Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [February 2016]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
January 28, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sometimes you encounter things that really make you sit back and think. And some of those things hit you really hard. I had one of those encounters this month while just going around doing “business as usual”.
I’ve lived in Africa for eight years as of this month. So, needless to say I’ve come across poverty and seen sickness. It’s never easy to see these things and there is always a desire that I could help the people I see in these situations. But this time hit me differently for some reason. Nathan and I have been working with Kefa and Matilda in a village called Robinson trying to ultimately get a church started there in their house. Kefa and Matilda are not wealthy (if you saw their house you would probably think they are very poor), but they are doing well compared to some who live around them who really do live in utter poverty. They are good Christian people who desire to start up a church in their home and to minister to the people around them. So, in trying to start up a church here, Nathan, Kefa and I make visits to the neighbors and surrounding areas to meet the people, share the gospel with them, pray for their needs and invite them to our worship/Bible study meetings in Kefa’s house.
The door to the old man’s room.
On one of these visits this month Kefa took us to a line of “apartments” to visit the people who live there. These apartments are just a string of one room, mud wall, dirt floor houses. The people who live there live in poverty. We walked into one of these rooms and even after eight years here I was still amazed. The room was dark—nighttime dark. The window was boarded up and the only light came through the now opened door. The smell was terrible, the air hardly breathable. The dimensions of the room were about 8 feet by 8 feet. The walls were mud and stick and the floor was packed dirt. Trash was piled up in one corner. Besides the trash the only other thing in the room was an old man lying on a filthy, disintegrating mattress which was on top of a wood slated bed. He was not able to get up to leave the bed. When he had to spit (which was often) he would simply spit on the floor or on the wall. He could not get up to use the communal pit latrine (so you can only imagine). When I saw his feet I could see why he could not walk. His feet were eaten up and mangled by jiggers. Jiggers are the smallest form of flea, hardly visible by the human eye. They burrow into human flesh where they live, feed and lay their eggs. They have to be dug out with a razor and treated with a medicine difficult to obtain. He had obviously been in this state for a long time as he was not able to walk, his legs had become emaciated and he looked to be near starvation. As we stood there talking to and praying for the man I could not help but think what it would be like to lie in this dark, filthy, stench-filled room day after day, not able to get up, not able to leave, with absolutely nothing to do but lie there until I died. Can you imagine?
Caring for the old man’s feet.
When we eventually left the man I told Kefa that we would need to help this man. I told him it was one of the reasons for the existence of a church and was the ministry of Christ. I told him we couldn’t just leave the man in that room to die like that. Kefa was in complete agreement with me. When we returned to Kefa’s house we decided to take the money we had collected for offerings (which they had originally wanted to use to start a building fund) and use it help the man. We have been trying to teach them the Biblical way of using these offerings and now they were going to use them in a God-honoring, Christ-exalting way. Kefa and Matilda then took charge of the man’s care. That week they took him fresh fruits and vegetables to eat and cooked him food. They contacted a friend who had been trained in treating jiggers and was licensed to obtain the medicine (the medicine is restricted because it can be used in making bombs). When the friend was prepared he came with the medicines and he, Kefa, Matilda, Nathan and I went back to the man’s house to see that he was treated for the jiggers and was being cared for. My heart rejoiced to see Kefa on his knees in the dirt, gingerly holding the old man’s feet in his hands as he carefully cleaned them, cut his toenails, cut out the jiggers and treated the man’s feet. It was a beautiful picture of Christian service and of showing the love of Christ. Our small group is now caring for the man physically and spiritually. Please pray with us that he not have to die alone in that dark room, that he would regain his health and most of all that he would know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior so that one day, when his suffering here is over, he can rejoice in the presence of the One who took our suffering for us.
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
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The Challenge of Missions (Part 4) by John A. Hatcher
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 4
[click here for previous chapters]
THE PERFECT MISSIONARY
Jesus is the Perfect Missionary. He is the example for every person dedicated to doing the Father’s will. Jesus is the example of obedience and courage. He is the source of power, wisdom, and faith to overcome for every missionary life. Jesus was given by the Father, yet He came in perfect willingness. He was born of and anointed by the Holy Spirit. His perfect missionary ministry is summarized by the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort them that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3
Jesus was sent to make men free. Men can only be set at liberty through the hearing of faith, and faith comes by hearing the truth. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32). Paul makes this clear to the Ephesian believers—“in whom ye also trusted after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Ephesians 1:13
The Perfect Missionary was a servant—not in theory, but in reality. He suffered though He was perfect goodness. He was rejected and forsaken by all though all were blessed and benefited by Him. Though He was reviled, His words were full of grace and mercy; few believed in Him though He manifested His divinity in power and wisdom. Men rejected His life even though they saw the dead raised by His word. But those who heard Him and believed the Father had sent Him inherited life eternal and Heaven. Lastly, Jesus gave His life for missions. He became the Founder and Leader of a race of men who would give their lives for others.
