Strengthening Churches, Growing Leaders, and Sharing Grace in Brazil
May 31, 2025
Dear Friends and Faithful Partners,
As we step into the cooler months here in Brazil, our hearts are full of gratitude for all the Lord is doing through the Togetherness Network and the local church plants we serve alongside. We are continually reminded that ministry is never a solo endeavor—it’s the work of God’s people through local churches, united in purpose and carried along by your prayers, encouragement, and faithful support.
Together in Ministry: Paraná & São Paulo
This past month, we were blessed to visit pastors and their wives throughout the states of Paraná and São Paulo, encouraging them in their calling and listening to the unique challenges and victories they face. These visits are a vital part of the Togetherness Network, which exists to promote unity, support, and accountability among churches and their leaders.
One highlight was the Pastors’ Breakfast in Lupercio, a sweet time of fellowship, prayer, and vision-casting with faithful shepherds laboring in smaller towns. We also celebrated the anniversary of the church in Duartina—a joyful reminder of God’s sustaining grace in every season.
In Garça, construction continues steadily on the church building—a dream becoming reality. Though the dust is flying and work is ongoing, spirits are high as the congregation sees their prayers materialize in bricks and mortar. Please pray for this church. If you feel led to give toward this project, please designate “Church construction in Garça,”
We also had the privilege of visiting beneficiaries of the “Grace Extended” offering, and witnessing firsthand the impact of your generosity. Lives are being changed, communities strengthened, and the gospel shared in tangible ways. Thank you for giving sacrificially.
One especially encouraging development: a church that has been without a pastor for nearly three years recently reached out. We’ve begun conversations and are walking with them through the process of pastoral search and preparation. Please pray as they seek the Lord’s direction for new leadership.
Church Plants in Marília, Londrina and São Paulo – New Life, New Laborers
God continues to move through the Togetherness Network, and we are excited to share updates from two growing church plants—Marília, Londrina, and São Paulo.
Marília – A Church Rooted in Community
The church plant in Marília is establishing deep roots in a vibrant yet spiritually needy city. This work has steadily grown as the team led by Americo and Ana Paula focused on discipleship, outreach, and intentional community building. Weekly gatherings are filled with genuine fellowship, and several new families have begun attending regularly. There’s a hunger for the Word, and we are seeing steady spiritual growth in the congregation.
We are currently praying and planning for the next phase of development, including Americo’s pastoral ordination, leadership training and future property needs. The Lord is forming a strong core group, and we’re encouraged by the commitment of those serving faithfully each week. Please pray for this church plant. If you feel led to give toward this project, please designate “Church plant in Marilia,”
Londrina – A New Work with Great Potential
In Londrina, located in the state of Paraná, we’re supporting a new and promising church plant led by Sílvio and Kelly. The region has excellent potential for Gospel impact, and a small but passionate team has begun meeting regularly for worship, prayer, and evangelism. The doors are opening for relationships with families and young adults, and we’re starting to see fruit.
One of our goals is to come alongside this young team to offer mentoring and leadership development. Much like Marília, this plant is still in its early stages, but the foundation being laid is strong. Please pray for continued unity, vision, and spiritual maturity among the core leaders there. Please pray for these efforts. If you feel led to give toward this project, please designate “Church plant in Londrina,”
São Paulo – Church Plant Update
Our current church plant continues to grow and mature. Even while away, our ministry team and a sister church from São Paulo (also part of the Togetherness Network) will continue the work. We’re planning a baptismal service soon, weather permitting (our winter chills make outdoor baptisms a bit tricky!).
Praise God, two men have emerged as potential pastors. We’ve begun intentional training, and they are walking alongside us as we prepare to establish a pastoral team. Please pray for wisdom, humility, and unity as we invest in their development.
Raquel’s Foster Care Ministry
Raquel continues to devote herself to her work in foster care, training, and trauma-informed caregiving. As I write, she’s hosting a breakfast meeting with foster families in southern São Paulo, offering encouragement and guidance.
She is also busy preparing for the second National TBRI Conference in 2026, and regularly trains social workers, educators, caregivers, and judges across the city. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of a foster care center, providing daily leadership and oversight. God is using her in powerful ways.
