This Week in the BRN Family 02.02.23

Campus ministries host outreach events to reach the NextGen; a BRN church distributes hundreds of care bags; and churches celebrate several baptisms - it's an exciting week in the BRN family!

February 2, 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:

NewLife campus ministry in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, kicks off spring semester with campus worship night

NewLife campus ministry at Lock Haven University (LHU) in Lock Haven, Pa., – a. ministry supported by BRN affiliate Big Woods Bible Church – collaborated with other LHU campus ministries to host an all-campus worship night for students. Those who came witnessed student testimonies, had the opportunity to worship on campus and heard the gospel!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Baptist Campus Ministries at Drexel University witness an increase of Christian students

Through various outreach events funded by BRN evangelism grants, BCMs at Drexel University in Philadelphia see an increase in Christian student involvement. more

Thompsontown Baptist Church’s ‘God Squad’ gets to work with paint and pizza

The youth – affectionately named the ‘God Squad’ – at Thompsontown Baptist Church in Thompsontown, Pa., served their church on Feb. 1. The students grabbed paint brushes and went to work, refurbishing church walls and rooms. They were, of course, rewarded with some pizza and time together!

First Baptist Church of Delaware distributes hundreds of care bags to community members

First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, recently showed love to their community by distributing “Adopt My Neighborhood” care bags. The church gave away hundreds of bags as well as “Who’s on your Watch” watches donated from the Baptist Resource Network!

Baptisms

Multiple commit to Jesus through baptism at Saint John Memorial Baptist in Philadelphia, Pa.

Saint John Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., baptized several individuals last Sunday, Jan. 29, who decided to take the next step in following Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with them and the Saint John Memorial church family!

Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., sees one go public with following Jesus

On Jan. 29, Alyssa Flahart, a youth member at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., publicly proclaimed her faith in Jesus through baptism! Please join us in celebrating with Alyssa and her church family!

In Memoriam

Jackie Quoss

Jackie Quoss, 58, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 27, after battling lymphoma. Jackie was married to Pastor Jim Quoss for 37 years and served alongside him as the first lady of Freedom Biker Church in York, Pa., where she impacted many lives with her love for Jesus. She is survived by her husband and son, Jesse Quoss. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Freedom Biker Church in York, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.

The BRN expresses its deepest condolences to Pastor Quoss, Jesse, Jackie’s family and the Freedom Biker Church family. BRN family, please join us in praying for Jackie’s loved ones during this time.

Read the full obituary here.

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.