São Paulo & Paraná Churches Gather in Marília

Jud and Raquel Hatcher serve the Lord in São Paulo, Brazil. They are part of the “SeedFactory” church planting initiative, which is a movement to plant churches in all 26 Brazilian capitals. Since 2006, 43 churches have been started in 5 states.

October 26, 2018

Dear friends,

The Lord is doing some amazing things around us and we are so grateful for all He is doing.

Family

We were growing uneasy with the education the kids were receiving, despite the local public school being one of the best in São Paulo. Through a series of rapid events we were able to enroll our children in an American Christian private school. The kids went through the assessments and necessary interviews to start and are loving their new school. We are now on the American academic calendar which facilitates when we travel to and from the States, as their academic school year will no longer be goofed. We are grateful to the BFM directors as they worked with and assisted us in the process of making this decision.

The school is located on the other side of town and with morning rush hour it took 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive. The Lord again showed us His hand of grace and provided a good house. The first day of school was also our move-in to the house. We are now three minutes away by car.

The school has a great athletic program. Sarah and Laura are on the JV basketball team and Benjamin is in the boy’s soccer team. Melissa is learning how to play basketball. We are overjoyed with the academic and athletic attention our kids are receiving.

Raquel is working hard at making our new house a home. I admire her “can do” attitude as we work together in this home and school transition with the kids.

Ministry

I recently had the privilege to serve as the key-note speaker at the Baptist Faith (informal) Association of São Paulo and Paraná churches. These were churches started by John Hatcher and Odali Barros during their ministries in that region. Churches from all over drove into the city of Marília for this holiday event. The event was organized by Baptist Faith Church, led by Pastor Gilberto Stefano. Gilberto was mentored in pastoral ministry by Grandpa and he is a tremendous leader. There were 588 people in attendance. Marilía is a 5-hour drive from the capitol. I went and returned on the same day to fulfill my other commitments in São Paulo. It was a sweet, sweet day and it was amazing to see so many friends.

Our move still allows us to continue working with the three home gatherings in the other part of the city. It also allows us to expand. In this next phase we are looking to lease a meeting hall or school for church gatherings. I met yesterday with a pastor whose English speaking church does not use their facilities on Sunday evenings and sent a lease proposal for their consideration for us to use the space on Sunday nights and once a week. The location is situated near two subway stations of a recently inaugurated train line. If the Lord opens this door, this will be our new base and training center. Our team is coming into place too. We have a worship leader and a “knows everyone” leader that will compose our leadership team. Pray for us as we wait for the decision to lease the church’s facility.

Grateful always,
Jud Hatcher

Judson & Raquel Hatcher
(859) 544-9040
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [May 2016]

Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.

May 16, 2016

Dear Brethren and Friends of Baptist Faith Missions:

In the sixty years Alta and I served in Brazil there were many wonderful experiences and individuals who became a permanent part of our lives. None was more vital than the two sisters, Maria and Maria Helena, who became a part of our family life. The youngest, Maria Helena, wrote the poem at the bottom. I translated the poem. I know you will enjoy knowing and thank God for what He did in their lives through the Gospel taken by the work of BFM.

The Hatcher Kids after one year in Brazil

The Hatcher Kids after one year in Brazil

LAST WEEK OF FIRST MISSIONARY TERM IN BRAZIL
In the year 1958, during the last week of our first term, I was invited to preach a revival at the Calvary Baptist Church.  Maria was a member of the small Church. During the week her father was saved.  Her mother had died. During the year we were home, her father passed away. We learned this soon after returning from furlough.

We got in touch and it was decided they would live with us as members of our family, as daughters. Maria Helena was thirteen and Maria was eighteen. They finished High School and Seminary and became school teachers. In time, Maria Helena married a preacher and became the mother of three children: two sons and a daughter. Maria never married but gave her life as a missionary working with mothers and children. She is eighty-eight and still serving the Lord. She is one of God’s greatest servants. Maria Helena lost her husband and oldest son in a car accident. She never married again but is faithful in serving the Lord.