Equipping the Next Generation: Master’s in Youth Ministry
I’m excited to share a new opportunity the Lord has opened and has been in the making for the last 5 years: I am assisting in the implementation of a Master’s degree in Youth Ministry at Word of Life Bible Seminary in São Paulo. I am assisting in this effort in partnership with Randy Smith and Dave Adams of Great Commission Youth Ministry.
The goal of this program is to train and equip youth leaders with a solid theological foundation and practical ministry tools to reach and disciple the next generation of Brazilians. The need is great, and we are praying that this initiative will raise up a new wave of passionate, grounded, and effective youth ministers across the country.
The first module launches in August, and we are already seeing strong interest from current youth leaders, seminary graduates, and church workers from various regions. Please pray for the instructors, the students, and the long-term fruit of this program.
This is another powerful reminder that training leaders is not just about the present—it’s an investment in the future of local churches in Brazil.
Looking Ahead: Home Visit, Missions Conference, and Liberty University
Our family is preparing for a short visit to the States from June through August. We’ll be visiting family, friends, and supporting churches across Florida, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky. A special invitation: we’ll be attending the Missions Conference at New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, KY, July 28–30, and would love to see you there!
We’ll also be helping Laura move into Liberty University, where she’ll begin her first year this fall. It’s a big step for her and for us—please pray for a smooth transition and a strong start to this exciting new season.
Prayer Requests
Please join us in prayer for the following:
- Property for the church plant in São Paulo – wisdom as we search for a permanent space to buy and build.
- Church planting teams in Marilia and Londrina – strategic ministry opportunities, evangelism, and discipleship.
- Pastors and churches of the Togetherness Network – for unity, encouragement, and spiritual vitality.
- Monthly finances and ministry wisdom – for both personal and ministry needs.
- Laura’s first year of college – peace, growth, and confidence as she adjusts to life away from home.
- Paul Hatcher’s health – strength, peace, and comfort for my father.
- Raquel’s leadership in foster care – for wisdom and endurance as she trains caregivers and influences systems nationwide.
- Master’s degree in Youth Ministry – translation of textbooks and the successful implementation of the program in Brazil.
Thank you for walking with us. Your prayers and support make all of this possible. We serve as your hands and feet here in Brazil, and we never take that privilege lightly. May the Lord bless you richly as you continue to live on mission—wherever He has placed you.
Serving together,
Jud and Raquel Hatcher
JUD & RAQUEL HATCHER
Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522
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
GracExtended! Update (May 2025)
GracExtended is a new initiative where the BFM directors will identify other ministries to support in a strategic way, further extending our mission efforts. Some of this support will go to current BFM missionaries as they seek to train and encourage local pastors and engage in new opportunities. Additional support will go to selected ministries outside our normal outreach, as we seek to partner with like-minded church-planting organizations. Below are two of the projects our support assists.
Pastor Alexandre’s work, a GracExtended ministry
GracExtended missionaries at work at a school, preparing to start a church plant in Londrina (Brazil)
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English Immersion VBS + Upcoming Conferences
January 31, 2024
Dear friends,
Thank you for praying and holding the ropes as we minister to people in Brazil. Please, read how your participation is impacting the Kingdom.
English Immersion a Success
In January we experimented with an English immersion modular for teens: a type of Vacation Bible School for youth who desire to learn English through Biblical content—a lot of singing and activities, all done in English, with the purpose of teaching language and presenting the Gospel. Even an individual who has no experience with the language can learn a lot in a week. Our daughters Sarah and Laura helped me with this project. It was well received by the local community and several parents asked if there would be one for adults too. English immersion modules are intense, but by the end of the week, both the teens and their parents (just from listening to their kids) were singing in English.
Soccer Athletes & Families
Soccer practice with middle and high school students is in full throttle. Pray for us as we disciple students who recently became believers and for those who still need to surrender to Jesus. The Lord is opening several opportunities to engage with the parents of the student-athletes. In February we plan to have several families over to the house for dinner and engage them with home hospitality.
