November 2, 2003
Dear Friends,
This has been a busy time and a time to rejoice. God is doing great things. Let me share some of them with you.
Two missions outgrew their facilities. Coroado II mission grew and the building was too small with no place to expand. After much prayer, the neighbor decided to sell his adjacent lot and the church was able to raise the funds to purchase it. Francisca Mendes mission was also pressed for space, so, a shelter was added. It too was out-grown quickly and became too small. Next door was a garage that was out of business; however, we couldn't locate the owner. The mission pastor suggested that we clean up the place and maybe someone would notify the owner. Sure enough, it worked! And the owner wanted to sell. PRAISE GOD! Some additional touch-up to the structure and roof repair and the building will be usable.
Pastor Ghana and his wife moved to the neighboring state of Amapa in the city of Macapa (state capital) to scout for a building to start a new mission. I joined them, and after 3 days of all day searching we found several possible locations, but not any exactly what was needed. On the last night that I was there Pastor Ghana returned back to their apartment before we went out for supper, and a rent sign was placed that afternoon on a location across the street. A great location close to a city park. Within a few days of negotiations we rented the location. Painting and a few modifications are underway now. This is God answering prayer!
In Belem (state of Para), I visited the pastors and encouraged them and worked on planning and projections to start a new mission in Belem. I'll be back there again by the time you read this for a Bible Conference in Belem.
Leadership training through the seminary is full ahead. Looking to extend training to other states, our son Judson Hatcher conducted a seminar in Garca, Sao Paulo with Missionary/Pastor Odali Barros. From there he went to Porto Velho, where Pastor Dishon Silva pastors to conduct a leadership seminar. From there he was in Manaus to work with strategic planning to reach school campus (high school and college). This was wrapped up with a training camp; 200 youth were present. The lectures were led by Judson and Gilvani. The theme was "Teens Reaching Teens".
I would strongly encourage you to invest in Judson's support. For more information, visit their website: www.hatchers.org .
I am on a last leg of a survey trip to Northeastern Brazil with Judson. We surveyed 5 capital cities & states: Natal (state of Rio Grande do Norte), Joao Pessoa (state of Paraiba), Recife (state of Pemambuco), Maceio (state of Alagoas), and Aracaju (state of Sergipe). In Brazil, the capital city is the center for all major activities. As much as 60% of the population lives in the capital. The youth of these cities are literally an unreached people group. According to the IBGE here are the statistics of youth between 15-25 years of age that live in the capital cities we surveyed: Natal - 270,000 youth; Joao Pessoa - 190,000 youth; Recife - 405,000 youth; Maceio - 275,000; Aracaju - 180,000.
Here are a couple of things to pray for: 1) Support for Judson to continue to help in the training and starting new churches; 2) The plans to start new churches in Northeastern Brazil. Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus has shouldered the investment to buy buildings and support missionaries. The bill is larger than one church can handle alone - we are looking for churches and individuals to partner with us to reach these new cities. For additional information, contact me via e-mail at hatcher@argo.com.br or call Judson at 757-615-5300.
God Bless! Thank you for your prayer and support.
Paul Hatcher