Open Arms Church will host a luncheon on Sunday, Aug. 20, that features a talk about missionary work by Rich and Laurie Sheriff. 

The event will take place at the auditorium located in Open Arms and will start at 12:30 pm.

“It is so exciting to see the work that Rich and Laurie are doing in Chile,” Open Arms Church Pastor Zoe Hatcher said. “They began planting their house church long before they anticipated because local people sought them out as soon as they arrived. The people of Concepcion were so hungry for the Good News and the church to come, that God blessed their community with support and growth right from the start. We are honored as a church to support and pray for this ministry and are excited to celebrate together what God is doing in Chile.”

The Sheriffs are dedicated servants who are stationed in San Pedro de la Paz, on the outskirts of Concepción, which happens to be Chile’s second-largest city and largest seaport area. Their ministry, known as Celebration of Hope or Celebración de la Esperanza in Spanish, aims to bring joy and optimism to the lives of individuals in need.

Rich brings a wealth of experience to his role, serving as an elder in the Keystone Conference of the Free Methodist Church. Having dedicated years to pastoring in the United States and leading short-term mission teams around the world, he and Laurie were personally invited by the Chilean Conference of the Free Methodist Church to expand their efforts and establish bilingual churches in Chile. In addition to church planting, the Sheriffs actively engage in leadership development and programs for local Free Methodist pastors, families, and churches.

During the event at Open Arms, Rich and Laurie Sheriff will share their experiences and provide insight into the work they are undertaking in Chile. Lunch will be provided. 

The event is open to the public, and admission is free. 

To learn more about this event or for additional information, contact Open Arms at 814-368-8846 or reach out via email at bradford@oachurch.com.