This Week in the BRN Family 08.10.23

BRN churches connect with their communities; evangelism grants fuel intentional gospel conversations; and MANY celebrate new life through baptism - it's an exciting week in the BRN family!

August 10, 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:

Kids at Edgewood Church saddle up and learn about purpose during multi-day camp at New Brighton ranch

Edgewood Church in Beaver Falls, Pa., recently held a multi-day camp for their children/youth at Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch in New Brighton, Pa. The kids had a great time filling their days with fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, woodworking, and, best of all, learning about Jesus and how God created them with purpose!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Windham Summit Bible Church builds bridges by packing lunches

For four weeks, Windham Summit Bible Church served their community by packing lunches for kids at one of the public schools in Rome, Pa. Read More

Rolling Hills Church connects with Verona community at Penn Hills SummerFest

Rolling Hills Church in Verona, Pa., partnered with Penn Hills Parks and Recreation to serve at Penn Hills SummerFest, a community wide event. The church connected with its community by providing games, crafts, snow cones, and plenty of conversation!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: FBC of New Holland blesses local law enforcement and community at National Night Out

On Aug. 1, First Baptist Church of New Holland served the New Holland police and the community by passing out snow cones and engaging in gospel conversations. Read More

BRN Executive Board member and senior pastor featured in Lifeway Bible study

Dr. Jerome Coleman, BRN Executive Board member and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Crestmont, was recently featured on the cover of Lifeway’s summer 2023 edition of YOU as well as YOU – Leader Pack. According to Lifeway, the YOU study was created by and for members of urban and multicultural church communities. Its goal is to help individuals connect deep Bible study to daily experiences. Each edition of YOU features real people on the cover and real stories inside! Learn More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Mother Daughter Luncheon stirs up gospel conversations at Harvest Church – Indiana

During the spring, Harvest Church – Indiana treated women in their community, including those who do not attend Harvest, to a Mother Daughter Luncheon and a special gospel presentation. Read More

Walnut Creek Baptist Church in Erie, Pa., celebrates pastor’s retirement after 24 years of faithful ministry

On Aug. 6, Walnut Creek Baptist Church in Erie, Pa., celebrated the retirement of Pastor Fred Ayers and his wife, Ann. Pastor Fred and Ann served Walnut Creek and the Erie community for 24 faithful years! Pastor Denny Adkinson, former worship leader at Walnut Creek, and his wife, Hannah, will be taking over for Pastor Ayers and Ann.

In a Facebook post commemorating his retirement, Ayers said, “As we pass the torch to Pastor Denny Adkinson and his wife Hannah, we do so with full hearts and a sense of excitement for the future. We whole heartedly support them as they step into their roles, and we can’t wait to see the incredible journey that God has in store for Walnut Creek Baptist Church in the upcoming months and years.”

Congratulations, Fred and Ann! We are so grateful for the Kingdom work you have done and are excited for what the Lord has next for you in this new season!

Baptisms

Sun, sand and salvation – Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship in Sicklerville, NJ, celebrates beach baptisms

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship in Sicklerville, New Jersey, celebrated new life under the sun and in the ocean as they baptized nine individuals at the beach on Aug. 6! Please join us in celebrating with these new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Philadelphia Bible Church International wraps up family retreat with five baptisms

From Aug. 4-6, Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) hosted Family Camp at Bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle, Pa. The weekend gave families the opportunity to rest and connect with the Lord as well as celebrate multiple baptisms! At the end of the weekend, PBCI saw five individuals publicly proclaim their faith in Christ through baptism. Please join us in celebrating with these individuals as well as the whole PBCI church family!

Several go public with their faith in Jesus at Keystone Fellowship South Jersey

Keystone Fellowship South Jersey in Sewell, New Jersey, recently saw several individuals publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus by being baptized! Praise the Lord for these new brothers and sisters in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the Keystone Fellowship family.

Many are washed by the water at Catalyst Church in Altoona, Pa.

Earlier this week, Catalyst Church in Altoona, Pa., witnessed several individuals say ‘yes’ to Jesus and be washed by the water! Please join us in welcoming these new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Keystone Montgomeryville witnesses ‘priceless’ joy as parents baptize children

On Sunday, Aug. 6, Keystone Montgomeryville in North Wales, Pa., held an outdoor baptism celebration with 13 people declaring that they are followers of Jesus through obedience in baptism! The church shared that a special part of the celebration was the many parents that baptized their children. The look of joy on the faces of the moms and dads was priceless. Please join us in celebrating with these individuals and their families!

Two students publicly proclaim their faith through baptism at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa.

On Sunday, Aug. 6, two youth students – Kourtney Zimmerman and Van Spangler – at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., took the next step in their faith and were baptized! Please join us in celebrating with Kourtney and Van!

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.