Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher in Brazil [April 2015]
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.
Dear friends,
Preaching at the State House of Representatives
I had the privilege of preaching twice at the Amazonas State House of Representatives. It is a rare opportunity to speak before these government officials and the Lord allowed me to speak two times just this year. The packed auditorium was full of energy and the Gospel. It is exciting to see how interested people were in listening to the plan of salvation.
Church Relocation
Five weeks ago the church plant moved from the restaurant to a private school. The new ministry location has a gym, a swimming pool (we now have a place for baptisms), an auditorium and air-conditioned classrooms. The church is riveting excitement. Every Sunday, we have first time visitors from the neighborhood. The Lord is moving mightily.
Church Ministries
We started a children’s club and a middle 
school ministry on Saturday mornings. The kids love every moment when we are together and cannot wait for the following Saturday to arrive. Two of them call me on the phone every week just to tell me they plan to bring a friend. We share a Gospel story, a memory verse, scripture songs, activities and a snack for the kids.
Pastoral and Ministry Leadership
The Lord is preparing our leadership team thru some incredible twist of events. Up until just recently, the church plant struggled with ministerial leadership. We now have a great praise team leader, a youth pastor-in-training and a new senior pastor (My family and I are leaving for the US in July).
Stateside Assignment
Beginning in July, our family plans to be in the States for a year and reside in Lexington, KY. Pray for us as we make schooling arrangements for Sarah, Laura, Benjamin and Melissa. We are also praying for a good vehicle to use while in the US. Thank you for praying for us. I’ve attached several pictures for you to see. If you are on Facebook, friend me by using my email address judsonhatcher@gmail.com or search for Judson Hatcher. I post my thoughts, news updates and pictures on a regular basis.
Baptist Pastors’ Network & “CELEBRAI”
Every month we have a Baptist Pastors’ Network fellowship. Last month we planned and organized a special service held at Tabernacle Baptist Church. We called it “Celebrai: Encontro de Igrejas Sementeiras” (Celebrate: A Gathering of Seed Factory Churches). It was a special service, as it was Dad’s (Paul Hatcher) last Sunday as senior pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Churches came from all over town and a few pastors flew in from out of state. The main auditorium was packed, as were the overflow auditoriums equipped with projection screens containing images from the service. Michael Samples was introduced as the new senior pastor. All churches present are daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter churches of Tabernacle Baptist Church under dad’s leadership as pastor.
Family
These last few months were tough. Our three-year-old daughter, Melissa, caught malaria. We suffered greatly as we saw her agony in pain, lose weight and cry in delirium. It was not a fun experience. We posted several updates and photos on Facebook and many of you prayed for her. THANK YOU! We truly are grateful for every word of encouragement and intercession. Truth is, all of us were sick during these last few weeks, but nothing compares to what Melissa endured. God always protects and gives grace to those in need. Lord knows we needed much.
We love you and are grateful for you. Thank you.
Jud Hatcher
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Missionary Update: Mike & Beverly Creiglow in Brazil [April 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.
April 15, 2015
Dear Brethren,
First Baptist Church just sent out our newest missionary family. Idevaldo, Queila and their two little girls left for the city of Jordão on March 17. The town is just 8000 people of which half are Indians from three different tribes. Jordão is at the mouth of the Jordão River. The town actually sits on the banks of the Tarauacá River with the Jordão flowing in on the other side. The Tarauacá is a tributary of the Juruá River (our river) and flows into the Juruá hundreds of miles down stream from us. Just to remind you: The Juruá River is a tributary of the amazon. All this to say that Idevaldo and family are way back in the bush, almost on the Peruvian border.
It took several days to get their furniture and baggage there. The river is very small and shallow. Even though we are still in the rainy season, one day without rain that far up means that only small canoes can get through. They finally got everything there and moved into the house we rented for them. They have already had the first services and 9 people have been saved. We are the first and only Baptists in the whole region.
Unfortunately I was not able to go along to help them with their move. My son Andrew fell ill suddenly about 4 days before that trip. He went to the doctor on a Thursday, ran some tests on Friday and on Saturday he and I were in Manaus. Five doctors that we talked to here told us that he should get out of Cruzeiro do Sul and see a specialized surgeon in a big city as soon as possible. We had all the appointments set up to see the doctor in Manaus before we ever left home. We were able to get all the tests and reserve the surgical center for the same week.
