EmpowHER is a women’s microchurch designed to create space for connection, encouragement, and spiritual growth.
Women gather to support one another, grow in faith, and live with purpose.
🗓️ Thursdays
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Downstairs at Open Arms Community Church
After much prayer and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce that Open Arms Community Church has a confirmed moving date! We have been waiting for this moment, and now we can officially share that we will be closing on our new building on April 4, 2025. This is a huge milestone for our church family, and we give all the glory to God for this next chapter.
✅ Volunteer for Moving Day (April 6) – Sign up to help move, pack, or transport items.
✅ Stay Connected – Ensure we have your current contact information to receive updates via email or text.
✅ Invite Others – Share the news about our move and invite people to Palm Sunday (April 13) and Easter Sunday (April 20)!
✅ Pray for the Transition – We are trusting God to guide us in this exciting time.
We are so excited about this new chapter and can’t wait to celebrate with you! Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday at East Main as we prepare for this big transition.
With gratitude and anticipation,
The Open Arms Community Church Team
Our former Pastor, and the current Superintendent of the Southeast Region of the Free Methodist Church Mike McAvoy, wrote a fantastic article in Light and Life Magazine!
The article, entitled:
is available now online.
Here’s an excerpt:
“We find most American Christians have divided loyalties that lead us to live out half-truths and experience far less of the kingdom life described in Scripture and seen in the lives of the many devoted followers throughout history to the present. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both…” (Matthew 6:24).
We know Jesus ended saying “God and money,” but the principle holds true about anything. We cannot serve both God and fill in your competing idol (money, possessions, pleasure, comfort, image, fame, power, success, career, status, ego, independence, rights, preservation, nationalism, politics, family, friends, etc.). As citizens of God’s kingdom, we are not part of a democracy, and we are not living life on our own terms, in this world or the next. Now we are foreigners and live as ambassadors for the kingdom of God wherever we live, work, and play.
I’m not an expert on foreign relations, but these things seem obvious. An ambassador is an officially authorized representative or messenger to a foreign/different culture or country. They are foreigners who are in that specific place on official business to represent another kingdom and its interests. They may enjoy some of the amenities, but they can never forget why they are there. Typically, they have certain diplomatic privileges and rights and delegated authority to act in the interests and work of their kingdom. An ambassador is a temporary assignment.
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We see these truths taught throughout the New Testament and modeled by Jesus.”
As we step into the season of Lent, Open Arms is excited to launch 40 Days of Sharing—a time of community, kindness, and sharing God’s love, one neighbor at a time. This journey will lead us up to Easter, and we invite you to be part of something truly meaningful.
During these 40 days, we are committing to spreading the good news of God through acts of kindness and love in our community. This is an opportunity to come together, build relationships, and make a difference in the lives of those around us. And what better way to begin than with a night of prayer and worship?
To start this journey, we will be gathering for a special Prayer & Worship Night on:
📅 Wednesday, March 5th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Open Arms Auditorium
This night will be a time of worship, prayer, and dedication, as we ask God to guide us in this mission. We’ll come together as a church family to surrender this time to Him and seek His direction as we step out to love and serve our neighbors.
Lent is a season of reflection and preparation, leading us to the celebration of Easter. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, we will use this time to intentionally share His love with those around us.
This year, as we move into a new community, we see this as a divine opportunity to bring hope and kindness to new neighbors. Every small act of love matters, and together, we can make a big impact.
We believe God is calling us to action—to be His hands and feet in this world. Whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, or simply being present for someone in need, we can be a reflection of Christ’s love.
Are you ready to make a difference and be part of something bigger? Join our Mission Team and help spread God’s love through acts of service, kindness, and outreach! Whether you have a heart for prayer, serving others, or building connections in our community, there’s a place for you. Sign up today and take the next step in being the hands and feet of Jesus!
We encourage everyone to join us for the kickoff event and be part of this incredible season of sharing. Let’s come together in prayer, worship, and community as we prepare our hearts for what God has in store.
Let’s make these 40 days count—one neighbor at a time.
See you on March 5th! 🙌✨
Exciting changes are coming to Open Arms Community Church! Very soon, we’ll be relocating from 1289 East Main Street to 71 Congress Street in Bradford.
We’re still waiting for the final legal paperwork to go through, but in the meantime, we’ve started packing boxes and moving items into storage. We could use your help! If you’re interested in lending a hand, please contact our office at bradford@oachurch.com or speak with one of our ministry leaders. They’ll let you know when and how you can assist.
