Bradford, PA – Open Arms Community Church, a Free Methodist congregation, is set to swap buildings with the First Baptist Church of Bradford in a unique and transformative partnership that will enhance their ability to serve the community. The move, scheduled for Spring 2025, will see Open Arms relocating from its current location at 1289 East Main Street in Foster Township to the First Baptist Church building at 71 Congress Street in downtown Bradford.

This unprecedented swap began in September 2023, when Pastor Jeremy Childs of First Baptist approached Open Arms’ Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher about the possibility of exchanging properties. Both churches are debt-free and have seen an opportunity to better align their facilities with their growing ministry needs. Neither congregation is seeking financial gain from the transaction; rather, the swap aims to create a more effective environment for worship, outreach, and community engagement.
“We were excited to hear about the opportunity,” said Pastor Hatcher. “Their congregation was looking for a smaller space to maintain, and we were in need of more room for our growing congregation. After prayerful consideration and discussions with our Leadership Team, we agreed to explore the feasibility of the swap.”
The leadership teams of both churches, along with denominational advisors and legal advisors, have worked together to assess the logistics of the move. Multiple building inspections and financial projections were conducted, and both congregations voted in favor of the swap. Open Arms members voted in favor in August, and First Baptist Church followed suit in September.

“We are thrilled to be moving into the heart of downtown Bradford,” said Pastor Hatcher. “Much of our outreach and ministry work already takes place downtown, and this move will allow us to expand our impact and serve even more effectively. Our goal is to use the new space as a ministry hub, partnering with local organizations to meet the needs of the community and share the transformative love of Jesus.”
Pastor Zoe Hatcher expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the two congregations. “I’ve been deeply moved by the grace of God throughout this process. Pastor Jeremy and the leadership of First Baptist have been incredibly gracious. We both truly desire to see the community of Bradford reached with the Gospel, and if this is a way that both ministries can do this more effectively, then what a wonderful solution. My prayer is to see more churches work toward their goals across denominational lines in a way that blesses other churches as well. We all win in the end when God’s people release the hold we have over our “stuff” (or rather the hold that it can have on us) and seek to carry out His mission, whatever it takes!”

“The process of swapping buildings with Open Arms has reminded us in a fresh way that the church is the people, not the building where we meet,” says Jeremy Childs, Pastor of First Baptist Church. “Our building has been a useful ministry tool for us for 84 years, and we are grateful for it. But so much of our ministry happens outside those walls. It made sense for our church to give that building to someone who could better utilize it and maintain it, and move into something more sustainable for us. We believe the building on East Main Street will be the perfect space for First Baptist Church to continue her work of helping people take steps towards Jesus.”
Both congregations are now focused on completing the legal and denominational steps required for the property transfer. The official move is scheduled for Spring 2025, and both churches are committed to ensuring a smooth transition, with no interruption to services during the move. Pastor Childs shares, “Open and honest communication between the two churches has made a challenging process much easier.”
In anticipation of their upcoming move in Spring 2025, Open Arms Community Church will soon announce the launch of a new capital campaign, Church for All. This initiative will focus on preparing the church for its new location and ensuring it is equipped to serve the community in even more impactful ways.

Details regarding the opening dates of both new locations will be announced closer to the move.