This Week in the BRN Family 04.06.23

BRN churches in South Jersey gather to encourage leaders of the next generation; BRN pastors enjoy a time of respite; and churches prepare for the Easter season with special services and egg hunts - it's an encouraging week in the BRN family!

April 6, 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:

BRN South Jersey churches and pastors gather to identify and encourage leaders of the next generation

On Sunday, April 2, the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) hosted a gathering of seven South Jersey churches. The BRN asked the pastors of these churches to identify and invite the next generation leaders in their churches to this special event. Five of those pastors were able to attend and a total of 26 young leaders attended. The goal of the event was to gather together in one space and encourage the future kingdom leaders of our region! The seven churches represented were Keystone Fellowship – South Jersey, Legacy 242, Fellowship CrossPoint, The SOAR Church, The SOAR Church – Atlantic County, Delval East and One Hope Church.

Women from Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship reflect on God’s goodness at weekend retreat

Recently, ladies from Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship in Sicklerville, New Jersey, enjoyed a time of retreating and fellowship in Cape May. They spent time learning to be in awe of the Lord and what He does for us.

BRN pastors hit the court for some one-on-one time

Pastors in the Philly area recently gathered together to watch the Philadelphia 76ers and enjoy a time of rest and fellowship!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Restored Church witnesses seeds planted in Wilkes-Barre community through Anti-Human Trafficking Workshop

Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., utilized evangelism grant funds to host an Anti-Human Trafficking Workshop for their community and regional leaders. more

Memorial Baptist Church in Gettysburg, Pa., launches ‘Care Challenge’

In an effort to show Christ’s love to their neighbors, Memorial Baptist Church in Gettysburg, Pa., is challenging its church family to a new “Care Challenge” every two weeks. The current challenge is to collect coloring books and crayons to distribute to local ER and urgent care centers. Memorial Baptist is also inviting fellow BRN churches to participate in these care challenges in their own communities. Let us know through our News Tips page if you complete a challenge!

Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa., gathers for Palm Sunday services and Easter egg hunt

On Sunday, April 2, Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa., not only celebrated Palm Sunday, but also found and collected Easter eggs! Kids and parents enjoyed a time of worship followed by an Easter egg hunt around the church property.

Baptisms

Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., sees three go public with their faith through baptism

On Sunday, April 2, three adults went public with their faith in Jesus by being baptized at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa. The baptisms were introduced with video testimonies from each person telling their story of faith. Please join us in celebrating with these brothers and sister 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.