Missionary Update: Odali & Kathy Barros in Brazil [June 2014]
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.
For those who don’t know me, I am Odali Barros. Baptist Faith Missions means a lot to me. I have been blessed by BFM in more than one way. First, I was saved through the ministry of a BFM missionary in Cruzeiro do Sul. Second, God has allowed me to be a part as a missionary. Third, my wife, Kathy Hatcher Barros, is the daughter of BFM missionaries. Baptist Faith Missions has impacted my life for the last 40 years.
I was the first one in my family to accept Christ as Savior. Today there are many family members saved. Many have become preachers and pastors. It is always a great blessing to see what God has done and is doing. Our older children are involved in the churches they attend. They also serve and take mission trips. We praise God that they also have a passion for lost souls. The three younger boys that are still at home are also involved in our ministry. Titus loves to work with the children. Jonas and Gabriel work in the music ministry.
The offerings that we receive help us in many ways. It allows us to do more things. The money is used from buying supplies for teaching, to gasoline and to rent when needed.
We would like to take this moment to thanks Brother Dave Parks for his care for each of us. He is always prompt and ready to help in any way he can.
We have been in our new ministry for 6 months. It is amazing how many communities there are around here that can be reached by car, but there are still many communities that can only be reached by boat. We had some one to offer us a boat for $25,000. At the moment we do not have that money. We are waiting on God‘s timing.
The work in the community of Ubim is doing really well. We have a class for children and service on Monday night. This week we had 2 mothers that came to see what the kids were doing, because they loved it so much. They said they would be back. Praise God!
In Christ,
Odali and Kathy
Titus, Jonas and Gabriel
Odali & Kathy Barros
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
Blog
Manaus, Brasil, SA
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher [June 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 5, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Seventy years ago Americans along with others of the Allied Forces were embarking on the mission to recover Europe from the clutches of Hitler. Both Judy’s father and mine were a part of this massive operation. God used the involvement of our parents in the retaking of France to speak to our hearts about the spiritual needs of France.
In the Fall of 1997 Judy and I visited the beaches of Normandy during a trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary. This was our first trip to Europe together and we had no idea that God would ever place us here as His witnesses. During the week we spent in France, we saw no evidence of Biblical Christianity. This led us to start researching about the spiritual condition of France. It was the first of many sign posts that God used to direct us to France as missionaries.
It hardly seems possible that we have now been in France over 14 years in the service of the Lord. He has given us the opportunity to minister to French and Germans as well as many other nationalities during this time. The Good News of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, brings peace between us and God as well as between us and former human enemies. To God be the Glory.
But, make no mistake about it, we are still in a battle. However, we fight “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” And this country is certainly living in darkness. Though followers of Christ in France are a very small minority, the light of God that shines through us is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”. So, we give God all the glory and seek to be used by Him.
I am encouraged by the spiritual growth in the men of our congregation. Sometimes I get impatient because we so desperately need leaders who know God’s Word and are mature in Christ. So, you can pray for God to enable me through His Spirit to be patient. The congregation in Tournefeuille is doing well and we are thankful for what is happening in the various week day Bible studies connected to this congregation. We are also delighted to see how God is working in the lives of the children and young people who participate in the Sunday School and Youth meetings.
The meetings that we hold in Mazere, one hour south of Tournefeuille, are also a cause for rejoicing. There are now nine committed believers who participate in this Bible study and they are sharing the Good News with family members and others with whom they contact.
In two days we will be having our yearly neighborhood dinner. There are a number of new families in our area and this allows us to start relationships with them. Pray that God will enable us to use these opportunities to effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your fellow laborers in France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher from Brazil [June 2014]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
May 29, 2014
Dear Brethren and Friends;
We (Alta and I) want to thank all of you that made our short visit to Lexington so pleasant and happy. Especially, we want to thank Brother Dave Parks and the people of Thompson Road Baptist Church for all the preparation of the Mission house. We lacked nothing and had more than enough. Thank you, Brother Parks, and your people!
As you know by now, our son Paul and his wife, Wanda, are caring for us in our traveling and housing. (It is not a sin to grow old, but sometimes it shows our weaknesses and inabilities.) Thank you, Paul and Wanda, for your care and love.
New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, was blessed to have the Hatchers visit on Mother’s Day.
We are sorry that there was not enough time to visit churches as we have always done. We thank the New Life Baptist Church and their pastor, Steve Wainright, and his wife for the special fellowship they shared with us.
MOVE TO FLORIDA. The Lord willing, we will spend the rest of our furlough in Florida where Paul arranged living quarters. Our address for a couple of months is:
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
The plan is for us to be at this address for about two months. Anyone desiring to write us can use this address. We will notify you of any future change of address.
