Being the Light of Jesus in Your Community
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
July 4, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It’s the 4th of July here as well as where you live, but it is business as usual here! This morning I was out doing banking and Judy was having a meeting with the ladies of the Tournefeuille Church discussing plans for children’s Sunday School classes for the next few months. We hope you are enjoying the holiday along with your family.
The past weekend was filled with fellowship. Sunday, after the morning service, the church families met at a nearby park to enjoy a shared picnic. The evening before, Judy and I had a dinner together with some of the folks in Mazere where we worked for over a dozen years. God continues to be at work using the believers there.
The month has also included large social events with folks who are not from the church. One of these was our neighborhood annual pot luck dinner. God has often opened doors during these gatherings and this year was no different. We had excellent discussions with some present. One neighbor told me that he had not forgotten our earlier discussions and certainly wanted to come attend a service.
Another event, held a couple of weeks ago at Philip and Amanda’s home, was a piano recital of her students. The place was packed and snack and chat time followed. I had a lengthy discussion about spiritual things with a young married man who lives across the street from Philip and Amanda. These, along with the daily contacts that we have with our neighbors are the primary means of being the light of Jesus in our communities. France is a very secular society. Roughly half of those who make up the population proclaim without hesitation to be atheist and there is a general aversion to religion, so it is out in the community that we share Christ.
The witness of believers of all ages is important. We continue to see God at work through middle and high school students who are part of our church. During this past year there have been 13 youth from our assembly and 18 others who are their friends who have come to youth meetings. Typically there 15-20 kids at each meeting where a clear presentation and discussion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ take place.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and giving.
In France to live and proclaim Christ,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Recalling the Start of Making Disciples in France
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 4, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The question arises from time to time, “How did you start the church where you are?” This is an excellent question. This past week we were vividly reminded of how the process of making disciples here began. We had the privilege of receiving for dinner and the Sunday meeting, Ursula, the first person to be touched by the Lord at the beginning of our efforts here. Ursula was here with her daughter, Veronika, who was about five when she and her younger sister came with their mother to Sunday School. She is now a fine young lady of 23 doing internship near us.
John & Judy with Ursula and Veronika
The neighborhood had a special welcome home party potluck for John & Judy. The party theme was “Dress like an American”.
Children at the neighborhood’s special welcome home party potluck for John & Judy. The party theme was “Dress like an American”.
In September 2000, we moved to Tournefeuille where we knew no one. The day we signed the rental contract on our house we were invited to a neighborhood gathering in the street a few dozen feet from our house. One of the neighbors organized the snack time so that all the new home renters could get to know each other. That event was an answer to prayer in ways I do not have the space to retell here. At this gathering, word got around that we were here to communicate the word of God and Ursula introduced herself and let us know that she would like to come to Bible studies. She a key person that God used to help us start here. She was very friendly and brought her friends and people she befriended. Ursula and her family returned to the home area of Germany in 2003. She expresses the fact that the crossing of our paths here changed her life. It was great to review those early days. I am including a picture of Ursula, Veronika and us following Sunday morning service.
One of our neighbors stopped by in early May to say that since we had been out of town for so long and missed the last couple neighborhood gatherings they wanted to have a special welcome home party potluck for us. The party theme was “dress like an American.” I am including pictures of the adults and children at this party which will give you an idea of how they visualize Americans. You might try to guess who Judy and I were trying to impersonate from an old TV series that was quite popular here. It was great to renew these acquaintances and keep the links warm for communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ. That evening I had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time giving the message of salvation to a man who is a new neighbor next to us.
The annual neighborhood party is to be held this coming Saturday evening. We thank God for all of these opportunities He gives us to link up with people and build credibility to communicate the Good News.
Thank you for your participation which enables us to be here as lights in this and other communities. God continues to work through the believers here for His glory and we are encouraged.
From southern France,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Praying God would Touch the Hearts of Friends
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
May 2, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Less than two months ago I wrote, “Paulette, the oldest member of our congregation who is faithful in seeking to reach others has had many physical problems in the last 2 or 3 years. Tomorrow she will be having a needle biopsy to determine if a tumor in her pancreas is malign. About two weeks ago she called me to ask me to meet her husband at his only brother’s home. They had just entered the house and found a suicide note on the table. There has been no sight of this brother now for over two weeks.” On April 5, the day after I wrote you last month, Paulette left this earth for the presence of the Lord.
There were about 150 friends of Paulette at her funeral service. Only about a third of these were believers as far as we know. My message was a presentation of the gospel for which Paulette’s life was a good illustration. We drove 600 miles round trip the next day to have a burial service at her tomb in the east of France. The drive was an opportunity to spend some valuable time with Gilbert, Paulette’s widower. Judy, Wendy and I from the church had lunch with about 20 members of her family before the graveside service. As far as we know none of these are believers. Pray with us that God will save these friends and family members to whom Paulette was a great witness.
Paulette and one of her many church art projects.
Paulette and VBS team members.
Judy celebrated her 65th birthday organizing the events surrounding the funeral. I am so thankful for Judy who is a wonderful wife and co-worker in the ministry to which God has called us. She is also a great mother and grandmother to her natural offspring and many others.
