Josh Hatcher is the Communications Director at Open Arms Community Church. He is married to Pastor Zoe Hatcher, and leads the Tribe of Lions Microchurch for men. He also is the founder of Manlihood.com
This week is National Volunteer Week, and we want to take a moment to say something that can’t be said enough:
Thank you.
Open Arms Community Church doesn’t run on programs. It runs on people.
People who show up early. People who stay late. People who serve when no one is watching. People who say yes—again and again—because they believe in what God is doing here.
And because of you… lives are being changed.
The Church Is Built on Faithful People
When we look around at everything happening at Open Arms, it’s easy to see services, events, and ministries.
But what’s really happening is something deeper.
It’s microchurch leaders opening their homes, investing in people, and creating spaces where real discipleship happens.
It’s administrative volunteers helping behind the scenes—answering emails, organizing details, and making sure things don’t fall through the cracks.
It’s our guest services team—baristas, greeters, ushers, and so many more—creating a welcoming, warm, and inviting environment where people feel seen from the moment they walk in.
It’s the Care Team stepping into hard moments with compassion.
It’s the Prayer Team faithfully lifting up needs—often quietly, but powerfully.
It’s the Worship Team creating space for people to encounter God.
It’s the Leadership Prayer Team covering the direction and heart of the church in prayer.
It’s children’s ministry workers pouring into the next generation.
It’s the buildings and grounds team making sure everything is ready and cared for.
It’s the production team running sound, slides, livestream, and everything behind the scenes so that the message goes out clearly and without distraction.
It’s the communications team telling the story—through social media, the website, emails, and videos—so that people can find their way in and stay connected.
It’s the speaking team preparing, praying, and delivering the Word week after week.
And it’s so many others—roles that don’t have titles, moments that don’t get recognized, sacrifices that only God sees.
What You’re Really Building
Here’s the truth:
You’re not just pouring coffee. You’re not just setting up chairs. You’re not just leading a group or running slides.
You’re helping people encounter Jesus.
You’re helping someone walk in for the first time and feel like they belong.
You’re helping someone hear truth that changes their life.
You’re helping someone take a step toward healing, freedom, and purpose.
You’re helping someone meet Jesus—and everything changes from there.
The Reward Is Eternal
There’s a reward in serving—but it’s not about recognition.
The real reward?
You get to see lives radically changed for the Kingdom.
You get to be part of stories of:
Addiction breaking
Marriages being restored
Faith coming alive
People finding hope again
That’s not small.
That’s eternal.
And every act of service—seen or unseen—is part of that story.
From Our Heart: Thank You
We don’t say this lightly:
We could not do this without you.
More importantly…
God is using you in ways that matter far beyond what you can see.
So during National Volunteer Week, we honor you. We celebrate you. And we thank God for you.
As part of our Acts series at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, Melissa Robinson brings a powerful and personal message centered on a question that still confronts every believer today: “What shall we do?” Building on the foundation of the early church after the resurrection, this message walks through conviction, response, and what it really means to follow Jesus in everyday life.
▶️ Watch the Message
A Life Transformed… Again and Again
Last week, we stepped into this series by looking at the early church in the book of Acts, after the resurrection of Jesus.
We saw a group of people whose lives had been completely transformed—not once, not twice, but three times—by Jesus. And He wasn’t done yet.
First, their lives were turned upside down when they chose to follow Him, leaving behind everything they knew. They witnessed His miracles, His teaching, His power.
Then came the crucifixion. One of the darkest moments in history. The One they believed was the Messiah was beaten, tortured, and killed. Their hope seemed lost, and fear drove them into hiding.
Then came the resurrection. Jesus defeated death. Yet even with the empty tomb and eyewitness accounts, doubt and confusion still lingered.
In most of these moments, they didn’t immediately recognize Him. It often took hearing His voice or seeing something familiar for their eyes to be opened.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Unbelief can blind us to what God is doing. Faith requires us to trust beyond what we can see.
And through it all, one question remained:
What shall we do?
The Tension of the Question
Hope and belief always demand a response.
You cannot encounter the truth of Jesus and stay the same. At some point, you have to decide what you’re going to do with it.
That tension shows up clearly in the story of the road to Emmaus.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus(E-May-Us), about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?”he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:13–35
Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem. They’ve seen the crucifixion. They’ve heard about the empty tomb. They know something has happened—but they’re confused, discouraged, and unsure.
They say it plainly:
“We had hoped…”
Their expectations didn’t match reality.
And while they’re walking in confusion, they’re also walking in the wrong direction—away from where God is moving, away from community.
That’s what disappointment does. It isolates. It pulls us back when we most need to lean in.
And in that place, it becomes easy to miss Jesus—even when He’s right there.
When Understanding Is Missing
Jesus responds by taking them back to Scripture.
He shows them that the cross wasn’t a failure—it was the plan all along.
The problem wasn’t that they didn’t know Scripture. It’s that they misunderstood it.
They interpreted it through worldly expectations—power, control, dominance.
And that’s still happening today.
But in God’s kingdom:
Greatness looks like humility
Leadership looks like service
Victory comes through sacrifice
Then in a familiar moment—breaking bread—their eyes are opened.
Everything changes.
They turn around and go back.
Back to community. Back to where God is moving.
A Changed Life Doesn’t Stay Isolated
When focus shifts to disappointment and frustration, it becomes easy to withdraw from the very people and places where God is working.
But when eyes are lifted and attention turns toward Jesus, even familiar moments become powerful.
Sometimes it takes seeing Him clearly. Sometimes it takes something simple—like shared bread—to recognize Him again.
And often, it takes the presence of other believers to help us see what we’ve been missing.