The Holy Spirit accompanied Jesus from His birth to the cross. He is the Spirit of Jesus and Missions. He is the Spirit of Jesus who guided the prophets of the Old Testament. 1 Peter 1:11—He makes the plans and purposes of God effective in the hearts of man. He brings men to understand Christ’s work of redemption and opens their hearts to receive it. Acts 16:14—He makes the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and inclines the heart to respond to the invitation of life eternal. When the sinner believes, the Holy Spirit indwells his life and tags him as God’s possession. In the life of the believer the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, teaches truth, and gives resurrection power to overcome the forces of evil. He abides with us to comfort, to teach, to console, to chasten, to encourage, to weep with us, to rejoice with us, to groan for us, to seek the deep things of God for us, and to help us love and seek the lost.
Great wisdom will be gained by those who make a serious analysis of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. As sons of God we need to learn to hear and to follow the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Those who do will be saved from much error and heartache that comes by following the big noises. The Holy Spirit will take us to a Jacob’s well to win a Samaritan, to the border of Tyre and Sidon to benefit a poor a rejected Syrophenician woman full of pain for her little daughter, to seek lives of Mary Magdalenes, to wait for serious inquirers like Nicodemus. The Bible makes it clear–“As many as are led of the Spirit, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) He will be wise who fills his head and heart with the Word of God, and in constant submission learns to listen for the voice of God’s Spirit as He speaks through the Scriptures.
Sound waves and electromagnetic waves are used constantly for broadcasting and televising. They are in the atmosphere around us. A radio or television receiver can instantly receive these waves and reproduce their message. The Christian life is not too different. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He has the power to receive, to understand, and reproduce in our lives the message that the Bible contains after we have read and studied the Scriptures. God’s children need to learn to tune in and hear.
J.A. Hatcher
[Click here to view all “The Challenge of Missions” posts by John A. Hatcher]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence. They now reside in Florida where they continue to share the Gospel with everyone they meet.
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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Mission Sheets: January 2016 [PDF Version]
Get your advanced PDF copy of the January 2016 Mission Sheets at the link below!
BFM Mission Sheets – January 2016
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Missionary Update: Mike & Beverly Creiglow in Brazil [January 2016]
Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.
January 13, 2016
Dear Brethren,
What? Half way through the first month of a new year already! Closing out the old year was busier than ever. Besides making the rounds taking care of churches and congregations, counseling pastors and missionaries, I helped out with the Musical de Natal (Christmas Musical) at our home church. Fortunately my part is building the stage and props. My daughter Crissy and her team write the script, select the songs and produce the whole thing. There are teams that do advertising, direct traffic and parking, care for the motorcycles and helmets, crowd control, reception, nursery, children, reception, ushers, decisions, counseling, stage hands, refreshments, besides all those who participate directly in the production. We have over 350 people working.
The preparations start out a year in advance. Every year is a new story and all original materials. The last three months are crazy. Then with a month to go we have to alter our services and all activities at church. There are activities going on for 20 hours every day right up to the last dress rehearsal. I put in some 16 hour days along the way.
This year we had one night just for members. Since the whole program is visitors only we have had quite a bit of griping from some members over the years. That night was Saturday, December 19. It rained and yet the building was full. Then we began the official program on Sunday, December 20 and ran it through Christmas night. It ended up being a whole week this time. From Sunday through Friday we did not have any rain at night. It rained almost every day, but not at night. The main building was standing room only every night. We have overflow on the third floor of the annex. We can seat 600 there. It too, was standing room only on Sunday and Christmas.
We can gauge the crowds by counting the number of motorcycles in our parking garage. I’m sure that sounds strange to all of you. Small motorcycles are still the most common kind of personal vehicle in Cruzeiro do Sul. Our previous record had been 122. The first night we had 136. The last night we had 181. Since we can’t really count people in the two venues, we count motorcycles. Cars also line the streets for blocks from the buildings. It was tough to see hundreds of people turning around and going home, because they could not get in. The good news is that 37 people were saved. Some of these are already in discipleship, small groups and have requested baptism.
In January we give folks a break. We only have Sunday night services. That means that five other regular weekly services are put on hold. All the training programs stop. There is still a lot going on, because this is when we do all of our planning and preparation for the year. The two Sunday services of the year have been overflow crowds. Pastor Pedro and I are doing all the preaching this month. The other pastors, all the ministry leaders and teachers are all resting up. We have already had 5 more saved, 3 new members by letter and several requests for baptism.
