Informal Bible Studies in Full Swing
October 10, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Judy and I hope this finds you enjoying blessings from the Lord. We are very grateful for what He has done in and around us this month. When the school year begins, our regular activities increase. There are seven regularly scheduled Bible studies that take place apart from regular church services. I lead only four of these. Three of these Bible studies began recently. Judy has children’s Bible classes in the city of Campagne sur Arize while the adult study takes place. Meetings in this city began just a few months ago.
Many of you are aware that Bible studies have been a major tool in our ministry here. I was motivated to use this approach years ago through the reference to Paul doing so in the Book of Acts. The Bible studies are informal, but the goal is for people to see from the Holy Scriptures what God says. This is how most of the disciples here have come to Christ. After they trust Christ, they continue to grow as they continue to read, examine and follow His revelation in the inspired written word.
A new Bible study began last Thursday evening in the city of L’Union. We have prayed for an opportunity to start a Bible study in this city for a long time. There were 8 people at the first meeting. Most of the folks have little or no familiarity with the Bible. Besides Judy and me, one or two of the participants profess to be believers. Three of the participants are originally from Iran. Your prayers for these meetings are greatly appreciated. The couple who hosts these meetings in their home are not members of our (or any) church. The lady made a profession of faith as a child and her husband has Muslim origins but makes no profession of faith.
We are also thankful for the blessings of God displayed in the regular church and youth meetings.
God answers prayer. I will close with an interesting answer to prayer shared by a family in our assembly 2 or 3 weeks ago. They and the church along with them have been praying that God would enable them to become acquainted with people from the neighborhood into which they recently moved. Their desire is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with their neighbors. This summer has been extremely hot and dry. Grass and many plants have died. A fire started in a yard of the neighborhood and through underground dead roots spread into several yards. Neighbors from many homes came out to fight the fires and the Veuillets from our church got to meet many of their neighbors!
Your fellow laborers,
John and Judy
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher@aol.com
Present USA phone 1-812-416-1033
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.
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Foundational Truths in Discipleship
October 6, 2022
Dear praying friends,
We hope and pray this finds you all doing well. Hard to believe that we are already into the month of October. Time passes so quickly, and before we know it, the year 2023 will be upon us. This update will share current ministry progress and prayer requests.
We are so thankful that the country of Kenya has been peaceful after the election of this year. Many people prayed for the country during this time, and we are so thankful for your prayers. Previous elections have been both peaceful and had unrest, so we didn’t know how
it would go this year. It was a very close election, but at the end of it all, the country remained peaceful. It has been a challenging year with coronavirus and the election, but God has been faithful and we continue to trust Him. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Amen. Please continue to pray for continued peace in the country.
Now that the election is over and the country has been peaceful, we are praying and hopeful that new families will start coming to Kitale. We know of some families who are interested in coming in the coming weeks, and this would be very welcomed. Our daughters need friends that they can play with here in Kitale, and we are trusting the Lord to provide. They need socialization, and we are trusting God to bring families with children their ages in His timing and plan. This is a big prayer request for us right now, so we would appreciate your prayers.
My wife has had a challenging year with homeschooling, so please be in prayer for her as well. She has many responsibilities each year as she has to look ahead and plan the materials for the coming year. She is a big blessing and a great help to our daughters. Please pray for her, as she continues to educate our daughters faithfully each year.
I (Nathan) am continuing in the discipleship teachings in the village of Taito, about 15 minutes from Kitale town. I recently taught the men on daily devotions, or having a quiet time with the Lord each day. I taught them on the importance of daily devotions, to spend time with the Lord, to prepare their hearts to hear from Him, and to daily fellowship with Him. We looked at various verses, such as Psalm 42:1-2, which say, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”
Also, we saw the example of Jesus. Mark 1:35 says, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” We saw that Jesus rose up early in the morning and went to a quiet place, away from the daily distractions, and prayed before the activities of the day. I challenged the men to find a quiet place where they can spend time with the Lord each day, preferably morning, before the challenges and distractions of the day. I modeled for them how to follow a daily devotional schedule, and we did some passages together, asking questions from each passage to help them learn it, grow spiritually, and apply it to their daily lives.
