Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [April 2016]

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 2, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
When Sunday comes near the first of the month I usually wait until Monday to write the news for the past month just in case something really exciting happens on Sunday. However, it looks like Sunday and Monday are going to be really wild and crazy, so you get the Saturday version of news.
Monday is the funeral of Mr. Pham, a friend of ours. Two of his children are members of the church here at Tournefeuille. He grew up in a well-to-do family in Vietnam who were an exception, they were believers. He came to France to do University studies. At that time Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) was a French colony. Nearly 20 years later in 1975, Jade, who would become his wife, fled from Vietnam as part of a group of “boat people”. They were lost at sea and rescued by a passing ship. She was the only person who had trusted Christ in her family who, like most Vietnamese, were Buddhist. Three of their four children have placed their faith in Christ. After a year studying the Bible with me the youngest son trusted Christ and followed the Lord in baptism. He now goes to a Baptist church in Paris.
About a week ago we received an email from a lady that we had not seen in about 8 or 9 years. We met Tania and her husband when they moved in across the street from us. They attended services with their 3 children regularly for about 3 or 4 years. Neither of them made a confession of faith. In the exchange of mail and pictures we learned that two of their children still read their Bibles. Only eternity will reveal how their lives were impacted by the Word of God.
This morning I received a call from a former neighbor who attended services here for a period of time but who we have not seen in over two years. He called to tell me he was getting married and that he and his wife to be wanted to talk to me about following Christ and baptism.

A picture of a Sunday Service in France. Jean-Luc, the man on the right end of the first row, is the man who led the services two weeks ago.
I am including a picture of a Sunday service here. Jean-Luc, the man on the right end of the first row, is the man who led the services two weeks ago.
Last Sunday we had a wonderful service. The children and young people presented songs, prophecy and New Testament witness about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We followed their presentation with an alternation of Scriptures and songs on the same theme.
Thank you for your prayers and faithful support.
Seeing God at work in southern France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [April 2016]

Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Their main ministry is church planting.
April 01, 2016
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so thankful for God’s goodness and grace. We do not cease to be reminded, and Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He so graciously supplies our every need and much more; we want to always be grateful and gracious to others even as God has been to us.
My last visit to Brazil was mainly to look after the legal affairs with the government. Since the economy has had a major downturn, the government tax collection agencies are working overtime to raise revenue. Churches must request the tax exemption each year. Several of the new churches needed help to get all the filing done correctly. It is a complicated system and churches can easily lose the tax exemption if all is not exactly right.
The good news is the fields are ripe for harvest and many are turning to Christ. Many times an economic crisis creates a situation of much uncertainty and many seek spiritual help – a great time to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I talked with Pastor Geraldo in the northeastern city of Natal and they are starting a second worship service on Sundays to make space for those God is adding to the body.
A new church was started, also in the city of Natal, led by Pastor Girlan. They are off to a great start. They would greatly appreciate your prayer in this new endeavor. They are having about thirty visitors in the Sunday services. God is blessing and it is great to see third and fourth generations of churches planted.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Spring Missions Conference in Lexington. All our family is doing well. Wanda’s mom, Willa, celebrated her ninety-first birthday in March and Dad, John Hatcher, will celebrate his ninety-first birthday on April 30. Wanda and I thank you for your remembrance in prayer.
We thank you for your prayers and financial support. Pray for the ministries in Brazil as they continue to take the gospel to the regions near and far. Pray to the Father of the harvest to send laborers into a very ripe field of harvest. We know that all the fields are not ready to harvest at the same time; however, it is always timely to sow the gospel abundantly, water generously, and God gives the increase.
We pray that our knowledge and remembrance of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that our trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in our every word and action, with thanksgiving to God though Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life. God bless each of you richly through Jesus Christ.
Thanks for your loving.
Love, Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [April 2016]

Nathan and Carrie Radford serve the Lord in Kitale, Kenya. Their main ministries include indigenous church planting, a prison ministry, and a hospital ministry for mothers with premature babies.
