Every Disciple is a Missionary
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 31, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The news from Southern France is good. Participation in the Sunday meetings has been good. This coming Saturday, September 2, will be the first youth meeting for the new school year. It has been a great blessing to have Philip and Amanda and our grandchildren serving with us. What great missionaries they are. Our Granddaughters have been very effective in reaching their friends in the public schools where they attend. Their parents have done and continue to do a great job in encouraging the girls in their walk with Christ and have been great examples as they reach out to their neighbors, co-workers and others with whom they have formed relationships in their community.
Our passion is to make disciples and every disciple is a missionary. This is how the Gospel impacted lives in the first decades following the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Note Luke’s inspired words, “And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (emphasis is mine) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Acts 8:1-4) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21)
Judy has completed the therapy following her kneecap surgery but continues to work hard at getting full normal use of her leg. We walk in the neighborhood and exercise at the YMCA in Evansville. In these two activities, we have been able to make many contacts and have had many good conversations. Judy is now meeting weekly with a lady she met who needs Christ. They are studying through the Gospel of Matthew.
Peggy is doing better. One of the blessings we have is to participate in a Bible study she has with a couple in her home. The lady trusted Christ after being in a Bible study with Peggy for over a year and a half. She has followed the Lord in baptism. The husband is very interested. Just since we have been here the study has gone through the two letters from Peter and is now in first John.
Thank you for your faithful participation in the ministry in France and the continued support as we serve here while waiting to return to France.
Rejoicing in Christ, John and Judy
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher[at]aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Exhorting Churches and Exhorted in Return
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
August 3, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This month I had the privilege of speaking in three churches and was blessed by observing what the Lord is doing in each. The first of these was Emmanuel Baptist Church in Oldtown, Kentucky. Judy’s father was pastor of this church for many years and was followed by John Lybrook who really has a shepherd’s heart. We have many friends in this church and it was a joy to reconnect with them. The reality of the passing years hit home to me as we visited with folks who are now parents that I remember as very young children.
The second church was Resurgence where we had the privilege of seeing a number of folks whom I had served as pastor. It is a fairly young church and is in the inner city of Evansville. There is good evidence that Tom, Grant and Odali, the three elders, are doing an excellent job and work with a group of committed believers who have a heart to reach others in their community.
This past Sunday we were in Lexington, Kentucky, enjoying the fellowship of the New Life Baptist Church. We have been friends with the pastor, Steve Wainright, and his family for many years and it was a joy to be in their home. I have known some of the folks in this church my entire life. Sarah Wainright is our media person who prepares the Mission Sheets for publishing and maintains the Baptist Faith Missions News website. We also had the blessing of visiting with Dave and Debbie Parks. Dave is our liaison with all the churches that support us and truly has a servant/shepherd heart. We enjoyed visiting with old and new friends alike in this congregation.
One of the things that I have (and Judy, when she has been with me) noticed is that these congregations have reached their families. All three of them are made up of children, young folks and those who are older. We think this indicates a healthy church body.
The news from France is encouraging. Please continue to pray for the believers there and for the salvation of those who need Christ.
Judy is well on her way to complete recovery from her injury. Thank you for your prayers for her and her sister, Peggy. Ask God to use us for His glory while we are in the USA.
May God richly bless each of you,
John and Judy Hatcher
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher[at]aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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News from a Disciple in France
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
July 1, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Sometimes it is good for you to get news “straight from the horse’s mouth”. So, I thought that you might like to read a portion of this personal note I received from “Sam”. I have his permission to share it with you. Sam made a public profession of faith and was baptized about 3 years ago. We became acquainted with Sam, who is a software engineer, through his sister who was a member of the church in Tournefeuille. He came to me asking me to have Bible studies in English. He had two goals: Improve his English and understand what God wants from us.
Each week for a year Sam would spend about 3 hours with me in Bible study. Since he was single, we invited him to come straight from work and have dinner with us. In addition to the Bible studies we also had great discussions each week while eating wonderful meals prepared by Judy. Sam always brought desserts from a French pastry shop. When we had been having Bible studies weekly for a year, the light went on, Sam trusted Christ and followed the Lord in baptism. We continued having Bible studies.
Over a year ago Sam took a job in Paris (8 hours by car north of us). He was able to find a church, but it takes an hour each way to get there from his house. We continue to have regular contact and when he is in the Toulouse area he comes to the Tournefeuille church. I will let you read a few words I received from him this past month.