The men were receptive, and I pray they put these teachings into practice. Please pray that these men would continue to grow spiritually, and have the desire to go out and take the teachings to their village areas, starting groups that become churches. These discipleship teachings are so foundational for them, before they go out and start churches. Please continue to pray for me as I plan each week for the men, step by step, and that they would continue to be receptive to the teachings. Also, that they would have the desire and calling to go out and reach others, starting churches as God leads them. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Amen.
That is the current update from Kenya. We appreciate each of you so much and your heart for missions. We could not do this without you.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
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.
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Presuppositions in Interpreting the Bible
October 5, 2022
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
I am constantly reminded how important the work I’m privileged to be doing is. At least I think it is important —teaching and training future Kenyan pastors and church leaders. I am currently teaching them how to try and properly interpret the Bible. I know we all get it wrong sometimes, but we want to try and always get it right. And getting it wrong simply because we haven’t been trained to get it right is a shame. If you have young, eager students who desire to learn, want to know God and the Bible, and want to minister truth to God’s people, it is worthwhile to train them.
In my class, we were discussing the problems of bringing our presuppositions to our interpretation of the Bible. Presuppositions are those beliefs we “assume beforehand” are found in the Bible but are not. We all do it, but we have to try hard not to do it. Some are more serious than others. I wanted them to see that they do it too. The following discussion ensued.
Me: Who does the Bible say was riding the donkey on the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem? Joseph or Mary?
Student S: It was Joseph, because he was the man.
Student N: No way. No man would make his nine months pregnant wife walk while he rode the donkey.
Student S: I’m pretty sure the Bible says it was Joseph.
Student A: Every picture I’ve seen has Joseph leading the donkey and Mary riding.
Student S: But is that what the Bible says?
Student I: Is it possible the Bible says that both of them were riding the donkey?
Student J: Poor donkey.
Me: Ok. Turn to Luke 2 and tell me what the Bible says.
Students (All): TEACHER! THE BIBLE DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A DONKEY!
Me: Exactly.
Then I got them again with the following conversation:
Me: OK, you guys got this one. How many Magi came to the stable and worshiped the baby Jesus laying in a manger?
Student N (catching on to my tricks): I don’t think the Bible says how many came to the manger. We just know some were there.
Student A: I’ve heard that there were 3 because there were three gifts given to Jesus. But I don’t know what the Bible says.
Student J: I’m pretty sure the Bible says there were 3.
Student D: Teacher, how many does the Bible say were at the manger?
Me: Zero
Students (All): Teacher, now we know you are wrong. The Bible tells us they were there.
Me: Turn to Matthew 2 and tell me how many Magi were at the manger.
Students (All): It doesn’t tell us how many were at the manger…Wait…it says they came to the HOUSE!
Me: Exactly.
Finally, I made things a bit more serious.
Me: According to the Bible, what is speaking in tongues?
Student A: I’ve heard that it is a prayer language?
Student N: I’ve been taught that it is a way of communicating with God that you don’t understand.
Student J: It’s a language unknown by anybody that needs an interpreter.
Me: That may have been what you were taught, but how does Acts 2:1-13 describe speaking in tongues? It looks to me like the Christians were speaking in their own language but each one in the audience heard the speech in their own language.
Students (All): Teacher, can this be true?
Me: The bell has rung, and it is time to go. Go study the passage and give me your findings tomorrow.
Is all this important? I think it is.
Blessings,
Roger, Julie & Chloe
CONTACT INFO
Roger & Julie Tate
Moffat Bible College
P.O. Box 70
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
rojuta@gmail.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.
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News & Reports – October 2022
The Online Edition of the October 2022 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. Read how God is at work through our faithful missionaries and continue to lift them up in prayer.
*Remember you can click on any headline to view the post/story on our website.
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Great News from Church in Mato Grosso
September 21, 2022
Dear Brethren,
Hope you are all well. Right now, I am not. I have been down for almost a month. Last month I went to Manaus for our conference and on the way home came down with the flu and later another virus. I am getting better, but still very weak and will have to take it easy until I can get back to my usual self. But let me tell you about that conference.
