Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [December 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
December 1, 2014
Dear Brothers and Mission Partners,
Each day as I think of how God has used our family, I thank Him for the Grace and blessings He has poured out on this unworthy person. I thank, you, dear friends for your faithful prayer and financial support through the sixty years God has used us in Brazil.
Also, Alta and I praise God for the wonderful children He given to us. We desired to have eight children, but we had only five. Like the five we have, if starting over, we would want at least eight. We praise our Lord for how He has and is using them and their dear wives and families in the Harvest of Souls.
The Annual Baptist Faith Missions Thanksgiving Conference at New Hope Baptist Church of Dearborn, Michigan was a great one. The messages were excellent, and the love and warmth of the pastor and people were wonderful. Thank you, Brother Adkins and the people of New Hope and others who helped!
On the way north to Dearborn Heights, we visited Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bellbrook, Ohio where Brother Darrel Messer is the pastor. We thank them for their love and generosity.
The work in Brazil is going well. Here we are trying to make more copies of “MEET THE HOLY SPIRIT” in book form and on CDs.
God bless each of you.
We thank you sincerely in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
John and Alta Hatcher
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [November 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
October 29, 2014
Dear Brothers and Partners,
Days and months pass quickly. At the age of eighty-nine we have discovered that life passes more quickly than we could have imagined. Another wonderful truth we have discovered is: God never fails! He is with us and brings joys into our lives at every stage and age. Our address is: 15905 Mercott Court, Clermont, FL 34714; our phone is : 229-529-8497.
The present joy and blessing is: Our son Paul and wife, Wanda, have purchased a home in Florida and invited us to live with them. Willa, Wanda’s mother also lives with them. We thank God for their love and kindness. I do not drive any longer, and they have been more than a right arm to us. Needless to say, after being separated in our work for so long, we are enjoying the sweetness of their fellowship.
Paul and I have been working on the re-editing and printing of my book “Meet the Holy Spirit”. On Saturday, we will go with him to Arcadia, to the Temple Baptist Church where Brother Doug King is pastor. In November we will be going to Dearborn, Michigan to the Annual Mission Conference at New Hope Baptist Church where Terry Adkins is the pastor. On this trip, the Lord willing, we will make stops in Georgia and Lexington, KY.
The works in Brazil are going well. Pray for our son, David. He is in Brazil disposing and caring for all the things and house and two old cars we had there. He is being a great blessing to us.
May God bless each of you. We thank you for your love and support you have given for many years.
Sincerely in the Name of our Lord Jesus,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [October 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
September 29, 2014
Dear Brethren and Friends,
Greetings once more from our new home in Florida. For you who have not heard Paul and Wanda have purchased a home in Clermont, Florida. It has a three-room apartment in the back area of the house where we are living.
Our address is:
John and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
Our new phone number is: 229-529-8497
It is a real joy to be close to Paul and Wanda. This past week I reread and edited my book on the Holy Spirit. Paul was a real help since I know very little about computers and electronic gadgets. The edition is in the English language. We have some copies printed in 8 x 11.5 book form, and also on CD. If anyone would be interested in getting a copy, you can write to the above address.
Last Sunday, Paul was invited to preach at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mims, FL. I was invited to teach the congregation during the Sunday School Hour. I spoke on being filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul brought two good messages concerning the Christian life.
Needless to say, life is quite different at eighty-nine than it was at 40 or 50. The body has weakened and the mind does not function as before. But, we praise the Lord for all that He has done and is doing. Our only desire is that He use our lives for His honor and glory.
September 14 was Alta’s big day. It was her birthday. Praise the Lord she is in good health and says she feels better than she ever has. We praise the Lord for each day He gives.
Each day I ask the Lord to give me opportunities to tell the Gospel to someone. I have had great opportunities. I always remember: Every person who dies lost will spend an eternity in Hell. Jesus can save if they believe, BUT, no one can believe unless they hear. Lord, help us to be faithful in telling the Story!
God bless you and we thank you for your prayers and faithful support through the years.
Sincerely, in His Name,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [September 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
August 30, 2014
Dear Brethren and Friends,
Greetings from our new home in Florida, warm sunny Florida. Paul and Wanda have purchased a home in Clermont, Florida. It is a lovely large home that has a three-room apartment in the back where we are living. The address is: John and Alta Hatcher, 15905 Mercott Court, Clermont, FL 34714
Our new phone number is: 229-529-8497. John’s E-mail is: jhatcher[at]uol.com.br Paul’s cell phone is: 239-227-6551. Paul’s E-mail is: rphatcher[at]gmail.com You can get in touch with us through any of these contacts.