Please pray for Beverly. She has been diagnosed with diabetes and a couple of other things. Her treatments start today. She is really tough, but right now she is discouraged.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [January 2016]
Jud and Raquel Hatcher serve the Lord in Manaus, Brazil. They are part of the “SeedFactory” church planting initiative, which is a movement to plant churches in all 26 Brazilian capitals. Since 2006, 43 churches have been started in 5 states.
January 5, 2016
Dear friends,
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers, for they are greatly appreciated.
Family
Melissa is sick. She woke up last night with an awful laryngitis cough – she sounded like a dog barking. We pulled out the vaporizer we brought from Brazil to provide the much needed relief. She cried and breathed in the medication for 20 minutes. In the midst of her struggles, Raquel and I were encouraged to hear her say: “Jesus is going to help me get better.” Certainly a healthy dose of applicable theology in her statement. I was reminded that we must trust Him for salvation, but we must also trust Him in times of need. We must have childlike faith, every day, every time and all the way. He cares for us.
Everyone else is in good health.
Sarah, Laura and Benjamin’s English has progressed extremely well. Every time I hear them speak in English I am surprised by their diction and ever expanding vocabulary. I am thankful for all the teachers at school and folks around us who instruct, chat and encourage each one of them as they catch up on their language skills.
I am recuperating successfully from the fracture to my right fibula and from the damage to my ankle’s tendons. The physical therapy is helping regain full movement and muscle confidence. Raquel is always healthy. Overall, I am thankful unto the Lord for taking care of our needs.
Jud with Dave Adams, Quincy Thomas, and Sam Stone
São Paulo, the 7th largest city in the world with 29 million people, is where the Hatchers plan to relocate in July 2016 to plant churches.
Liberty University
The partnership with Liberty is a tremendous blessing. I am truly grateful to my dear friend, Dave Adams. Without him and the support of BFM directors this wouldn’t have occurred. The first semester was a great success. I was involved in five courses and am individually mentoring several students. I was blessed when Dave Adams thanked me in front of the freshman class of pastoral leadership students and received a standing ovation. I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the lives of future senior pastors, for the connectivity with other professors, for meeting area pastors, and being introduced to pastors from across the country as they visit the university. I am also grateful to pastors Jonathan Falwell, Matt Wilmington, Charles Billingsley and Scott Phillips at Thomas Road B.C. for their ministry into my life.
Traveling
During the month of December we drove to Clermont, FL to be with my parents (Paul & Wanda) and with my grandparents (John and Alta Hatcher, and Willa McGary) during Christmas break. We enjoyed the time with them and my mother’s exceptional cooking. While we were there we visited Chapel Baptist Church, where Chris Lupino is senior pastor. We also enjoyed visiting with Pastor Doug and Ramona King. To this day, I remember a deeply moving conversation I had with Bro. King concerning missions/ministry while sitting in his silver Lincoln TownCar, I was twelve years old at the time.
From Florida we drove to Virginia Beach, VA to visit some dear friends and supporters, and to attend Atlantic Shores Baptist Church’s first Sunday service of 2016. It was good to see pastors Scott Dishong and Jerry Flug. I was ordained at this church.
We are back in Lynchburg, VA now and the kids have returned to their regular school routine.
Fire at the Estação Luz subway station in São Paulo.
Church Planting in São Paulo City
I am excited about what the Lord has planned for us upon our return to Brazil. As you may already know, we plan to relocate to São Paulo city upon our return in July 2016. São Paulo is the 7th largest city in the world with 29 million people. Two weeks ago fire broke out at the “Estação Luz” subway station. According to the local newspaper, the station receives 200 thousand people into the subway each day and houses the Portuguese Language Museum. This is a historic site in central São Paulo built 148 years ago. A firefighter died of cardiac arrest due to smoke intoxication.
We plan to church plant within the area of the subway network stations, “Estação Luz” being one of the 67 sites. Please pray for us as we make plans and raise additional support to reach this city.
Facebook
Let’s stay connected. Please, friend me on facebook.com/judsonhatcher.
Grateful,
Jud Hatcher
Furlough Address:
216 Mill View Ln
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(859) 608-4742
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
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Missionary Update: The Wacasers Stateside from Brazil [January 2016]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
January 4, 2016
Dear Friends,
Welcome to 2016! The last month of last year was very productive for us in several ways. We had the privilege of hosting some of the best missionaries in the world, Bro. and Sis. David and Pennie Hatcher of Manaus, Brazil. We also got to share the gospel on a personal level to a few people involved in the hospice care of my dad in Plant City, Florida. Our outreach teams in Brazil had opportunities to present the love of Christ in 4 different cities in 2 separate states. Overall, the gospel was shared with over 4,000 people in one month.
After coming to the US in March to help my siblings with the care of my ailing father, Charlene and I still were able to return to Brazil twice to help tend to our outreach ministries there. Those works are doing very well and we are excited about the opportunities to continue those partnerships this year. My father’s health continues to decline as his need for assistance increases. Please keep him and my family who cares for him in your prayers.