Last week one of our neighbors stopped by to say that since we had missed the annual neighborhood dinner last summer they were planning a special dinner among neighbors with us as the special guest. Please pray that God would touch the heart of these friends and draw them to Himself. We thank God for the opportunities to have meaningful conversations about spiritual matters with our neighbors and others.
The Lord continues to bless our fellowship of believers and we are very encouraged by the interest of the thirty or so young people who come to the youth meetings.
Thank you for your prayers and faithful support,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
The Impact of a Godly Life
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 4, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Little did I realize when I wrote you last month that in 4 days my mother would be in the presence of the Lord with all of His children who have left this life. On March 8th I received a call from my brother to let us know that Mom had been promoted to heaven about thirty minutes earlier. I had the opportunity to speak to Mom about 12 hours before that call. Just hours after I spoke to her, and she to me, she was absent from the body and present with the Lord. Many of you have also experienced the loss of your parents and we thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers.
The Hatcher Family at Alta Hatcher’s Memorial Service (March 15, 2018)
Suddenly, the plans for the month changed. As soon as possible, Judy and I were on our way to Clermont, FL. We were there for a little over a week. During this time, members of our family began arriving from many distant places. It was a great blessing to fellowship with children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, de facto family members, brothers and sisters in Christ, and many friends. The memorial service was to God’s glory and underscores how He can use each of us to touch the lives of many. Beginning life in a farmhouse near Corbin, KY, Mom trusted Christ at age 7 and felt called to missions at age 10. Her life has touched thousands in many parts of the world. She was the one I went to when I was in despair because I knew I was lost and she pointed me to Jesus. She was my Bible teacher who taught through the Bible in my Sunday School classes as I was growing up in Brazil. She got me on the track of being a daily Bible reader and reading through the Bible annually. The wonderful fellowship that I have with my Heavenly Father was greatly cultivated by Mom.
I could write a book on the ways she touched my life. Her last words before she fell asleep were “I love You, Jesus”. She is now eternally in the presence of the One she loved so much and enjoying fellowship with others that went on before her. You may feel that you are just a “plain old Christian”, but I want to remind you that there is no such thing. You are a child of the King of kings, an ambassador for Christ, a seed planted in the soil of this world. My mother would say to you children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, singles, blue collar or white collar workers, “Do all things as unto the Lord…ask God for wisdom in everything…whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might.” I probably heard those scriptures hundreds of times.
May each of us live today for God’s glory.
Thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. We pray that God will bless you and enable you to be “the light of the world” where you are today as Jesus lives in and through you.
In France for Jesus,
John and Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Communicating the Good News of Christ with Neighbors & Acquaintances
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 4, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Judy and I thank God for your continual and long-term partnership with us in the mission that He has set before us in France. Yesterday we celebrated 45 years of marriage. It seems like yesterday that we began this wonderful partnership. We have been privileged to serve together on 3 different continents and God has blessed us beyond our imagination.
We have continued to connect with our neighbors and acquaintances here. These connections are the primary means of display and communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ. About 10 days ago Judy and I went to visit Patricia. This lady used to live just a few blocks from us. Her husband has been afflicted by Alzheimer’s syndrome for a while so after becoming acquainted with her several years ago we visited her frequently. She came to church a few times but has never shown much interest. A couple of years ago her husband was placed in a Nursing Home as she could no longer manage his care. While we were in the US, various members of our congregation helped her in many different ways. This greatly encouraged Judy and me. During our last visit she asked us to pray and showed more interest than she ever has before. She came to church last Sunday. Please pray for this lady who desperately needs the Lord.
As with you, sometimes believers of our congregation go through difficult times. Paulette, the oldest member of our congregation who is faithful in seeking to reach others has had many physical problems in the last 2 or 3 years. Tomorrow she will be having a needle biopsy to determine if a tumor in her pancreas is malign. About two weeks ago she called me to ask me to meet her husband at his only brother’s home. They had just entered the house and found a suicide note on the table. There has been no sight of this brother now for over two weeks. Pray that God will give wisdom to this lady to know how to help her husband and that he would trust receive Christ. We have had a good relationship with the gentleman for some time.
May God continue to bless each of you.
In Christ in France,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Back in France, where God has Underscored the Reality He is Still at Work
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
February 6, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Did you notice? We have no temporary address. We are home! We arrived back in Tournefeuille on February 1. What a blessing it is. The innumerable good gifts from God cause us to rejoice with thanksgiving. Thank you all who have prayed for us and Peggy, Judy’s sister during the past year. God is answering your prayers. I was able to be with my parents on our return trip as we came back via Florida. It was enjoyable to visit with Paul and Wanda and other family members and friends while there.
Upon arriving in France we found that the ladies from Church had gathered for a work day to clean our home. They also brought food and plants and flowers to adorn the interior and exterior. There was a full house on Sunday and worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. What a cause for thanksgiving it was to see the evidence of how God has been working in each one’s life and the spiritual maturity it has produced.
