Missionary Update: Mike & Beverly Creiglow in Brazil [September 2015]
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.
August 28, 2015
Dear Brethren,
My last letter was only a couple of weeks ago. In those two weeks we had another baptism at church, adding 12 new members. There have been several more professions of faith and a few more added by letter. I also visited a couple of our works around town and out of town. This time though, I want to tell you about something a little different.
This month the Catholic Church in Cruzeiro do Sul celebrated its 100th anniversary. The patron saint is “Our Lady of Glory”. The local parish was started on August 15th 1915. That means that they had an eleven year head start on the Baptists. Missionary Joseph Brandon arrived in Cruzeiro do Sul in 1926. First Baptist Church was founded on May 12, 1929 with only 13 members. Here is what I want to emphasize: From the start of our town until 1926 all the citizens were members of the Catholic Church. As late as 1929 there were only 13 Baptists in Cruzeiro do Sul. There has been a dramatic turnaround.
When I was a boy the whole center of town was blocked off for the celebration of Our Lady of Glory in the month of August. Thousands of people would flock in from all the rivers and roads for the 9 days of celebration, called Novenário. Many people would spend all or most of their hard earned money from their jobs as rubber workers. Many would give large sums to the church. Others would spend everything on liquor. Some of the priests would even sell the booze and smokes. It was sad to see all the debauchery and exploitation. This was also the month of the highest rate of pregnancies out of wedlock.
This year was quite the contrast with the past. Only a half of a block was blocked off downtown. The crowds were very small. The Baptist and other gospel preaching churches were all full. Ours was full and turning folks away. We had over 600 in the morning service and just under a thousand in the evening service. We had to take a few benches out of the auditorium because of the special program for that night and so had less seating capacity.
As each year comes and goes, more and more people are leaving the old idolatry and coming to Christ. In fact the Catholic Church is trying to imitate some of our methods and even our buildings thinking that our expansion is just a matter of facilities and methods. They don’t understand why folks are leaving Catholicism. They don’t see that it is the Gospel of Christ that is changing lives.
There are still more Roman Catholics than born again Christians in our city, but things are changing. One day soon Our Lord of Glory will replace “Our Lady of Glory” in Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil and the world over.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: The Wacasers Stateside from Brazil [September 2015]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
August 27, 2015
Dear Friends,
I am still learning how to live IN the world and not be OF the world, as Jesus taught His disciples. With all the recent news reports on the atrocities of Islamists around the world, I found myself developing a strong resentment and near-hatred for unknown people of Arabic origin. I know in my heart that Jesus came into the world redeem lost people from every nation and tribe, but the brutality of this particular ethnic group I had a hard time even desiring for them to come to salvation. That was until, this month, I had the opportunity provided by God to get to know a young Muslim man about the same age as my son. His name is Houcine and he is from Tunisia, Tunis in northern Africa. He came as an exchange student to the USA and was placed in a host home close to the church where my family and I are serving. He is a very pleasant person who is easy to be around and is extremely respectful and is always offering to help in any project. As I thought about his being here, I realized that the Lord was teaching me to love the way He loves. I would think of the Muslim people as a group, but not as individuals in need of a Savior. Now that I am in constant contact with Houcine, I am able to relate to him as a fellow sinner who is loved by Christ and who needs to be saved. I pray that my behavior and attitudes toward him serve to point him to the Lord and that, in due time, he may come to a saving knowledge of Christ and would take the Gospel back to his own family and nation.
Our church in Brazil recently celebrated their 4th anniversary. They were happy to see several new faces attending and are still growing firmly in our absence. I will be with them near the end of September for couple of services and training. Alek and his wife are doing a great job in the leadership of the church there.
Our evangelistic outreach teams from Projeto Vida had a unique opportunity this month in the capital city of Curitiba. They were invited to participate in a drama fair where the teams portrayed the gospel in skits and dramatic plays on a public stage. The theme was the horrors of the Holocaust, but our teams were able to adapt their scripts to convey the message of Christ in a public setting beyond the usual realm of evangelism. We are very thankful for the opportunities that the Lord provides for our ministry. We have seen that, as we seek Him and are bold to make Him known, He blesses and opens doors that we couldn’t even imagine possible.
Charlene and I leave in a couple of weeks to go back to Brazil to renew our permanent visas and to help in training leaders. You may have noticed in the world news that there is great unrest in Brazil. There are major rallies crying for the impeachment of the president for corruption and there is great unrest throughout the country. Please pray for us as we travel and that the Lord may prosper our journey.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
In Christ’s love,
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
Give: Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [September 2015]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
August 26, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
NO! This report is not morbid. Although at times it might sound like it is and it does touch on some serious subjects. But I think you will want to read the whole thing anyway.
