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:
Third Eternal Baptist Church celebrates installation of Pastor Hal Hopkins
On Sunday, March 30, Third Eternal Baptist Church in Philadelphia installed Pastor Hal Hopkins as their senior pastor. Dr. Larry Anderson, BRN director of church advancement and evangelism and senior pastor at Great Commission Church, and Dr. Jerome Coleman, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Crestmont, served as guest speakers at the installation service. Congratulations to Third Eternal Baptist Church and Pastor Hal Hopkins for this installation and exciting new season of ministry. May the Lord pour out His blessings on you!
Zion and FBC Clarion youth students combine for mission night opportunity
Youth students at Zion Church in Clarion, Pa., recently combined with students from First Baptist Church of Clarion for a mission night. Two students shared their testimonies and a brief message about resilient faith. Afterwards, the students baked cookies to bless the nurses at the local hospital and painted encouraging gifts for patients as they go through their appointments. How awesome it is to see the next generation caring like Christ!
Thompsontown Baptist sends team to Virginia Beach for Send Relief Serve Tour
Thompsontown Baptist Church in Thompsontown, Pa., sent a team of volunteers to Virginia Beach to participate in SEND Relief’s Serve Tour, March 28-29. The team primarily served the Norfolk, Virginia, community by digging, laying block, and installing a retaining wall at the local food pantry. On the trip, volunteers had the opportunity to live out the gospel and share it with those they were serving. What an awesome way to serve together!
Nebo Baptist Church blesses community with monthly food distribution
On April 2, Nebo Baptist Church in Nanticoke, Pa., hosted its monthly food and produce distribution. From 4-6 p.m., community members in need of food could come to the church and select nonperishable and produce items that would benefit them throughout the month. What a great way to serve your community!
Philadelphia pastors continue Good Friday tradition of taking Jesus to the streets
On April 18, Pastor Nathaniel Holder Sr., senior pastor of St. John Memorial Baptist Church, is teaming up with seven other Philadelphia pastors and churches to take the message of the gospel to the streets in observation of Good Friday.
Each pastor will have a designated street/block and this time of outdoor worship will take place from 12-3 p.m. All are encouraged and welcome to attend! BRN churches or pastors can contact Pastor Holder at nhold@aol.com for more information.
Baptisms:
Thirteen baptized and six saved at Cross Creek Community Church in Trucksville, Pa.
It was a Sunday of celebration at Cross Creek Community Church in Trucksville, Pa., on March 30 as 13 people went public with their faith in Jesus through baptism, including one responding after the service! Six people also gave their life to Christ during the worship service. Praise the Lord for these baptisms and salvations, and for all He is doing at Cross Creek! Please join us in celebrating with these individuals and the entire Cross Creek church family.
Ministry Milestones:
One Hope Church in Absecon, New Jersey, rejoices over six years of ministry
On Sunday, March 30, One Hope Church in Absecon, New Jersey, celebrated their sixth anniversary. Congratulations One Hope Church on this ministry milestone! We praise God for His faithfulness to you and for your continued pursuit of Him and His Kingdom!
Collegiate Corner:
College students continue Hurricane Helene clean up
College students from Delaware Valley University and Montgomery County Community College spent their Spring Break helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. In September of 2024, Helene caused 30-foot river swells that wiped out everything in its path and flooded the entire downtown area.
During their time in NC, students helped with tree branch clean up and flood debris removal, filling up many dumpsters. They were excited to operate chainsaws and leaf blowers. In the evenings, students played group games, enjoyed a time of worship and devotionals, and visited Gem Mountain and a local horse farm.
“We were so thankful that a small group from Penn State and an adult group from Keystone Fellowship joined us. Our groups really bonded, and we look forward to doing many more mission trips together. Thanks for all your prayers and support,” said Brady Rennix, Greater Philadelphia campus missionary.
For more stories and details from this college crew, visit the NAMB Greater Philadelphia – Campus Ministries Facebook page.
Students from PennWest California and Clarion team up for Spring Break mission
During their Spring Break week, students from PennWest California and PennWest Clarion teamed up to serve in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The students helped with flood relief efforts, including the moving and rebuilding of a porch that was damaged by the water. They also engaged with homeowners and prayed with those they were serving. What a blessing it is to see the next generation serving for the sake of 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!
