Missionaries in France Share Christ’s Mercy Across Nations in a Broken World
January 15, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I woke up at about 4 am this morning thinking about all the people dying in Iran. This led me to pray as I lay in the dark for all these needy people who are dying without Christ slaughtered by a system pretending to represent God. I also prayed for needy people around the world who are suffering at the hands of humans. We all need Christ.
Tonight, we will be having Bible study in the home of a man born in Iran which includes a couple about my age who escaped from Iran in 1986. This is the lady who lost her oldest sister to death just over a month ago that I mentioned in our last letter. They grew up under the Iranian “Persian” king who claimed to be a descendant of the King who married Esther. The Lord enabling us, tonight before study we will pray for those they know and do not know in Iran.
One of the Bible studies we have on Saturdays is with a lady who grew up in Communist Albania and was later led astray by those who call themselves the “Jehovah’s Witnesses”. She was a bit frustrated with the shenanigans of the local government’s abuse of the people where her mother still lives. This lady has clearly placed her faith in Christ.
This afternoon the Bible study is online with southern Germany where there are many memorials of the Holocaust led by the Nazis. Hitler promoted his takeover as a protection against the Communist who were attempting to take over Germany. We live in a broken world where there are “wars and rumors of war”. Our God and Savior saved us sinners to be His light to all people.
Tonight, we are studying the salvation of Saul/Paul who said of himself, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
Pray for us, saved sinners, that Christ will show His light through our presence here.
Thank each of you for your support and the special gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas to celebrate the coming of our Lord.
May God richly bless you and use His light in you to touch people where you live.
John and Judy in France
Contact Info:
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
2 T Impasse de la Picardie
31830 Plaisance du Touch
France
jmhatcher@aol.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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A Delight to See God at Work
March 19, 2025
Dear Fellow Disciples of Jesus Christ,
We thank God for you and your participation in what God is doing here. The past few days have been extremely windy here. It is a reminder of a verse that Judy and I quote often “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) God is at work in ways that are invisible like the wind, but the results are obvious.
Last night, we were at the regular Bible study meeting in Mazere about an hour and a half drive south of us. This is a group of believers who would have to drive an hour and a half to participate in a Baptist or similar church. We have been holding meetings in this city for about 20 years. Douceline, a believing young lady, moved to this city at that time. She was very discouraged because she knew no other believers in Christ with whom she could fellowship in that region. Judy and I decided to offer coming to her home weekly for Bible study and fellowship. Douceline loved the idea and soon began seeing herself as a light for Jesus in the area. She is the director of a History Museum in this city and has contact with many people. She began inviting people to the weekly Bible study we were having in her apartment. Over the years we have had scores of interested people participate. The group now is mostly believers growing in the Lord and we meet in the home of a couple on a farm just outside the city. Just one example of how the many outreaches God has given us began.
Tonight, we will be in a Bible study hosted by Blandine, Douceline’s sister, in a city about an half hour drive north of us. We will be meeting on a Wednesday instead of the typical Thursday night meeting because this is the beginning of the New Year in Iran. Blandine’s husband is Iranian and they will be celebrating the Holiday with Iranian friends on Thursday. God has saved individuals in this Bible study during the last couple of years. It is delightful to see God at work.
As I close, I want to tell you about two wonderful blessings among many for which Judy and I are especially thankful to our Heavenly Father. March 3rd was our 52nd marriage anniversary. We are so thankful for the children, their spouses and the grandchildren He has given us. What a delight it has been and is to serve the Lord in three continents and experience the way He has worked around us and the great number of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ God has given to us. Judy had cataract surgery on both eyes during the first couple weeks of March and she is doing very well and can see much better. Thank you for your prayers.
Your sister and brother in Christ,
John and Judy Hatcher
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
2 T Impasse de la Picardie
31830 Plaisance du Touch
France
JMHatcher@aol.com
Present USA phone 1-812-416-1033
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.
Read more
Where is Light?
Hello praying friends,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Light in the dark…
Good morning from the land of lockdown! As the world experiences the uncharted territory (uncharted for us…the world has experienced plagues, etc., throughout history), the question arises, where is light? Can we shine the good news of Jesus while being distanced from others? Can we encourage one another to love and good works while being isolated? I would like to take a few minutes of your time and share with you how God has used what was meant for evil to do good in our corner of the world.
Since John and I are in Evansville caring for my sister, we try to be on the lookout for those God wants us to touch. We walk with trekking sticks in the neighborhood every day. Of course, that makes us an oddity! …but also opens doors to share (from a distance, of course). The COVID-19 has given an awareness to people of the frailty of life…of what is really important…and we have had opportunities to share the reason for the hope we have! Whether it’s on the street, in line to get into the grocery or the checkout lady, there are moments to point people to Christ, the only Hope.
Distance separates from our French friends who don’t know Christ, but we have internet connections and are able to say, “Hey, how are you doing? We are praying for you”. We want those we love to know that even though we are far away, our hearts and prayers are with them.
As a result of the virus, our church in France is not able to meet together as usual. They decided to get together online. They decided to meet in the afternoon for them, so John, Abigail (our granddaughter) and I could attend. Oh, the tears of joy that John and I shed as we sang, prayed and shared with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world!
Our Christian friends in the Ariège keep connected and we can share with each other our needs and blessings…in short, be an encouragement to one another.
I would like to leave you with a verse God gave me through my reading this week: “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
As we wait, we can be the light, knowing that the LORD is with us.
Yours together for the sake of Jesus,
Judy
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher@aol.com
Present USA phone 1-812-416-1033
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.
Read more