April 1, 2016
Dear praying friends,
We thank you all again so much for your prayers, sacrificial giving, and encouragement. Each of you are a blessing and we thank God for you. This prayer letter will give updates in regards to ministries, as well as some prayer requests.
Thanks so much to those who prayed for my work permit. (Nathan) I have been informed that it was renewed recently for two years, for which I thank the Lord. Now I do not have to apply again until it expires in two years. My contact in Nairobi was pleased and I am also. It is wonderful for God’s provision in this matter. The Lord is good to provide what we need as we serve Him.
Before a ministry update, I wanted to inform those at home of what has been going on in Milimani, where we stay. Last week around 10:30 or 11:00 am in the morning, two men approached our gate and tried to break in. They shook the gate so hard that it nearly came off the hinges. The security company was contacted, yet it took them 30 minutes to arrive, as they were on the other side of town dealing with another matter. Later that same day, thugs broke into a different compound in Milimani and stole various items. I have been told it is a group of 8 men who work together. Two men try to break in first – when they get in, they call another truck of about 6 men and take the items quickly, disappearing before the police can locate them. The police have been informed well and one of the top policemen came to our place to find out what is going on. Also, the security company is well informed and is beginning to patrol. Please pray that these people will be caught soon and for the safety of all those in Kitale. We have taken good security measures, but our ultimate trust is in the Lord. The safest place to be is in the will of God. Psalm 27:1 says “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” We place our protection in His hands, and trust Him with all these matters.
My partner Roger Tate and I are continuing along with the ministry in Robinson village. We are presently in the book of Matthew and learning many good teachings from the Word of God. In the house that we are meeting, the family has been faithful to come, and we are thankful for this. Please pray for the rest of the surrounding area and those that we have visited, sharing the Gospel and inviting them to come. We are faithful to sow the seed, and then we trust the Lord for the harvest in His plan and timing. Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” We trust the Lord with the results of ministry in Robinson.
Later this month, it is hard to believe that McKenna will be eight years old. The time and years have passed so fast and we are so thankful for her and her important part of our family. Camille turned five last month, so they are both growing up quickly. We are thankful for the friends that they have presently here in Kitale. Please pray that other families with children their age will come so they can have more social interactions with others their age. God bless you all thanks again for all you do. We will keep you updated.
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [April 2016]

The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
March 30, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Julie and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary this month. It is hard to imagine that now over 1/3 of those 24 years has been spent ministering and living in Africa. I never would have thought that we would spend our lives living and ministering here but God directs our paths in the ways He wants us to go. There have been hundreds of times I thought I couldn’t make it living here, that I couldn’t continue any longer, that it was time to return to the States, that I’d had enough. I am so thankful for the loving, Godly, beautiful wife of 24 years that God has given to me. I definitely couldn’t have made it here without her. In fact, I don’t think I could have made it through life at all without her. But, of course, God knew all of that too and that must have been why He put us together. I know that our marriage doesn’t always exemplify the relationship between Jesus and his churches as Paul explains in Ephesians 5 but that fault probably lies with me and we do pray that our marriage would bring Him glory. Thanks for sticking with this lousy missionary man for 24 years, Julie. I sure do love you!
And it’s a good thing she loves me too because our anniversary day wasn’t the most romantic of days. We spent the entire day in the immigration department in Nairobi working on travel documents for Chloe. It was stifling hot. We got shuffled around from window to window. We dealt with a lot of unhelpful and antagonistic people. We were stymied in almost every way. We had paperwork stolen from us from workers in the department. We had nothing to eat or drink. But we did see God change the hearts of resistant people and did see Him change things in ways that only He can change them. Chloe was a trooper throughout the entire day. She didn’t cry or “lose it” until we got back to the guest house. We eventually left the immigration department at the end of the day without the documents we went for but we are still in hopes of receiving them soon. Please be in prayer about this with us. (After we calmed down from the horrendous day we were at least able to go to a nice restaurant in Nairobi to celebrate our anniversary).