A New Kind of Boldness
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.” Acts 2:14a
Peter stands up and speaks—and this is not the same man.
This is the one who denied Jesus. The one who failed. The one who fell short.
Now he is bold.
Because God doesn’t disqualify people for their failures. He restores them. Redeems them. And uses them.
The Moment of Decision
Peter declares the truth:
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:36–41
Jesus is Lord.
And the people are cut to the heart.
They ask the question:
“What shall we do?”
Conviction without response leads nowhere.
Feeling something is not the same as doing something.
What It Means to Respond
Peter gives a clear answer:
Repent. Be baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
Repentance is not just feeling sorry—it’s a turning. A change in direction.
Baptism is identifying with Jesus and His people.
The Holy Spirit empowers the new life that follows.
Three thousand people responded that day.
And what did they do?
They stepped into community. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer. They didn’t isolate—they engaged.
The Kind of Witness We Become
5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke 8:5–8
The parable of the sower shows that the condition of the heart determines the outcome.
Some hear and never understand. Some receive it but fall away. Some are distracted and choked by life. Some take root and produce fruit.
The question isn’t just how we hear the Word.
It’s how we live it.
What kind of witness will we be? What kind of disciple maker will we become?
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Faith That Moves
Faith isn’t just belief—it’s action.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14–26
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
Grace saves. Faith responds. Action follows.
The Christian life isn’t powered by self—it’s sustained by the Holy Spirit.
Living With Purpose
7 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:17–23
This life is not the final destination.
There is a call to live differently—to love deeply, to walk in reverence, and to reflect the reality of what Christ has done.
This isn’t about empty effort.
It’s about a transformed life marked by obedience, love, and purpose.
The Question Still Stands
So the question comes back again:
What shall we do?
For some, the answer is to respond for the first time.
For others, it’s to turn back after drifting away.
For others, it’s to stop striving alone and begin relying on the Holy Spirit.
The early church didn’t just ask the question.
They answered it.
They acted.
And everything changed.
The Call
Jesus is not passive. He is relentless in His pursuit.
He meets people in their doubt. He meets people in their failure. He meets people in their confusion.
He opens eyes. He softens hearts. He calls people forward.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 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
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Believe. Be baptized. Be a witness. Make disciples.
And then go and live it out—in love and in the power of Jesus.
Take Your Next Step
If this message challenged or encouraged you, don’t stop here.
Open Arms Community Church meets Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA. If you’re looking for a church in Bradford PA where you can grow, connect, and take your next step in faith—we’d love to meet you.
As the Listen to Jesus series comes to a close, everything comes to a head here. For seven weeks, the focus has been simple—listen to Jesus. Not just hear Him, but actually pay attention to what He says and what He does. Now the story reaches Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, where everything starts moving toward the cross. In this message, Pastor Zoe Hatcher from Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA walks through Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and what it reveals about the kind of King He is. The crowd celebrated Him. They shouted His praises. But they didn’t fully understand Him.
Watch the Message
The King Who Came — and What It Means for Us
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1–11
Jesus doesn’t just show up in Jerusalem—He arrives in a way that had already been spoken about centuries before.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9
This moment isn’t accidental. It is the fulfillment of what God had already promised. Every detail points to the truth that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be. And if those promises came true, then His promises about what is still to come can be trusted as well. When He says He is coming again, it will happen.
The people in Jerusalem were expecting a certain kind of king. They were looking for power, for a leader who would overthrow their enemies and restore control. But instead of arriving with force, Jesus comes riding on a colt. No war horse. No display of strength. Just humility. This is where the tension begins—because the King they received was not the king they expected.
As the crowd gathers, they respond with excitement. Cloaks are laid on the road. Palm branches are lifted in the air. They shout out, “Hosanna!”
Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.[ Psalm 118:25–26
But this isn’t just a shout of praise. “Hosanna” means “Save now.” It’s a cry for rescue. A desperate call for help. They are not just celebrating a king—they are asking for salvation. And yet, they are asking for it on their own terms. They want deliverance, but they want it to look a certain way. When Jesus doesn’t meet those expectations, their praise won’t last. The same voices that shout “Hosanna” will not be far removed from shouting “Crucify Him.”
In the middle of all of this, Scripture reveals something deeper about who Jesus is.
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
Psalm 118:22
He is the cornerstone. The cornerstone is what holds everything together. It supports the entire structure, aligns everything else, and without it, the whole building collapses. Jesus is not just part of the foundation—He is the foundation.
And almost immediately, that reality begins to confront people. Jesus enters the temple and begins to cleanse it. Tables are flipped. Corruption is exposed. Access to worship is restored. This is not the quiet, passive king some expected. He confronts what is broken. He challenges what is false. And not everyone is willing to receive that.
So Jesus makes it clear.
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:42–44
There is no neutral response to Him. He is the stone, and every person will either fall on that stone and be broken or have it fall on them and be crushed. Truth always demands a response. It either humbles or it hardens.
But even in that warning, there is mercy. To fall on the stone is to humble yourself, to repent, to surrender. That kind of breaking is not destruction—it is the beginning of transformation. When someone is willing to be broken by God, that is when they can actually be used by God.
This message doesn’t end in Jerusalem. It carries forward through the early church as well.
Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Acts 4:11–12
There is no other name. Salvation is not found in anything else—not in effort, not in religion, not in trying harder. Jesus alone is the way. That truth may be uncomfortable, but it is clear.
And the reminder continues:
For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:6–8
Some will see Him as precious. Others will reject Him. But either way, He remains the cornerstone. Without Him, there is no church, no salvation, no foundation that can hold.
Palm Sunday isn’t just a moment to remember—it’s a moment to respond. The crowd had their chance, and many of them missed it. The question that remains is the same today: what will be done with Jesus?