A few days ago I was praying out in the back shamba (a corn field, for lack of a better term) where I like to go to and pray uninterrupted. One of the things I was praying about, a subject I often pray about, was a certain Pokot village in the bush that I want to visit. Now, most everywhere in the Pokot region is “out there” and “off the map”, and the area I usually go to is even more “out there” and “off the map” but this village that I intend to visit is…well…really out there. From where I usually go we will have to take a long motorcycle ride until the path ends and then we will have to walk (who knows how long) over a mountain to the unreached people that live there. According to my contact, these people are “still wearing their skins”, which I understood to mean they were walking around naked but have now come to know means they still wear animal skins for clothing. While I was praying about going to this village I saw a “vision” (now, don’t freak out on me, I’ll explain that in a minute). What I saw in my head as I prayed was a series of pictures/thoughts/scenes and in these scenes I saw myself walking on the trail over the mountain to this village. Later in the scenes I saw myself getting violently sick, unable to walk, unable to get out of the bush and, ultimately, dying out in the wild. Now, listen. I don’t think these were visions from God. They may have been no more than hidden fears coming out of my own head, of my own making. I think I was just seeing something that my mind sees as a real possibility. But the scenes were real, the outcome of the scenes is a possibility and the fear real. Whether these scenes are from God or my own mind, by attempting to go to this village, this is a real possibility that I must face. Does it mean I still want to go? Nnnnnnnnn, Yes.
Let me clear some things up before I continue. (1) I don’t want to die in Pokot. I want to continue living, serving God and loving my family. (2) I don’t plan on dying in Pokot. I don’t take these scenes as a prophecy of my death and I’m not preparing to go up there and die. (3) It is not likely that I will die in Pokot. There are dangers and I need to be careful but, again, it’s probably not going to happen. (4) While it is not likely it IS still possible to die in Pokot and thus (5) I will take every precaution that I can to NOT die in Pokot. But I still want to go because these people need to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation offered to them through His death for us on the Cross. They need to know how to follow Him, love Him, obey Him and glorify Him. If I don’t go will they ever hear?
After having faced the “vision”, I continued praying and as a result I learned many things. These lessons I do believe came from God. I learned that: (1) Life is short. How long do I have left in life? 40 years? 30 years? 20? Less? I can spend what time God has left for me or I can waste it. (2) I can die in a nursing home. That is fine. I can die in my bed at home. That is fine. But I DON’T want to look back and wish I hadn’t squandered my life in luxurious and safe living. (3) It would be OK to die in the bush. It might be better than dying in my bed at home. (4) I have no guarantee of tomorrow. No one lives forever. I could die in a car accident here in Kitale easier than I could die in the bush. But I would rather die in the bush than in a car accident going into town to get ice cream. (5) Hardship is good. Comfort is misleading. Hardship toughens my spiritual muscles. Comfort lulls me to spiritual sleep. (6) Just because I could or might or should die out on a trip to Pokot doesn’t mean I shouldn’t go. So go I must.
So, why am I writing about this and in this manner? For two reasons. First, I, myself, needed to go through this particular thought process. I, myself, needed to face the decisions and the possibilities. I, myself, needed to decide again whether I would walk with Jesus on the road He is on or not or whether I would hold all the good gifts He has given me in this life with a closed-fist, white-knuckled hand. Second, I figured that if I need to go through that particular thought process, then maybe some of you probably need to do it too. I certainly don’t know what any of you are facing or will face in the near future in your walk with Jesus. Let us set our minds together on glorifying Him by walking on the path with Him that He is walking.
I will keep you posted on any Pokot trips that I have planned. I keep trying to get back up there to that village but all my plans keep falling through. At this point God is blocking the path. I am waiting until He opens the door back up and sends me back in.
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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Mission Sheets: August 2015 [PDF Version]
Get your advanced PDF copy of the August 2015 Mission Sheets at the link below!
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2015 Thanksgiving Missions Conference
61st ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
November 9-10-11, 2015 New Hope Baptist Church
Dearborn Heights, MI.-Pastor Terry Adkins
“FOUNDED ON THE WORD-FOCUSED ON THE WORLD”
JOHN 17:17
*For directions to New Hope Baptist Church or information on lodging please contact: Pastor Terry Adkins at 313-562-5579 or pastorterrynewhope[at]yahoo.com
MONDAY EVENING, November 9th
5:00 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Music
6:45 pm Singing
7:15 pm Message: Pastor George Sledd
Jordan Baptist Church, Sanford, FL
8:00 pm Singing
8:25 pm Message: Bobby Wacaser
Missionary, Curitiba, Brazil
TUESDAY MORNING, November 10th
9:15 am Music
9:30 am Singing
9:45 am Message: Pastor Michael Jones
Zion Baptist Church, Taylor, MI
10:25 am Singing
10:30 am Message: Pastor Doug Armstrong
Lake Road Baptist Church, Clio, MI
11:10 am Break
11:15 am Message: Pastor Bob Hopkins
Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Holly, MI
12:00 pm Lunch
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, November 10th
1:30 pm BFM Advisory Meeting
TUESDAY EVENING, November 10th
5:00 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Music
6:45 pm Singing
7:15 pm Message: Pastor Dan Hillard
East Keys Baptist Church, Springfield, IL
8:25 pm Message: Judson Hatcher
Missionary, Manaus, Brazil
WEDNESDAY MORNING, November 11th
9:45 am Music
10:00 am Singing
10:15 am Message: Kerry Smith, Assistant Pastor
New Heights Baptist Church, Ringgold, GA
11:00 am Singing
11:15 am Message: Pastor Harold Draper
7th Street Baptist Church, Cannelton, IN
12:00 pm Lunch
[You can download a Word document of the 2015 Thanksgiving Conference Schedule by clicking here.]
