The Importance of Connections
March 14, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Connections are important in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. This past Saturday evening at our youth meeting we discussed sharing the Gospel in deeds and words. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The primary way we first start sharing our light is through our deeds. As the old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” We discussed with the young people what they could do that would show God’s love and open doors for sharing the Good News.
One of our top priorities is doing good deeds; not to earn our way to Heaven but to channel the love of Jesus to those who need the same gift of eternal life that we have received. Everyone needs to be loved with the unconditional love of God who, “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” As many of you know, our primary way of making disciples through inductive Bible studies. The people who come to these Bible studies are people with whom someone who is already a disciple of Jesus has made a connection.
Connections are made by helping people physically by taking them to the doctor, school or shopping; being a friend to those who are lonely; listening to those who need an ear to hear them; helping them with studies or language learning; taking care of pets when the owners are away; watching their houses, taking in mail and other things when they are away; and so on.
When people know you love them by the deeds that you do, they begin to listen when you share what makes you tick. If they conclude that you are happier, more at peace, or joyful than they feel, they are more likely to come when you invite them to a Bible study to share with them your motivating faith.
Your connection with us is the means that our Heavenly Father has used to keep us in France connecting with people who are or become seekers. One day you will connect with these folks in Heaven. And, I don’t think you will have to learn a new language to speak to them.
So, thank you for connecting with us and keep praying for us as we try to connect with others and pass on the Good News of Jesus Christ,
John and Judy Hatcher
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.
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Holidays that Underscore the Love of God
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
December 9, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you for praying for Jean-Luc Veuillet, who was in the hospital being treated for a torn carotid artery. He is out of the hospital and was well enough to have Thanksgiving Dinner with Philip, Amanda and their family. A young lady who is muslim was also with them for the meal. She is a High School friend of Abigail’s who has attended youth meetings for years and sometimes comes to church meetings. Amanda and Judy have a good relationship with her and she often seeks counsel from them. We are praying for her salvation.
The Holidays are an excellent time to live out the light that we are in Christ. There are a number of reasons that this is true. Studies show that people are often depressed at this time of the year. This may result because the loss of family members and friends is evident as we get together for seasonal gatherings. On the positive side, the reality that Christmas as well as Thanksgiving clearly underscore the love of God for humanity makes it a good time to more easily direct conversations toward the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving in France
In addition, people are just a bit more open at this time because of the commonality that we share in these special events. Visitors and immigrants to America or people who have no connection with Christianity are often curious about the basis for the Holiday. So, let’s pray for God to give us opportunities to be light to those who walk in darkness.
Today as Judy and I were doing some Christmas shopping she mentioned to me that during our present time in the US she has noticed that there seems to be a greater disconnect between believers and the world at large. I agree with her and think that it is a trend that began decades ago. Should we ask ourselves if we are obeying Jesus? “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Though we are not presently in France, we are still missionaries. Missions is a worldwide responsibility. We want to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time.” If you would like for us to share the passion God has given us with your church, please contact us at jmhatcher@aol.com. Our primary desire is to encourage God’s children.
May God bless each of you.
Serving with you,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
JMHatcher[at]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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Two Teens Turn from Hopelessness to Christ
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
December 2, 2019
Dear Friends,
At our English as a Second Language classes I got a wonderful opportunity to share my testimony with the students. One of them asked what brought us to Brazil and that question opened the door for me to share with the class how God had called us to come to Brazil to share the gospel of Jesus Christ which had transformed our lives. The students were emotionally moved by my testimony and I pray that the Lord will use it to bring them to salvation.
Our last couples’ meeting of the year exceeded our expectations quite a bit. We had about 20% more people turn out than we had been having at previous meetings. I just love this kind of a surprise. I brought a message from God’s word that I pray He will use to help the married Christian couples grow in their love and respect for one another. It is also our intended purpose through these couples’ events to attract families that don’t know the Lord so that they can hear of God’s love for them and be saved. At all four meetings this year we had several unchurched couples present and we saw most of them return to church to our regularly scheduled services.