There’s a version of Jesus people are comfortable with.
He’s calm. Gentle. Soft-spoken. He teaches nice things. Helps people feel better.
And then there’s Holy Monday.
This is the day Jesus walks into the temple… and starts flipping tables.
Coins scatter. Animals run loose. People are shouting. And Jesus is right in the middle of it.
This scene from the chosen shows what the cleansing of the temple might have looked like.
“My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13)
But here’s something we don’t always talk about:
Where this was happening matters.
The Space That Was Taken
The money changers and merchants had set up in the outer courts of the temple.
That space had a purpose. It was the place where Gentiles—non-Jews—were allowed to come and worship God. It was as close as they could get.
And it had been turned into a marketplace.
Loud. Distracting. Crowded. Transactional.
The very place meant to welcome outsiders… had been taken over by insiders.
And without anyone saying it out loud, the message was clear:
There’s no room for you here.
Jesus Was Defending Access
When Jesus flipped those tables, He wasn’t just reacting to greed.
He was restoring access.
He was making space again for people who were being pushed out.
He was clearing away everything that stood between people and God.
And that hits different.
Because now this isn’t just about corruption.
It’s about who gets excluded.
Who Are We Pushing Out?
That’s the question Holy Monday forces us to ask.
Not just as a church… but personally.
What in my life is taking up space that belongs to God?
And even deeper:
Is there anything in me that makes it harder for someone else to come to Him?
Not intentionally.
But practically.
My attitude. My habits. My distractions. My comfort.
The things I’ve allowed to set up shop in places that were meant for something sacred.
This story, of a loud Jesus wielding a whip, and standing boldly has always appealed to me, since I was a kid.
As a bullied kid who was often treated unfairly, I felt like this Jesus would stand up for me. I had enough of “turning the other cheek” and “heaping coals of fire” on the heads of my bullies. But this Jesus, was tough. He defended not only God’s house, but defended the outcasts and the weirdos.
This Jesus is no different than the one who spoke in Sermon on the Mount, a peaceful message that many interpreted as non-violent. Honestly, that picture of Jesus is only a part of the story. Jesus isn’t just meek, mild, and lowly. He is fiery. He is just. He is “consumed with zeal”. That makes him good.
There are times, when in my attempt to model the meek and mild, I have been silent when I should speak up. There are also times, when my zeal is driven by my own desires, and I end up turning over the wrong tables.
Jesus modeled both. When He was crucified, He could have protested, but He was “silent as a lamb before the slaughter.” And when He confronted the moneychangers in the temple, He was a dangerous rebel with a weapon.
Jesus Still Flips Tables
Here’s the thing.
Jesus didn’t ask permission.
He didn’t negotiate.
He overturned what didn’t belong—because it was hurting people.
And I think sometimes we want Jesus to comfort us… when He actually wants to clear some things out.
Not to shame us.
But to make room again.
Repentance Makes Space
Confession means to “say the same thing.” Repentance is turning away from the wrong thing. It’s about agreeing with Jesus.
It’s about letting Him come in and say, “This doesn’t belong here anymore.”
And then actually letting it go.
Because your life—just like the temple—was meant to be:
“A house of prayer.”
A place where God is near. A place where others can encounter Him too.
Make Room
So here’s the question:
What’s taking up space in your life right now?
What’s crowding out what God wants to do?
And is there anything—anything at all—that’s making it harder for someone else to draw near?
Jesus still clears space.
Not because He’s angry… but because He cares about who’s being left out.
Let’s pray this prayer together:
O Lord our God, who is rich in mercy and abundant in compassion, who alone is good and loves mankind: forgive me every sin, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly.
Cleanse my soul and body from every defilement of flesh and spirit.
Grant that I may stand before You without condemnation, and offer You a pure heart. Amen.
-St. Basil the Great
Josh Hatcher
Josh Hatcher is the Communications Director at Open Arms Community Church. He is married to Pastor Zoe Hatcher, and leads the Tribe of Lions Microchurch for men. He also is the founder of Manlihood.com
Josh Hatcher is the Communications Director at Open Arms Community Church. He is married to Pastor Zoe Hatcher, and leads the Tribe of Lions Microchurch for men. He also is the founder of Manlihood.com
When Justin Willoughby returned to Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, it wasn’t just a guest speaker event—it was a powerful night of testimony, truth, and transformation. Hosted in partnership with the Tribe of Lions men’s microchurch and Engage Prayer, this gathering brought together people from across the community to hear a story that is as raw as it is hopeful.
Justin’s story is known to many in the Bradford area—but hearing it in person brings a deeper weight to the reality of what God can do in a life surrendered to Him.
Watch the full message below:
From Food Addiction and Fear to a Life-Changing Moment
Justin’s story begins in a place many can relate to—using food to cope with pain, stress, and fear.
“Food was my drug. I went to it for everything.”
As a teenager, anxiety and panic attacks took hold of his life. At just 14 years old, he experienced fear so intense he believed he was going to die.
Instead of facing that fear, he turned to food for comfort. Over time, that cycle led to devastating consequences.
By the age of 16, Justin weighed 799 pounds.
An ambulance was called to his home, and he was rushed to the hospital—facing a moment that forced him to confront the reality of his life.
“The way I was living my life was not working… it was taking me down the road that was destroying me.”
The Turning Point: Calling on Jesus
In that hospital moment, everything changed.
Justin reached a place of desperation where he realized he could not fix his life on his own. It was there that he called out to Jesus—not as an idea, but as his only hope.
“Jesus is the author of my real destiny… I needed Him to rescue me from myself.”
That moment marked the beginning of a transformation that would eventually lead to losing over 600 pounds—but more importantly, a transformation of heart, mind, and identity.