In a couple of weeks I plan to attend the Winter Missions Conference on behalf of Baptist Faith Missions at the Park Ridge Baptist Church in Gotha, Florida. Bro. Benton Glover, the pastor, was gracious enough to invite me and I’m looking forward to reuniting with some wonderful friends and brothers and sisters in Christ and also to meeting some new ones.
Our outreach teams, Projeto Vida, spent several weeks on the highway in December taking the gospel message to 3 Brazilian cities in the states of Minas, Gerais, and Parana. Those trips were very fruitful and the teams had the privilege of leading 54 individuals to Christ as their Savior and Lord.
During the month of January the teams will take a short break and then return to do maintenance on the vehicles and begin practice for their gospel skits before going out on the highways again. We are looking forward to a challenging and productive 2016 with God’s blessings with us at every step.
Thank you for your care and support through prayer and offerings.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Furlough Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [January 2016]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
January 4, 2016
Dear Fellow Laborers,
We hope that this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings and growing in your walk with Christ. Your continued faithfulness in your service to us is a blessing to us. Judy’s sister, Peggy, spent the last couple of weeks with us and we enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with her and Philip’s family during the Holidays.
Earlier in December, we were able to have dinner with one of our former members who now lives in Hamburg, Germany. Joachim was the first person baptized here in Tournefeuille. It was great to hear how God is continuing to work in his life and the life of his family. The fact that there is so much mobility in our area resulting from job transfers means that those who have been saved and discipled often move away. However, as one studies the book of Acts as we are doing on Sundays here, it is obvious that the early history of the churches of Jesus Christ were greatly affected by mobility. We are not persecuted as they were, but mobility is used by God for the spread of the Gospel and the multiplication of disciples. So, we work hard at helping new believers live out the life of Christ.
Children in Sunday School Class in Tournefeuille
A picture of the Sunday School class wall which represents our church: a school of fish following Jesus.
Yesterday, after the morning meeting, the Tournefeuille church had a meal together to fellowship and celebrate what God has done for us. Though a couple of families could not be with us, we had a very full house. As we review the past year, we see progress in the work here and that encourages us as we anticipate what God will do here during the coming year. The new prayer times and Bible studies are going well and several of the believers are taking on new responsibilities. We have several new believers who are awaiting baptism.
I am including a picture of one of the Sunday School classes and another of the class wall which represents our church: a school of fish following Jesus.
Thank you again for your faithfulness. May God crown this year of your life with His blessings and don’t forget to “Brighten the corner where you are …”!
Your team members in 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: The Radfords in Kenya [January 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.
January 1, 2016
Dear praying friends,
As I write this, we are right at the beginning of the year 2016. It is hard to believe how quickly the past year went. It seems they go faster year after year. I am sure many of you can identify with that. How quickly time passes reminds me of the verse in James. James 4:14 says “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” May we make not only this upcoming year, but the rest of our days on earth, count in service to God. Each breath we have is a gift from Him.
The past year was quite challenging in several ways. We had two families in Kitale that we have known over the years that moved this past year. Although this was difficult, and change is always happening throughout our lives, God has given us grace and strength for each day. Lord willing, there are two new families from America coming soon to Kitale. One of the families has several little girls, so we are hoping and praying that they will become long term friends for our daughters. The other family will be going to Tanzania to study Swahili, but they are around our age. It is always good to have new friends and develop new relationships.
In the annex prison this past month, I (Nathan) was blessed to be able to do a small Christmas project for the prisoners. I had not done one in several years, and felt led to this year. There are around 200 prisoners in the prison, so I discussed with the chaplain, and provided some basic, needed supplies to them, as well as Gospel tracts. It seemed to be received well and appreciated. Several of the prisoners thanked me and seemed very grateful. Many of them receive no visits from family, and are even abandoned by their families upon their release. They also have difficulty finding work, so this was the least I felt I could do this year. It was also a good time to announce about our classes there and invite the others who have not been coming to study with us. Please pray that more of the men would come to hear the teachings of the Word of God. I try to be faithful to pray for the men, sow the seed, share the Gospel, then entrust the results to the Lord. Jonah 2:9 states “Salvation is of the LORD.”
We trust the Lord with the upcoming year, with all its blessings and challenges. We know that He is in control, and nothing takes Him by surprise. We know He is sovereign, and we can entrust all to Him. Perhaps there is someone reading this update who is going through a trial or difficulty, or does not understand. We have passed through similar things this past year. I have to remind myself of Isaiah 55:8-9, which says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God bless you all for the upcoming 2016, as you trust Him daily. Please pray also for us, as we trust Him. We will keep you updated, and each of you are such a blessing. Happy 2016.
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
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