This Week in the BRN Family 02.22.24

BRN evangelism grants help churches reach their communities; Churches spread the love to their neighbors for Valentine's Day; and college ministries grow in size and gospel presence - it's a joyful week in the BRN family!

February 22, 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: Keystone Fellowship pews see new faces after Party in the Park outreach

After their Party in the Park summer outreach, Keystone Fellowship – South Jersey, located in Sewell, New Jersey, saw new families attend worship, and even one single-mom come to Christ! Read More

PBCI spreads the love through Valentine’s Day Fellowship and Party

Two days after Valentine’s Day, Feb. 16, Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) spread the love to their community by hosting a Valentine’s Day Fellowship and Party at the Buck Hotel in Trevose, Pa. Families and singles were invited to enjoy a special dinner, hear a message from Pastor Jessie Arce, and spend time together with their loved ones.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Strategic evangelism leads to salvations at Restored Church

Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has trained several members in evangelism and discipleship through the Timothy Initiative. Now, the church is seeing fruit from this training as the body goes out and shares the gospel. Read More

Mission Groups at Wrightsdale Baptist Church make special Valentine’s Day delivery

Mission Groups at Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., delivered lots of love and handmade Valentine’s to the Quarryville Presbyterian Home last week! Adults and children alike participated and received many sweet, appreciative smiles from the home residents.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Harvest Church expands reach to Emlenton through carnival outreach

This past summer, a BRN evangelism grant aided Harvest Church – Petroleum Valley in facilitating gospel conversations at a carnival-like outreach event in Emlenton, Pa. Read More

Collegiate Corner:

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Ministry partnerships give growth to gospel presence at Drexel University

Drexel University Baptist Campus Ministries notice an increase in student involvement and an uptick in workers toiling the campus ground for the sake of the gospel. Read More

Campus ministry at PennWest Clarion out grows Bible study space

This semester, the NewLife/BASIC campus ministry at PennWest Clarion University keeps growing and growing! The group recently had to move their weekly Bible study into a bigger room, due to how many students are attending. The campus ministry has also opened the door to spiritual conversations by setting up a Soularium table on campus. Please join us in praying for this growing campus ministry as well as for the hearts of students to soften towards the gospel.

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.