Bradford, PA — Sam Childers, widely known as the “Machine Gun
Preacher,” whose life inspired the Hollywood movie bearing the same
name, is set to share his compelling story at two churches in Bradford
and Port Allegany.

Childers will be speaking at Open Arms Church, located at 1289 East
Main Street, Bradford, on Saturday, April 13, at 7 PM, and at Salt and
Light Community Church, situated at 115 Smith Ave, Port Allegany, on
Sunday, April 14, at 10 AM.

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 over 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.”

Tribe of Lions leader Josh Hatcher says that 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, with Hatcher
emphasizing, “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.