This Week in the BRN Family 06.22.23

BRN churches pray over and celebrate dads on Father's Day; One church restores parts of a neighborhood library; and many profess faith in Jesus through baptism - it's a celebratory week in the BRN family!

June 22, 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:

One Hope Church in Absecon, New Jersey, praises Heavenly Father for gift of earthly fathers on Father’s Day

One Hope Church in Absecon, New Jersey, gave thanks to God for their earthly fathers during their worship service on June 18 as well as recognized all of the fathers in their congregation. Each father got a gift and then was treated to lunch after the service!

PBCI in Philadelphia, Pa., prays over dads in honor of Father’s Day

In honor of Father’s Day, on June 18, Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) in Philadelphia, Pa., recognized and prayed over all of the fathers in their church family.

Church of the Good Shepherd in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, holds special Father’s Day celebration service

On June 18, The Church of the Good Shepherd in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, held a special Father’s Day celebration service in the afternoon. The service was then followed up by a free dinner for the fathers and their families.

Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Vineland, New Jersey, ordains new pastor

On Sunday, June 18, Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Vineland, New Jersey, ordained a new pastor, Rev. Ksenzov. The church took time during the service to pray over Pastor Ksenzov and his family. Please, join us in praying for Pastor Ksenzov and his family as well as for the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church family.

Watershed Church in Philadelphia, Pa., restores outdoor reading space for neighborhood library during workday

On June 19, youth and other volunteers from Watershed Church in Philadelphia, Pa., spent time working at the Roxborough Library. During their work day, the church restored an outdoor patio/reading space behind the library and completed some much needed yard work. Serving the neighborhood library gave Watershed a chance to love and contribute to their community!

Baptisms

Harborcreek Community Church in Harborcreek, Pa., celebrates new life through baptism

On June 18, Harborcreek Community Church in Harborcreek, Pa., not only honored fathers and recognized new members, but they also celebrated new life through baptism. Please, join us in celebrating with these new brothers and sisters in Christ!

One publicly proclaims her faith in Christ through baptism at Renaissance Church in Pittsburgh, Pa.

On June 18, a young woman by the name of Katelyn, who has been attending Renaissance Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., for quite some time, publicly declared her faith in Jesus through baptism. Please, join us in celebrating with Katelyn and the whole Renaissance Church family!

Carlisle Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pa., welcomes one into the family of God through baptism

On June 18, Carlisle Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pa., welcomed Brother Morris Moore into the family of God through baptism. Please, join us as we celebrate with Brother Morris and the whole Carlisle Baptist Church family!

Two declare Jesus as Lord through baptism at Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania

During their worship service on June 18, Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa., baptized two young men who declared Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Please, join us in welcoming these young men into the family of God!

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.