I am praying hard about getting back up to Pokot region and ministering again to the Pokot people who live out in “the bush”. God has put these people on my heart but He has also seemed to close all doors to me into this region. I have been waiting for doors to open back up. I have been asking God if I should be trying to open some of these closed doors myself in order to get this ministry going again. I don’t want to get ahead of where God wants me and I certainly can’t minister up there without His power, His Spirit and His blessing but I’m wondering how much He wants me to step out on faith and do some things before He begins to open some of those doors again. It can be difficult knowing God’s will and how to follow it. So, yes, you can pray about this with me as well.
Working with Kefa and Matilda and the group that meets in their house has continued to be a joy even if we have not seen the growth in the group that we wish. One of the things that I enjoy the most is the discussions we always get to have before the Bible study begins (The group always starts late. That’s Kenyan culture. No hurry in Africa). We get to talk about various life issues that have nothing to do with the Bible lesson we have prepared but are relevant to the lives of the people. I enjoy it because we get to apply the Bible and the life and teachings of Jesus directly to their lives where they live each day. I get to say over and over again, “Hmm, what does the Bible say about that”? or “Hmm, what does Jesus say about that”? or “Hmm, what does God think about that”? Yes, I enjoy that!
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
Visit their blog!
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Theme
CONFERENCE THEME: “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” Matthew 28.18-20
We all emphasize the Great Commission. We are Great Commission believers. We are Great Commission churches. We are Great Commission missionaries. The Great Commission is very straightforward and simple: “MAKE DISCIPLES”. Our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to make disciples for Him. A disciple is personally and whole-heartedly committed to obeying, following, and becoming like Him in every aspect of our lives.
But, our problem very often is that we try to delegate the real responsibility of ‘making disciples’ off onto someone else. Our churches here in the States will delegate and expect our missionaries abroad to make disciples while we neglect and fail to do so here. And, within our churches, many members will renege on the personal responsibility to make disciples and pass off that responsibility onto their pastors and leaders.
But, we must return to and reinforce the original intent and meaning of “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” – and that is, EVERY DISCIPLE MUST BE A DISCIPLE-MAKER. That means that most disciple-making will be done within the relationships that each of us maintains with other people. Most of our disciple-making will not be performed in the auditoriums of our churches, but rather in the personal interactions we have with others in our homes, in coffee-shops, in intentional encounters and interactions we have in our daily activities.
How did the first church in Jerusalem and the early churches in Judea, Samaria, and beyond – how did they make disciples? All of their disciples certainly were not made in their public corporate assemblies – though we are sure some were. But, their disciples were made as all the disciples went from place to place “talking the Word” as in Acts 8.4.
The making of other disciples must be the deliberate ministry of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Our churches should not only encourage every disciple to be a disciple-maker, but we should train our people to do so, and then create the occasions and environment where disciple-making will happen.
We live in a time and culture when “going to church” is no longer on people’s conscience or agenda. They don’t have a personal sense that they need to or ought to “go to church.” So, if we reach them at all, we must go to them – which was Jesus’ original command, anyway. “As you are going, make disciples of all the nations.” We must be “talking the Word” in all the places where we go…where they are…where we meet and encounter them. And, we must be calling everyone we talk with to “Follow Jesus” – be His disciple!
My own conviction for this urgent ministry was stoked a few months ago when I read a book that is currently available [2013]: Follow Me by David Platt. I would encourage everyone to get the book and read it. I was deeply convicted, challenged, and encouraged by Platt’s call for us to return to the mission that Jesus Himself fulfilled and then commanded us to repeat and perpetuate. Jesus’ call was – and still is – “Follow Me!” When Jesus commissioned us, “And you shall be My witnesses…,” He meant that each one of His disciples [followers] must accept and fulfill the responsibility to be calling all the others in the world to follow Jesus also.
“Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” is the essential ministry that will assure, not just the survival, but the health, growth, and effectiveness of our respective churches. “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!” is the essential key to the continuation and increase of our missionaries’ support. If we in our Stateside churches are not being Great Commission churches by making disciples, then we will decline and die, and there won’t be enough healthy, vibrant, effective churches to maintain our missionaries’ support – much less anticipate growth and increase of our missionary outreach.
