This Week in the BRN Family 03.02.23

College ministries across PA/SJ recognize National Collegiate Day of Prayer; the BRN team celebrates a ministry milestone; and multiple declare new life in Christ through baptism - it's a celebratory week in the BRN family!

March 2, 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:

NewLife students at Lock Haven University gather to pray on campus in observance of National Collegiate Day of Prayer

On Feb. 23, students a part of NewLife campus ministry at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pa., recognized National Collegiate Day of Prayer by setting aside time to pray with one another on campus.

Prayer spreads to four campuses in the Greater Philly area in honor of National Collegiate Day of Prayer

In honor of National Collegiate Day of Prayer, student ministries at Chestnut Hill College, Delaware Valley University (DelVal), Gwynedd Mercy University, and Montgomery County Community College (Montco) held different events. These events included praying with students, prayer walking, live streaming worship from Asbury University, and a worship and prayer night, at which nearly 50 students attended. NextGen Minister Brady Rennix also reported that one Montco student gave her life to Christ!

Ministers and choir members get festive in honor of Heritage Day at Calvary Christian Church

On Sunday, Feb. 26, the pastors and choir members at Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pa., dressed in beautiful, festive colors in honor of Heritage Day.

BRN team gathers and celebrates 10-year anniversary with director of church health and evangelism

On March 2, Baptist Resource Network (BRN) team members gathered at the BRN Hub in Harrisburg, Pa., to meet and discuss Kingdom work happening in Pennsylvania/South Jersey. During the meeting, the team also celebrated Dr. Larry Anderson, BRN director of church health and evangelism, for serving 10 years on the BRN staff! Congratulations, Dr. Anderson! We are blessed to have you on our team and grateful to work alongside you for the sake of the gospel! Here’s to the next 10 years!

First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, DE, loves neighbors with Baskets of Hope

Recently, members of First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, were grateful for the warm weather as they delivered Baskets of Hope to their neighbors.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Great Commission Church promotes the gospel through Hope 4 Philly event

Great Commission Church partnered with fellow BRN churches and community organizations in Philadelphia to host Hope 4 Philly outreach event. more

Baptisms

First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, witnesses God stirring hearts through baptism

Last Sunday (Feb. 26), First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, witnessed God stirring hearts through baptism as two women took the next step in following Christ. Please join us in welcoming these new sisters in Christ!

Rolling Hills Church in Verona, Pa., baptizes three and welcomes eight as new members

On Sunday, Feb. 26, Rolling Hills Church in Verona, Pa., baptized three individuals as well as welcomed eight people in as new members. Praise the Lord for this harvest! Please join us in celebrating with these new brothers and sisters in Christ!

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.