CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF GREAT COMMISSION WORK OF BFM IN BRAZIL

Reflections from Jonathan Turner

I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father and to Baptist Faith Missions for the wonderful privilege that I was given to travel to Brazil on the one-hundredth year anniversary of the Great Commission work of Baptist Faith Missions in that great nation. Accompanying me on this trip was my sister, Kimberly DePalma. She drove from Virginia to meet me. We left my home in Kentucky on Tuesday, September 5th to catch our first flight out of Saint Louis. My father-in-law, Ken Greenwell, who lives in Saint Peters, Missouri graciously allowed us to leave my sister’s car in his garage and then drove us to the airport.

We boarded our flight bound for Houston with much excitement and some trepidation. We were excited because I had not been able to visit Brazil for eighteen years and Kim had not been back for thirty-seven years when she left at the age of seventeen. We were filled with trepidation because I had not been able to renew my Brazilian passport. I have dual citizenship and we were not sure what to expect when we would arrive in São Paulo and would be required to go through immigration.

We left Houston in the evening hours and after an approximately 9-hour flight we arrived in the São Paulo metro area at the Guarulhos International Airport Wednesday morning, September 6th. We went through immigration, and I showed my American Passport. The Federal Police officer looked at my passport, typed some information into her computer, and then asked if I had any Brazilian paperwork. Kim and I had spoken to a Brazilian friend who advised me to take all my Brazilian paperwork with me including my Brazilian birth certificate. I am thankful that I listened to his advice. I showed the officer my birth certificate. She entered more information into her computer and gave me the okay to proceed through. What a relief that was and an answer to prayer! Thanks be to our God who put a friendly face in front of us and who opened the door for us to enter the country legally and without any problems.

From the airport we took an Uber ride across the great city of São Paulo where we saw miles and miles of skyscrapers many of them filled with people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ.  BFM has one missionary family, Judson and Raquel Hatcher and their four lovely children, who are trying to reach those folks. They are worthy of your support. The Uber ride took about two hours due to the distance and the traffic.

Upon arriving at the Hatcher’s Kim and I showered, changed our clothes, packed a few things into our overnight bags and drove with Raquel and her four Hatcher kids for six hours to the interior of São Paulo state. We arrived around 11:00 p.m. at the house of Pastor Sergio Balbo and wife, Cris. They were gracious hosts. We enjoyed our time with them, and I feel like we made some lifelong friends. He is the pastor of the Igreja Batista da Fe in the city of Garça. They will be building a new building soon, God willing. 

The next morning, we went with Pastor Sergio and Cris to the city of Lupércio to attend the one-day conference that Missionary Judson Hatcher had invited us to attend. It was well attended by several churches, their pastors, and pastors’ wives. I had the opportunity to preach that morning, Thursday, September 7th which happened to be Independence Day in Brazil. I was also privileged to sit on two different panels with Pastor David Pitman and several Brazilian pastors and answer questions from pastors and others in attendance. It was a very encouraging time with good music, good preaching, good fellowship, and good food. It was the first time this type of conference had been organized to bring the churches together. Many of these churches were started by faithful missionaries John and Alta Hatcher. The conference was organized to celebrate their shared heritage, to allow the pastors to network, and encourage each other. It was a well-organized event and they have already begun planning next year’s conference. I am so thankful to Missionary Judson Hatcher for the invitation to come and to participate. After a long day we returned with our hosts to their home where we spent the night again.

The next day, Friday, September the 8th, we were picked up by Raquel Hatcher and we made the drive back to São Paulo City. That night Kim and I were privileged to take the Hatchers out for a great meal and to enjoy some great fellowship. Saturday, September 9th, we left São Paulo and flew to Cuiabá. Cuiabá is the capital city of Mato Grosso, a state about the size of Oklahoma and Texas. Cuiabá is the place where Kim and I spent most of our childhood years. It is the place where in 1973 my dad, Missionary Richard Turner, traveled with Missionary John Hatcher to survey the city and to hold some evangelistic services. God blessed and land was bought, a church building was built, and God filled it with people. I would encourage you to visit the website bfmnow.org and read the history of this Great Commission work under our Legacy Library where all the previous letters of faithful missionaries have been digitized. You can read the letters that Dad wrote from this time. That church, Igreja Batista Boa Esperança (Good Hope Baptist Church) is still in existence and several other works have been started out of this church in other locations in the city of Cuiabá and in the state of Mato Grosso. Kim and I had the privilege of spending five days with folks that were saved, baptized, and added to a New Testament church during the ministry years of my parents in Brazil. They shared their testimonies with us and their memories of our parents. This Great Commission work in Cuiabá and the surrounding areas was a great work of God through faithful missionaries, Richard and Wanda Turner, Bob and Betty Creiglow, George and June Bean, and Harold and Ursula Draper.  While we were in Cuiabá, we visited several churches. I preached Sunday morning, September 10th, at the Boa Esperança church. That was a real honor and privilege. It was also a very emotional time for Kim and me to return to the church where we grew up. I was baptized in that church after being saved at the age of seven during our furlough in Lexington. That Sunday night we visited the Igreja Batista Bereana (the Berean Baptist Church). I had the opportunity to speak for a few minutes and share a little of BFM’s history.