Moving from the rented house and getting everything moved in and set up has been a lot of work for Paul and Wanda. We have helped when and however possible. Our health has been well for old folk. Alta has a pestering cough, which she thinks is from neck bone misalignment; please pray for her to be relieved of it, if it be the Lord’s will.
We are physically not capable of doing what we once were able to do. We do take every advantage to spread the Gospel each day as the Lord opens opportunities. Pray with us for the Lord to open doors and opportunities to sow the message of the Gospel.
Work in Brazil. This past week the Chapada Baptist Church had its annual Conference. 700 persons were registered from places outside of Manaus. The work is progressing well. In the city of Cascavel, a Church was begun out of the Chapada Church by Colonel Jefferson, an army officer. Three days of special services at that Church brought a total of 1,800 decisions.
Finally, Psalm 1 continues to be a daily blessing to my spiritual life.
Psalm 1 – Instructions for a happy and blessed life. Four promises.
1-Be like a tree planted by living waters.
2-Bring forth fruit in his season.
3-Leaf shall not wither.
4-All that he does shall prosper. (There is no greater promise than this!)
We love you and thank God for your prayers and support through many years.
Sincerely,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
Sincerely in Jesus Name,
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher from Brazil [July 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
June 30, 2014
Dear Brethren and Missionary Friends;
It is difficult to believe that this day says that one-half of 2014 is history. Let us be busy about our Lord’s work for time is short. Our temporary address is still:
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
(Our son, Paul’s, cell number is: 239.227.6551)
We are living with Paul and Wanda in the house he has rented until something permanent shows up. Alta and I appreciate all the care and help they are giving two oldies.
This last month we have had the blessing of visiting several long-time supporting churches here in Florida. We visited the Jordan Baptist Church in Sanford, Florida. Brother George Sledd is the faithful pastor as well as treasurer for BFM. We were happy to see old friends and enjoy their fellowship.
Last Sunday we visited the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mims, Florida. Brother David Humphreys is the pastor. Brother Humphreys has been a long-time giving and praying friend. Our fellowship began in the 12-Ryan Baptist Church in the Detroit, Michigan area, where Brother Hafford Overbey was pastor.
On the Sundays we do not have engagements we are attending the Chapel Baptist Church where the pastor is Christopher Luppino. Last evening they had the final service of their VBS. It was a very enjoyable and spiritual service with emphasis on the value of the home.
CRUISE WITH FAMILY – Thanks to the planning and dedication of our son, David, and his wife, Pennie, we enjoyed a four-day cruise from Miami to Mexico and return. The time we spent with Paul, Wanda, David, Pennie, Kathy, Willa, (Wanda’s mother), and Lucas (Michelle Hatcher’s son), was great. A rare treat! Each day I had the opportunity to tell persons about The Three Crosses and how Jesus saves. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
In the Precious Name of Jesus,
John and Alta Hatcher
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
Phone: [Paul Hatcher mobile] 239.227.6551
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher from Brazil [June 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
May 29, 2014
Dear Brethren and Friends;
We (Alta and I) want to thank all of you that made our short visit to Lexington so pleasant and happy. Especially, we want to thank Brother Dave Parks and the people of Thompson Road Baptist Church for all the preparation of the Mission house. We lacked nothing and had more than enough. Thank you, Brother Parks, and your people!
As you know by now, our son Paul and his wife, Wanda, are caring for us in our traveling and housing. (It is not a sin to grow old, but sometimes it shows our weaknesses and inabilities.) Thank you, Paul and Wanda, for your care and love.
New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, was blessed to have the Hatchers visit on Mother’s Day.
We are sorry that there was not enough time to visit churches as we have always done. We thank the New Life Baptist Church and their pastor, Steve Wainright, and his wife for the special fellowship they shared with us.
MOVE TO FLORIDA. The Lord willing, we will spend the rest of our furlough in Florida where Paul arranged living quarters. Our address for a couple of months is:
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
The plan is for us to be at this address for about two months. Anyone desiring to write us can use this address. We will notify you of any future change of address.