With this short story of what the Gospel did in these lives, I know you will enjoy the poem better and thank God for what He did in our lives and in the lives of Maria and Maria Helena.

Thank you, Lord, for the years you gave us in Brazil, for the changes in lives as these two sisters and for the friends who have been so faithful to support us with their prayers and financial help.  Give thanks to our Lord for all He has done in Brazil!

Sincerely, In His Name,
John A. and Alta Hatcher

FOR PASTOR JOHN AND ALTA

Parana (State), beautiful and fertile land,
Where the sun shines with splendor.
In winter we warm ourselves
And hide from the cold winds.

Pastor and Sister Alta, beautiful and precious stones,
You, with your lives, brought us
New life, new vision, new light.

Stones, strong and brilliant,
That helped many persons
Recuperate their lives.

Many times it seemed that nothing went right,
You came, with great care,
And diminished the pain.

I remember in Garca (Garsa)
You worked in the city streets,
Spreading the Word of the Lord.

Many lives were changed;
Hearts were transformed;
By the outreach of your dear hands.

I ask God, our Lord
To protect you eternally!
You will always be a link
To bless sad hearts.

Thank you, soldiers of the Lord!
You, with all this love for souls and lives,
Have saved broken hearts
From danger and pain.

I ask God to keep you!
And you can be sure
You will always be greatly loved.
“With much love.”  Maria Helena

John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com

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The Challenge of Missions (Part 5) by John A. Hatcher

THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 5
[click here for previous chapters]

MISSIONS IS ABOUT GOD’S SON

Missions is about the position and the eternal work of the Son of God. Although the persons of the Trinity have just been discussed, it is necessary to speak more about the work of the Son. He has preeminence in all of God’s plans and purposes. In mission work, He must occupy the very same position of ­preeminence. God has determined that Jesus shall have preeminence in all things. A study of the first chapter of Paul’s letter ­to the Colossians will be of great benefit.

Missions is proclaiming to the world the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the eternal benefits offered to all who will receive His pardon and submit to His Lordship. “For by Him were created all things, that are in Heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: “who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1: 16-18. Forsaking family and friends, sacrificing all material ambitions, doing good to men, and even dying signify nothing unless Christ is exalted.

Many means and motives have been used to promote mission service and stewardship: the illiterate, the sick, the en­slaved of vices, the hungry, the dirty, and the dying. All these can successfully motivate service and giving without the mention or even belief in Jesus Christ. Real missions must follow the purpose of the Father and the Holy Spirit—­to exalt the Son.

Real missions must follow the purpose of the Father & the Holy Spirit--to exalt the Son. (1)

Jesus must be exalted for the Father has so determined. Paul wrote that the Christian’s growth: his wisdom and spiritual understanding, his fruitfulness, his strength for patience and longsuffering, his thanksgiving to the Father, his inheritance with the saints, and his deliverance from the powers of darkness are benefits received from the Son. Col 1:9-13

Jesus must be exalted for He is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of every creature; He has the first place in every aspect of God’s work and dominion. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is the final and perfect revelation of God—He has first and final place in revelation.

He is the first to have overcome sin and the power of Satan. He is the first to have raised from among the dead. He is the first to come from and return to heaven. He is the first one born of and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the Sustainer of all things. He alone has the power and ability to stand between God and man. He is the person and message of reconciliation—the daysman of whom Job (Job 9:33) had not heard, Who puts His hand on God and on man—reconciling the sinner to the Holy God. What Grace! What a message!  What a privilege men have to carry it to the ends of the earth!  That is what missions is about!

In His exaltation Jesus is the head of the body, the church (generic). Idolatrous men carry their adored images and idols through the streets of many lands. They carry them on their shoulders to exalt, to praise, and to manifest their adoration, though their gods are dumb and dead. The churches of Jesus Christ have the privilege to exalt Him. He has redeemed them by His Blood.  They are the heirs of His Kingdom. The church must carry the message of Jesus Christ on its shoulders to the ends of the earth. The processions of the wicked praise their idols; the church must walk in continual procession proclaiming the praises of Jesus. God is glorified in the church through the (Eph. 3:3) ages by the exaltation of Jesus Christ. God’s Son is what missions is about.

