This Week in the BRN Family 04.28.22

Philadelphia churches hit the streets for Good Friday, a church plant doubles in size and multiple BRN churches make a splash with baptisms - God is on the move in our BRN Family!

April 29, 2022
Macala Mays

Every week, This Week in the BRN Family strives to share 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:

Philadelphia churches host Good Friday services in the streets

Several BRN churches in Philadelphia, including Ekklesia of North Philadelphia and St. John Memorial Baptist, teamed up to take Good Friday services to the streets and share the good news of Christ with their neighbors. more

East Shore Baptist Church uses BRN evangelism grant to host ‘Eggstravaganza’ event for children and families

The church was asking the Lord to bring between 75 -100 kids and, per usual, the Lord abundantly provided more – sending 450 kids to East Shore’s “Eggstravaganza!” They also had 20 families attend and request follow-up information, with one family specifically requesting to be discipled.

‘Let It Glow’ event at Harvest Church brings out 70+ youth

The ‘Let It Glow’ event allowed Harvest Church to create a fun atmosphere for community youth and share the gospel with all those who attended. more

Pray for Philadelphia pastors on mission in Zambia

Several pastors from BRN churches located in Philadelphia are serving in Zambia, Africa, teaching “Ask Me Why I’m Not in Church” to pastors, preaching in churches and participating in VBS and local outreach. This trip was organized by Pastor Ricky Wilson of Christian Faith Fellowship, Downingtown. Stay tuned for more stories!

Harborcreek Community Church doubles in size with new members

The northwestern, Pennsylvania church plant recently recognized 19 new members – doubling the size of their congregation! Join us in welcoming their new members!

Calvary Christian Church and BRN team member passes doctoral dissertation review

Pastor of Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia and BRN Church Health Consultant Rev. Robert Fontell officially passed his dissertation oral review and become DR. Robert Fontell last week! Congratulations Dr. Fontell! Your BRN family is proud of you!

BRN Communications Director wins national award at BCA conference

Our very own Communications Director Shannon Baker was recognized this week at the Baptist Communicators Association’s annual workshop for her work on the #LovePASJ Initiative. She received first place in the association’s Total Public Relations or Development Campaign category at the BCA’s award ceremony in New Orleans. Congratulations, Shannon! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Baptisms

Steel City celebrates Resurrection Sunday with several baptisms

Along with celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Steel City Church in Pittsburgh also had the opportunity to praise the Lord for new life as they baptized multiple individuals on Easter Sunday. Join us in celebrating with them and our new brothers and sisters in Christ!

Harvest Church Kittanning recognizes new life through baptism on Easter Sunday

Harvest Church was full of joy on Resurrection Sunday as they celebrated Jesus conquering death and the new life he gives though worship and a baptism. Join us in welcoming our new sister in Christ at Harvest Church!

Two are ‘washed by the water’ at Harborcreek Community Church

Harborcreek Community Church celebrated the baptisms of two people during the month of April. Join us in celebrating with the HCC 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.