About Open Arms
Community Church
At Open Arms Community Church, we’re convinced that God desires to restore your life to wholeness. We know life can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to offer you a place of hope and healing, where you can find acceptance and begin your journey of renewal. No matter your past, we believe in the transformative power of God’s love and are committed to walking alongside you as you step into a restored future.
Our Mission
Real people helping people become more like Jesus as a family.
Our mission at Open Arms Community Church is rooted in Jesus’ command to make disciples:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
We are real people, committed to helping others become more like Jesus, and we do this together as a family. We believe that God has designed us to grow and thrive in a community where we can support, encourage, and challenge one another to live out our faith in authentic ways.
Our Vision
Restored Lives in Christ
Our vision of “Restored Lives in Christ” is a reflection of our faith in the power of Jesus to bring healing and renewal to every aspect of life.
Our Vision is Based on Isaiah 61: 1-4 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations
Our Horizon Vision
Transformed Community for God’s Glory
Horizon Vision is our church’s long-term goal of seeing our community transformed for God’s glory. Rooted in the teachings of Isaiah 58:10-12, this vision is about more than just individual change; it’s about collectively becoming a beacon of hope and restoration. As we move toward this horizon, we are called to be active in our faith, serving others and creating a community where God’s presence is tangible and transformative.
“…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
Our Values
Our church’s core values are more than just ideals; they are the practical expressions of our faith and mission. These values provide a clear framework for how we live out our vision of restored lives in Christ, guiding us in every aspect of our ministry.
Authenticity
Real people who love a real God.
Acceptance
Welcoming and loving all with God’s Love
Accountability
Come as you are but don’t stay as you are.
Abiding
Remaining in Jesus produces a life of worship.
Action
Sacrifical service to others.
Our Staff
At Open Arms, we are a church that believes in empowering servant leaders. That means we have many people in various leadership positions, and listing all of them on our website would be impossible. So we’ve listed some of our key leaders here.
Zoe Hatcher
Richard Dennison
Jessica Pierce
Dan Robinson
Shawn Pierce
Annette Dennison
Our Story
The story of Open Arms Community Church isn’t just about the people who lead it or the people who attend. It’s the story about God, and how He loves the people of the Bradford Community and beyond, and the lengths to which He will go to show that love!
2002
In 2002, Pastor Andy Haskins and a team of committed church planters from the Allegany Free Methodist Church in Allegany NY (now Creekside Chapel) had a vision to revive the vacant building on East Main Street that formerly housed the Tuna Valley Free Methodist Church.
Pastor Andy was deeply committed to reaching people who were disconnected from traditional church settings, believing that God was calling him to create a place where individuals could experience God’s love in a personal, transformative way. The vision was clear: plant a church that would be open to anyone, regardless of background, and focused on healing, restoration, and community.
Watch Pastor Andy talk about some of his experiences here.
Over time, Open Arms established itself as a place of restoration and healing, with Pastor Andy’s leadership driving its mission to be a church that lived up to its name—open to all, arms extended to the lost, broken, and searching.
2003
In 2003, Open Arms invited Mike McAvoy to be their pastor. He brought his family to Bradford and they moved into the parsonage next door (which as since been torn down.)
For the next 16 years at Open Arms, Pastor Mike played a pivotal role in the church’s growth, helping it thrive both spiritually and relationally.
Click here to see Mike’s Testimony
Eventually, God called Pastor Mike to a new chapter, leading him to serve as the superintendent of the Southeast Region of the Free Methodist Church. This was a significant transition, but one that Mike embraced with the same faith and trust that had brought him to Bradford. As superintendent, Pastor Mike continues to pour into the lives of pastors and churches in the denomination.
2005
In 2005 Open Arms transitioned from a church plant to a society, and a part of the Keystone Conference of the Free Methodist Church.
2013
In October 2013, Open Arms planted Open Arms Port Allegany in the vacant Port Allegany Free Methodist Church building. It was the first church plant born from Open Arms.
2020
Pastor Zoe Hatcher was named as Interim Pastor in December of 2019, and then officially appointed as Lead Pastor in May of 2020.
After Zoe and her husband served faithfully in various roles in the church since 2004, God called Zoe into pastoral ministry, and she responded to that call.
You can read her testimony about that experience here.
Stepping into her role as interim pastor during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoe faced the daunting task of shepherding a church through a period of isolation and uncertainty. Despite the obstacles, she embraced the call to lead with a vision for revitalization and growth.
2021
Open Arms begins planting churches, and Mircochurches are born at Open Arms Community Church.
After the pandemic shut down everything, Open Arms had to rethink the way that we did discipleship. In that process, we learned how to do church a different way, and we replaced our small group system as a network of microchurches. We connected with the Church Development Network, and became a Training Center, and have trained multiple church planters from several countries!
Listen to Pastor Zoe tell the story on the Harvest Collective Podcast.
2022
In 2022, Open Arms Church joyfully celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of growth, community, and faith. The celebration was a momentous occasion, with the return of founding Pastor Andy and former lead Pastor Mike, who both played pivotal roles in the church’s journey. The event was a heartfelt reunion, filled with reflections on the church’s history and the impact of its mission over the years. The anniversary celebration was not only a time to honor the past but also to look forward to the future with renewed vision and commitment.
2023
Open Arms Port Allegany becomes their own Free Methodist society. Now known as Salt and Light Community Church
2024
Ignite Church in Lewis Run becomes their own Free Methodist Society.
Ignite Church started as an Open Arms Microchurch, and grew to become a full church.