This Week in the BRN Family 02.13.25

Churches use Super Bowl Sunday as an outreach opportunity; 'Night to Shine' events bless special needs communities across PA; and many go public with their faith in Jesus - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

February 13, 2025
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:

St. John Memorial partners with PA State Representative to bless Northeast Philly on Super Bowl Sunday

On Super Bowl Sunday, St. John Memorial Baptist Church and Pastor Nate Holder partnered with PA State Representative Jared Solomon and several local businesses and organizations to bless the Northeast Philadelphia community and its residents who were impacted by the recent tragic plane crash. Through this event, St. John Memorial and partnering organizations were able to supply food, clothing, household items, toys, Bibles, and, of course, prayer. Thank you to all who made this event possible!

Wrightsdale Baptist youth bring ‘A’ game for annual Spaghetti Bowl fundraiser

For years, the youth at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., have put a unique spin on Super Bowl Sunday by using the big game day to host a Spaghetti Bowl for the whole church! During the event, Wrightsdale youth students provide a delicious pasta dinner, while church members are encouraged to donate to the youth’s summer camp fund. This year as the church enjoyed their meal, they heard testimonies from students who had previously attended Crossings Camp at Skycroft Conference Center in Frederick, Maryland.

Delval Women’s Ministry provides ladies with a night of comfort and Christ

On Feb. 7, the Women’s Ministry at Delaware Valley (Delval) Baptist Church in Willingboro, New Jersey, hosted a Pajama Party for the women in their church and community! This creative event treated women to a night of discipleship, games, crafts, and encouragement in the gospel.

PBCI spreads the love by hosting Valentines Party

Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) in Philadelphia celebrated Valentine’s Day a few days early as the church hosted a Valentines Party on Feb. 7 at The Buck Hotel. All those who attended enjoyed a night of dining, dancing, and fellowshipping! Guests also heard an encouraging word from Pastor Tim Spears.

Catalyst Church Altoona rolls out the red carpet and celebrates special needs community at ‘Night to Shine’

Last weekend, Catalyst Church in Altoona, Pa., rolled out the red carpet and cued the music for a “Night to Shine.” The church spent the evening celebrating and serving those in their community with special needs. Those in attendance rode in style on a party bus, enjoyed the dance floor, and, of course, were crowned as the Kings and Queens of the evening!

Riverbend Community Church organizes ‘Night to Shine’ event for Lehigh Valley special needs community

Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa., partnered with local organizations in the Lehigh Valley region to host a memorable “Night to Shine” for 200 people with special needs on Feb. 7. The prom-like event included a red carpet entrance for each guest, hair, make up, shoe shining, massages for caregivers, food, and plenty of dancing!

Baptisms:

Zion Church keeps baptism tank full as several go public with their faith in Jesus

Over the past couple weeks, Zion Church, which has campuses in Clarion County, Jefferson County, and Petroleum Valley (all in Pennsylvania), has filled their baptism tank and celebrated baptisms week after week! Praise the Lord for these lives that have been transformed by Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with these brothers and sisters in Christ and the entire Zion Church family.

Husband baptizes wife and daughter at Garwood Baptist

On Feb. 2, Garwood Baptist Church in Daisytown, Pa., celebrated two very special baptisms. During the Sunday morning worship, the church witnessed Loralee and her mom, Cathy, be baptized by Loralee’s dad! Praise the Lord for this family and these two women publicly declaring their faith in Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Garwood Baptist Church family.

Redeeming Grace holds baptisms second week in a row

For the second week in a row, Redeeming Grace Church in Bethel Park, Pa., celebrated baptism! Last week, the church baptized four individuals, and on Sunday, Feb. 9, they rejoiced over three more baptisms! Praise the Lord for all He is doing at Redeeming Grace! Please join us in celebrating with those who were baptized and the entire Redeeming Grace Church family.

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.