The surgery was 3 hours and went well. The recovery started great, but then there was a complication. He was in grave danger for a period of over 60 hours. I did not sleep or eat during that time. Many hours of prayer. He was conscious most of the time, but came very close to death. The Lord spared him though. We are back home now and he is recovering nicely.
The first Sunday back in the pulpit was a great and humbling feeling. That was Easter Sunday. My message started with God’s explanation that the life is in the blood. Then we went through the last moments of the death of Christ in the 4 gospels. Then I shared the sensation I had as a father seeing the life drain out of my son. My son was spared though. God’s Son was not. Nobody will ever know or fully understand what that feels like. Andrew and I can appreciate it considerably more now. Five more people gave their lives to Christ that night. Many tears were shed as they understood at least a little of what our God did for us. I still can’t stop crying every time I remember. Continue to pray for us. I am still not over this ordeal, by any means. It will be a while.
Andrew’s treatment was all done through private medicine. He doesn’t have insurance, since it doesn’t work that well in this kind of economy. If he had gone through the government provided “health care”, he wouldn’t be with us today. Anyway, if you would like to help, please do. He has a wife and 4 children to support and this was a major hit financially. Just hospital and surgery were about $7,500.00.
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: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [April 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 7, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Spring Conference hosted by Thompson Rd. Baptist Church starts 3 weeks from yesterday and we hope to see you there. It has been six years since we last participated in this conference in Lexington, KY. It is not possible for us to be away from Tournefeuille, France for lengthy periods of time, particularly during the school year, without adversely affecting the work here. We will be in the USA for just a few days to celebrate Dad’s 90th birthday and to attend the Spring Missionary Conference.
The main work here in Tournefeuille is going quite well. I am including some pictures taken during the song part of the service Sunday. We have had new visitors and promises from several others to come as well. The Lord has given us a number of good contacts lately and we are grateful for these opportunities to share the Good News.
At Pujaudran, our newest Bible study there have been new folks at each meeting and a great participation. The couple who host this Bible study came here in a job transfer and we met them shortly after they arrived. They were already believers and are great recruiters. Eva, the wife, was born in Malta to Polish parents. She grew up in Australia where she was taken to a Baptist Youth camp by a friend. She trusted the Lord and was baptized in a Baptist church. He grew up in a family of believers and trusted the Lord early in life. Their example underscores the importance of making disciples who are in love with the Lord and ready to communicate that love with others.
In Mazere, things are also going quite well. At our meeting last Wednesday we had two first time participants. Douceline the young lady who hosts this study in her home also has Bible studies with two other ladies at other times during the week. We are very encouraged by what is happening in this town.
There are other Bible studies that we do not lead. Philip and Amanda have a Bible study once a week and Wendy, the single missionary who works with us also hosts a weekly Bible study.
Inductive Bible studies are the primary means that we use to communicate the Gospel to those who do not know Christ. After people trust the Lord, these continue and become the primary means of discipleship. When people do not know God or do not have any knowledge of His word, they must first understand before they can trust. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. A passage which encouraged us to move in this direction is Paul’s experience at Ephesus which led to Gospel being propagated throughout Asia Minor where Paul himself was not able to enter earlier, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:9-10)
So, we continue and are thankful daily for your faith support.
Anticipating getting to see you at the Lexington Conference,
John and Judy
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: The Wacaser on Furlough from Brazil [April 2015]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
April 5, 2015
Dear Friends,
In my last correspondence, I shared with you that because of my mother’s diagnosis of acute Leukemia I would be making an emergency trip to the USA and would begin a year’s furlough from Brazil to help look after my parents. Four days after my arrival my mother passed away. I did arrive in time to spend some hours with her while she was still conscious. She had been a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ for many years and she was prepared to go and be with our Lord. My father has many health challenges and I am working together with my family to aid him. He now lives alone at home, but we take turns staying with him since his needs require 24 hour care. Thank you all who have been and are praying for me and my family.
Before I left our church in Brazil, I officially turned the pastorate over to my co-pastor Alek Rossi. It has only been a few weeks, but from pictures and reports from him, the work there continues to progress. I made some financial commitments to that work before I left and will maintain that support and for as long as necessary. Alek has a very able team of volunteer helpers and we expect to hear encouraging news of how the Lord will use them in the future.
