Sam Childers, widely known as the “Machine Gun Preacher,” whose life inspired the Hollywood movie bearing the same name, is set to share his story at churches in Bradford and Port Allegany.
Childers will speak at Open Arms Church, 1289 E. Main St., Bradford, at 7 p.m. Saturday and at Salt and Light Community Church, 115 Smith Ave., Port Allegany, at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The “Machine Gun Preacher” movie, starring Gerard Butler, depicted Childers’ transformation from a life of drugs and violence to becoming a beacon of hope for oppressed children in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, based on his book “Another Man’s War.”
Childers’ journey began in 1998, evolving from a tumultuous past to establishing one of Southern Sudan’s largest orphanages, providing refuge for more than 1,000 children. He gained notoriety for leading armed missions to rescue children from the grips of the Lord’s Resistance
Army, earning him the moniker “The Machine Gun Preacher.”
Presently, Childers’ team produces approximately 10,000 meals daily for feeding programs in East Africa, while housing 380 orphaned children, many of whom are survivors of atrocities. He has also spearheaded initiatives such as well drilling and school construction across South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
The event in Bradford is sponsored by Open Arms Church and two microchurch groups, The Least of These Riders and the Tribe of Lions.
Josh Hatcher, leader of Tribe of Lions, expressed the community’s anticipation for Childers’ visit, stating, “Sam’s story is powerful … I know his story is going to help people.”
Josh Hatcher said he reached out to Childers about appearing on the Manlihood ManCast, and found out that Childers is from central Pennsylvania, and was open to coming to speak
at the church. Hatcher then referred Childers to Pastor Chris Stavish at Salt and Light in Port Allegany, who invited him to speak for their Sunday morning worship service.
The gatherings are open to the entire community. Hatcher emphasized, “You are especially welcome if you don’t regularly attend a church … Just come and meet a guy whose life story is powerful and amazing. Everyone is welcome.”
While admission is free, a voluntary offering will be collected to support Childers’ humanitarian efforts in South Sudan and Northern Uganda.
For more information about Childers’ work, visit his website MachineGunPreacher.org
For more information about the event, visit OAChurch.com or Salt and Light Community Church on Facebook.