Last month I reported how that our traveling evangelistic team met with strong resistance from the administrators in the public schools in Rio de Janeiro. The exact opposite was the case this month in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The team was given total liberty to share whatever message God had for the people. There were over 5000 people they were able to share the gospel with, between students and staff. More than 300 indicated that they were surrendering their lives to Christ. At the end of the hour-long presentation, the audience was invited to come and speak personally with our volunteer evangelists. One teenager had come to school that day with a pocket knife in his backpack and was planning to end his life at school because he felt that he was unloved and unlovable. After hearing of God’s love for him and how Jesus had given his life to save him, that young man gave the guidance counselor his pocket knife and said that he wouldn’t be needing it anymore because he knows he is loved by God and has trusted in Jesus. A different teen had been cutting himself and several of his friends told our team about him and how worried they were that he would take his life soon. His friends led a volunteer to talk to him about Christ’s love and forgiveness. The young man was so touched by how God showed His love to him through his friends, and even a stranger, that he believed on the Lord and handed them the razor that he was carrying to cut himself. He confessed that that very day, he intended to cut an artery and bleed to death because of how hopeless he felt.
I am so thrilled that the Lord has provided us with this amazing strategy for sharing the gospel where so many unreached people are starving for the lack of God’s word.
Our next major evangelistic thrust will be during our annual Christmas presentation. We have a team who has been planning and practicing a drama presentation for a couple of months already. We will be doing a two-day presentation at our church building the weekend before Christmas. Last year at our presentation we had the largest attendance to date in our building and this year we expect even more. There were also 15 professions of faith at the conclusion of that event and we pray and hope for even more this year. Pray with us that God will use us and our efforts to make His gospel clear and persuasive to the lost who will be in attendance at these presentations.
Charlene and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year of 2020.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1[at]hotmail.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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God is Still Showing His Love & Power
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
July 30, 2019
Dear Friends,
The month of July is a wonderful month for us here in southern Brazil. One of the highlights is our church’s anniversary. What makes it a little extra special is that it falls during the winter season when the climate and culture lend themselves to a festive sentiment which makes it ideal for inviting folks to our services. We had a record crowd a couple of weekends ago which also led to our highest regular service attendance the following week. We are excited and thankful for the new opportunities to minister to those whom the Lord brings our way.
Our traveling mission team, Projeto Vida, was up on the state line that separates our state, Paraná from the next state north, São Paulo. Where they were ministering there is an extensive river valley called Vale do Ribeira. Along this valley are a number of towns and communities in great need of the gospel and our team was used of the Lord to preach and share there for two weeks. The public schools are our usual venue for presenting the Word, but they were on winter break and the team presented in the public squares instead. Still there were many who surrendered to Christ as their Lord and Savior.
School has already started back up now and the team will be traveling again this week to other interior towns to minister.
We are still rejoicing from the wonderful grace the Lord showed this past week among our youth! Four teenagers made public professions of faith in Jesus at their most recent meeting. One young lady, Maria, has been attending with her boyfriend, Eric for several months, and, finally, she surrendered her life to Christ. Two others were attending for the first time, but the Lord graciously opened their hearts to understand and receive the gospel also. I didn’t get the personal information on the fourth person, a girl, that also trusted in Christ. I will be meeting soon with their leader who will begin a personal discipleship program for each of these new converts. We are so grateful that God is still showing His love and power at work even when society, in general, seems to be more and more decadent.
Thank for your faithful prayers and support.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279
Sobrado 1, Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR. Brasil
Phone: 55-41-99899-2333
bobbymichael_1[at]hotmail.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
Read more
My “Raison D’être”
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
April 12, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Fussy babies, worried moms, scared friends, those with an uncertain future, those who are clueless to their need of a Savior, Bible studies with young Christians who eagerly desire to live for Christ, youth launching out into a future they hope is bright, empty nesters who, all of a sudden, wake up to realize that their home is void of what gave them purpose, children with minds waiting to soak up the teachings of the Bible, those who retire and wonder “now what?” Does this sound like the world that surrounds you? It’s the world that surrounds me!
My “raison d’être” is to share Christ in the place he has placed me, but how does that work out in my daily life, how do I prioritize, how do I keep my eyes on the goal? GOOD QUESTION!
First, by fixing my eyes on Jesus. How much does He love me? What are His plans for me? How did He interact with those around Him? What did He do when…?