J.A. Hatcher
[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

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The Challenge of Missions (Part 4) by John A. Hatcher

THE CHALLENGE OF MISSIONS
John A. Hatcher
Chapter 4
[click here for previous chapters]

THE PERFECT MISSIONARY

Jesus is the Perfect Missionary. He is the example for every person dedicated to doing the Father’s will. Jesus is the example of obedience and courage. He is the source of power, wisdom, and faith to overcome for every missionary life. Jesus was given by the Father, yet He came in perfect willingness. He was born of and anointed by the Holy Spirit. His perfect missionary ministry is summarized by the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord  has anointed me to preach the good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the  broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort them that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Jesus was sent to make men free. Men can only be set at liberty through the hearing of faith, and faith comes by hearing the truth.  Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32). Paul makes this clear to the Ephesian believers—“in whom ye also trusted after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Ephesians 1:13

The Perfect Missionary was a servant—not in theory, but in reality. He suffered though He was perfect goodness. He was rejected and forsaken by all though all were blessed and benefited by Him. Though He was reviled, His words were full of grace and mercy; few believed in Him though He manifested His divinity in power and wisdom. Men rejected His life even though they saw the dead raised by His word. But those who heard Him and believed the Father had sent Him inherited life eternal and Heaven. Lastly, Jesus gave His life for missions. He became the Founder and Leader of a race of men who would give their lives for others.

The Holy Spirit accompanied Jesus from His birth to the cross. He is the Spirit of Jesus and Missions. He is the Spirit of Jesus who guided the prophets of the Old Testament. 1 Peter 1:11—He makes the plans and purposes of God effective in the hearts of man. He brings men to understand Christ’s work of redemption and opens their hearts to receive it. Acts 16:14—He makes the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and inclines the heart to respond to the invitation of life eternal. When the sinner believes, the Holy Spirit indwells his life and tags him as God’s possession. In the life of the believer the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, teaches truth, and gives resurrection power to overcome the forces of evil. He abides with us to comfort, to teach, to console, to chasten, to encourage, to weep with us, to rejoice with us, to groan for us, to seek the deep things of God for us, and to help us love and seek the lost.

Great wisdom will be gained by those who make a serious analysis of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. As sons of God we need to learn to hear and to follow the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Those who do will be saved from much error and heartache that comes by following the big noises. The Holy Spirit will take us to a Jacob’s well to win a Samaritan, to the border of Tyre and Sidon to benefit a poor a rejected Syrophenician woman full of pain for her little daughter, to seek lives of Mary Magdalenes, to wait for serious inquirers like Nicodemus. The Bible makes it clear–“As many as are led of the Spirit, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) He will be wise who fills his head and heart with the Word of God, and in constant submission learns to listen for the voice of God’s Spirit as He speaks through the Scriptures.

Sound waves and electromagnetic waves are used constantly for broadcasting and televising. They are in the atmosphere around us. A radio or television receiver can instantly receive these waves and reproduce their message. The Christian life is not too different. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He has the power to receive, to understand, and reproduce in our lives the message that the Bible contains after we have read and studied the Scriptures. God’s children need to learn to tune in and hear.

J.A. Hatcher
[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

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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [September 2015]

Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.

August 18, 2015

Dear Brethren and Friends of Baptist Faith Missions,

The Lord has given us a varied and enjoyable month. Our granddaughter, Virginia McGary, the youngest child of Lynn and Ross McGary was married in Maryville, Tennessee. They invited our son Paul to officiate the Ceremony.

(Lynn and Ross worked with exceptional children and youth Nashville Tenn., and in five other States. Lynn suffered with cancer. After three operations she was told they could not operate any more.)

Virginia was nine years old when Lynn realized she did not have long to live. She asked the Lord to let her live until Virginia was the age of 16. God granted her that request. Ross, her father, passed away two years ago.

At the wedding, we rejoiced to see so many of our family members and friends who attended the wedding.

