This Week in the BRN Family 06.30.22

Pastors in the Greater Philadelphia area gather for brunch; 80 people participate in a Discipleship Vision Day at Restored Church; and 32 people are baptized at Keystone Fellowship - it's a great week to celebrate in the BRN family!

July 1, 2022
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:

Brunch at Ezekiel Baptist brings encouragement to more than 30 pastors in the Greater Philadelphia region

Over 30 pastors from the Greater Philadelphia area attended a special brunch last week at Ezekiel Baptist Church in Philadelphia. They enjoyed fellowship, food, and the teaching of Dr. Robert Smith, Jr., who spoke about the distinctives of prophetic preaching and challenged pastors to preach the whole counsel of God.

Ukrainian couple leads worship at East Shore Baptist Church (ESBC)

East Shore Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Pa., enjoyed worship led by Ukrainians Vita and Sasha, who recently relocated from Ukraine, by way of Poland. East Shore member Dale Eberhardt, a former missionary to Ukraine, was instrumental in helping the church pray for Ukrainians and finding this couple residency in the U.S.!

Watch Vita and Sasha Lead Worship at ESBC

One Hope Church honors 2022 graduates

One Hope Church in Absecon, New Jersey, prayed for God’s guidance, protection and blessings over their 2022 graduates during their worship service last Sunday. Congratulations, One Hope Grads! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Altoona First Southern Baptist cultivates community with summer picnic

The Altoona, Pennsylvania, church took advantage of the sunshine and gathered together for a time of food and fellowship!

Great Commission Church (GCC) in Philadelphia, Pa., praises the Lord for 23 years of Kingdom work

The church celebrated its 23rd anniversary last Sunday! In honor of the ministry milestone, guest Pastor Hal Hopkins preached the Word and church members were recognized for their service to the church. Congratulations, GCC on your 23 years of advancing the Kingdom! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Calvary Christian Church celebrates 14 years of shepherding with Rev. Robert Fontell, Jr.

Last Sunday, the Philadelphia based church celebrated their pastor, Dr. Robert Fontell, Jr. and his family, for 14 years of service at Calvary Christian Church. The celebration featured a guest preacher, cupcakes, ice cream and lots of joy! Congrats, Dr. Fontell on your 14 years of ministry at Calvary Christian Church! Your BRN family is proud of you!

Discipleship Vision Day offers training to more than 130 ministry leaders

Restored Church in Wilkes Barre, Pa., teamed up with the BRN to host a Discipleship Vision Day earlier this week. A total of 80 individuals attended the vision day held on June, 28. Over 130 people from seven states will participate in one of two vision days, which are designed to help churches multiply disciples to the fourth generation. Praise God for this willingness to learn and advance the Kingdom! The next vision day will be held on Saturday, July 16th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Register here

Keystone Fellowship baptizes 32 people at Outdoor Baptism Night; including 28 students from camp

Last Sunday night, Keystone Fellowship hosted an Outdoor Baptism Night in their parking lot. The church had a total of 275 people in attendance and 32 of those attendees said, ‘yes’ to following Jesus through baptism – including 14 elementary students and 14 middle and high school students! Praise God for this harvest! Please join us in welcoming our new brothers and sisters 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.