A number of years ago Paul Hatcher, David Hatcher, Bobby Wacaser, Hershael York and I got together for a fishing/work getaway outside of Manaus. During the day we reeled in the peacock bass and at night talked shop. One of the things that we discussed was the need for a practical get together, rally around, for independent Baptist pastors and missionaries in Brazil. We have our annual missions conference here every year, but we are too far off the beaten path and hard to get to for it to be practical. Bobby is way down on the other end and still doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle this kind of event. So, David and Paul took on the project.
The conference happened a few times sponsored by Nova Igreja Batista where David is pastor. It was a huge success. Then…the pandemic.
This year we are back! It was a miracle that David was able to pull this off. Air travel and logistics in general are far from back to normal. Nevertheless, there were hundreds of workers from all over Brazil and even a couple of foreign countries.
Our group from Cruzeiro do Sul is usually the biggest, but this year there were only 4 of us. We had to drive to Rio Branco (9 hours of potholes) then flew to Manaus. Flew back to Rio Branco then bus to Cruzeiro do Sul (14 hours). On this last leg is when I came down sick, almost a month.
Our group took full advantage of all the workshops and seminars they could jam in.
It was my privilege to speak at Nova Igreja Batista on Saturday night to a crowd of over 2500. Then on Sunday I spoke at Tabernacle Baptist Church to, I think over 2000. Tabernacle had been down, but boy are they back! That was one of the highlights for me.
Let me share a couple of more bright spots. Of course, it was great to run into pastors that I have known for years from all over Brazil. One of those is Pastor Gilberto from Marília, São Paulo. He is writing a book to commemorate the century mark of Baptist Faith Missions (1923). I spent a lot of time with him sharing as much as time would permit from the history of the mission work here.
Then on the very first night, a young pastor introduced himself to me. He knew me, but he was a new acquaintance to me. His name is Manoel. He pastors one of the churches that my Dad started in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Dad had asked me many times if I ever heard anything about those churches. Well briefly, here is the great news: The church had gone off the deep end into Pentecostalism and prosperity gospel. Then after one of their usual scandals the pastor called in Manoel to take over. Pastor Manoel brought them back out of their errant ways and back to sound doctrine and true evangelism. Today they are back up to 40+ members and doing fine.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.
In Christ,
Mike Creiglow
CONTACT INFO
Mike & Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
69980 Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre
Brasil, SA
mdcreig@hotmail.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.
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God’s Providence Shown Stateside
September 20, 2022
Dear friends,
Last year as our family prepared to come to the US for the one-year Stateside assignment for 2021-2022, the Lord opened the door for Raquel to gain experience and expertise in foster care in suburban Chicago. In May 2021, it was confirmed she would begin an internship in August 2021. Consequently, we searched for housing. I signed a lease agreement on a home and placed a deposit. In the following weeks, significant policy changes were made in foster care services, and several people resigned from this organization, including the supervisor who hired my wife. The new supervisor informed Raquel she had to begin in mid-June or lose the opportunity. Logistically, she couldn’t begin before the initially agreed date. So, now we had two alternatives: (a) cancel the housing lease and go to another opportunity in a different state (but lose the deposit), or (b) move to suburban Chicago and see what the Lord had planned. Our decision-making involves this main principle: What is decided through much prayer and confirmed by the Holy Spirit should not be canceled haphazardly. So, we moved to Chicagoland, not knowing what the Lord had for us during this next season in the States.
A month after arriving in Wheaton, IL (September 2021), I was diagnosed with cancer and would need chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This shocked us as a family, but we rejoiced in the Lord to be in an excellent location for treatment. My wife found an opportunity to serve as a clinical therapist at a local clinic and participate in several equipping seminars to equip her to work better with orphans in Brazil. Our second child (who lost her hearing in the left ear two years prior) had a cochlear implant installed in December 2021 by one of the nation’s best cochlear implant surgeons and has regained hearing. I began my doctoral study at Columbia International University in January 2022 (began studying during my cancer treatment). This last month I was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel syndrome on both hands. I underwent the surgical procedure and can now sleep at night uninterrupted by pain. It is impressive to see the hand of God at work in unique ways. I could write endlessly about God’s marvelous care for us during this season of life.
Our reaction to this turn of events was to trust in God and rest in His sovereign hand and providence. Matthew 6:25-27 often came to mind as we navigated these uncertain waters: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
The outcome is that I am now cancer-free, can sleep throughout the night without waking up from the pain in my hands, my wife has grown in her expertise as a professional, our daughter can hear again, and I have begun my doctoral studies. Praise the Lord!