You Cannot Heal What You Hide
One of the central truths shared throughout the night was simple—but challenging:
You cannot heal what you hide.
Justin made it clear that addiction thrives in secrecy, whether it’s food, fear, or any other struggle.
“Transformation begins the moment that you stop hiding and start telling the truth.”
From the very beginning of Scripture, people have tried to hide their brokenness—but God calls us out of hiding and into healing.
God Still Loves You in the Middle of Your Mess
For many, shame becomes the biggest barrier to change.
Justin spoke openly about the shame he carried—about his body, his choices, and his identity.
But the message of the Gospel breaks through that shame:
“In our messes, God still loves us.”
God doesn’t wait for people to clean themselves up before coming to Him. He meets them in the middle of the struggle and walks with them toward freedom.
Transformation Starts in the Mind
While Justin’s physical transformation is incredible, he emphasized that lasting change didn’t begin with diet or exercise—it began with a renewed mind.
Spirit → Mind → Body
“If you don’t change your mind, your body’s not going to change.”
The battle for change is often fought internally—through identity, beliefs, and the lies people have accepted about themselves.
Justin challenged the audience to reject false labels:
Failure
Unloved
Addicted
Hopeless
And instead embrace the truth of who God says they are.
Progress Over Perfection
Another key takeaway from the night was the importance of small, consistent steps.
Progress matters more than perfection.
“One step at a time… the small wins added up.”
Rather than chasing unrealistic, instant transformation, Justin encouraged people to focus on:
The next decision
The next step
The next moment
Because real, lasting change is built over time.
Your Vision Has to Be Greater Than Your Cravings
So why do people struggle to stick with change?
Justin explained it clearly:
“Your vision has to be greater than the want before you.”
If the desire for comfort, food, or escape is stronger than the desire for transformation, people will remain stuck in the same cycle.
But when the vision of who someone can become—healthier, freer, fully alive in Christ—becomes stronger than the temporary cravings in front of them, everything begins to shift.
Change becomes possible.
Learning to Lead Your Feelings Instead of Following Them
One of the most memorable moments of the night came through a simple but powerful illustration:
If a 300-pound bear shows up in the woods, feelings kick in—and they’re meant to.
They tell you to run.
But when it comes to everyday life, many people allow feelings to control their decisions instead of guiding them.
Feelings are a gift—but they were never meant to be in charge.
Justin challenged those in attendance to stop being ruled by emotions and instead take ownership of their decisions—aligning them with truth rather than temporary comfort.
Built One Step at a Time
In a culture that expects instant results, Justin emphasized something different:
Real transformation is built slowly.
Not overnight. Not perfectly. But consistently.
“One step at a time… the small wins added up.”
Whether it was eating less, choosing movement over comfort, or turning to prayer instead of old habits, each small decision became a building block toward lasting change.
You Are Not Who You Used to Be
A powerful shift in Justin’s journey came when he stopped identifying with the labels that had defined him for years.
He was no longer:
The “fat kid”
A failure
Addicted
Unloved
“You are not what others have called you.”
Instead, he began to see himself through a new identity—one shaped by truth, not lies.
This is where transformation becomes more than behavior change—it becomes identity change.
A Message Bigger Than Weight Loss
While Justin’s story is often associated with weight loss, his message goes far deeper.
This wasn’t just about losing pounds—it was about surrender, identity, and spiritual renewal.
“A healthy body is a byproduct of a healthy spirit and a healthy mind.”
Without that deeper transformation, external change rarely lasts.
But when the heart, mind, and spirit are aligned with God, lasting change becomes possible.
The 600 Pounds Down Podcast and Ongoing Impact
Today, Justin continues to share his story and help others through the 600 Pounds Down Podcast, alongside Coach George Sisson III.
Their mission is to help people experience transformation in every area of life—spiritually, mentally, and physically.
You can connect with Justin and follow his content here:
For those who attended, this wasn’t just a talk—it was a moment of reflection, conviction, and hope.
Hosted at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, this event was a reminder that no one is too far gone, too broken, or too stuck for God to bring transformation.
Whether the struggle is addiction, fear, identity, or health—there is always a way forward.
And it begins with honesty, surrender, and one step at a time.
Visit Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA
If you’re looking for a church in Bradford, PA where you can find hope, healing, and purpose, Open Arms Community Church invites you to join us.
We meet Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA.
Pastor Rich Dennison of Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel continues the Listen to Jesus series with a message centered on one of the most powerful declarations Jesus ever made: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Throughout this series, the focus has been on listening closely to Jesus—not just hearing His words, but understanding what they mean for how life is lived right now. This message walks through John 11 and the story of Lazarus, confronting a deeply personal question: is this really life, or just existence?
Watch the Message
Is This Really Life?
There are moments—and sometimes entire seasons—where life begins to feel like a cycle:
Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
Over and over again.
The busyness of life can feel like an uncontrollable treadmill of tasks. It leads to exhaustion, stress, and a reduced quality of life. And all the while, something incredibly valuable is slipping away:
Time.
Time cannot be controlled. The reality is certain—this life will come to an end. Yet the pace continues, often without pause.
What appears to be a “full life” on the outside can actually be masking something deeper. Constant activity can hide deeper struggles, damage relationships, and impact health.
So the question must be asked:
Is this life to the full?
Because none of that reflects a life that is meaningful, prosperous, or abundant.
There is a deeper longing—something placed within every person—for a life of purpose, joy, and freedom. Not just survival. Not just chasing happiness. But something more.
How Can the Way Be Known?
That same longing is reflected in a question found in Scripture:
Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way to get there?” Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one can go to the Father except by Me. John 14:5–6
“How can we know the way?”
