This Week in the BRN Family 05.18.23

BRN leaders gather to cast vision for multiplying churches; churches bless moms for Mother's Day; and the PA/NJ Disaster Relief team serves members from PA's Department of Human Services - it's an exciting week in the BRN family!

May 18, 2023
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 leaders gather in State College to cast vision for multiplying churches and ministry across PA/SJ

From Monday, May 15, to Tuesday, May 16, Several BRN church leaders gathered at Calvary Church in State College, Pa., to discuss how to better multiply disciples, leaders, new ministries, and new churches across our two-state region. The BRN’s vision is to see 70-75 Multiplying Churches across PA/SJ by the year 2028!

Sisters of Strength treat moms to Mother’s Day brunch at Calvary Christian Church

On Saturday May 13, Sisters of Strength, the women’s ministry at Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pa., hosted a Mother’s Day brunch to bless the moms and women in their community!

Philadelphia Bible Church International prays over moms on Mother’s Day

In honor of Mother’s Day, Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) in Philadelphia, Pa., took time during their worship service to recognize and pray over all the moms in their church! The children and youth of PBCI also blessed the mothers with special music.

Kids at Thompsontown Baptist create special dining experience for moms

On Saturday May 13, the kids at Thompsontown Baptist Church in Thompsontown, Pa., grabbed their aprons and got to work, preparing a delicious Mother’s Day dinner for the moms in their church! The men and youth also pitched in, giving the kids a hand in the kitchen and serving the moms.

Harvest House Community Fellowship hosts Ladies Conference during Mother’s Day weekend

On May 13, Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., hosted its 2023 Ladies Conference. The day was filled with time of fellowship, good food, door prizes, and a special word from guest speaker Elise McClelland. Harvest House is grateful for all who attended!

PA/NJ Disaster Relief team serves PA Department of Human Services with new Rapid Response Kitchen

On May 17, Pennsylvania/New Jersey’s Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) debuted their Rapid Response Kitchen to the public at an exercise sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

SBDR volunteers prepared picnic food for the attendees, which they served on-site. They also displayed the big kitchen, a shower and laundry unit, and a recovery unit. Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, acting secretary of Human Services, as well as several other DHS employees and partners, viewed the equipment and enjoyed the lunch.

Baptisms

Garwood Baptist Church sees two go public with their faith in Christ

On May 14, Garwood Baptist Church in Daisytown, Pa., celebrated two individuals taking the next step in following Christ through baptism. Please join us in celebrating with Hope and Tom as well as the whole Garwood Baptist 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.