This Week in the BRN Family 08.29.24

Churches bless students and families with backpack giveaways; BRN evangelism grants fuel outreach events; and we celebrate more brothers and sisters going public with their faith in Jesus - it's a beautiful week in the BRN Family!

August 29, 2024
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:

Keystone North Church partners with local school for ‘Back to School Bash’

On Aug. 24, Keystone North Church in North Wales, Pa., partnered with a local elementary school to host a Back to School Bash for students and families. The church served these families by giving away free backpacks, school supplies and personal care packages, offering free haircuts and providing a light breakfast for those in attendance. What an awesome way to bless your community!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Restored Church trains and sends out youth

Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., invested three days into training their youth and then sent out students for a week-long mission trip in their city. Read More

The Foundry blesses 45 kids with backpacks and school supplies

Last week, The Foundry Church in Wallingford, Pa., blessed 45 kids at a soccer summer camp with new backpacks and school supplies. This outreach helped the church build a relationship with the Chester Upland Youth Soccer organization as well as with the families who benefited from the giveaway. What a great way to love your neighbors!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Harambe Baptist Church blesses community with picnic and care bags

The Lord held off the rain in Philadelphia, Pa., for Harambe Baptist’s community picnic on July 13. Through the event, the church was able to giveaway essential items and share the gospel with their neighbors. Read More

God’s Field Church serves and prays with those at Ambridge soup kitchen

Earlier this week, God’s Field Church in Ambridge, Pa., had the opportunity to cook and serve for almost 100 people at their local soup kitchen! The outreach event gave the church an opportunity to serve and pray with many of their neighbors. The event was hosted by the Men’s D-Life Group at God’s Field. The group has a goal to complete a community project every two months. Awesome job God’s Field!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: New Hope Baptist shares gospel at Duncansville Community Days

New Hope Baptist Church in Duncansville, Pa., set up shop at Duncansville Community Days with evangecubes and a willingness to share the gospel, July 19-20. Read More

Baptisms:

Altoona First Southern Baptist rejoices over nine baptisms

On Sunday, Aug. 25, Altoona First Southern Baptist in Altoona, Pa., celebrated not one, not two, but nine individuals going public with their faith in Jesus! The church gathered at the Bellwood-Antis Community Pool to witness these baptisms. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Altoona First Southern Baptist Church family.

Four are baptized at Keystone Fellowship – South Jersey

Keystone Fellowship – South Jersey in Sewell, New Jersey, recently celebrated four baptisms! It was a beautiful night of prayer, testimonies, fellowship – and baptism! Please join us in celebrating with these four individuals and the entire Keystone Fellowship South Jersey family.

In the News:

Local paper recognizes Big Woods Bible Church for ministry milestone

Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven, Pa., recently celebrated 40 years of God’s faithfulness as well as 40 years of serving the Lock Haven community. An article written by our own Macala Mays, Associate Editor of BRN United, about the church’s ministry milestone was featured in the local newspaper, The Lock Haven Express. Read More

The Foundry is highlighted by local soccer group for backpack giveaway

Last week, The Foundry Church in Wallingford, Pa., blessed 45 kids at a soccer summer camp with new backpacks and school supplies. The church was then featured in an article on Chester Upland Youth Soccer’s website for their generous donation! Read 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.