Jesus responds:
“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
This is not presented as one option among many. It is a clear declaration.
Jesus is the only way to true life—the source of eternal, divine life. This life is not limited to what comes after death, but is a restored relationship with God that begins now and continues forever.
It is a life that is abundant, joyful, and filled with purpose.
Apart from Him, life may continue—but it is not truly lived.
Jesus came not merely to give something, but to establish connection. His life dwelling within those who believe.
The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life. John 10:10
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The Question That Still Stands
Jesus makes a defining statement in John 11:
Jesus said to her, “I am the One Who raises the dead and gives them life. Anyone who puts his trust in Me will live again, even if he dies. Anyone who lives and has put his trust in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25–26
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…”
This is more than a promise about the future.
It is a declaration about the present.
Resurrection is not only an event that will happen—it is a person.
Jesus is not just the one who resurrects.
He is the resurrection.
And the question remains:
Do you believe this?
When Jesus Delays
The story of Lazarus begins with urgency:
A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in the town of Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This was the Mary who put perfume on the Lord and dried His feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 The sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, your friend is sick!” 4 When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. It has happened so that it will bring honor to God. And the Son of God will be honored by it also.”
Jesus Tells of the Death of Lazarus 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 But when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. 7 Then He said to His followers, “Let us go into the country of Judea again.” John 11:1–7
Lazarus is sick. Word is sent to Jesus: “The one you love is sick.”
And yet—there is a delay.
Two more days pass.
This raises a difficult tension. Why wait? Why not respond immediately?
Jesus gives an answer that reframes the moment:
“This sickness will not end in death… it is for God’s glory.” John 11:4
What feels like delay is not absence.
It is often preparation.
Faith in the Middle of Loss
By the time Jesus arrives:
When Jesus got there, He heard that Lazarus had been in the grave four days. John 11:17
Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days.
Martha meets Him first:
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. I know even now God will give You whatever You ask.” John 11:21–22
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know…”
Even in grief, there is faith.
Trust remains, even without understanding.
Mary arrives next:
Mary went to the place where Jesus was. When she saw Him, she got down at His feet. She said to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32
“Lord, if you had been here…”
The same words—but spoken from deep sorrow.
Then comes one of the most revealing moments in Scripture:
Jesus wept. John 11:35
This is not distant compassion.
This is present, personal, emotional love.
Jesus enters fully into the pain.
The Moment of Glory
Jesus approaches the tomb:
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? John 11:38–40
“Take away the stone…”
There is hesitation.
“By this time there is a bad odor…”
The situation appears final. Too far gone. Too broken.
But Jesus responds:
“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Come Out
Then comes the moment everything has been building toward:
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:43–44
“Lazarus, come out!”
And the dead man walks out of the tomb.
Alive.
Still wrapped in grave clothes.
And Jesus gives a command:
“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Take Off the Grave Clothes
This moment is not just about Lazarus.
It reveals something deeper.
Life has been given—but the remnants of death remain.
Grave clothes still cling.
The same can be true today.
Life has been spoken. Resurrection has already begun. But old patterns, old identities, shame, and sin can still linger.
The call is clear:
Take them off.
What no longer belongs must be removed.
Because life was never meant to be lived bound up in what has already been left behind.
Do You Believe This?
Jesus is the source of life.
Not only at the end—but right now.
He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. He is the resurrection.
And the question remains:
Do you believe this?
🙌 Take Your Next Step
If this message stirred something deeper, take a step forward.
This message is part of the Listen to Jesus series at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA — a church where people can find hope, healing, and purpose.
Join us Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA, and discover what it means to move from simply existing… to truly living.
On Monday night March 23rd, Open Arms Community Church will host a powerful testimony of transformation when Justin Willoughbyreturns to his hometown of Bradford to share the story of how his life changed — physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
Justin lost more than 600 pounds, but he says the most important change in his life wasn’t just the weight he lost. It was the freedom he found along the way.
Justin’s journey began in a place of struggle. At his heaviest, his health and mobility were severely limited, and the future felt uncertain.
But over time, something began to change.
Justin credits God’s work in his life for giving him the strength and determination to begin transforming his health, his habits, and his mindset.
What followed was a long and difficult journey — one that eventually resulted in losing over 600 pounds.
Justin says the transformation was not just about food, exercise, or discipline. It was about learning to trust God and finding hope again.
“God gave me the strength to start making changes when I felt like my life was completely stuck,” Justin says. “The physical transformation was incredible, but the deeper transformation was what God did in my heart.”
Sharing the Journey With Others
Today, Justin shares his story with thousands of listeners as the host of the weight loss and fitness podcast “600 Pounds Down.”
Through the podcast, he talks with others about health, mindset, discipline, and the long journey of rebuilding a life that once seemed impossible to change.
His goal is simple: help people realize that transformation is possible.
“I want people to know that freedom is possible,” Justin says. “No matter how stuck you feel, God can help you start taking steps toward a different life.”
A Meaningful Homecoming
Returning to Bradford to speak makes the event especially meaningful for Justin.
“Bradford will always be home to me, and Open Arms was part of my story early on,” Willoughby said. “It means a lot to come back and share what God has done in my life and hopefully help someone else find hope.”
Brotherhood and Encouragement
Josh Hatcher, leader of the Tribe of Lions microchurch, says Justin’s story is one that many people need to hear.
“Justin is one of my best friends, and I’ve watched him fight through challenges that most people could never imagine,” Hatcher said. “Seeing what God has done in his life is incredible. His story reminds people that change is possible, even when the road looks impossible.”
Event Details
Justin Willoughby: A Story of Transformation
📅 Monday, March 23rd 🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Open Arms Community Church 71 Congress Street Bradford, PA
Hosted by the Engage Prayer and Tribe of Lions microchurches
The event is free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome.
