This Week in the BRN Family 02.15.24

BRN churches team up to bring A Night to Shine to the Lehigh Valley; Hispanic church planters partner together in prayer; and BRN evangelism grants aid churches in outreach events - it's an eventful week in the BRN family!

February 15, 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:

Night to Shine lights up the Lehigh Valley

On Friday, Feb. 9, Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa., and The Vine Calvary Chapel in Schnecksville, Pa., partnered to host one of the Lehigh Valley’s most anticipated annual events: A Night to Shine!

This year, the two churches saw 150 individuals with special needs attend the prom-like event and be celebrated for who God made them to be! Additionally, 297 volunteers from Riverbend, The Vine, and the community attended and served throughout the night to ensure a memorable experience for those who attended.

*Photos are courtesy of Emilee Chambers Photography.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Restored Church celebrates young mothers choosing life

On Jan. 28, Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., celebrated young mothers choosing life for their babies by hosting a group baby shower. Read More

Hispanic church planters in the Lehigh Valley region gather to pray and prepare

Three Hispanic church planters spared their Friday morning on Feb. 10 to spend time in prayer at Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa. These pastors discussed ways they can help each other as they plant in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. This area includes Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Please join us in praying for these brothers as they follow God’s call to plant churches and shepherd those in the Lehigh Valley.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Zion Church cares for local CYS staff with luncheon and gospel prayer

In December 2023, Zion Church in Clarion, Pa., used the Christmas season as an opportunity to show their appreciation for their community’s Children and Youth Services staff. Read More

Baptisms

Homecoming caps with baptism for one young man at Great Commission Church in Philadelphia, Pa.

Nearly a month ago, on Jan. 14, Great Commission Church (GCC) in Philadelphia celebrated the baptism of Enrique! Enrique attended GCC as a kid and recently, after being away for 12 years, returned home and surrendered his life to the Lord. Praise the Lord for this brother in Christ and for the seeds God used GCC to plant many years ago! Please join us in praying for Enrique as he continues his walk with the Lord and for the GCC family as they walk with him.

Harvest House Community Church celebrates baptism

Harvest House Community Church in Hornbrook, Pa., had an awesome time of fellowship celebrating their new brother going public with his faith! Harvest House’s building is still under construction but that did not stop the church from loving one another! Please join us in celebrating with this new brother and the whole Harvest House Community family!

In Memoriam

Theodore “Ted” Johnson

The Reverend Theodore “Ted” Johnson, former pastor of Harambe Baptist Church, Philadelphia, and the retired director of church strengthening at the Baptist Resource Network (formerly Baptist Convention of PA/SJ), passed away on Feb. 5. 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.