Hi my dear brother John,
I never replied to your email about forgiveness, but I’ve read it with great attention, and today, I read it again.
Today, at work, I parked on a parking place reserved for another company in the same building. The neighbor wanted to make his point by parking right behind my car so I couldn’t leave. He left a note under his windshield so I can call him, which is what I did. He came with another coworker and they both criticized me for taking a parking place that wasn’t mine. I accepted my bad, said that I was sorry and that I won’t take his parking place anymore, and asked him to move his car so I can go back home.
He said: “No, I will work until 9 PM”. Somehow, he wanted to make me pay, he wanted me to feel miserable. I told him that he could left a note on my windshield, I would have stopped parking on his place, there’s no need to block me now the evening, but he didn’t want to listen anything, so I walked back home.
No need to say that this attitude made me very angry. I said to myself how stupid he was: I apologized, I said that I won’t do it anymore, what did he want more? I felt sometimes people really seek for destruction. If I just listened to my human feelings, I would seek for revenge, after he would revenge on me and going to work will become a hell for both of us…
I took some time to cool off tonight, and I read again your email about unconditional forgiveness, and it helped me 😊 I feel that I need to let it pass, forgive this man, though what he did was illegal. If I had to pick up my children at school for example, or something more urgent…
Otherwise, I don’t know if you remember, I have a friend Denis that has been condemned to 10 years in jail. I kept writing letters to him, trying to understand his state of mind, comfort him as much as I can and encourage him. He didn’t really believe in a God that would be worried about his existence, as to start with, he goes to jail for an attempted homicide while he was not in control of his body as he lost his mind because of a melancholic depression. He told me that when it happened, he was like a spectator of his own body… I suggested him to read the Bible with a book that you may know “Dig Deeper into the Gospels” which explains the Gospel of Mark, and he accepted it.
He wrote me a letter after that, that I share with you: … (I [John] did not include this interesting note as I had no permission from Denis to do so, but it was very encouraging.)
I feel very encouraged and I try to keep on corresponding with him and help him dig deeper into God’s Word. Thanks God, I got a very good teacher for myself 😋
I’ve been in Toulouse last weekend, I talked a little bit with Philip, got some news from you. It’s been a while I haven’t been at your church, and though I like it, I realized that it’s hard to develop some roots in God’s word just by going to the church on Sunday. I realized that what I liked the most with your church in Tournefeuille was the Bible study with you in fact. They were most of my spiritual bread, and I am really grateful for that. I think that the gospel of John, Acts or Romans, I naturally associate it with you, and there were great memories.
I keep Peggy, Judy and you in my prayers. I’m not very good for those kind of situations, and I don’t really know what to say. I love the three of you, that’s what I feel.
Getting apart is sad, but we all have this hope to see each other again in God’s presence and I’m looking forward to rejoicing all together.
With love,
Sam
So, this is just one of many examples of what you are participating in as disciples of Jesus are made in France. Just think of all these people you will meet in the presence of the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
John and Judy
Stateside Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher@aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Following Jesus: Dynamic, Not Static
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, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
News from France continues to be encouraging. We just spoke to Philip and his family who gave good reports of this weekend: full house Sunday; 17 teens at the Saturday night meeting; and 5 girls at the college students Bible Study. There are a number of other favorable developments as well.
Though most of us like being in our groove, following Jesus is dynamic not static. I thank God for the present circumstances because it has had a beneficial effect on my personal relationship with Him, has encouraged others to step up to the plate as the Lord works through them and opened doors of opportunity to display Jesus Christ.
Thanks to each of you who have prayed for Peggy, Judy and me as I try to be helpful. Judy’s doctor declared the kneecap completely healed and she no longer is restrained by the leg immobilizer. She continues to have therapy to regain good use of her leg after two months of restraint.
I am planning to visit churches as soon as is possible. If you would like to have us speak at your church please contact me at the email below. I will make note and contact you to confirm a date.
Thanks again for your prayers and faithful support not only in the present but for the many years that you have done so.
Joyfully in Christ,
John and Judy
Stateside Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher@aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Believers in France Step Up to the Plate; Opportunities in Evansville
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
May 2, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thanks to each of you for your prayers. Judy is progressing in her recovery from the broken patella. She is now in Physical Therapy twice a week along with daily exercises at home. The immobilizer is still in place around the clock, but Judy handles it quite well especially considering the fact that she is normally quite active. We are glad to be here and to be able to assist Peggy. She continues to be treated. Pray for the girls as they experience my cooking, housekeeping and driving.