As James 1:5 says, “…ask for wisdom…” Seeking God’s leading is first and foremost. Daily communication with the Father through prayer and Bible reading is necessary for my personal well-being and for being able to give wise counsel and how to share Him with people who don’t even consider that they have a need of Him.
Often “getting into people’s lives” requires making muffins, offer of babysitting, a dinner invitation, picking up mail, invitation to a church event, with the prayer of being ready to give an answer to the hope that I have. Often we stand in amazement when we are asked a question, seemingly coming from nowhere, yet knowing it is God as He does go before us. Oh how we rejoice as we see God open doors that normally would be nailed shut!
Again, you may say, “Hum your life is not much different from mine.” Yes! One difference is God has placed me here and you there for the same purpose, that His Good News of Salvation would be heard.
And, I can only be here because of your love for the Gospel and your generosity toward us. Thank you!!!! May God bless us all as we labor, each in our corner of the world.
With love from France,
Judy Hatcher
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]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
Read more
A Visit with a 90-year-old Lady in Northern France
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 5, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Judy and I are very thankful for your participation in the ministry we are doing here in Southern France. Our health is good and we look forward each day to the opportunities the Lord will place before us.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Dave Parks—our fellow laborer in service—sent a message from Stephen Clark, pastor of First Baptist Church of Hazel Park, Michigan. The Clark family have been great friends for my whole life. As it turns out, a member of the church in Hazel Park was concerned about her French aunt, Monique, and wanted a pastor to contact her. When we got the address from Pastor Clark, we became aware of the fact that this French lady lives in Le Havre in Normandy. This is, of course in the region where the Allied troops in WWII disembarked to begin retaking France from the Nazi occupiers.
We attempted to contact a church that we knew of in Bayeux which is about two hours by car from Monique’s home. This approach met with no success, so Judy and I decided that it was the Lord’s will for us to drive to Northern France to visit Monique. The following Monday we drove to the opposite end of France from us. Though this may seem like a long way, to us it is nothing compared to the distance Christ came to save us.
It was a very rainy stormy week, but the trip was touched by “showers of blessings”. Before leaving we contacted Monique, explained who we were and asked if she would like to receive a visit from us. She was very receptive. Judy and I spent nearly an entire day with Monique. As we were leaving, and it dawned on her how long we had been talking, she said, “Time passes fast when you are having a good time”.
This 90-year-old lady has quite a history. Her family were involved in the French underground resistance during the second world war. This is how her oldest sister, who is now with the Lord, met her future husband, William, and how she ended up having nieces who were members of the First Baptist Church in Hazel Park, Michigan. Her family, previously catholics, became protestants because the priest would not allow another sister who died in infancy be buried in the catholic church cemetery. The reason for forbidding the burial was the fact that the infant had not yet been baptized.
We had a great visit with Monique who expressed the belief that Christ died for our sins. Sometimes it is difficult for us to know whether someone has personally placed their faith in Christ, but God knows the heart of each one. Monique was thrilled with the booklets that we left with her which are excellent excerpts of Scripture covering the life and ministry of Christ and the entire message of the Bible. We are planning on speaking with her by phone and discussing what she reads so this is an ongoing opportunity for which you can pray.
Well, I see that I am running out of space, so I will stop. Thank you for prayers and gifts.
Enjoying each opportunity God gives us in France,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]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
Read more
Projeto Vida Travels 6,000 Miles to Share the Gospel with Different People Groups
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
October 11, 2016
Dear Friends,
We had hoped that Projeto Vida would be able to purchase an 18 passenger travel van before our scheduled mission trip to the Lower Amazon River basin, but the Lord had other plans. Instead, 25 of our dedicated followers of Christ set out in an old travel bus on a 6000 mile trip to take the gospel to many different people groups. The first stop was in the slums of Rio de Janeiro shortly after the Olympic Games. The teams shared God’s word in public schools and parks.