We are living with Paul and Wanda Clermont, Florida. We are attending an active Missionary Baptist Church that is about five minutes from our home. Our son, Paul and his wife, Wanda, purchased a house and invited us to live with them. Wanda’s  widowed mother, Willa, also lives with them. She and her husband were missionaries in Eastern Kentucky for many years.

Paul is still active in the work in Brazil.  He makes trips there about every three months.  The Tabernacle Baptist Church is active in new works and presently are building a new building in the center of the city.

There are several churches here in central Florida that have a monthly Fellowship Meeting. We have enjoyed attending and fellowship. Brothers Doug King and George Sledd attend and we are thankful for their dedication and love for BFM. We thank all of you our faithful partners in His work. We love you and thank you.

Your missionaries,
John A. and Alta Hatcher

John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com

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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher Stateside from Brazil [August 2015]

Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.

July 23, 2015

Dear Brethren and Friends,

The pastors of churches we started in Brazil are sending us news about the work. We want to share two letters where they now pastor. One writes,

Pastor John, you will always be our pastor and spiritual leader.  Thank you for all that you  and Alta taught us. Thank you for your prayers. We miss you, but we know we will be with you in Heaven forever.

We are still serving the Lord and the work is growing. Many are trusting Christ as Savior and our Seminary here now has 16 students. Our children are serving the Lord. Thank you for teaching us how to rear our children to serve Him.

Thanks again for loving us so much! We love you. May God bless you!
Valdir and Sonia dos Santos 

We also, received letters from the wife and pastor of the church we started in our home where we lived before leaving Brazil.

When Alta’s parents passed away, some money was left to Alta. We built a church building across from the small park close to our house in the town of Urai. On Mother’s Day there were 100 persons present, including 34 mothers. The mission churches that these churches have planted are growing. God bless you, Marcio & Carol Moraes.

Friends, we hope these letters will bring joy to your hearts. We thank each who have supported us in offerings and prayers throughout 60 years in Brazil. God will give you rewards in Heaven and you will meet the Brazilians your efforts have brought to Salvation. We love each of you.

John A. and Alta Hatcher
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont FL 34714
229-529-8497
jhatcher1925[at]gmail.com

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Things that Changed My Life for Christ: Soul Winner Pastor Arley Jones

JohnAHatcher_Profile

John A. Hatcher has served in Brazil with his wife Alta since 1955.

by John A. Hatcher

When I was young Christian one of my pastors was Brother Arley Jones. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, KY where my parents were members. The church was limited in the depression days and Brother Jones worked as traveling salesman of cookies and sweets. He rarely passed a hitch-hiker. He took the opportunity to witness of Jesus.

One day he picked up a young man. In a few minutes he told him about Jesus the Savior. Deeply touched, the man trusted Christ as Savior. In thirty minutes or so he reached the place where the man was going. When Arley stopped to let him out, the hitch-hiker pulled out a 38 revolver and said, “When I asked for a ride my intention was to rob you or kill you and take your money. Jesus has changed my life and I want to thank you with all my heart.”

My life and ministry have felt a love for the lost and given me a desire to tell people about the Savior. Pastor Arley Jones’ example was my principle example.


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Family Life of John and Alta Hatcher as Missionaries to Brazil

Alta Hatcher has served with her husband in Brazil since 1955.

Alta Hatcher has served with her husband in Brazil since 1955.

by Alta Hatcher

I was saved when I was seven years old. When I was nine God called me to be a missionary, as my mother was telling a lady about a single missionary in Africa. When I was 10 years old a preacher in his sermon told parents to teach their children to pray about who God wanted them to marry before they were 10 or 12 years old because when they were older they would like to play ball or do something with a friend and they would marry a friend without it being God’s will. I began to pray. During the Second World War I was a student at Georgetown Baptist College. There were only 200 students and only nine men who were pastors with families. I stayed out of college after two years since the school where I had studied needed a third grade teacher.

