Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [May 2016]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
May 16, 2016
Dear Brethren and Friends of Baptist Faith Missions:
In the sixty years Alta and I served in Brazil there were many wonderful experiences and individuals who became a permanent part of our lives. None was more vital than the two sisters, Maria and Maria Helena, who became a part of our family life. The youngest, Maria Helena, wrote the poem at the bottom. I translated the poem. I know you will enjoy knowing and thank God for what He did in their lives through the Gospel taken by the work of BFM.
The Hatcher Kids after one year in Brazil
LAST WEEK OF FIRST MISSIONARY TERM IN BRAZIL
In the year 1958, during the last week of our first term, I was invited to preach a revival at the Calvary Baptist Church. Maria was a member of the small Church. During the week her father was saved. Her mother had died. During the year we were home, her father passed away. We learned this soon after returning from furlough.
We got in touch and it was decided they would live with us as members of our family, as daughters. Maria Helena was thirteen and Maria was eighteen. They finished High School and Seminary and became school teachers. In time, Maria Helena married a preacher and became the mother of three children: two sons and a daughter. Maria never married but gave her life as a missionary working with mothers and children. She is eighty-eight and still serving the Lord. She is one of God’s greatest servants. Maria Helena lost her husband and oldest son in a car accident. She never married again but is faithful in serving the Lord.
With this short story of what the Gospel did in these lives, I know you will enjoy the poem better and thank God for what He did in our lives and in the lives of Maria and Maria Helena.
Thank you, Lord, for the years you gave us in Brazil, for the changes in lives as these two sisters and for the friends who have been so faithful to support us with their prayers and financial help. Give thanks to our Lord for all He has done in Brazil!
Sincerely, In His Name,
John A. and Alta Hatcher
FOR PASTOR JOHN AND ALTA
Parana (State), beautiful and fertile land,
Where the sun shines with splendor.
In winter we warm ourselves
And hide from the cold winds.
Pastor and Sister Alta, beautiful and precious stones,
You, with your lives, brought us
New life, new vision, new light.
Stones, strong and brilliant,
That helped many persons
Recuperate their lives.
Many times it seemed that nothing went right,
You came, with great care,
And diminished the pain.
I remember in Garca (Garsa)
You worked in the city streets,
Spreading the Word of the Lord.
Many lives were changed;
Hearts were transformed;
By the outreach of your dear hands.
I ask God, our Lord
To protect you eternally!
You will always be a link
To bless sad hearts.
Thank you, soldiers of the Lord!
You, with all this love for souls and lives,
Have saved broken hearts
From danger and pain.
I ask God to keep you!
And you can be sure
You will always be greatly loved.
“With much love.” Maria Helena
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
Read more
The Challenge of Missions (Part 5) by John A. Hatcher
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 5
[click here for previous chapters]
MISSIONS IS ABOUT GOD’S SON
Missions is about the position and the eternal work of the Son of God. Although the persons of the Trinity have just been discussed, it is necessary to speak more about the work of the Son. He has preeminence in all of God’s plans and purposes. In mission work, He must occupy the very same position of preeminence. God has determined that Jesus shall have preeminence in all things. A study of the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians will be of great benefit.
Missions is proclaiming to the world the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the eternal benefits offered to all who will receive His pardon and submit to His Lordship. “For by Him were created all things, that are in Heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: “who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1: 16-18. Forsaking family and friends, sacrificing all material ambitions, doing good to men, and even dying signify nothing unless Christ is exalted.
Many means and motives have been used to promote mission service and stewardship: the illiterate, the sick, the enslaved of vices, the hungry, the dirty, and the dying. All these can successfully motivate service and giving without the mention or even belief in Jesus Christ. Real missions must follow the purpose of the Father and the Holy Spirit—to exalt the Son.
Jesus must be exalted for the Father has so determined. Paul wrote that the Christian’s growth: his wisdom and spiritual understanding, his fruitfulness, his strength for patience and longsuffering, his thanksgiving to the Father, his inheritance with the saints, and his deliverance from the powers of darkness are benefits received from the Son. Col 1:9-13
Jesus must be exalted for He is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of every creature; He has the first place in every aspect of God’s work and dominion. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is the final and perfect revelation of God—He has first and final place in revelation.
He is the first to have overcome sin and the power of Satan. He is the first to have raised from among the dead. He is the first to come from and return to heaven. He is the first one born of and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the Sustainer of all things. He alone has the power and ability to stand between God and man. He is the person and message of reconciliation—the daysman of whom Job (Job 9:33) had not heard, Who puts His hand on God and on man—reconciling the sinner to the Holy God. What Grace! What a message! What a privilege men have to carry it to the ends of the earth! That is what missions is about!
In His exaltation Jesus is the head of the body, the church (generic). Idolatrous men carry their adored images and idols through the streets of many lands. They carry them on their shoulders to exalt, to praise, and to manifest their adoration, though their gods are dumb and dead. The churches of Jesus Christ have the privilege to exalt Him. He has redeemed them by His Blood. They are the heirs of His Kingdom. The church must carry the message of Jesus Christ on its shoulders to the ends of the earth. The processions of the wicked praise their idols; the church must walk in continual procession proclaiming the praises of Jesus. God is glorified in the church through the (Eph. 3:3) ages by the exaltation of Jesus Christ. God’s Son is what missions is about.
