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 in France [October 2013]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
October 2, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The beginning of the school year is always a time for changing gears. It is the beginning of a new year of Bible curriculum for our children’s Sunday School classes. We seek to give the children a good overview of the entire Bible during their primary years. Unfortunately, there is not available in French the large quantity of materials for visuals and reinforcing activities as there are in English and even Spanish and Portuguese. This is due to the fact that the number of French-speaking believers and churches there are is much smaller than those who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese. This means that we spend a lot of time preparing teaching materials. However, this is an activity that I enjoy.
I should say that preparation is much easier with computers, printers and internet than it was earlier in my life when the main tools were books in print, mimeograph (remember those beasts?) and similar tools. Sometimes, retrograde makes a good impression. Kids who are accustomed to television and videos love flannel graph.
Part of our preparation involves getting ready for Vacation Bible School. We have found through trial and error that it works better having this ministry oriented toward children during the first Fall school break (which is two weeks long) than during summer vacation. Among other reasons, our attendance is much better at this time of the year because few families leave town in the Fall as compared to Summer. This year are lessons focus on the Creation, Fall, Flood and Jesus Christ, the Savior.
The first of our monthly youth meetings for this school year will take place next week. There are now a number of young people who come to these who are children of our friends–people who do not (yet) attend church or Bible studies but who trust us with their children. They ask to contribute food and drinks for the break time. We are thrilled about this and for a similar situation with children who attend Vacation Bible School. Loving and faithful service toward peoples children usually opens the ears and hearts of the parents, as well.
Generally, children and young people are more open to God’s Word and the Bible than adults. They have built up less defenses against God. We love reaching out to adults, but the process is much longer term with most adults. Also, children and young people who trust the Lord generally are easier to disciple and are more likely to put in place habits which they need for spiritual growth.
We are happy that the number of workers is slowly increasing. Our goal is believers who are disciples functioning in all the essential parts of the church which is the Body of Christ.
Thank you for your investment of what God gives you in the ministry in France.
May God’s richest blessing be evident to you today.
In France serving God together with you,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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