When I returned to College the war had ended and there were now 2000 students in the College. Two weeks before returning to college I received a letter from John Hatcher saying he would meet me at the train station or bus station because he was interested in meeting me. He had just dedicated his life to be a missionary to Brazil and he had learned I was, also, called to be a missionary. We met and in six months we were married. John was pastor of a mission in Shelbyville, KY. After marrying, we worked there two years. Then John was called to be a missionary in eastern Kentucky. He was pastor three years of the Beattyville Baptist Church with six mission churches. It was there after three years of ministry he received a call to become the pastor of a new church in Alton, Illinois. After being at the new Church in Alton three years the Lord touched John’s heart that it was time for us to go to Brazil. We had four children under the age of six.

CONDITIONS IN BRAZIL AT THAT TIME

The Hatcher Family with the Bratchers and Yorks.

The Hatcher Family with the Bratchers and Yorks.

In 1955 there were no washing machines, refrigerators, stoves or beds, just hammocks. The only electric lights were in a few stores. In Manaus, Brazil there were about a dozen cars that were all taxis.  There were hand built buses that carried people, animals and produce. John had to accompany the things that we sent by ship to Brazil because a new law prohibited merchandise to be shipped alone. It took twenty-two days for the ship to get to Manaus, Brazil.

I took our four children on the plane. I had never ridden a plane before. The trip by plane took twenty-two hours.

Life was difficult. To buy meat we had to walk to the market at 5 o’clock in the morning. Vegetables came in by boat and were hard to find.

We took two orphan girls, ages 12 and 18 into our home. Some children were coming from the jungle to live with us because there were no schools in the interiors. We started a school because 80% of the people in Brazil could not read or write.

My job as a mother was to teach English to our five children. The principal of the school where I studied as a child gave me books for grade one through eight. After that, we ordered courses in English for the High School.

I hired help to take care of all the extra children, our family and to do the work so I could study all morning with our children. Later, when our children were all in school I walked the streets, visiting from door to door. People knew I was an American and they always invited me into their house. I always carried a Bible and taught them how to be saved and invited them to church.

John preached and taught the adults in the new mission churches we started. I taught the children in Sunday school. Also, I played the keyboard we carried with us. During school vacation each year we traveled on the rivers to start churches in the interior. The houses had dirt floors, and the houses were made of slim trees cut and tied together by wire. The roofs were palm leaves. There were no beds only hammocks. All the food was cooked outside on wood fires. We had to have someone to guide us as we walked through the forests. After 21 years we moved to southern Brazil.

John and Alta in Brazil (circa 2012)

John and Alta in Brazil (circa 2012)

We spent sixty years as missionaries in several parts of Brazil and we went from place to place starting churches. We planted about 60 churches in the 60 years we were there.

The Lord has blessed us. All of our children are missionaries. Our oldest, Lynn, and Ross, her husband, were missionaries in Nashville, TN, to exceptional children, has been with the Lord for six years. Ross, who carried on the work, died a year ago. They started work in churches for exceptional children in five States of the U.S.A.

Paul and his wife, Wanda, have been missionaries in Brazil for 40 years. Under his leadership the Tabernacle Baptist Church has made over 60 church plants.

Our son, David, is missionary pastor of the first church John and I started in Brazil. We left it in 1962 with 23 members. Today, on Sunday morning there are 5000 or 6000 in Sunday school and 5000 or 6000 in the Sunday night services. Penny, David’s wife, takes care of the children’s Sunday School classes as she plans lessons and trains teachers.

Our daughter, Kathy, was born in Brazil. She is married to a Brazilian. She and her husband, Odali Barros, had an orphanage in Garça (pronounced Garsa) with 150 children. Also, they started churches. Now they have moved to Manaus to start churches in the river villages.

Our son, John Mark, and his wife, Judy, are missionaries in France.

OUR THANKSGIVING

John & Alta Hatcher with all their children who remain on earth and their family.

John & Alta Hatcher with all their children who remain on earth and their family.

We thank God, also, that all of our 15 grandchildren are serving the Lord! Some as pastors and others are missionaries some of the granddaughters are married to pastors or missionaries.

We have 27 great-grandchildren and are expecting two more soon. Our oldest great-grandchild is 12 years old. All of those four years old and older have already trusted Jesus as their Savior. We are so grateful to God for blessing us so much.


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