Tuesday, September 12th, our host in Cuiabá invited family and friends to his house for a fish fry.  There were approximately 30 people present. He asked me to speak, and I gladly accepted.  Then several others gave testimonies of what my parents meant to them and how God used them in their lives.  Mission dollars from churches and individuals in the United States were used to send my parents to Cuiabá, to buy land, to build a building, to financially support my parents so that the gospel could be given to people in that city.  Some of those people were at that fish fry recounting God’s blessings and their salvation in Christ. Those dollars were not wasted! Let’s be encouraged to support missions, to support missionaries in places like Cuiabá and São Paulo.  There is still a great work to do.  Christ has not yet returned which means that the Great Commission still needs to be the focus of churches. 

Wednesday night, September 13th, we visited the Igreja Batista Jardim do Pinheiros (Garden of the Pines Baptist Church). This was a church started by Missionaries Harold and Ursula Draper.  This church is without a pastor and has been for about two years now. Pray for them.

Thursday, September 14th we began the long journey back to the United States. Our time had flown by, and it was difficult to leave, but we also were missing our families back in the States. We arrived safely back in Saint Louis, Friday, September 15th. My hope is to return, God willing, in a year or two to visit Cuiabá again but also to visit some other works in Brazil. I would encourage everyone to make a trip to the mission field and visit one of our missionaries.

Finally, let me quickly share some other ways God used my sister and me while we were in Brazil. We had some God-ordained appointments to keep that we were not aware of when we got on that first plane in Saint Louis. On our flight from São Paulo to Cuiabá on Saturday, September 9th we sat in a row with a young man named Gladson. Kim was the first to strike up a conversation and he was more than willing to talk to us. After a while, the conversation turned to spiritual matters. He shared with us that he had been raised in some type of Assembly of God Church. However, he could not give us a good testimony of salvation. He also shared that he had been taught and still believed that one can lose their salvation. Kim and I both were able to share the gospel with him. We are now friends on social media, and I am planning on sending him some gospel material. Pray for God to bless those efforts.

Our second God-ordained appointment was with a young man from Sweden. This young man had never heard the gospel. He was staying in the house where we were staying. He was in Brazil doing some volunteer work with two brothers of our host. He went with us to the Sunday morning service at Boa Esperança where I was preaching, and the gospel was given. Imagine that! God brings an American/Brazilian to Cuiabá, Brazil to preach in a service where a Swede who has never heard the gospel will attend a Baptist church service for the first time. Who but God! 

Our third God-ordained appointment was with an Uber driver. He was a young man who also had been raised in some kind of evangelical church but was not currently attending. During our conversation he shared that his mom still attended church, and he tried to do good, and that he said his prayers every day. We were able to share a little bit of the gospel with him during our short ride. Only God knows how those interactions will be used.

I pray this recounting of our trip to Brazil will encourage you and be used of God in some way in your life to bless you and increase your love for missions particularly the work that God is doing through the missionaries of Baptist Faith Missions.

The young man, Gladson, we met on our flight to Cuiabá and were able to witness to.
A view of the church started by Missionary Richard Turner and that has been used to start other churches.
Just a few of our friends came to see us off from Cuiabá to return Stateside. These are folks that were saved years ago and are still serving the Lord.
One view of the attendees of the conference in Lupércio, São Paulo. It was a great event.
A view of the skyline of São Paulo City where Missionary Judson and family are serving. This place is immense. 

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VMP: Harold & Ursula Draper

Harold and Ursula Draper served in partnership with BFM for 32½ years from July 1977 – December 2009. Harold describes it this way:

“We served in Cuiaba, State of Mato Grosso from 1977-1979 in the Boa Esperanca Baptist Church.

