CP Stories: Joseph and Kristen Gibbons, Las Vegas

Missionaries Joseph and Kristen Gibbons left their home in Alabama to reach those living in Las Vegas and the surrounding areas with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

April 15, 2024
Macala Mays

“When people think of Vegas, they think it’s just casinos,” says Kristen. “But families live here. And we didn’t fall in love with the Strip. We fell in love with the people.”

In 2020, the Gibbons left their home in Alabama to plant Favor City Church in Henderson, Nevada.

“The people who run the Strip live in the surrounding communities,” says Joseph. “And we wanted to meet them in their fast-paced lives and slow things down enough so the gospel could sink in.”

“…People here are wide open to spiritual conversations. As a result, we’ve seen entire families give their lives to Christ. It’s been incredible.”

The Cooperative Program (CP) takes the Gospel to the nations and the neighborhoods. Your financial support through CP and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering gives missionaries the resources they need to reach their communities with the Gospel of Jesus.

Pray that God would give the Gibbons’ the Wisdom to effectively disciple new believers.

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.