This Week in the BRN Family 03.30.23

BRN churches host ministry opportunities for men and women; a New Jersey youth group donates to local charity; and we celebrate many being washed by the water - it's a fruitful week in the BRN family!

March 31, 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:

The SOAR Church – Atlantic County in Richland, New Jersey, launches ‘I’m That Guy’ men’s breakfast series

On Saturday, March 25, The SOAR Church – Atlantic County in Richland, New Jersey, hosted its first “I’m That Guy” men’s breakfast event. Men of the church and of the community enjoyed classic breakfast foods, fellowship, and a word from Pastor White of Truth Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. SOAR Church hopes to do another men’s breakfast soon!

First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church takes churchwide trip to Bible Museum

Members of First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., traveled to Washington, D.C., last weekend to visit the Bible Museum. The group enjoyed seeing the Bible come to life and an encouraging time together!

Cornerstone Fellowship in Erial, New Jersey, donates to local charity in memory of little girl

Cornerstone Fellowship in Erial, New Jersey, partnered with Unforgotten Haven, a charity organization in Blackwood, New Jersey, to donate baby supplies in memory of a little girl who was a part of their community. The Cornerstone Fellowship youth group assembled a total of 35 baby blessing bags for the charity to give out to families in need.

Sisters of Strength celebrate Women’s History Month at Calvary Christian Church

On March 18, Sisters of Strength Women’s Ministry of Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pa., held their first event to celebrate Women’s History Month. Women enjoyed a word from guest speaker Sherrie Joseph of Bethesda Christian Fellowship Church of God as well as a refreshing time of fellowship with old and new friends!

Millcreek Community Church in Erie, Pa., takes in three new members

On Sunday, March 26, Millcreek Community Church (MCC) in Erie, Pa., had the privilege of welcoming three new members into their church family. Praise the Lord for these new members and for a growing church family!

Baptisms

Edgewood Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, celebrates several proclaiming Christ through baptism

On March 26, Edgewood Church in Beaver Falls, Pa., celebrated water baptism and church membership. The church witnessed several individuals give their testimonies and be washed by the water as well as multiple people commit to being members at Edgewood. Please join us in celebrating with these brothers and sisters in Christ as well as with the whole Edgewood Church family!

Eight are washed by the water at First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware

On Sunday, March 26, at First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, eight individuals took the next step in following Christ by publicly proclaiming their faith through baptism! Please join us in celebrating with these brothers and sisters in Christ!

In Memoriam

Havard Pannebaker

Havard Pannebaker, 74, went to be with the Lord on Feb. 20, 2023. During his retirement years, Havard served as an interim pastor at Paoli Baptist Church – now known as The Dwelling Place – in Paoli, Pa. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at The Dwelling Place in Paoli, Pa. Those interested in attending the Celebration of Life luncheon are asked to RSVP by emailing Cindy Mauldin at onconurse72@yahoo.com or by calling (610) 613-6638. The full obituary, provided by Henson-Novak Funeral Services, can be viewed here.

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.