Leaving Rio, the bus then set out for Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, over 1000 miles away. Again, the teams were allowed to go into the schools with Gospel skits and testimonies. Many students heard the gospel for the first time in their lives. After a few days in Brasilia, the bus began the next leg of their journey to northeastern Brazil, in the desert region. Along the way the old bus began to have a few problems. First, two of the large tires blew out at the same time. After repairing them, which was not cheap, the differential gear box tore up and the bus had to be towed to a repair garage and be repaired. The original price would have been above our ability to pay, but the garage owner felt led of the Lord to give a deep discount and with the offerings of some of you, we were able to pay for the new price and get the bus back on the road.
The journey continued northward toward Maranhão where our teams had the privilege of taking the gospel to some Indian tribes. There were quite a few who surrendered to Christ during that stop. All of the team members had to learn how to adapt to the culture somewhat to gain and entrance into the people group. The different foods and unfiltered water left several of the workers ill for a few days.
Next, the group went on to the mouth of the Amazon River where it spills out into the Atlantic. They left the old bus in the last town and got on board an old river boat to travel up river for 4 days. There were over 50 people aboard that boat and everyone had to sleep in hammocks crisscrossed in every available space. The teams stopped at many small villages along the river banks to share the gospel with folks, many who had never heard the Gospel of Christ clearly presented. There were dozens saved in these visits. Our team was traveling with some missionaries who lived in the region and who would be taking note of the villages with multiple conversions to return to begin routine Bible studies and new church plants when possible.
On this journey there was a young American man named Christian Wertz from my church here in Florida. He engaged in a game of “football/soccer” with some villagers on an improvised court that was made of roughly planed boards covered with dirt and sawdust. He got a large splinter in his bare foot which got badly infected and he had to be taken to the nearest health outpost to treat him. He recovered quickly and returned to help the team evangelize in more villages on the return trip to where they left the travel bus.
On the return trip to their headquarters in southern Brazil, Projeto Vida didn’t experience any mishaps. The team arrived after a 34-day trip and having seen hundreds of people profess Christ as Savior and Lord. One of the side benefits of the trip was that while they were helping a local church in northern Brazil, two of the members felt led of the Lord to contribute enough funds for Projeto Vida to purchase their first 18 passenger travel van. Now they will be able to make more trips similar to this one at a much reduced cost and much quicker. Praise the Lord with us!
In Christ’s love,
Bobby Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Furlough Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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Missionary Update: The Wacasers Stateside from Brazil [November 2015]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
November 2, 2015
Dear Friends,
I’m sure that I have had a busier month in my life, but I just can’t remember when. But on the upside, it was a marvelous month of seeing God’s hand at work. We are none the worse for wear from the events that made up our month either. In fact, Charlene and I are very excited about so many of the signs that the Lord is blessing our efforts and using us to further His kingdom.
We are having the privilege of hosting Bro. Paulo Novaes and his wife, Luiza, this month and they will be attending the Thanksgiving Conference with us next week. Paulo and his wife launched our partnered ministry, Projeto Vida (Project Life) in 1997 to take the gospel to nearly every state in Brazil and lately they are reaching nearly 100,000 people per year with the Word of God.
Here is a recent report from one of our team missionaries:
“We were in an interior town recently doing a Gospel presentation through skits and testimonies. There was a young lady at one of our presentations who came from a very dysfunctional family where there was much abuse and abandonment. This young lady had begun to cut herself frequently and had a sense that her life was hopeless. Through the dramatic Gospel presentation and testimonies, the Lord touched this young lady’s heart and she surrendered her life to Christ. After sharing her faith publicly, she sought out her parents to declare to them that she forgives them for the way they treated her.”
Another Projeto Vida volunteer shared:
“There was a man at one of our presentations who had been abandoned by his young adult children. He felt extremely lonely and had begun to be bitter toward his children and depressed with life in general. I used his situation to show him the story of the Prodigal Son in the Scriptures and how much the Lord longs for his lost children to come home. I pointed out to him that in the same way that he longed to see his children return to an intimate relationship with him, that Lord wants this man to come into God’s loving care. The man understood the message and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We rejoiced with him, gave him a written Bible study plan and gave his contact information to the local pastor who was hosting our team.”
Each week we have the privilege of hearing testimonies of how the Lord is using our outreach teams. I hope you will have the opportunity to be with us at the Thanksgiving Conference to hear more of how God is using this ministry.
Thank you for your loving prayers and support.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Furlough Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
Give: Click here to give.
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