This Week in the BRN Family 01.11.24

Evangelism grants and hunger fund grants aid BRN churches in reaching their communities; we celebrate ministry milestones; and three are baptized - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

January 11, 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:

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Families seek Christ through Christmas Quest at Keystone Montgomeryville

During the Christmas season, Keystone Montgomeryville gave local families the opportunity to seek the true meaning of Christmas through their Kids Christmas Quest outreach event. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Agape International Baptist fills up community through free gas event

Through a free gas outreach event, Agape International Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., served their neighbors and shared the gospel. Read More

HUNGER FUND GRANT: Partnership plays role in The Foundry’s ‘widest’ reach in years

The Foundry in Wallingford, Pa., impacted five different groups of children in 2023 with the help of the BRN, NC Baptists and a Hunger Fund Grant. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Restored Church reaches growing Hispanic community with gospel materials

A BRN evangelism grant helps Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., share the gospel with the city’s growing Hispanic community. Read More

HUNGER FUND GRANT: River City Church provides Thanksgiving meals for community members

River City Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., uses funds from a BRN Hunger Fund Grant to provide more than 175 free Thanksgiving meals for their neighbors. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: The Vine Calvary Chapel sees fruit from community VBS block party

VBS and a community block party leads the way for The Vine Calvary Chapel in Schnecksville, Pa., to share the good news of Jesus with their neighbors! Read More

Baptisms

Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., begins new year with three baptisms

On Sunday, Jan. 7, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., celebrated Aiden Shifflett and Criag and Crystal Bennett going public with their faith in Jesus! Please join us in rejoicing with these new brothers and sister in Christ and the whole Wrightsdale Baptist Church family!

Ministry Milestones

BRN recognizes team work anniversaries and birthdays

Wednesday, Jan. 10, was a day of celebration at the BRN Hub! The Baptist Resource Network recognized Stan Williams, director of BRN Next Collegiate Ministry, for his 20th anniversary and Lori Zeppuhar, BRN Hub support, for her 4th anniversary of service to the BRN! We are so grateful for Stan and Lori’s faithfulness to advancing the Kingdom in Pennsylvania/South Jersey! Congratulations to both of you!

The BRN team also celebrated two birthdays – Happy Birthday Dr. Larry Anderson and Laurel Grimes! We praise the Lord for the gift you both are to our team and so many others!

Collegiate Corner

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: New Life at PennWest California takes new evangelistic approach to former event

New Life campus ministry at PennWest California in California, Pa., revamps annual Pancakesgiving Fest to collaborate with university clubs and intentionally share the gospel. 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.