BRN Disaster Relief crew sends two teams of volunteers to Kentucky; How you can pray and give

Disaster Relief teams from Pennsylvania and South Jersey help flood victims recover from devastation and offer the hope of Christ.

August 11, 2022
Macala Mays

ELKHORN CITY, KY (BRN) – Since the end of July, Kentucky has experienced devastating flooding, with many residents losing their homes, belongings and, in some circumstances, their loved ones.

To help those impacted by this natural disaster, the Baptist Resource Network’s (BRN) Disaster Relief (DR) team has prepped two groups of volunteers from Pennsylvania and South Jersey to go and serve.

The first team arrived in Kentucky on Aug. 6, and will wrap up their efforts tomorrow in Eastern Kentucky, while the second team will arrive this weekend to follow up on the work Team One has started.

Team One from Pennsylvania/South Jersey consists of eight out of 61 Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers working this week with Alabama Disaster Relief to serve the flood-affected residents of Pike County, Kentucky.

So far, the DR volunteers have nearly completed one job and started a second. Team Two from Pa. and S. Jersey will arrive on Saturday to begin their efforts. They will remain in Kentucky until Friday, Aug. 19.

How to pray:

Pray for a powerful spiritual awakening to come out of this response
Pray for strong teams of volunteers from BRN and partner state conventions
Pray for wise leadership
Pray for safe travel and protection from injury on the job
Pray for the joy of the Lord to overflow from the labors of SBDR Volunteers

How to give:

Give Your Time – There is always a need for more DR volunteers! If you are a trained DR volunteer or a chaplain interested in helping with the Kentucky flood-relief efforts, email BRN Disaster Relief director Kenton Hunt at disasterrelief@brnunited.org.
Give Financially – Every little bit helps our teams have what they need to serve well. If you’d like to give financially to the DR efforts in Kentucky, visit the BRN’s Disaster Relief donation page.

Learn More Give

If you’re interested in getting involved with DR efforts, such as the flood clean-up in Kentucky, you can learn more or start your volunteer training today at brnunited.org/dr.

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.