Listen to the “600 Pounds Down” Podcast
Justin continues to share his journey and encourage others through his podcast “600 Pounds Down.”
On the podcast, Justin talks about the realities of long-term weight loss, rebuilding health, and the mindset required to make lasting change. He also interviews others who are on their own transformation journeys — sharing stories of perseverance, discipline, and hope.
The goal of the podcast is simple: to help people realize they are not alone, and that real change is possible even when the road feels overwhelming.
If Justin’s story resonates with you, you can follow the podcast and hear more conversations about health, transformation, and personal growth.
We don’t usually choose the wilderness. It finds us.
We find ourselves in moments of crisis, or grief, or burnout, or dissapointment. We feel the exhaustion that we don’t know how to name.
People close to us may ask, “How are you?” and we answer “tired” – only because we don’t have other ways to explain that place in our lives. It’s wilderness, it’s desert. It’s hunger. It’s thirst. It’s loneliness.
And then Lent comes along, and the Church invites us to step into places like this – wilderness – on purpose.
Forty days of slowing down. Fasting. Reflecting. Making space.
Sometimes, people look at lent as penance, or punishment. That misses the point. We aren’t earning forgiveness, or paying for sin, or trying to earn points with God.
Lent is meant to be a season of formation, where we intentionally seek to become the people God wants us to be: connected to Him, dependent on Him, hungry and thirsty for righteousness.
If we want to understand that kind of formation, we need to sit for a while with Elijah.
My kids had a video when they were growing up. I don’t remember if it was a VHS or a DVD, and I don’t remember how it came into our possession, but it was a BBC produced Bible cartoon that was a part of a series. I used to love to watch it with them as it told the story of Elijah. I found it on youtube, so if you want to watch and connect with the story of this wildman, who lived in the wilderness, you may want to watch it to visualize this story.
After the Fire
Elijah had just experienced one of the most dramatic spiritual victories in Scripture.
The prophets of Baal were gathered on Mount Carmel, they were wicked. And Elijah dared them to prove if their false god was real. He prepared a sacrifice, and told the prophets to ask Baal to light it on fire. They cut themselves, they cried, and their god did nothing.
Elijah mocked them, “Maybe your god is sleeping!” (a better translation, maybe your god is pooping!)
Then Elijah asked Jehovah, the One True God to call fire down from heaven. Elijah wanted to prove it boldly, so he soaked it with water. And then God did send fire down.
And then Elijah slaughtered the wicked prophets of Baal.
And then, almost immediately, Elijah ran for his life.
Jezebel made a threat. Fear rushed in. And the prophet who had just stood boldly in front of a nation found himself alone in the wilderness.
God did the impossible, and Elijah is in hiding. Is he doubting God’s protection? Is he just exhausted after that display of faith?
What we see is Elijah, hiding in the wilderness.
Lent often meets us in that space — after the noise, after the intensity, after the adrenaline has faded. It meets us when we’re tired.
“I Have Had Enough”
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah sits down under a broom tree and prays:
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
He’s not praying a creed or confession. He’s not praying a polished poem. He’s just being honest with where he is.
The prophet who called down fire from heaven is now asking God to take his life.
God hears these kinds of prayers. Do we think we can hide how we feel from Him? No! He already knows, and He wants us to confess it to Him.
This ugly prayer tells us that even faithful people get exhausted. It tells us that burnout is not the same thing as unbelief.
Lent gives us room to say what we’ve been trying not to say.
“I’m tired.” “I’m discouraged.” “I feel alone.” “I don’t know if I can keep going.”
God is not threatened by that prayer.
Bread Before Breakthrough
What happens next is just as important as Elijah’s breakdown.
God does not rebuke him. He does not lecture him. He does not shame him.
He lets him sleep.
Then an angel wakes him and says, “Get up and eat.” There’s bread. There’s water. Elijah eats. He sleeps again. And then God feeds him again.
This is proof that God cares for our needs. He sees our need for rest. He sees our need for water. He sees our need for food.
And He meets it.
1 Peter 5:7 says
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Lent is not about self-punishment. Even fasting, at its best, is not about hurting yourself to impress God. It’s about retraining your dependence. It’s about remembering what actually sustains you.
Elijah needed food before he needed direction. God knew that.
Forty Days
Strengthened by that food, Elijah travels forty days and forty nights to Horeb — the mountain of God.
Forty days.
The number isn’t random.
Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness. Jesus fasted forty days before beginning His ministry. And every year, we walk through forty days of Lent.
Wilderness time is patterned in Scripture. It is the rhythm God uses to shape His people.
Forty days is long enough for illusions to fade. Long enough for noise to settle. Long enough to confront what we’ve been avoiding.
And it’s long enough for God to start working on bring healing to those places.
The Cave
When Elijah reaches Horeb, he goes into a cave.
And God asks him a question:
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God knows the answer. He always does.
God knows Elijah is hiding. But He asks Elijah, because God wants a relationship with him.
Elijah speaks his fear. He speaks his frustration. He says he feels alone. He believes he is the only one left.
Sometimes we don’t realize what’s shaping us until we say it out loud.
Let’s sit here, in the cave, in the wilderness, with God, long enough for us to tell Him the truth.
Wind, Earthquake, Fire
Then God answers Elijah.
A powerful wind tears through the mountains. An earthquake shakes the ground. A fire passes by.
But the Lord is not in the wind. Not in the earthquake. Not in the fire.
Elijah had seen God in fire before. That’s what he knew. That’s what made sense to him.
But this time, God chooses a different way.
We often look for God in the dramatic. We expect Him in the visible breakthrough, the emotional surge, the obvious miracle.