INVITED TO PREACH. Brother Dave Parks invited me to preach on the next Sunday before we left Lexington. He did not think Paul would arrange our move before the end of that week. I had two sermons prepared, but we traveled on that Friday, and I did not get to bring the message. However, I decided to include one of the outlines in this letter. I hope it will be a blessing to someone.
THREE PSALMS TO GUIDE OUR LIVES
1. The Secret of Personal Spiritual Success. Psalm 1
(Verse 3 has one of the greatest promises made to man)
2. The Secret to having a Happy Family and Their Children. Psalm 127
3. The Blessed Future of a Godly Home. Psalm 128
Every word in this Psalm offers future hope and blessings for the Godly family.
May our Lord Bless each of you is our desire and prayer. We love you and thank you for all you have done for our ministry in Brazil.
Sincerely,
John and Alta Hatcher
615 Key West Ave.
Davenport, FL 33897-3600
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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Mission Sheets: May 2014 [PDF]
Your May 2014 Mission Sheet is now available in PDF format. Follow the link below to view it!
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [June 2014]
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.
June 2, 2014
Dear praying friends,
As I type this letter, it is so hard to believe that we board a plane later this week and begin our journey to Nairobi, Kenya. From Nairobi, Lord willing, we will then travel to Kitale after a few days of busyness and government paperwork. This is certainly a hectic week with much to do. Please pray for my wife as she has the massive job of deciding what to pack, leave, etc., for our term in Kenya. Please also pray for our daughters, as they will be going through transitions in the days ahead. They seem excited to be getting back, for which we are thankful. They are excited to get back and settled into Kitale and miss our animals. It is always nice to reunite and get back with our friends, missionary family, and others. I hear that Kitale has changed some since leaving, so we are excited to see what the changes are.
Thanks so much to each one who has been interested in the hospital ministry and also for those who have donated blankets and other supplies. We really appreciate your heart for the babies and the mothers and the Lord will bless you for your generosity. Proverbs 22:9 states “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” We appreciate each of you so much.
Please also pray for us as we apply for the hospital work permit for my wife. As I said before, she now needs her own permit. I also will most likely need to apply for a permit for the Annex prison upon returning. The Lord knows all of this and we trust Him for the necessary permits and paperwork. We need to trust Him and remember He is in control of all things. A quote I liked said “He is calm who believes God is sovereign.” How true this is. Proverbs 16:9 says “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” How we need the Lord to direct our steps and wisdom from Him. Please keep these things above in prayer as well.
I will do my best to keep each of you updated who are interested, pray for us, give sacrificially, or are involved in any way in the Lord’s work in Kitale. We cannot thank each of you enough for your heart for missions and your assistance in any way. You are such an important part of the work. The famous missionary, William Carey, said “I will go down if you will hold the rope.” Thanks to each of you for “holding the rope” for us while we are in Kenya. May the Lord bless you abundantly for all you do. Please pray for our flights ahead, that they will proceed without any issues, and also for our transitions to Kenya and ultimately, Lord willing, Kitale. We will keep you updated. Please note and use our mailing address for Kitale, Kenya.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher on Furlough from Brazil [June 2014]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
May 29, 2014
Dear Friends,
God is always so gracious and wonderful. We are all doing well; and, each new day we are glad and rejoice in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We continue to have great joy as we visit and renew our friendship with so many we have not seen by reason of our distance overseas.
Since we’ve been in the states we had the joy of visiting and sharing mission stories with the following churches:
- Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church – Pr. Earl Thomas
- Thompson Road Baptist Church – Pr. Dave Parks
- New Life Baptist Church – Pr. Steve Wainright
We have also been blessed as we attended services and saw old friends at: Bryan Station Baptist Church, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church and in Florida: Park Ridge Baptist Church, Jordan Baptist Church, Chapel Baptist Church.
We have found a place to rent in Davenport, Florida; and we are grateful as the Lord has opened up the doors before us. That which was difficult He has made clear and easy. Thanks to our wonderful Lord and Shepherd. We appreciate all those who prayed for us as we were looking and moving.
We are in contact almost every day with our brethren in Brazil. Our family is all well and the churches continue to be blessed and grow with the adding of those saved. Final preparations are being made to help the church plant in Macapá, capital of the state of Amapá in northern Brazil to organize as a church and incorporate. Incorporation is a rather lengthy and complicated affair; but God always sees it through. It has been taking about one year to complete the governmental process.
I have a special prayer request to share: Pastor Adolfo Escote, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Santa Etelvina, in Manaus, had retina displacement in both eyes and is in serious risk of losing most or all of his sight. Pray for God’s grace to be richly and abundantly supplied to him and his family, as well as healing from the Lord Jesus Christ.