We then went to Sao Luis, State of Maranhao for 8 years from 1980-1988.

Then, back to Mato Grosso for 21 years from 1988-2009.
Our ministry was in church planting, Bible teaching, and construction of church buildings.

Here are some of the churches we either started or nurtured:
In the State of Maranhao: Cruzeiro do Anil Baptist Church; Anajatuba Baptist Church; First Baptist Church, Sao Mateus.
In the State of Mato Grosso: Boa Esperanca Baptist Church; Primavera do Leste Baptist Church; Novo Diamantina Baptist Church; Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church; Jardim do Fortaleza Baptist Church; Characa dos Pinheiros Baptist Church.

We started or helped start at least 10 Baptist churches and preached in many public places during our time in Brazil. Most of these works are still doing well. Since we have left Brazil, two of them have merged and David Hatcher has assisted greatly with in the Novo Diamantina church.

We are presently pastoring Faith Baptist Church in Paducah, KY. We are both 80 years old now and slowing down just a little. We’re ready to go to Glory when the Master calls.”

Pray for them!  Reach out to them through every means you can (call, write, e-mail), and let them know you still appreciate them and their service.  They would love to hear from you personally, or from your Sunday School class, or your church leadership.

Harold & Ursula Draper
P. O. Box 395 | Bardwell, KY 42023
270-628-9517 / home phone
270-562-0828 / cell phone
hmdubdbr@yahoo.com


When you designate your offerings for ‘Veteran Missionaries Pension’ or for ‘Founder’s Month Offering’ [they are the same], they will be applied toward the continuing and on-going financial honor and support of these faithful life-long servants of Christ.

Click here to give now or you can mail your offering to:
BFM, c/o George Sledd
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280


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News & Reports – June 2019 Issue [Online Edition]

The Online Edition of June 2019 BFM News & Reports is available at the link below. Read how God is working through the lives of our faithful missionaries and continue to pray for them.

Click here to read the BFM News & Reports – June 2019 edition! 


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2015 Thanksgiving Missions Conference

2015 Thanksgiving Conference61st ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
November 9-10-11, 2015 New Hope Baptist Church
Dearborn Heights, MI.-Pastor Terry Adkins
“FOUNDED ON THE WORD-FOCUSED ON THE WORLD”
JOHN 17:17

*For directions to New Hope Baptist Church or information on lodging please contact: Pastor Terry Adkins at 313-562-5579 or pastorterrynewhope[at]yahoo.com

MONDAY EVENING, November 9th

5:00 pm     Dinner
6:30 pm     Music
6:45 pm     Singing
7:15 pm     Message: Pastor George Sledd
Jordan Baptist Church, Sanford, FL
8:00 pm     Singing
8:25 pm     Message: Bobby Wacaser
Missionary, Curitiba, Brazil

TUESDAY MORNING, November 10th

9:15 am     Music
9:30 am     Singing
9:45 am     Message: Pastor Michael Jones
Zion Baptist Church, Taylor, MI
10:25 am   Singing
10:30 am   Message: Pastor Doug Armstrong
Lake Road Baptist Church, Clio, MI
11:10 am   Break
11:15 am   Message: Pastor Bob Hopkins
Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Holly, MI
12:00 pm   Lunch

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, November 10th

1:30 pm     BFM Advisory Meeting

TUESDAY EVENING, November 10th

5:00 pm     Dinner
6:30 pm     Music
6:45 pm     Singing
7:15 pm     Message: Pastor Dan Hillard
East Keys Baptist Church, Springfield, IL
8:25 pm     Message: Judson Hatcher
Missionary, Manaus, Brazil

WEDNESDAY MORNING, November 11th

9:45 am     Music
10:00 am   Singing
10:15 am   Message: Kerry Smith, Assistant Pastor
New Heights Baptist Church, Ringgold, GA
11:00 am   Singing
11:15 am   Message: Pastor Harold Draper
7th Street Baptist Church, Cannelton, IN
12:00 pm   Lunch

[You can download a Word document of the 2015 Thanksgiving Conference Schedule by clicking here.]


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Spring Conference Recap [Monday Evening]

 

Our 53rd Annual Spring Conference began this evening at Thompson Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky.

