This Week in the BRN Family 01.19.23

A BRN church honors the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by serving their neighbors; another preps its new property; and several BRN churches pour into the next generation - it's a service filled week in the BRN family!

January 19, 2023
Macala Mays

This Week in the BRN Family shares quick highlights of BRN churches and ministries throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey loving their neighbors. Check out the latest happenings, baptisms, and accelerating Kingdom movement stories below:

First Baptist Church of Crestmont in Willow Grove, Pa., honors the life and legacy of MLK through day of service

On Jan. 16, First Baptist Church of Crestmont in Willow Grove, Pa., recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day by serving God, their church, and the community. Throughout the day, they honored the life and legacy of Rev. Martin L. King, Jr. by volunteering at the Montgomery County O.I.C. in Norristown. Adults and youth spent time cleaning and organizing a community food pantry, while others helped serve at the church.

The little ones also got into the day by participating in activities and programming, where they learned about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. First Baptist of Crestmont ended the day with a lunch with their Senior Saints, a discussion about Dr. King, and a word.

Crosspoint Baptist Church of Souderton in Souderton, Pa., relays truth to kids

On Jan. 18, Crosspoint Baptist Church of Souderton in Souderton, Pa., hosted a night of fun and relay races for the children in their church and community as part of their Kids4Truth ministry.

Edinboro Community Church in Edinboro, Pa., makes progress at new church property

Leaders, members, and kiddos of Edinboro Community Church in Edinboro, Pa., braved the cold earlier this week to spend some time cleaning and caring for their new church property.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Harvest Church launches Bible2School program to share the gospel with local elementary students

Under a federal time release law, Harvest Church in Kittanning, Pa., has found a way to get the gospel to kiddos in their local elementary schools. more

Be a part of This Week in the BRN Family

Have exciting things happening in your church!? Let us know so we can celebrate with you and share the good news with our BRN Family. Submit stories of your church accelerating Kingdom movement, loving their neighbors or celebrating baptisms on our News Tips page. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Macala Mays

In 2022, Macala Mays stepped into her current role as Associate Editor of BRN United and Podcast Producer for the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey (BRN). Before taking this position, she worked as a contracted Podcast Producer in 2021 and a freelance writer in 2020 for the BRN. During her time with the BRN, Macala Mays has produced three different podcast series, including 50 Stories of Transformation (2021-2022), The #LovePASJ Podcast (2022), and Celebrating Cooperative Missions (2023). She also has written over 60 articles for the BRN and has been nationally published by The Baptist Paper and Baptist Press. She is also a member of the Baptist Communicators Association (BCA).

Prior to working with the BRN, Macala interned at the State Capitol of Tennessee in the Publications Division under the office of Secretary of State. She also remotely wrote news for TalkErie, a radio station in Erie, Pa., and previously worked as a News Director/Producer for WJET-TV in Erie, Pa.

Macala Mays holds a master of arts in communications from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (EUP) as well as a bachelor of arts in journalism/public relations from EUP. During her graduate years, Macala worked as a Graduate Assistant and helped manage the on-campus radio station. She also served as a managing editor for the university’s newspaper, which led to an interest in music journalism.
Macala and her husband, Robbie, live in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, where they attend Big Woods Bible Church and Robbie serves as the Associate Pastor of Campus Ministry. Both Robbie and Macala find great joy in discipling and walking alongside college students at Lock Haven University.