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
Read more
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
Read more
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS by John A. Hatcher (Part 3)
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 3
[click here for previous chapters]
MISSIONS IS GOD’S PLAN TO GIVE MEN
AN ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
Missions is God’s plan for bringing men into an eternal relationship of sons. God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” Missions is the plan of the New Covenant. In the Old Testament the prophets wrote, “Blessed be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” That Covenant took Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land of Palestine. God’s covenant through Jesus Christ makes fallen men to become sons of God, taking them out of the kingdom of darkness and placing them in the kingdom of light, and transporting them to Heaven, where they can be blessed with all spiritual blessings. Let’s say it together— “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places.” Amen.
Israel was chosen through Abraham to manifest Jehovah’s name to all nations; the redeemed are chosen for the eternal praise of the glory of His grace.
The Son came to earth in obedience to the Father’s plan and purpose. The Father’s will is accomplished through the merits of the Beloved Son. In Him, sinners are made acceptable to the Father; by His blood men are redeemed, divine justice is satisfied and the wrath of God is turned away. Jesus came into the slave market of sin, purchased the slaves sold under sin, took them off the market—never to be sold again. They have been purchased to be in the Trophy Room of Heaven as exhibits of the power and glory of God’s Love and Grace.
JAHatcher
(to be continued…)
[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
Read more
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS by John A. Hatcher (Part 2)
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 2
[click here for Chapter 1]
INTRODUCING VARIOUS PHASES
In introducing the various phases of missions to be discussed it is necessary to understand, scripturally, what missions is about. Men’s opinions are not the essential concern. The authority and instructions for missions is the Bible. Baptists must constantly return to the Bible for their doctrines and authority for their doings. The attitude of Baptists must be like that of the old gardener.
A lady advertised in the newspaper for a gardener. An elderly man answered the ad and was hired. Three or four days later he noticed the ad was still in the paper. Worried, thinking she was not happy with his work, he went to the lady and asked, “Lady, are you still looking for a gardener?”
“No, I already hired you as my gardener.”
“Are you satisfied with your gardener, Ma’am?”
“Yes, perfectly satisfied,” she replied.
“Then you are planning on keeping the gardener you have?
“Yes, I am, but why are you asking? Is something wrong?”
Quite relieved, the old man replied in a serious tone of voice: “Oh, no ma’am, I’m just doing some checking on myself.”
God’s people and churches must take time to do a little checking on themselves—on their doctrines and duties.
(to be continued…)
[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
Read more
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS by John A. Hatcher (Part 1)
THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 1
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached for twenty centuries. Is it necessary to ask now what missions is all about? The question must be asked and it demands an answer. The work of missions is like the sun. Though it is the same every day, yesterday’s sunshine will not serve for today. For men to live, the sun must shine day after day. Missions is spreading the message of the “Sun of Righteousness” and must be done day after day, generation after generation.
The psalmist stated this need in Psalm 22, verses 27 to 31:
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and He is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.
“The Sun of Righteousness” with healing in His wings (Mal. 4.2) must arise through the work of missions for the healing of needy dying men.
MISSIONS IS LOVING.
It is the result of God’s love for sinners; it is the love of saved men for their Lord and for the lost. We love because He first loved us and His love is shed abroad in our hearts. From Genesis to the Revelation the Scriptures declare the eternal love of God—of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. From the book of Acts to the Revelation the Bible tells of men who were transformed by the Grace of God into the image of God’s Son, and who were able, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to love God with all their soul and body and their fellowmen as themselves. The book of the Revelation concludes the story of missions by showing the final victory and eternal glory of Jesus Christ. All His redeemed children—co-laborers and joint heirs from every time and clime will join together to praise Him with a new song.
(to be continued…)
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
Read more
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: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [August 2015]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
July 23, 2015
Dear Brethren and Friends,
The pastors of churches we started in Brazil are sending us news about the work. We want to share two letters where they now pastor. One writes,
Pastor John, you will always be our pastor and spiritual leader. Thank you for all that you and Alta taught us. Thank you for your prayers. We miss you, but we know we will be with you in Heaven forever.
We are still serving the Lord and the work is growing. Many are trusting Christ as Savior and our Seminary here now has 16 students. Our children are serving the Lord. Thank you for teaching us how to rear our children to serve Him.
Thanks again for loving us so much! We love you. May God bless you!
Valdir and Sonia dos Santos
We also, received letters from the wife and pastor of the church we started in our home where we lived before leaving Brazil.
When Alta’s parents passed away, some money was left to Alta. We built a church building across from the small park close to our house in the town of Urai. On Mother’s Day there were 100 persons present, including 34 mothers. The mission churches that these churches have planted are growing. God bless you, Marcio & Carol Moraes.
Friends, we hope these letters will bring joy to your hearts. We thank each who have supported us in offerings and prayers throughout 60 years in Brazil. God will give you rewards in Heaven and you will meet the Brazilians your efforts have brought to Salvation. We love each of you.
John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com
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