So, let’s respond to the admonition our Lord sent to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2.5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.”
Come and gather with us as we challenge and encourage one another to love and good works – and especially those good works of “Every disciple…a disciple-maker!”
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Conference Offering
CONFERENCE OFFERING: DESIGNATED FOR ‘MISSIONARIES’ CONFERENCE TRAVEL EXPENSES’
Three of our missionaries are traveling to be with us during our Spring Conference. Paul Hatcher, John & Alta Hatcher, and Bobby & Charlene Wacaser are all coming from Florida. Judson and Raquel Hatcher and their children will be coming from Lynchburg VA. All of our missionaries live on extremely tight budgets and will be hard-pressed to find the additional funds for travel and motel expenses to attend this Conference. So, we want to reimburse them as much as possible for these expenses. Please plan to bring and give as generous an offering as you can toward their travel/accommodations expenses.
If you cannot attend the Conference, but still want to give a gift, send it to our Treasurer: Pastor George Sledd | PO Box 471280 | Lake Monroe FL 32747-1280
Or, you can contribute online either by check/debit or by credit card. Go to our website: www.baptistfaithmissions.org and click on the DONATE/SUPPORT page. Enter your designation for SPRING CONFERENCE OFFERING.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Accommodations
MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS INFORMATION
Quality Inn
http://www.qualityinnlexingtonky.com/
Google Map for Quality Inn
We have not been able to get special event rates from Quality Inn this year, but they are still the least expensive rates and your best value for the room. There will be other horse-related events going on here in Lexington during those same days, so the sooner you can book, the most likely you will be to get a reservation. I’m writing this on 3/25, and the rates range from $69.00-$80.00.
Candlewood Suites
http://candlewoodsuiteslexington.com/
Google map for Candlewood Suites
The next most reasonable alternative is Candlewood Suites. But, their availability is very limited here a month out, so they will most likely be full by Conference time – or by the time you get this information. Their representative, though, has told me they are willing to offer a single-queen room for $99.00 per night. I spoke with Allison Shannon, Director of Sales at 859.368.0087 / ext 105.
Or, you seasoned travelers may be able to find more reasonable accommodations than these.
WE ENCOURAGE CHURCHES TO PAY YOUR PASTOR’S [AND HIS WIFE] TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE. It will give them the opportunity to enjoy what is always a much-needed physical and spiritual re-charging for your church’s ministry. We use these Conference occasions to highlight and update our missions partners concerning our missionaries’ ministries and also stir up all of us to greater interest, investment, and involvement in our mutual missions endeavors. He will come back to you with a greater burden, zeal, and enthusiasm for missions.
Will you take the lead to ask your church to do this for your pastor, our missionaries, and your church?
SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMMODATIONS
The Lord has blessed our church to make some much-needed upgrades and improvements to our facility to accommodate our own members and guests who suffer from physical mobility impairments. We have installed an elevator-lift to transport persons from one level to the other, and also we have completely renovated or constructed new restrooms [both male and female] to make them wheelchair accessible. These improvements will make all of our activities much more comfortable and accessible.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
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BFM Spring Conference 2016: Children’s Sessions
CHILDREN’S MISSIONS CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Every year we conduct sessions for the children [age 4 through grade 5] who attend our Conference services. My wife, Debbie, conducts these learning and activity sessions. Each year, we focus on a particular nation of the world, highlighting its culture and customs along with their need for the Gospel and opportunities to take the Gospel to those peoples. Our Children’s Center is always set up with crafts and activities which engage the children’s attention and interests in the missions lessons. This year’s Missionary focus will be on KENYA.
—All the Details—
Download the Full Program: PDF | Word doc
Schedule
Conference Theme
Conference Offering
Travel Directions
Accommodations Info
Children’s Sessions
Conference Graphic
All Spring Conference Posts
Read more