INVITED TO PREACH. Brother Dave Parks invited me to preach on the next Sunday before we left Lexington. He did not think Paul would arrange our move before the end of that week. I had two sermons prepared, but we traveled on that Friday, and I did not get to bring the message. However, I decided to include one of the outlines in this letter. I hope it will be a blessing to someone.
THREE PSALMS TO GUIDE OUR LIVES
1. The Secret of Personal Spiritual Success. Psalm 1
(Verse 3 has one of the greatest promises made to man)
2. The Secret to having a Happy Family and Their Children. Psalm 127
3. The Blessed Future of a Godly Home. Psalm 128
Every word in this Psalm offers future hope and blessings for the Godly family.
May our Lord Bless each of you is our desire and prayer. We love you and thank you for all you have done for our ministry in Brazil.
Sincerely,
John and Alta Hatcher
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher in Brazil [March 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
February 24, 2014
Dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends of Baptist Faith Missions,
It is a great blessing for an old man to be able to write another letter to dear Friends like you. Alta and I are eighty-eight years old and you have been our dear supporting and praying partners for over fifty-five years for our ministry here in Brazil. It is a very emotional moment for me.
As I was preparing to write, the phone rang. Sebastian Oliveira, a blind person from birth, was calling from two thousand miles away to greet Alta and me and to thank us for the blessing we had been to him. Sebastian was saved in the interior village of Mira Aua, about 1960, when we lived in Manaus and traveled to the interiors on the launch you dear friends helped to build. He has been a Baptist pastor for over thirty-five years.
Our first church plant was in an area called Chapada. It was in the boonies. It was begun through the Tabernacle Baptist Church where we were members. It was started with 24 members. Among the 24 were four future mothers of pastors; there were five future Baptist pastors, including Paul, John Mark, and David Hatcher. The mothers of Baptist preachers were Alta, Guilermina, our daughters, Lynn (now in heaven) and Kathy. We praise God for His promises and unfailing faithfulness.
God touched the Chapada plant in a special way with its pastors and work. On February 23, 2014, there were 5,000 persons in morning services and 6,300 persons in evening services. In the evening services there were over 300 decisions. Praise the Lord for the ministry of church planting!
Our praises to the Lord for His blessings to our family. Alta and I thank Him for our parents and homes who taught us the fear of the Lord and the power of His Word. God has blessed our dear children: three sons are Baptist pastors, two daughters are wives of pastors and mothers of pastors. We have fifteen grandchildren, all of whom are serving the Lord with their partners in definite church planting projects. We have 26 great grandchildren, and eight of those have trusted the Lord as Savior.
WORKS GOING WELL – The mission points are going well here. There are congregations in Assai, Urai, Sussumo, and Rancho Alegre. There are several faithful young pastors. Some are not married; please pray for God to give them the right partners.
The Lord willing, we hope to be at the Spring Missionary Conference in Lexington. Our son, Paul, is planning our trip with him and Wanda. We may be in the States by the time this letter gets to you.
God bless you each one. We love you in the Lord,
Caixa Postal 112
Urai, PR, Brazil 86280-000
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher [July 2013]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
Dear Brethren and Friends,
First of all, let me say a word to our wonderful missionary wives. I have read or am reading your wonderful letters of testimony as faithful partners with your husbands on the mission field. I am so touched by each one that I cannot read more than one at a time. Your dedication to your husbands and families cannot be fully understood except by those who have gone through a similar experience.
Dear Missionary friends and fellow-helpers, please pray faithfully for these missionary wives. On them depends the faithfulness of their missionary husbands, the spiritual development of their children, and the acceptance of the family among the people with whom they work to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God bless you, dear missionary wives.
MONTHLY MEETING OF PASTORS AND WIVES – Several years ago Valdir dos Santos, pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cornelio Procopio began having a meeting of all the pastors of our churches and missions on the first Monday of each Month. The pastors met in the church auditorium and the wives met in his home that was on the second floor of the building. He asked Alta to bring a Bible Study for the ladies. She continues to prepare and bring this study each month.
For the Pastors, it was and continues to be an informal and profitable meeting. Each tell about their services, blessings and disappointments, what they have tried that worked and what did not work. Each Bible texts are discussed as well as subjects where there are doubts or truths discovered. Finally, the meeting is closed with Prayers by each for the works, special needs and new outreach. It is a time that each looks forward to and benefits in their spiritual fellowship with our brethren.
Pray for these dear servants and their wives.
Sincerely, in the Name above every Name,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
Caixa Postal 112
Urai, PR, Brazil 86280-000
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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