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [September 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 24, 2015
Dear Fellow Servants,
We are enjoying the Lord’s blessings and hope you are too. As with most of you, we are nearing the end of school vacation. Summers in France are quite different from those in the USA. Most people leave town for about a month which means that at any given time during the summer about half of the houses in our neighborhood are empty. However, this can be useful in building relationships with people. Since most scheduled activities are on hold, people have more time to visit.
During the past few weeks we have had people to our home for meals and gone to the homes of others to eat with them. Some of our most effective moments for communicating the Gospel is in these settings. During the past month we have had people in our home for the first time and spent hours talking to them. We have also been able to reconnect with people that we have not seen for some time.
Another important activity this month has been planning for the coming school year. This includes deciding what God wants us to teach in Sunday School and Bible studies during the coming year, where we need to start new projects and what we need to stop doing. Judy and I have decided to work on optimizing the relationships God has given us. We have a large number of friends as a result of the activities in which we are or have been involved, but have a difficult time finding time to have these folks over for meals where important conversations take place. Since evening time is always at a premium and is when we can see people, I have decided to stop singing in the community choir in order to dedicate more time to cultivating friendships.
A number of young folks who have attended services, Sunday School and meetings with us as they were growing up are now in College. We are concerned because a number of these have never professed faith in Christ. Amanda, our daughter-in-law, is starting a fellowship/Bible study time with the girls who attend local colleges. If we can get some boys interested, we will have a boys meeting and from time to time have all the students meet together.
Two days ago Judy and I were blessed with the birth of our 12th grandchild. We are going to be in the Chicago area during the month of September so that we can visit with our children there and help with the newborn. This will also give me the opportunity to spend a few days with Mom and Dad and Paul and Wanda. The Lord willing, I plan to be with them to celebrate Mom’s 90th birthday.
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers. God is blessing your investment and we are delighted to be on the team with you.
Sharing the Good News in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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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: AJ & Barbara Hensley [August 2015]
The Hensleys have spent nearly 15 years serving in Brazil. They run a vocational school and orphanage in Caraguatatuba and have also established a church and mission points throughout the city.
August 10, 2015
Dear Friends and Family,
The month of July has been one full of many things. This month we have had two groups: one from Georgia and one from South Carolina. With them we did Bible schools at the Church and with the Indian children.
While at the Indian village, we were able to deliver food boxes to each family. With one group we were asked by one of the children to pray with him as he felt that he was demon-possessed. So we all gathered ‘round and each one of us prayed for him. When we went back at the end of the month we talked with him again and he said that he was better.
Barbara also had the opportunity to witness to the wife of the Chief. This was the lady who was never receptive to our being there, let alone hearing the Gospel. She did not make a decision for the Lord but at least the seed was planted or watered.
We have been telling you in past letters about how much our Church is growing. Well, we have been looking for a way to accommodate this growth. We had made all the arrangements to cover the driveway beside our building so we could use it for Sunday School classes. The very day that we were getting ready to start the construction, the owner of the building appeared. He informed us that he did not want this construction done on his property. I asked him if he would like to sell his property and he said that he would not. He was with a friend and this friend owned the land behind so I asked if he would like to sell his land, but he did not. What I was not aware of was the owner of the building next door was close by and when these two men left, he approached me and said, “My building is for sale.” And through the AWESOME grace of God, we are now the owner of a new church building!
God has provided a new building for the church in Caraguatatuba with lots of work to be done.
We have used the visitors to tear down walls, beat up concrete, smash down windows, and all the other demo jobs that you can imagine. We are looking forward to having church in our new building shortly. We may have to move in on concrete floors, unpainted walls, and many other things in the process of being finished, but God is so good – no, He is AWESOME! When you see where He is working, go join Him – you will be amazed at what He will do through you.
In the midst of all this, Barbara has had to go to the States. Her mother, Reba Baker, fell and broke her hip. She is now in a nursing home doing physical therapy and Barb will stay with her through September. Pray that all goes well with the therapy and Mrs. Reba can get back home to her house.
If you have not been to see what God can do with your mission dollars, well come on down. We will treat you so many different ways you will have to like at least one of them. Come see what God is doing in Caragua.
In His Service,
AJ & Barb Hensley
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
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