Our young missionary, Alysson, is getting ready to leave for a Muslim country in Eastern Europe this month. We are excited about his upcoming opportunities to share the Gospel where the Word of God is not known. We pray for his safety and fruitfulness in evangelism. He is very aware of the possibility of danger and persecution, but he trusts that the Lord will be his source of protection.
Charlene and I plan to attend the Spring Missions Conference on behalf of Baptist Faith Missions at the Thompson Road Baptist Church in few weeks. It has been several years since we’ve had this opportunity and we are really looking forward to greeting old and new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ there.
If you would be interested in having us come to visit with you or your church, feel free to contact us at the contact information provided with letter.
Thank you so much for your prayers and faithful support.
In Christ’s love,
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
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [April 2015]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
April 5, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to write about something you may have heard about in the news and something I’m certain you have not heard about in the news concerning Kenya.
First, you may have heard that once again Kenya was the victim of a horrendous terrorist attack. Once again, terrorists from the organization called Al Shaabab (affiliated with Al Qaida but based in Somalia) have crossed the Somali/Kenya border and perpetrated unspeakable acts of atrocity against Kenyan citizens. 4-5 masked gunmen entered a university in the town of Garissa in Kenya in the middle of the night and wantonly opened fire on sleeping students. Their only objective was to kill and cause terror, a goal in which they succeeded. I have read news reports stating that as many as 147 students were killed in the attack. I don’t know if this number is accurate but I do know that many young lives were ended that night. News of this attack quickly went international and is probably why you have heard about it already. Garissa is not that close to Kitale and thus this horrible attack does not impact us directly nor were we ever at risk of danger or injury during this attack. But we do grieve for the Kenyan people; the families of the victims, the town of Garissa which has endured this suffering and the nation as a whole which has to repeatedly face such atrocities. We wonder why people would commit such acts of atrocity against their fellow man. We wonder how long God will suffer these people to kill others who are made in His image before He returns to this earth to set all things right. While we could never condone such acts, we pray that God would use this time to reach the hearts of many Kenyan people and cause them to reflect on eternity and their relationship with Him.
Second, I’m almost certain you never did hear in the news about an event that hit much closer to home here in Kitale. Here in Kitale, the city municipal council decided to make some “changes”. Our lawyer friend who lives next door described it so beautifully that I will quote her description. She says, “Some clowns decided to resite the bus and mini bus stage ‘temporarily’ while a new one is built on the old site. Might not have been such a bad idea except they gave no proper warning, did absolutely no planning of new traffic systems, built no new infrastructure and the traffic is now chaotic to put it mildly. To compound that, they then decided to resite the fruit and vegetable market from the old, largely covered, old site to the same place…. again, with no proper stalls, roofs or infrastructure or proper notice. And just to inflate already justifiably fraying tempers, part of the area they resited to is owned by the railway company who say they did not give permission to use their land and plan to evict everyone in the next day or so by force if necessary……… all the ingredients for a riot!” And, since all the ingredients for a riot were in place, can you guess what then resulted? That’s right, a riot ensued. The riot started at the governor’s house and then moved to the streets. The streets were blockaded, fires were started, things were smashed and chaos ensued. The police arrived, shot their AK-47’s and released tear-gas to attempt to disperse the crowds. All of this happened within 2 miles of our house and on the main road that we use to enter town. Once we heard what was going on we quickly closed and locked up the house, warned the security guard of possible danger and decided to stay indoors, at least for the rest of the day and night. I’ve heard unsubstantiated reports that a couple of municipal buildings were burned down and that a coupe of people were killed in the rioting. I can’t say if these reports are true or not. But this event happening so close to home certainly causes us to stop and think how quickly society can devolve into chaos and how people pursuing their own sinful ways can wreak havoc on society as a whole. Again, we look forward to the perfect reign and kingdom of Christ when our righteous and sovereign King will reign in all of his glory. We only pray that many Kitale residents will recognize Jesus as King of their lives and that he will become King in their hearts before he returns to reign as King of the earth.
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: March 2015 [PDF Version]
The March 2015 issue of the Mission Sheets is now available! Get your advanced PDF copy of the March 2015 Mission Sheets at the link below.
