of them have merged and David Hatcher has assisted greatly with in the Novo Diamantina church.
We are presently pastoring Faith Baptist Church in Paducah, KY. We are both 80 years old now and slowing down just a little. We’re ready to go to Glory when the Master calls.”
Pray for them! Reach out to them through every means you can (call, write, e-mail), and let them know you still appreciate them and their service. They would love to hear from you personally, or from your Sunday School class, or your church leadership.
Harold & Ursula Draper
P. O. Box 395 | Bardwell, KY 42023
270-628-9517 / home phone
270-562-0828 / cell phone
hmdubdbr@yahoo.com
When you designate your offerings for ‘Veteran Missionaries Pension’ or for ‘Founder’s Month Offering’ [they are the same], they will be applied toward the continuing and on-going financial honor and support of these faithful life-long servants of Christ.
Click here to give now or you can mail your offering to:
BFM, c/o George Sledd
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
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News & Reports – June 2019 Issue [Online Edition]
The Online Edition of June 2019 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. Read how God is working through the lives of our faithful missionaries and continue to pray for them.
Click here to read the BFM News & Reports – June 2019 edition!
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [September 2015]

Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
August 18, 2015
Dear Brethren and Friends of Baptist Faith Missions,
The Lord has given us a varied and enjoyable month. Our granddaughter, Virginia McGary, the youngest child of Lynn and Ross McGary was married in Maryville, Tennessee. They invited our son Paul to officiate the Ceremony.
(Lynn and Ross worked with exceptional children and youth Nashville Tenn., and in five other States. Lynn suffered with cancer. After three operations she was told they could not operate any more.)
Virginia was nine years old when Lynn realized she did not have long to live. She asked the Lord to let her live until Virginia was the age of 16. God granted her that request. Ross, her father, passed away two years ago.
At the wedding, we rejoiced to see so many of our family members and friends who attended the wedding.
We are living with Paul and Wanda Clermont, Florida. We are attending an active Missionary Baptist Church that is about five minutes from our home. Our son, Paul and his wife, Wanda, purchased a house and invited us to live with them. Wanda’s widowed mother, Willa, also lives with them. She and her husband were missionaries in Eastern Kentucky for many years.
Paul is still active in the work in Brazil. He makes trips there about every three months. The Tabernacle Baptist Church is active in new works and presently are building a new building in the center of the city.
There are several churches here in central Florida that have a monthly Fellowship Meeting. We have enjoyed attending and fellowship. Brothers Doug King and George Sledd attend and we are thankful for their dedication and love for BFM. We thank all of you our faithful partners in His work. We love you and thank you.
Your missionaries,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [March 2015]

Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
February 9, 2015
Dear Brethren and Friends;
We thank and praise the Lord for the wonderful month He has given Alta and me. We, also, thank Paul and Wanda for all the wonderful help they give each day to these two “oldies”. Alta occupies much of her time writing letters of appreciation to those who send offerings and who pray for us.
I am still printing and binding the book, “Meet the Holy Spirit”. I try to complete eight or ten books a week.
Since we are not active on the mission field in Brazil any longer, I want to say we will be eternally grateful for all who have given and prayed for us. Since we still receive our monthly offering from the regular fund of BFM, as long as there are funds available, we would like to encourage you to send your gifts to us to the Regular BFM Fund, as that will be a continuing benefit to us as well as others.
News from Brazil tells us how the works are continuing, growing and being blessed. Personal witnessing is the constant desire of my heart and I ask the Lord each day to open opportunities. It is a real joy to tell the lost about the Savior. Every sinner has to hear the Gospel before they can be saved!
The Lord willing, we plan to attend the Spring BFM Mission Conference at Thompson Road Baptist Church, April 27,28,29. Hope we will see you there.
Please note new E-Mail address below. God bless you. Alta and I thank each of you for your faithful giving and praying.
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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