The choir from Thompson Road opened with “Revive Thy Work, O Lord,” and the congregation joined in on the final verse (a slightly different version of the lyrics can be found here), followed by “Holy, Holy, Holy.” ♪

In his opening remarks, Pastor Dave Parks said, “If we’re not doing the work of God, we’re doing the wrong work.” Bro. Kenneth White then prayed specifically for the health of Pastor Glenn Archer, the missionaries, for our hearts to be stirred, and for the Lord to revive His work.

After, we sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” ♪ “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” ♪


Pastor Harold Draper, former missionary to Brazil 32½ years who now pastors Seventh Street Baptist Church in Cannelton, Illinois, was the first speaker. His text was from Psalm 51:12-13 about reviving the Lord’s work.

What is the Lord’s work? The souls of men. We are His workmanship! So if the Lord revives His work, it will be because He revives His workers. 

Revival fires are started with small pieces of wood–not wagon-loads.

If you want to get close to the Lord, get close to somebody who’s close to the Lord. H.H. Overbey

How can we be revived as His workers and thus His work be revived?
David had two requests in Psalm 51:
1) Restore the joy of His salvation
2) Anoint with His Spirit

Revival is when God’s people rejoice in their salvation.
We’re to never get over the thrill of our salvation! 

Our Salvation:

There was a time when you weren’t saved. At some point, you had to realize you were lost, confess to God you’re a sinner (Titus 3:3), and have a revelation that Jesus died for you (Titus 3:4). In salvation, you have complete and total justification (Romans 3:24) and regeneration–life where there was no life (Titus 3:5). Salvation is a creative act of God that will never go out of existence (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Don’t take your salvation for granted. Let it motivate you and revive you. (Hebrews 2:3)

Then after you’re revived and made spiritually stronger, THEN you will be effectual in mission work and in the Lord’s work.

“Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” -Psalm 51:12-13


 ♪ It was fitting to sing “Saved, Saved, Saved” following a message that left you so grateful for your salvation.  

All the Pastors in attendance stood up to represent their churches (probably 20-25??), all the way from Florida, Michigan, and Brazil!

The conference offering was then given (not taken ;)) as Bro. Stanley & Sis. Emily Keyes from Illinois ministered in song through trombone, piano, and voice.  ♪ He died for me!  ♪ This couple has been so faithful to come and play at the Spring Conference for the past 18 years–and what a blessing they are!

 ♪ We then sang “Send the Light.”


Missionary Harold Bratcher, who just retired from 53½ years of service in Brazil, brought the second message, mainly using Habakkuk 3:1-2. “I’m glad to be here, but–excuse my English–I’m even gladder to be saved,” he said, and then broke out singing “Blessed Assurance.” His message was soaked with Scripture and song.

Revival means to reserve something alive, to regain to life and consciousness, to give new strength and energy, to improve the position or condition of.

 ♪ O, the love that drew salvation’s plan. O, the grace that brought it down to man!  ♪

“O Lord, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” -Habakkuk 3:1-2

Bro. Bratcher read much Scripture in his familiar resonate voice–how encouraging!
Romans 1:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Hosea 14:9
Romans 5:1-11

He reminded us to rejoice in the Lord always! Quit your complaining! Quit your bellyaching!

Do you have the blessed assurance that we have a heavenly Advocate?

He read a passage from Dr. Louis W. Arnold’s devotional book, found in the April 12 devotion, titled “Our Heavenly Advocate.” Satan accuses us day and night, but his accusations amount to nothing because we have an Advocate with the Father!

Safe am I in the hand of God. Isn’t it grand to be a Christian?! Using an illustration with his coin purse, he reminded us that no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand!

He ended his message by reading Romans 8:31-39. Romans 8 begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation.

“Nay, no, não!” he exclaimed. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

♪ The Love of God is greater far… 


We ended the evening by singing, “He Hideth My Soul.”

♪ His perfect salvation. His wonderful love. I’ll shout with the millions on high! 

We hope you can join us tomorrow! [Schedule]


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June Bean is with the Lord

[Last updated 9:45 am, Thursday, December 13]

It is Wednesday morning, 12 December.  I am adding this update to the report below. Sister Bean’s daughter sent me this email this morning:

Bro Dave, Mom passed peacefully this morning.  We thought it was going to be last night,  and all her kids and grandkids that live in the area were here last night.  We cried and laughed as everybody had a story to tell about her.  She is at peace now.  Thanks for all your prayers and support. 