BFM Mission Sheets – March 2015
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [April 2015]
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, 2015
Dear praying friends,
We hope this update finds you all doing well. We hope you all have a great upcoming Easter. May we never forget the significance of this time and celebration, where we remember our Lord raised triumphantly from the grave. We serve a living Savior! Some verses that come
to mind are 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which state, “For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” Also, 1 Corinthians 15:14, which says “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” What encouraging words from the Scriptures.
Please keep the hospital ministry in your prayers. My wife has been faithful to this ministry and the Lord has blessed. We praise the Lord that many needy babies and mothers have been assisted through your generous giving and heart for these people. We are now also trying to get baby blankets to the babies, so please pray that these will be a blessing. We thank the Lord for a man in Nairobi who assists us with getting these supplies, as well as shipping them to Kitale for us.
The prison ministry is continuing along well. I praise the Lord for the desire I see in these men to know, study, believe, and follow the Word of God. A verse that comes to mind is 2 Timothy 2:15, which says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We are getting ready to enter into the teachings of the life of Joseph. The men can really identify with many things from his life, such as being thrown into prison, etc. Please pray that these teachings are received well and the men will apply them to their lives and situations.
As I have stated before, my partner Roger Tate and I are trying different ways of doing church planting here, both with training nationals and also going into the Kenyan homes of “men of peace” who welcome us to come and start churches. Both ways are challenging and we are praying over these ways of doing churches here. One of the main challenges is the dependency. We desire the churches to be independent, self-supporting, self-governing, etc. To rely on the Lord wholly. That is a major challenge here, and we need patience as we work with the people and teach them from the Word. We are thankful for a man named Kefa who was welcomed us into his home to come and teach the Word of God to him, his family, and those in the surrounding area called Robinson. Please pray the people would come faithfully, and desire to grow in their faith. We will keep you updated.
I had mentioned the challenges of driving here recently. Believe it or not, a major market area and matatu (van) station moved from an outer area of town to the road that goes right through the heart of Kitale town. This has brought much congestion in this area of town and it is even more challenging to drive. We are so thankful the Lord has protected us as we travel, and we trust Him. Please pray not only for us, but all the missionaries as they travel within the country.
That is the main news for now. We appreciate each of you so much and thank you so much
for your heart for missions in East Africa. You are such blessing and thanks for all you do.
Serving in Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
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Missionary Update: Odali & Kathy Barros in Brazil [April 2015]
Odali and Kathy Barros served the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil together from 1987-2013. In late 2013, they transitioned to Manaus in Northern Brazil to start sharing the Gospel and planting churches in villages along the river.
March 27, 2015
Greetings dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hope all is well with each of you and your loved ones. We are all doing well, praise the Lord! Kathy and our son Tito are in the US for Kathy to see her parents.
Things here are coming along really well. Next month I will become the pastor of the church here that we have been attending and working with. My brother is going to pastor the church I was a pastor of in GARÇA, São Paulo. Also, we have a great blessing from a group that builds churches in Brasil. This group wanted to help a missionary son. Judson Hatcher told them he knew some that had land for a church and needed a building. We met with the people involved and, the Lord willing, in July we should have a building. All we will need to do is put down the floor and feed them. What a blessing! It is in the community called Multirao.
The work in Ubim is doing great! A few weeks ago it was pouring down rain so I called the people that we use the home to have services in and asked if it was raining. The lady said it was really raining so I told her we were not going. The next week when we went, we were surprised to find out that 7 kids had come any way. We told the kids we were sorry that we had not come and that we were never miss even if it was pouring down rain. It has been so fantastic to see the kids change. The adults are very slow. There are so many kinds of churches. So pray with us that we can be able to teach these people about salvation by grace. The churches they go to are works.
We had a Sister church from MANAUS to come out and do some evangelism in the church and several communities near us. It was great and several people got saved. Now the churches doing follow up visitation. The group also did some social work, like cutting hair, doctor, dental hygiene and mesotherapy.
There is one thing here that makes it difficult for some people to come to church. Many people do not have transportation. Kathy and I drive 2 cars to church every service to help take people to church. We are praying for God to helps us buy a van to be able to do more.
We want to thank all of you for your constant prayers and support. May God bless each of you.
Odali and Kathy
Odali & Kathy Barros
Caixa Postal 1
Iranduba, Amazonas 69.415.000
Brasil, S.A.
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
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