On Saturday night I was at the Youth meeting where 16 young people were present. There were a number who normally come who could not participate that evening. The interest of all present in spiritual matters during the study of John 6 was evident. Those who are saved bring their friends and these friends are hungry for spiritual things. In addition to the Jr. and Sr. High school meetings, Philip and Amanda are now having separate meetings for High School students and College students. We prayerfully anticipate the harvest of the seed that is being sown in these young lives.
Though it is winter and people are not out as much, the Lord has enabled us to reconnect with a good number of people to whom we had been witnessing before leaving early last year. This is one of our main reasons for wanting to be back and the Lord has magnificently underscored the reality that He is still at work and will continue to use us here for His glory.
Please, continue to pray for us, God’s people here and the multitudes who need Christ.
Rejoicing in Christ,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Our Savior Incarnate, Touching Lives for His Glory
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
January 6, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May God bless each of you this year. The weather where most of you live and where we are temporarily reminds us that God is in control of the elements. Our physical world displays the power and love of our dear Heavenly Father. But, His love is most displayed in the incarnation of Jesus, God the Son, to identify with us as the Son of Man and bring us back to Himself. Nothing speaks clearer than the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. And what a privilege we have to be bearers of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Just after writing my December letter I was able to go to Florida to celebrate Mom and Dad’s 70 years of marriage. It was a rare and wonderful opportunity to be with all of my living siblings and mom and dad for a few days. At the end of this time we were able to all spend time with Bob and Charlene Wacaser who return to serve in Brazil this coming Monday, January 8.
Just a couple days after I returned to Evansville Philip and his family arrived from France. It had been 15 years since Philip and Amanda had been in the United States at Christmas time. Their co-laboring with us has multiplied the effectiveness of the ministry in southern France. Judy and I are grateful beyond words for the privilege of teaming up with them and their children, Abigail, Nathalie, Camille and Emily.
Our children who live in Chicago, their families and Laura, our oldest daughter, who lives near Cincinnati, all came to Evansville for Christmas. This is the first time that we have ever been with all of our children and grandchildren for Christmas. We thoroughly enjoyed the days that our heavenly Father gave us together.
This morning, while Judy and I were walking for exercise in the Mall, we encountered one of the men who was saved while I was pastor here and rejoiced together in the Lord. Shortly thereafter, we crossed a lady whom we have met in the neighborhood and spent some time listening to her story and telling about what God has done in our lives. This is our calling, our wonderful Savior, incarnate in us touches the lives of others for His Glory.
And, tomorrow is my birthday. While we celebrate here with Philip and his family and Peggy, Judy’s sister, it is good to know that the body of believers in Tournefeuille, France will have already met together to worship the Lord and encourage one another. Jean-Luc will be leading the services at our primary location in France (7 hours ahead of us here). Jean-Luc is a faithful developing leader in the assembly there and others will be teaching children and serving in various ways. We anticipate being back with them soon.
Thank you for your prayers for all the ongoing activities in France and for us and Judy’s sister Peggy.
Rejoicing in Christ,
John and Judy
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
Sharing How God is Working with Churches in Michigan, Ohio, & North Carolina
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
December 11, 2017
Judy and I hope that all of you enjoyed a great Thanksgiving Day. It was a joy to celebrate in Peggy’s home with all of our family except for Philip, Amanda and their daughters. This is a rarity for us. I think that it has happened twice in the last 18 years. We have so much for which to be thankful.
The week previous to Thanksgiving we were blessed by the Thanksgiving Conference at New Hope Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, MI, co-sponsored with Grace Baptist Church of Wyandotte, MI. It was great to be able to fellowship with many friends of decades. What a delightful surprise upon arriving to be greeted by a longtime friend and supporter, Tammy Gerig, her two younger sons and father-in-law. My brother, Paul, took a plane to Evansville so that we could travel together by car from here to Michigan and back. We had a great visit and enjoyed the precious time with each other.
It is always enjoyable to be with churches which we have not previously visited. That was the case the first Sunday of December when we were guests of the Berea Baptist Church of Hiddenite, North Carolina. We were well received and happy to present our work to the folks there who support us. Adding to the blessing of our time there was spending time with Sheridan and Anita Stanton, both longtime friends of ours. We knew each other before any of us were married which was a while back though it seems like yesterday.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of being with the Grace Baptist Church in Fairborn, Ohio. This was not our first time here, but we did meet some new folks as well as enjoying fellowship with old acquaintances. Grace has supported and prayed for us for many years. There is a special fondness in my heart for this church as it was at a youth conference there in 1970 that God changed my direction from a career in Medicine to being a pastor and missionary. Though I had been with Grace many times I hardly knew Mark Pyles who has now been pastor of Grace for six years. The opportunity to become acquainted and discuss our ministries was priceless. It was also great to chat with the younger folks.
Our purpose in visiting churches is to encourage them in the work of the Lord and share with them how God is working in our corner of France. Thanks to all of you who are praying for Peggy, Judy’s sister. The recent scans and MRI have shown that the present treat is effective.
May the Lord richly bless you and give you great joy as you visit with your family and friends during this Holiday Season. Let us not miss opportunities to share the Love of Christ as we worship Him for His incarnation and redemptive sacrifice to bring us back to the Father.
Joyfully your fellow laborers,
John and Judy
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online
Read more