Lent gently dismantles that expectation. It removes the noise. It lowers the volume.
The Whisper
After the wind, earthquake, and fire, Scripture says there was “a gentle whisper.”
Some translations say “a still small voice.” Others say “a low whisper.”
And you cannot hear a whisper if you are constantly surrounded by noise.
You cannot hear a whisper if you refuse to be still.
You cannot hear a whisper if you are always filling silence.
For myself, when I’m silent, or when I’m hungry, there’s a painful and uncomfortable place under the surface. I find, that the mind-numbing scrolling through social media, or the crunch of potato chips, or the sweetness of a candy bar make that uncomfortable or painful thing go away.
It really doesn’t. It just buries it.
What if this is the time to dig out the uncomfortable truths about ourselves that we avoid? What if Lent is an opportunity to feel the hunger, to sit in the silence, and then be honest with God and ourselves about what we are feeling?
Lent is practice in listening. Not just listening to sermons. Not just listening to music. But listening for the whisper.
Listening to Jesus.
The God who met Elijah in the cave still speaks that way. He still forms us that way.
No Shame. Only Direction.
When God spoke in that whisper, He gives Elijah direction.
He sends him back. He gives him assignments. He reminds him that he is not alone. There are seven thousand others who have not bowed to Baal.
The cave was not Elijah’s final destination. It was a place of restoration.
The wilderness was not the end of his story. It was preparation.
This 40 days isn’t about retreat and escape – it’s about being fed, quieted, and reminded of who God is – so that we can step boldly into what He is calling us to do, with confidence.
Into the Wilderness
We don’t usually choose the wilderness.
But Lent invites us there… to form us.
The God who met Elijah in the cave is the same God who meets us now.
And if you listen closely — beneath the noise, beneath the wind and earthquake and fire… you may hear it.
A whisper.
“Get up and eat.” “You are not alone.” “I’m not finished with you.” “Go back. I’m with you.”
This Lent, don’t be afraid of the wilderness. It might just be where God meets you.
Josh Hatcher
Josh Hatcher is the Communications Director at Open Arms Community Church. He is married to Pastor Zoe Hatcher, and leads the Tribe of Lions Microchurch for men. He also is the founder of Manlihood.com
There’s a moment in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indiana stands at the edge of what looks like a bottomless abyss. On the other side is the path forward. Between him and it? Nothing but open air.
He has the instructions. He has the map. But he still can’t see a bridge.
Everything in him hesitates. His instincts tell him to turn back. His eyes tell him it’s impossible. But he remembers the words: Only the penitent man shall pass.
So he closes his eyes. He steps forward. And his foot lands on solid ground.
What looked like nothing was actually a hidden bridge.
Sometimes following God feels like that.
You’ve decided to return. You’ve turned your heart back toward Him. And now you’re standing at the edge of something unfamiliar, unsure where the next step will land.
You don’t feel lost. But you don’t feel certain either.
And that space — right there — is where many of us find ourselves in Lent.
When Returning Doesn’t Bring Instant Clarity
Here we are.
Returning to God doesn’t always bring instant clarity. Sometimes we say, “Here is my heart God, I’m ready to do whatever you want me to do!” and then we’re left feeling, “Now what?”
There have been many times in my life, when I’ve let go of a toxic or harmful behavior or attitude that was between Jesus and me, and I was left sitting confused and unsure. Sometimes, I even went back to those behaviors, because they were familiar, and comfortable.
But God has more for us. He desires freedom, not bondage. And even though it may be unclear what is next, there is a promise from Him to lead us out of the mess we’re in.
God’s Leading Is an Invitation
God’s leading is an invitation. I think of Moses being invited to step up to a conversation with a burning bush. I think of Jesus, being led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
He invites us, and leads us into a deeper relationship with Him. And that leading is where we find the clarity we’re desperate for.
Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
It’s not always logical. It’s not always safe. But that leading is purposeful.
The Wilderness Is Formation, Not Punishment
When we think of the 40 days of Lent, we’re reminded of Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness, fasting, and facing temptation.
It’s important to remember as we enter into this, that the wilderness we may go through isn’t punishment. It is formation.
God uses the spaces in between to form us into His likeness. Lent is us accepting an invitation into that space.
Just because you feel lost in this moment, doesn’t mean you are lost.
What We Laid Down Stays at the Cross
The shame of the sin we laid down, it has been nailed to the cross. It’s no longer our sin or our shame. We don’t have to return to it.
And as we press in, we will find it replaced by the love of the One who is calling us deeper.
This is the time to ask ourselves the hard questions.
Where might God be leading me right now?
What step of obedience is in front of me?
What am I being asked to trust without full clarity?
A Prayerful Posture
As you are reading this, I want you to place your hands in front of you, open as though someone is giving you a gift.
Sit in silence, and breathe in deep.
God, I ask that You would show me what You have for me. What’s next for me? I have turned from my sin, but I feel like I’m not sure where my feet are supposed to go. So direct me. I accept Your invitation. Take me by the hand and lead me wherever You choose. Let’s do this.
Led, Not Lost
What God has for you is an adventure more grand than any Indiana Jones movie. It’s miraculous, and bold, and full of moments where you’ll step over your own abyss, and He’ll make sure your feet are on solid ground.
He’ll continually call out the parts of you that need to be healed and need to be surrendered. He’s a good and perfect Dad. So He won’t let you down.
He will lead you, not leave you lost.
Walk With Us Through Lent
Lent is not meant to be rushed or walked alone. We invite you to slow down and create space for God with us during this season.
Join us for a Lenten Prayer Service on Wednesday evening, and for The Word for Lunch — a short, midday gathering for Scripture and prayer throughout the week.