Another unique event over the last month is that our three older children – Sarah, Laura, and Benjamin – expressed a desire to be part of the “ministry team” and do more than just “help.” Raquel and I were elated to learn of their desire. We began equipping them with the same approach we use for training leaders for church planting. We are studying the philosophy of ministry, strategy planning, and having in-depth theological discussions. We love working with this great team!
Thank you for partnering with us through prayer and financial giving. We are grateful.
Always grateful,
Jud Hatcher
Hiking with the family at Starved Rock State Park, IL 
Jud’s carpal tunnel release surgery 
Benjamin’s cross-country school competition 
Celebrating Brazil’s Independence Day
Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522
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.
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Sending Two Missionaries to Portugal
September 19, 2022
Dear Friends,
Last month, Charlene began giving English classes again and we had one student already make a profession of faith after coming to a church service on the following Sunday. We are also having students from some of our computer classes and martial arts classes attending church as well. These classes have been a great way for us to get to know people in our community that probably wouldn’t come if we only offered Sunday worship services. We are rejoicing!
There is a young couple in our church who feel called to missions and we are preparing them to go to Portugal in the near future. Their names are Yago and Manoela. Right now, they are waiting on their work visas to Portugal to be processed. In the meantime, they are helping with various ministries at our church, and I have had Yago preach in the pulpit as well. I am super excited about our young church learning that they are also a sending body of Christ, not just a growing body of Christ. It’s not going to be easy to support them, but Yago will also be a “tent-maker”, having a secular job as computer consultant to help with their support. Charlene and I plan to go visit them after they get settled in to use our experience to help them identify some fields of opportunity for gospel outreach. Less than 1% of Portugal’s population identifies as “born again” believers in Jesus Christ. At the same time, most Portuguese people claim to have religion, just not Biblical religion. Yago and Manoela know that their work will not be easy, but they know also that the Lord will be with them to work in the hearts of those whom He will call at the preaching of the gospel.
Our travel team, Alpha, is in the middle of a three-week trip to minister in the interior of our own state, Parana, and in the next state northwest of us, Mato Grosso do Sul. They have invitations to share the gospel in several schools and I will be traveling there tomorrow to minister with them. This month we have already had the privilege to preach to over 2500 students along with their school staff. There have been hundreds of public professions of faith at these events, and we constantly receive word from school principals and local pastors of what a change they are seeing in many of those who receive Christ. We are thrilled to have this liberty still open to us and we plan to take advantage of it for as long as the Lord provides.
Charlene and I are very grateful for your faithful prayers and generous support of our ministries. Thank you very much.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Contact Info:
Bobby & Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1@hotmail.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
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Blessed with Music in Ubim
September 19, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have had a blessed month, praise the Lord. We had a couple to visit the church and, as we were talking, found out that their grandpa worked with Bro. John Hatcher in the ministry in Manaus. Now this couple is helping us in two places. He plays several instruments. What a blessing. They have been a great blessing at the village of Ubim. They live close to the village. Now we have music when we sing.
We are also working on reaching a couple we met with the fish market. The wife is a Christian and the husband is a dedicated catholic. We have them over to our house every once in while to make friends with them. I invited him to church this weekend. He said, “One of these days I’ll go.” They came to our home and fixed lunch for us. Pray for them: Rocha and his wife Josi.
Also, the family that lives here with us are doing well. The wife has many struggles with her past. Especially drugs. Pray for her. Kathy talks to her as opportunities open for a good conversation. They are a great family, and their children are very special. We take them fishing and do as much as we can to spend time with them.
Our plans for the next month are to have more pizza days. Now that the water has gone down enough, we will be able to have the pizza day at the Indian village at Ubim.
Next week is the last Sunday for the training classes we have had. Now we will be putting the training to practice. Pray that God works in the heart of the members, that each one will find an area to serve in the different ministries in the church. We want to start Sunday School Classes and more services in the homes.
We want to thank each of you for the prayers and support. May God bless each of you.
In Christ,
Odali and Kathy
Contact Info:
Odali & Kathy Barros
Iranduba, Amazonas
Brasil, SA
odali_kathy@hotmail.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.
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