Preparing to Equip Amidst Bumps in the Road

The Hensleys have served the Lord in Brazil, South America since 1996. They have worked with orphanages, started mission points, established churches, and are presently conducting a seminary to train Brazilian pastors.

June 22, 2020

Friends and family,

Serving as a missionary has been and is one of the most AWESOME things of my life. Though there have been some bumps on the road, the love of this calling is still AWESOME. These last three years have been filled with more bumps than the others. First there was the discovery of cancer, the operation of the cancer (they did not get all the cancer with this surgery), then after the waiting time for the surgery to heal, I had 38 radiation treatments—and to further assure that the cancer was gone, they started injections in the stomach of hormones for a year (this was more painful than any of the other treatments).

We do not always know what God has in store for our lives, but we know that He is in control. After all this I was sure that God was not finished with me yet. So instead of planting churches, my focus has moved to equipping the pastors and church workers with a seminary to train them in the Word. So, the way of doing God’s work has changed, not our focus.

As we enter into the second year of the seminary there is another bump in our road. The COVID-19 virus. As you know, this has changed all our lives and our way of life. So, we have had to cancel all the classes for 2020. Not only has COVID-19 changed our lives, but also the lives of the Brazilians. So, now we can no longer go to Brazil, and when the virus reaches Brazil, they are like Americans, they are quarantined and without work. This all means that we cannot go to Brazil, but even if we could, the pastors will not have any money to pay for their courses.

Now we are using this time to plan for next year. And boy, what a year it will be. So that we can make up the year we are losing this year, we are looking at having 20 classes in 2021. This means that we have to schedule the classes back-to-back so that I will be able to accompany each of the American professors.

We will be allowed to conduct 7 of the classes in the virtual format. This is something that we have been working on since the virus. The rest of the classes will be held in seven different locations. These will be with the professors, the translators, and me.

Well, I have seemed to ramble, but all to show that even though we have been in quarantine, we have continued to work.

We need much prayer for these plans to go forward smoothly. So please get on your knees and lift us up to the Lord because we know the AWESOME God that is in charge, and He knows the plans He has for our lives.

In His service,
Aj and Barb

Contact Info:
AJ & Barbara Hensley
Cell #s — AJ: 859-539-2302 / Barb: 859-539-1424
ajcaragua@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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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.

 

 

John A. and Alta Hatcher

15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com

Click here to give.


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