These simple rhythms are designed to help you return to God, listen for His voice, and be renewed in His presence.
Josh Hatcher is the Communications Director at Open Arms Community Church. He is married to Pastor Zoe Hatcher, and leads the Tribe of Lions Microchurch for men. He also is the founder of Manlihood.com
It’s always the loudest and ugliest that get the most attention. That’s true in politics, online arguments — and it’s especially true when people talk about churches. The online space is filled with commentators who call out celebrity pastors and their $6,000 sneakers and private jets.
“Tax the churches!” they say. Or “Religion is just a business.” or “Churches are always asking for money!”
Believe me, I get the cynicism. A small number of celebrity pastors have abused their influence, and their scandals spread far and wide. But those headlines—shocking as they may be—don’t reflect what churches actually look like in places like Bradford.
What most people don’t see is that the average church in America is not a 5,000 seat media production powerhouse. The reality is much more humble: the median church is about sixty-five people in weekly attendance. A church that reaches 200 in attendance is in the top 10% of churches in America. That means the outlying massive megachurches with their television ministries that are asking you to send them “seed money” are a very small representation of what the church looks like.
A median salary for most pastors in the U.S. is around $45,000 to $55,000 a year—and many make far less, often working two jobs just to support their families. These aren’t CEOs of corporations. They’re community members who work long hours like everyone else, the same people who stand with you on your best days and in your hardest moments.
Most churches don’t have endowments or outside funding—quite the opposite. They survive almost entirely on the generosity of the people who attend and the community that believes their presence matters.
Lately I’ve welcomed a lot of young adults into the faith, and their questions remind me how much we take for granted. One asked me, “Where does the church get the money to do all this? Does the government help?” He couldn’t believe it when I told him the truth: most of what we do is funded entirely by the generosity of the people who sit in our chairs each week—people who give because they love God and love their neighbors, not because anyone twists their arm.
I’ve seen this firsthand at Open Arms Community Church here in Bradford. We’re not a megachurch, not a corporation — we’re a local congregation made up of ordinary people trying to make a difference in the place we all call home.
Living in McKean County is certainly a haven in comparison to other parts of the country where crime and crisis run rampant. We’re relatively safe if you compare the statistics to Philadelphia, for example. But we’ve seen some headlines this past year that have rocked us – so many stories of violence, child abuse, overdose deaths, and families falling apart under the weight of addiction and crisis. No child dreams of growing up to land in prison. No newlywed couple stands at the altar planning for alcoholism or domestic abuse. No teenager imagines their adult life beginning and ending with an overdose. People don’t choose these endings because they want them; they arrive there through layers of trauma, hopelessness, and despair that build slowly over time.
And that is precisely why the presence of a healthy church in a community matters. Churches aren’t just places for religious ritual; at their best, they are places where someone finds help before the crisis becomes the headline. They are spaces where people talk through their wounds instead of acting out of them. A church is where friendships provide accountability before someone makes the decision they can’t take back. It’s where a struggling parent learns skills that bring stability back into a chaotic home, and where an addict finds support through the long journey toward freedom — not judgment. It’s the quiet work of a volunteer talking a teenager out of a terrible decision at 10PM on a school night — work that never shows up on the front page but absolutely changes the outcome.
Much of what churches do is preventative work you’ll never see on the news. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t trend. It happens quietly, behind the scenes, in living rooms, over cups of coffee, in late-night phone calls, in hospital waiting rooms, and in the small, consistent moments where one life influences another. It is the kind of work that reduces despair long before despair becomes destructive. And it is the kind of work that no government program nor nonprofit model can fully replicate, because it depends on relationship, community, and the belief that every person — every single one — is worth fighting for.
People say the church only wants money. But what the church really wants is fewer funerals, fewer broken homes, fewer kids lost to despair, fewer headlines that break our hearts.
So yes, churches ask for support. But not because pastors are living the high life, and not because churches are sitting on piles of cash. Churches ask for support because the work of helping a community heal takes resources: buildings that stay open, staff who can give their time, meals that need to be purchased, programs that need materials, and a hundred other practical needs that make compassionate work possible. The church isn’t asking for money to prop up an institution. It’s asking for partnership to strengthen a community.
A better question to ask might be this: what would happen to a town like Bradford if the churches disappeared? What would happen to the families in crisis, the kids who need mentors, the elderly who are lonely, the people battling addiction, the ones on the edge of despair?
It’s not just the organization doing the work. It’s the people, and the church is the vehicle that allows them to get connected to relationships where people can help each other. Let’s ask the question: If you were in trouble at 11PM, who would you call for help? Many people don’t have someone. But if you’re in a good church, you are in a network of people who have your back.
The church isn’t perfect. No human institution is. But despite its imperfections, it remains one of the last places still committed to stepping into the darkest parts of people’s lives with hope, compassion, and the stubborn belief that redemption is possible. Not for money. Not for prestige. But because we love the place we live, and we refuse to give up on the people who call it home.
If our community is ever going to turn the tide on the despair captured in our headlines, we’re going to need strong families, safe kids, supportive friendships, open doors, listening ears, and the kind of hope that grows in relationship, not isolation. The church is one of the few institutions still fighting for all of that. And for that reason alone, it’s worth supporting.
December 2 is Giving Tuesday. I’m asking that even if you aren’t a part of a local church, that you consider giving to support one. You can give to any of the churches in our community and I know it will make a difference.
If you aren’t sure which church to choose, let me humbly recommend that you give to our Local Impact Fund at Open Arms Community Church. The vision at Open Arms is “Restored Lives in Christ” and “Transformed Community for God’s Glory”. We’re in the fight to make people’s lives better, to make our community better.