God is providing fellowship and extra blessings through believers here in the Evansville area. It is a good time for us to remember and pray for those in a number of countries who cannot enjoy fellowship without risk of persecution and physical death. My brother Paul detoured to see us on the way from Florida to attend the Spring Missionary Conference at Thompson Rd. Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. We had a very enjoyable visit. My brother David should be arriving this afternoon to visit for a couple of days. He added us to a whirlwind trip from Manaus, Brazil to celebrate dad’s 92nd birthday. It is great to have family who love us and go out of their way for us. That is another blessing for which so many of us can be grateful.
News about activities in France is good. Sometimes our absence is good as it stirs some who are reticent to step up to the plate. We miss the interaction with folks who need Christ in France but there are opportunities for displaying the light of Christ wherever He places us. We have had doors of opportunity opened to touch lives here in Evansville. You can ask our Heavenly Father to enable us to see what He wants us to be doing here in the present.
Thanks for your prayers and faithful support.
Serving with you,
John and Judy
Stateside Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher@aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Events May Be a Surprise to Us, But Not to God
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 3, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You may have noticed that my return address on this letter is in Indiana. Sometimes we are surprised by events that suddenly arise, but our heavenly Father is never surprised and uses all for our good and to display His glorious love to folks around us.
I mentioned at the close of my March letter that Judy had remained in the US and to be with her sister Peggy. Peggy, who has outstandingly displayed the light of Jesus in ministry to others, has been diagnosed with cancer in various parts of her body. The oncologist and radiologist quickly began radiation treatment on one tumor on her spinal column to keep it from causing paralysis. Judy had mentioned to me that they might go out for lunch to celebrate the end of these treatments on March 17. About 7pm France time March 17, I called Judy to ask her where they were going to celebrate and received shocking news.
“I am at the emergency center. I broke my kneecap. I am scheduled for surgery on Monday. My leg is immobilized at the knee and will be for 6 weeks after surgery.” Judy had accidentally fallen as she went to get the car following the last treatment. This, of course, meant that Judy could not drive and care for her sister. She needed assistance herself. She did not say a word about me returning to the States. A few minutes later our youngest daughter called from Chicago having just spoken to her mother on the phone. “Mom said to not jump up and buy a ticket to the US.” This is a true reflection of Judy’s attitude. She never wants to complicate anyone’s life or interrupt the Lord’s work. However, at that moment, it was obvious to me that the Lord’s work was for me to care for Judy and Peggy.
Within an hour, our son Philip, who works with us had bought a ticket for me to fly to Evansville early the next morning. I left the house at 4:45 am the next morning having spent the few hours before leaving in contacting folks, making arrangements for replacements and packing my bags. I missed the the 8:30 am men’s breakfast at our house that morning and a first-time counseling session with a couple from our church scheduled at 11 am. Philip, Amanda and the folks from church who have really stepped up to the plate have left our mind at ease. A man that for several years we discipled several hours each week early in our ministry in France is leading the Bible study in Mazere. I am including a picture of that Bible study the week after I left taken by Douceline. She is the lady with whom we started there who now leads a couple of evangelistic lady Bible studies. The man on the left is the replacement leader. He is also in the process of planting a church with another pastor on the south side of Toulouse.
Bible Study in Mazere: The man on the left has been leading this Bible Study since John has been in the States. He is also in the process of planting a church with another pastor on the south side of Toulouse.
God uses events that are a surprise to us to move us and others around us along the race that is set before us. In the process, we see God’s amazing grace. He displays His love toward us through Himself in us and through His children. Our lives have been touched by the help of many around us here in Evansville. The Lord has also already opened doors of service for us here. My personal life has changed. Suddenly being removed from our usual place of ministry and facing an opaque future has a somewhat stunning effect. But, I have found that there is great joy in cleaning house, washing dishes, taxiing and giving personal assistance to those you love.
Our youngest daughter and her family are in Tournefeuille to visit us! They had bought tickets months ago for this epic visit. So, they are staying at the house we rent and call home. They are having a great visit with Philip, Amanda, Abigail, Nathalie, Camille and Emily. The house is also the church meeting place which means that the space has double usage and needs to be set up for each meeting. However, in order to make Lydia and family’s stay less stressful, various church families have volunteered to host church meetings during these three weeks.
Amanda and Philip have given raving reviews of the services in the last two weeks and the evidence of God’s people there growing in Christ as they read and apply His word to their lives. We are grateful beyond words for what God is doing.
Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Judy’s sister Peggy who is now undergoing target medical treatment for her renal cancer. Ask God to display His glory and love through all of us.
Until the next surprise,
John and Judy in Evansville
Stateside Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
jmhatcher@aol.com
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Visits with Family; Recalling Bro. Overbey’s Impact
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 1, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hope this finds you enjoying the Lord. What a blessing to be united with Christ for eternity. In the last couple of days we have been touched by the deaths of several friends. We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope.
Just this morning I received news that Edward Overbey is now at rest in the presence of Christ. He was my pastor for most of the years that I was in College. He had a very positive impact on my life in a number of ways. Among other things, he helped me have a more accurate exegesis. His gentle spirit was always a great encouragement to me. I also had the opportunity to serve with him as a director for Baptist Faith Missions and know personally his and Jackie’s passion for helping missionaries. Jackie, Martha, Grace and David, our hearts are with you and we ask God to comfort you.
At the beginning of February, Judy and I were with my parents for a couple of weeks. We thank God for the parents that He gave to both of us and we were very happy to be able to spend this time with them. During a few days of that time we also got to be with my sister Kathy who came to see our parents as well. We had a great visit. The Lord worked it out for us to tack on at a very low price a stop in Chicago on the way home. We had a wonderful though brief visit with our children, grandchildren and Peggy, Judy’s sister.
I was very blessed by the service at our church here in Tournefeuille this last Sunday. It is good to see God at work in the lives of His children. Contrary to what we had planned, Judy did not return with me to France. Just hours before leaving we received the news that Peggy has a serious health situation so Judy rented a car and drove to Evansville to be with her sister. Please, pray for Peggy and Judy during this difficult time.
Thank you for your faithful support. May God bless you and meet your needs.
In Christ in France,
John
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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God’s Children Living Love
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
January 28, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am writing this letter ahead of time because very early Monday morning Judy and I will be heading to Florida to spend a couple of weeks with my parents, John and Alta Hatcher. They will both be turning 92 years old this year. Judy and I are very thankful for the parents that God gave to us. They led us to the Lord, discipled us and were excellent examples of serving the Lord faithfully. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond our imagination.
Before sharing a little news from here, I wanted to mention how blessed I was to read the Hensley’s letter which told about hosting the French Bikers for Thanksgiving Dinner and overnight “camping”. Who knows how God will use this in their lives. Half of French people proclaim to be atheist. Atheists are not brought to Christ by arguing with them. You must start by letting “your light so shine … that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” God has chosen to use the example of His children living love to draw unbelievers to Himself Who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. When they are amazed by our love they will listen to the gospel. This is true in America as it is in France and around the world.
Judy is known in our neighborhood as the lady that delivers blueberry muffins to new arrivals. In the middle of last year, a new family moved into our neighborhood and Judy made her “delivery”. The husband let us know that they loved them. The lady was expecting their third child and one day as she was out walking she stopped to say “hi” as I was trimming the hedges. I stopped and invited her in to visit with Judy and me. She came in and we had an excellent “get acquainted” visit. When she gave birth, Judy took a gift to them for the baby and had a good visit with the mother. The mother let Judy know that I could come and see the baby, too. A few days later she saw Judy and me arriving home and invited us over for coffee.
During this coffee visit I asked her about her beliefs. She nicely said that she did not believe in God. I asked her if she had ever read the Bible. She said, “No, but I like the stories from the roots of religions.” Today I took her a copy of a book which is a compilation of the exact text of all of the major Bible events. It begins with Genesis and goes through the New Heavens and New Earth in the Revelation including the Gospels. She was very appreciative and we pray the she will come to faith through the Word. She offered to water indoor plants while we were gone, so I gave her the keys to the house. We have found that when you trust them, they open the doors of their houses and hearts to us.
Part of the group that meets at Bible studies in the Arriège department south of the Hatchers.
Things have been busy around here. Besides getting ready for tomorrow’s church gathering and traveling we also hosted the regular men’s prayer breakfast here this morning. As I write this on Saturday evening, Judy should be on her way home from a ladies’ gathering.
I will close by telling a bit about the picture I am including. It is part of the group that meets at Bible studies in the Arriège department south of us. As I mentioned in one of my recent letters, three different people are now hosting these meetings in their homes. Judy took this picture after our last meeting. The lady third from the right is a believer who hosts us in her home which is the background. The young man on the right is her husband who is an atheist. However, he always visits with us before and after the meetings in their home and I suspect that he listens to the Bible study from the other room.
Until next month from France,
John and Judy Hatcher
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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