Open Arms Church of Bradford will host Bishop Linda Adams on Sunday, March 8. Adams is scheduled to speak during the church’s regular services at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am.
“It is an incredible honor to have Bishop Adams visiting our church family in Bradford,” Pastor Zoe Hatcher of Open Arms said. “The opportunity for us to hear from such an accomplished leader is very exciting.”
Adams was elected in July 2019, making her the first female bishop in the 160-year history of the Free Methodist Church. Prior to her election, she served as the director of International Child Care Ministries, a child-sponsorship organization serving approximately 20,000 children in 33 countries through educational and residential initiatives, as well as after-school programs. Adams was also the pastor of churches in Michigan, Illinois, and New York. While at New Hope Free Methodist Church in Rochester, New York, she worked extensively with African refugees.
“The goals she and the other bishops have set for the denomination include addressing marginalized populations and breaching racial divides,” Hatcher said. “Speaking for myself as a pastor, her example as a leader and a mentor has been invaluable. God is doing exciting things in and through our church, and I look forward to sharing that with her.”
Those interested in hearing Adams speak are invited to attend services at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am, at Open Arms Church, located at 1289 E. Main Street, approximately one mile north of Walmart. The 10 am and 11:30 am services will also be simulcast to Open Arms’ Port Allegany location, at 105 Smith Ave. in Port Allegany.