In Christ, Mary Ellen

Their other daughter, Cathy Pereira, sent us the following note of appreciation:

I just want to thank you for your faithfulness to my mother and father especially after dad went to be with The Lord. I am Cathy Pereira, George and June Bean’s other daughter. They taught us the love of Jesus and that is something that no one can take from us. They were loved everywhere they went and are remembered with very fond memories from friends in Brasil–believers and non-believers as well. They impacted many lives. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to serve their Savior as missionaries in Brasil and for us kids, the opportunity to be a part of that. For us it was home and having married Mauricio we go back as often as we can. And going we always visit the church and visit with our brothers and sisters there. We will miss mom but would not bring her back if we could and I’m positive she would say, “No thank you, I’m staying right where I’m at!” 🙂
Thanks again.

In Christ,
Cathy Pereira

We have posted the arrangements for Sister Bean’s memorial service here.

*************************************************************

Many of you will remember two of our faithful missionaries, George and June Bean. They went to serve the Lord in Brazil in 1964 and labored there for 31 years until their retirement in 1995 from active missionary service. For all of that time, they labored in Sao Luis in the northeastern state of Maranhao with the exception of a couple years when they went to relieve other furloughing missionaries.

Brother George Bean went Home to be with the Lord in May of 2000.  Sister Bean has been in declining health for the past several years and is now in the last days of her earthly life here. Their daughter, Mary Ellen [Bean] Jerden is caring for her now in her home. Mary Ellen sent us this note:

Date: December 9, 2012, 6:27:47 PM EST

Please pray for the Bean family. June Bean who was a missionary along with George Bean for many years in Brasil is not doing well. She has had dementia for several years, but has been declining in last six months. She has been receiving hospice care for about a month and has really been declining. This last week she must have had a stroke, and is just hanging on. Please pray that the Lord will be merciful and take her in a peaceful way. It is hard to watch her struggle to breath, and she looks so tired. I know it is not in our hands, so must wait on the Lord’s timing. One of her wishes was not to go to Nursing Home, and I’m thankful that we have been able to keep her at home. Will let you know when she does pass away.

Thank you, Mary Ellen (Bean) Jerden
maryjerden29 at gmail.com

Her mailing address is:
JUNE BEAN
401 County Road 213
Hollywood, AL 35752

Ada Mayfield Hunter

Also – Ada Mayfield Hunter is the widow of Del Mayfield. They served the Lord as missionaries in Peru for 18 years [1960-1978]. She, too, is in weak health and is currently residing in a skilled nursing facility in Litchfield. IL. She suffers from congestive heart failure with the accompanying shortness of breath and swelling from fluid retention. Their daughter, Loretta Hokenson, lives nearby and cares for her mother daily.

Please offer prayers to God also for her and her family.

You may correspond with Sister Mayfield-Hunter at Loretta’s address:
ADA MAYFIELD HUNTER
c/o LORETTA HOKENSON
305 South Street
Coffeen IL 62017

Harold Draper

Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper is still rehabilitating from his double-knee-replacement surgery on November 29. He has been receiving his rehab therapies in the Lourdes Hospital in Paducah KY – but as of today, Tuesday [December 11], he is being discharged home. He will continue his rehab exercises nearby where he lives. They request and appreciate our continuing prayers for him and Ursula.

Their home phone #: 270.628.9517
Their cell #: 270.562.0828

Their mailing address is:
HAROLD AND URSULA DRAPER
P.O. Box 395
Bardwell, KY 42023

All three of these dear servants of the Lord are faithful missionaries who have served in support partnership through BFM, and are currently receiving service pensions from BFM.


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HAROLD DRAPER SURGERY

Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper underwent double knee-replacement surgery yesterday,[Thursday, 29 November] at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah KY.  The surgery went well, for which we praise God.  He and his wife, Ursula, faithfully served the Lord in Brasil for more than 30 years as missionaries supported through Baptist Faith Missions.  He is currently pastor of the Seventh Street Baptist Church in Cannelton IN.

I spoke with Sister Draper about an hour after the surgery, and she told me everything at that time was going the ways they had anticipated. He was in recovery, and the surgeons had told her the two replacements were successful.

They anticipate he will be there at Lourdes for maybe 3-4 days, and then be transferred to a rehabilitation facility for an additional 7-10 days. Estimated time for total recovery before being discharged home – maybe two weeks.

The hospital switchboard number is 270.444.2444. He is in room #618.

Ursula was corresponding with me from his cell #: 270.562.5523.

She [and he] are especially requesting that we continue to pray for them.


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