25th Wedding Anniversary
On January 8th, Raquel and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. As is our family tradition, we celebrate our anniversary with our kids. We had a special time together when we went hiking in the woods and went to the beach, enjoyed time with each other, and made incredible memories.
Pastors & Leaders Conference in São Paulo
On March 9th, there will be a DayCamp conference for pastors, church leaders, and their families at a small campground near Marília, São Paulo. It will be a unique time of prayer, preaching, and playing together. The place has a pool and a synthetic soccer field. Our “Togetherness Network” (Rede Convivencia, in Portuguese) purpose is to foster fellowship among pastors and leaders to recruit, train, place, and network a new generation of pastors and leaders for local churches.
Church Conference in Paraná
On March 29th (Easter weekend), will have a Church Conference near Londrina, Paraná. Churches from São Paulo and Paraná will come together for a day of preaching, singing, and eating together. The purpose of this conference is to embolden churches to reach new people for Christ through Evangelism strategies and to inspire churches and their leaders to invest in training the next generation by providing ministry and service opportunities to challenge them to live out an audacious life in Christ, within their church and community.
Request
We humbly reach out to you, our faithful supporters, with a pressing fundraising need: purchase a car. Would you be willing to give for this urgent need?
Due to the increasing demand and rising expenditure on transportation, we urgently need to acquire this vehicle. The estimated cost for this much-needed resource is $10K.
As we step into the new month, we ask for your continued prayers and support. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Let’s continue partnering in this Kingdom work.
Always grateful,
Judson Hatcher
Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522
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
Settling Back in Brazil
February 1, 2023
Wow! It has been a joyfully exhausting time since we arrived in São Paulo. Long days and short nights, but plenty of energy and grace from the Lord.
Struggles of settling back in
It has been a crazy season for us as a family. We needed to remodel the house before we arrived, but contractors kept delaying and didn’t finish before we returned. We arrived at the house with over half of the work still needing completion. Fortunately (even after weeks of delays and endless hours on the phone), the remodeling is coming to completion, the dust is settling down, and we began unpacking our bags. Additionally, the car on loan to us ended up with multiple issues and left us stranded too many times – overheating, losing power due to the fuel injector, and other issues. Praise the Lord, we purchased a vehicle, but the loaned car is still in the shop.
Exciting times for the ministry
During all things crazy (of settling back into life in São Paulo), we managed to visit all the people who are part of the Imagine church plant in São Paulo. We plan to have our first evangelistic gathering in February— a one-day camp/picnic with plenty of food, games, competitions, and a Gospel message. This occasion will also serve as a team regroup strategy. Word is getting out among friends of friends, and it should be a great event. The post-event follow-up with families and those who make life-changing decisions is crucial in moments like this one. Please, pray with us as we prepare.
I traveled to the interior of São Paulo and Paraná this last weekend to visit the churches my grandfather (John Hatcher) started. In Garça, I had breakfast with pastors on Saturday morning, where I proposed they join the network I lead, “Rede Convivência” (Life Together Network). All who attended came on board the network. In the afternoon, we (Pastors Gilberto, Epitácio, and I) drove an hour to Pompéia, where a church needs to be replanted/vitalized. We dreamed together at the building location and looked for houses for rent. Pastor Epitácio (Odali Barros’ brother) is considering leading the endeavor at Pompéia. I drove an hour and a half to Lupércio for their church anniversary on Saturday evening. The building was packed, and we had a marvelous celebration! Early Sunday morning, I drove an additional 2 hours to Cornélio Procópio, Paraná, to visit churches and Pastors Valdir and Silvio. We celebrated with them during the morning worship gatherings and had lunch together. We are discussing the possibility of starting a church in Londrina (the second-largest city in Paraná state). Please, pray with us as we mobilize churches and pastors to develop new leaders for church planting and kingdom expansion.
Our kids started school this week. We are grateful to finally begin a normal routine with the family and work. Grateful for your prayers and support. We are blessed by you.
Always grateful,
Judson Hatcher
Contact Info:
Jud & Raquel Hatcher
São Paulo, Brazil
judsonhatcher@gmail.com
(872) 400-6522
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
