This Week in the BRN Family 05.19.22

College ministries across PA/SJ and Baptist seminaries across the nation close the books on another semester; Youth events get colorful; and one BRN church provides refuge for a Ukrainian family - it's a full week in the BRN family!

May 19, 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:

BRN college ministries wrap up the spring semester with pancakes and pirates; Baptist seminaries send-off graduates to pursue Kingdom work

During the last two weeks, many of our college missionaries across Pennsylvania and South Jersey hosted end of the semester events, while Baptist seminaries across the nation parted ways with graduates, celebrating their accomplishments and praying for their futures. Congrats to all of our hardworking students/graduates!

Penn State NewLife’s “Breakfast Crew” wrapped up the semester by serving PSU students breakfast on their way to class. The college ministry also celebrated four of its students graduating.

California University NewLife students exchanged campus and finals for a day at the ballpark. They enjoyed fellowship with one another and the Pennsylvania tradition of watching the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lock Haven NewLife continued its tradition of “Midnight Pancakes” for LHU students during finals week. The college ministry and Big Woods Bible Church members stayed up late to flip some cakes and keep students motivated.

Montgomery County Community College rented out a local theater and collected items for Ukrainian refugees. Students could attend the movie for free by donating an item to the collection.

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – Dr. Don Henrikson, pastor of Thompsontown Baptist Church in Pennsylvania, recently graduated with his Ph. D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. CongratulationsDr. Henrikson! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary – The following students from Pennsylvania graduated from SEBTS this spring: Congratulations, graduates! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Daniel Brendan Ageyev, from Newton, earned a Th.M.
Levi Scott Baker, from Corry, earned a Ph.D.

The Bridge Fellowship in Reading, Pa., holds long-awaited installation service for new pastor

BRN Exec. Director Barry Whitworth announced the installation of Pastor Justin Woulard last Sunday at The Bridge Fellowship Church. Congratulations, Pastor Woulard on your installation! more

Zion Church of Clarion County participates in community Walk for Life

The Clarion, Pennsylvania, church partnered with Next Step, a local pregnancy center, to host and participate in a community Walk for Life. The walk gave the community an opportunity to celebrate God’s gift of life and donate to the pregnancy center.

Impact Church of Parkesburg, Pa., hosts ‘colorful’ event for youth

Community teens and church members came in white and left in color as Impact hosted a “Color Wars” event. Teens enjoyed food, friends and, of course, a very colorful version of tag! Students also gathered for a time of prayer and fellowship.

BRN evangelism grant helps Allentown church feed 200+ high school employees

Riverbend Community Church partnered with Chick-fil-A to provide lunch for teachers and staff at a local high school, opening the door for gospel-centered conversations. more

BRN church uses evangelism grant to minister to local women through spring brunch and guest speaker

Ridgeline Community Church hosts spring brunch for local women; offering healing and hope through the gospel and a special testimony. more

Fellowship Crosspoint Church gets creative with women’s ministry painting event

The Chesterfield, New Jersey, church hosted a guided, morning painting event for women in the community and a part of their church family. The ladies enjoyed fellowship and embracing their creative side!

Lock Haven, Pa., Church offers refuge to Ukrainian family

Big Woods Bible Church has partnered with Samaritan’s Purse to provide a safe haven for a family of Ukrainian refugees. more

Baptisms

Erie church celebrates two baptisms

Walnut Creek Baptist Church baptized two of their own last Sunday! Join us in celebrating with our new brother and sister in Christ!

‘Take me to the water!’; Delaware Valley Baptist Church celebrates the baptism of several believers

The DelVal church family celebrated with several of its brothers and sisters on Sunday as they furthered their commitment to Christ. Join us in celebrating with our new brothers and sisters!

Renaissance Church of Pittsburgh celebrates life-change through baptism

After hearing the gospel at Renaissance, one young man decided to get “washed in the water” and take his next step in following Jesus. Join us in welcoming our new brother in Christ!

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.