For now, we’re still meeting at 1289 East Main Street for our 10 AM Sunday service until further notice.
Once we make the move, our service times may change, so be sure to check back here for updates. Thank you for your prayers and support as we prepare for this exciting transition!
Looking for a fun and safe way to enjoy “The Big Game” with friends and family? Open Arms Community Church invites you to join us for a Community Fun Night filled with food, games, and fellowship!
📅 Sunday, February 9
⏰ 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 Children’s Ministry Area at Open Arms Community Church
Come watch “The Big Game” on the big TV while enjoying board games, great company, and delicious snacks. Wear your favorite game day attire, bring your favorite game day snacks to share, and get ready for a night of fun and connection.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help with setup, hosting, and cleanup. If you’re interested, reach out to Angel Atkinson at angelcare@oachurch.com.
This is a great opportunity to enjoy the game, meet new people, and spend time together in a safe and welcoming environment. Whether you’re a football fan or just looking for a fun way to spend the evening, we’d love to see you there!
If you’re looking for things to do in Bradford, PA, this is the perfect event for you. Bring your family, bring your friends, and let’s make it a night to remember!
For more information, visit Open Arms Community Church or follow us on social media.
Looking for things to do in Bradford, PA this February? Open Arms Community Church has some exciting events lined up for all ages! Whether you’re looking for fellowship, fun, or ways to serve, there’s something for everyone.
Sunday, February 9 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Join us in the Children’s Ministry Area for a night of fellowship and board games, with the BIG GAME streaming in the background! Everyone is welcome, so wear your favorite game day attire and bring your favorite game day snacks.
Fun for all ages!
We are also looking for volunteers to help with setup, hosting, and cleanup. If you’re interested, please see Angel Atkinson or email her at angelcare@oachurch.com.
Throughout the month of February, we are collecting hygiene items for Operation Christmas Child. Items needed include washcloths, toothbrushes, and combs. Your donations will help bless children around the world. Drop off your contributions at the church any time this month!
Friday, February 28 | 6 PM – 8 PM
All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us at Grace Lutheran Church for a night of fellowship with youth groups from across the area. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, build friendships, and grow together in faith.
We’d love to see you at any of these events! If you’re looking for things to do in Bradford, PA, Open Arms Community Church is a great place to connect, serve, and grow. Invite your friends and family—we can’t wait to spend time together!
For more information, contact the church or follow us on social media.
Open Arms Community Church and Church Development Network hosted our January Encounter Weekend January 17 & 18.
Encounter is an in-person worship, prayer, and training experience that equips participants with strategies for multiplication. This transformative weekend is the beginning of a mentorship journey designed to guide individuals in planting churches and making disciples.
To God be the glory!
The term “church conceived” signifies a powerful moment when an individual responds to God’s call to plant a church. This Encounter Weekend was a catalyst for such life-changing decisions.
Additionally, many who are currently leading microchurches were refreshed in their calling. Even those not yet ready to plant a microchurch experienced a renewed sense of purpose, hearing from the Lord and feeling the call to move forward in disciple-making.
We invite you to get plugged into our upcoming Encounter Weekend in July right here in Bradford. Whether you’re exploring your faith, leading a microchurch, or feeling called to plant a new church, this experience offers the training and support you need to grow.
Stay tuned for more details, and we hope to see you there!
As we look back on 2024, we can’t help but be in awe of what God has done through Open Arms Community Church. From local outreach initiatives to life-changing baptisms, God has been at work in incredible ways, and we want to celebrate those moments with YOU!
Our 2024 Wrapped highlights the many ways God used our church family to make an impact. Whether it was reaching our community through the shoe outreach, supporting international missions, or providing essential resources to those in need, it’s been a year full of heart and action.
In 2024, we saw 23 salvations and 33 baptisms, and together, we raised over $5,000 for Angels of East Africa. God’s love flowed through us in ways that only He could orchestrate, and we’re so thankful for everyone who answered the call to serve and give.
But this doesn’t even cover it all! The stories we can’t track—people helping one another, prayers answered in quiet moments, and the countless acts of love that make up the fabric of our church—are just as important and meaningful. We don’t need the credit. All glory goes to God, who works in and through us.
So, let’s celebrate what Jesus has done this year! Check out our 2024 Wrapped and rejoice with us. Whether you’ve been part of a small group, volunteered at an event, or given to support our mission, you’re part of something bigger than yourself.
Together, we’ve made 2024 unforgettable. Here’s to even more of God’s work in 2025!