God bless each of you; thanks for your prayer and faithful support to the work of missions. May God be your great reward. We pray for you that your remembrance and knowledge of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase, that your trust and faith in him may be steadfast in all things, and that the love of the spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action with thanksgiving to God though Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.
Love,
Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
615 Key West Avenue
Davenport, Fl 33897-6300
(239)227-6551
Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [June 2014]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This month I have included a picture of a rather unassuming and unimpressive room. This room is located on the edge of town in Kitale, on the second story of an unfinished and unimpressive looking building. Why have I included this picture of this small and easily forgotten room? Because I have leased it and want to use it to start the Kitale Baptist Church Planting Training Center (or some other appropriate sounding name). This room will have two main purposes as I see it.
1. Teach people, who have never received good Biblical training, about Jesus and the gospel
2. Train and model for disciples of Jesus how to start, organize, maintain and reproduce new Baptist churches in Kenya
Bro. Roger Tate has leased a small room in Kitale to serve as a church planting training center.
For those of you who talked with me or saw my video during our recent time in the States, you know this is a slight alteration to my plans. My original thinking was to open such a training center in a mud house out in a village and then pursue the above objectives there in that house. After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, we have decided instead to open a church planting training center right in town. Without wanting to bore you with details, I would like to try and explain why we think this is the better option:
- It would be centrally located and easy to find. Everyone will be able to get to it from just about anywhere close to town. It would be easy to direct people to its location whereas directing people to a “mud” house in a village would be challenging.
- We would be accessible to many more people if we were in town than we would be out in a village (where we would be accessible pretty much only to the people of that village)
- It can be small and stocked with Kenyan furniture (much like we would have stocked the “mud” house) so that it can be used exactly as we would have used a mud hut in a village to model for the students/disciples/church planters our approach to church planting
- We could do some evangelism in and around town (and encourage some of our students to do the same). People who are interested in learning a little about the Bible and what it really means to be a Christian, but who do not want to be a church planter, could come to the center where we could teach them a Basic Christianity course. Again, in town it would be much more accessible and more people could come. Even if 99.9% of these people would be coming because of what they hope to get from the missionaries, at least they would also be receiving some good Biblical teaching about what a Christian really is as opposed to what they normally hear at the majority of the national churches.
- As we come up with different kinds of community help ideas that will actually work, I think it will be much more suitable and work better in town than elsewhere.
- We could always set up satellite training centers in villages if there was need or desire to do so.
The bottom line is that using this room in town keeps intact our model and approach to teaching Kenyans how to plant churches while keeping us centrally located and easily accessible. God can use this unimposing little room to start a church planting revolution here in Kitale if He so chooses. This is what we are praying for and that God would be glorified in this place.
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)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
Visit their blog!
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Missionary Update: Sheridan & Anita Stanton in Peru [May 2014]
Sheridan and Anita Stanton have served the Lord in Peru since 1983. Their main ministry is church planting and they have helped establish churches all over the country. Sheridan also works to train pastors and Anita works with the ladies’ ministry and developing children’s material.
May 14, 2014
Dear friends,
So sorry I’m getting this letter out late. April and this month have been super busy with the continuing construction of the new building for the Calvary Baptist Mission Church, full counseling load, pastors class, etc. Time just got away from me. Anita stays as busy as I do. We are doing well except that I am coming down with bad cold; happens about twice per year. We are looking forward to our 40th wedding anniversary in a few weeks. I will write more about that next month.
All of the drywall is hung and “mudded” with only a little bit of sanding left to do. I’ve done most of the electrical wiring also; it is almost finished. The first floor has the primer coat of paint and this Saturday we will be painting the ceilings. Next week we hope to get the tile floors down. Looking for “special prices” on floor tile. I and a few from the church are doing the work to save money. Some days I am the only one there to work because the others have regular jobs they must be faithful to. Though construction is advancing well it is going slower than anticipated. We have just enough to finish the first and second floor with paint and tile. It will take about $10,000.00 to finish the third floor and $2000.00 to plaster, paint and tile the exterior and install the windows. We are in the home stretch and the Lord has been so good to us in providing the financial help when it is needed. Maybe someone would like to give one final offering. Anita and I, and the folks of the mission are so very thankful to all of you that have had a part in this project.
I traveled to Huaral (north of Lima) for a missions conference. Had a good time and hopefully a lot of folks are stirred up for missions. Thank you and may God continue to richly bless you all. Until next month.
Being “in Christ” by God’s grace,
Apartado Postal 140
Huanuco, Peru
South America
(614) 500-8823 – Internet Number
sestantonperu[at]hotmail.com – Sheridan
arstantonperu[at]gmail.com – Anita
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