This Week in the BRN Family 08.15.24

Youth students live on mission in their neighborhoods; BRN evangelism grants fund outreach events; and we celebrate several going public with their faith - it's a joyful week in the BRN Family!

August 15, 2024
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:

Youth at First Haitian Metanoia Baptist partner with FUGE

This summer, First Haitian Metanoia Baptist Church in Lansdowne, Pa., partnered with FUGE Youth Camp to complete a number of service projects in their community. Students prayer walked through neighborhoods, painted a senior living facility, and helped beautify their community through yard work and other projects. What a blessing it is to see the next generation serving in this way!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Central Baptist Church turns grilling time into gospel time

Central Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Pa., took advantage of a favored summer pastime – grilling – to serve its community, share the gospel and invite families to their VBS. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Children grow in their love for Jesus at Crosspoint Baptist VBS

In July, Crosspoint Baptist Church in Souderton, Pa., hosted a five-night VBS for the children and families in their community. The church witnessed one come to Christ and many others grow in their love for God’s Word as a result of the VBS! Read More

Restored Church sends out founding member to chaplaincy opportunity

On July 14, Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., prayed for and sent out Pastor Jim Lane. Jim was one of the founding members and leaders at Restored. He served as their Counseling Pastor for 10 years and recently completed his certification as an SBC Chaplain.

After God opened up an opportunity for him to be hired as a Hospital Chaplain in Perry, Ohio, the Restored Church family took time to lay hands on and send out Jim and his wife, Helene, for this next season of gospel ministry!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Sports camp at King’s Fellowship trains kids in the gospel

King’s Fellowship in State College, Pa., hosted a week-long sports camp for elementary school children in their community. The church saw fruit from the camp as three new families got connected because of the camp. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Wrightsdale Baptist rejoices over record breaking VBS

During their annual VBS, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Lancaster County, Pa., interacted with 188 children – the highest number of VBS attendees the church has seen to date. Children heard the gospel through scavenger hunts, live dramas, science experiments, Bible lessons and more! Read More

Baptisms:

One goes public with her faith at Breathe Community Church in Coatesville, Pa.

On Sunday, Aug. 11, Breathe Community Church in Coatesville, Pa., gathered at a local lake to witness and rejoice over the baptism of a young lady named Felicia. Praise the Lord for Felicia and her new life in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with her and the whole Breathe Community Church family!

Several are washed by the water at Delval Baptist Church

On Sunday, Aug. 11, Delaware Valley (Delval) Baptist Church in Willingboro, New Jersey, witnessed several individuals go public with their faith in Jesus by being baptized. Praise the Lord for these new brothers and sisters in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Delval 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.