This Week in the BRN Family 08.31.23

In this special edition of This Week in the BRN Family, speakers and participants a part of the 2023 Accelerate Conference share what they are looking forward to most at this year's conference - it's an accelerating week in the BRN Family!

August 31, 2023
Macala Mays

This Week in the BRN Family, speakers and participants contributing to the 2023 Accelerate Conference share what they are looking forward to most at this year’s conference! What are you most excited about!?

“When it comes to the Accelerate Conference, I look forward to the fresh sense of kingdom inspiration and ministry motivation that comes from the speakers and workshops. The Accelerate Conference renews my confidence in Christ and gives me courage to keep leading our church in faith.” – Ryan Day, Accelerate Conference Emcee, Lead Pastor, Wrightsdale Baptist Church, Peach Bottom, Pa.

“I am looking forward to the upcoming Accelerate Conference for helping me to gain more information and insight to become a healthier leader for my church. I also look forward to making new connection with pastors and church leaders.” – Dr. Robert Fontell, Breakout Speaker, BRN Church Health Consultant (Philadelphia)

“Connecting with the pastors and leaders that I don’t get to see that much and, of course, spending time with Jeff Christopherson, who I believe has a very helpful and distinct outlook on churches right now.” – Mark White, Breakout Speaker, Campus Pastor, Keystone Fellowship, Montgomeryville, Pa.

“I am excited about meeting fellow gospel partners in U.S. I am sure we will have lots of good discussions.” – Farshid Rezaee, Breakout Speaker, PRISM Campus Minister, Apologist, Evangelist, and Preacher

“I was blown away by Jeff Christopherson’s book “Once You See” and am so excited to hear him speak at the Accelerate Conference!” – Brennan Coughlin, Breakout Speaker, Lead Pastor, Fellowship CrossPoint Church, Chesterfield, New Jersey

“Our God-given purpose is an answer to a problem. I look forward to those in attendance growing in purpose, so that the BRN churches can continue to be an answer to the world’s problems.” – Dr. Thomas Dawson Jr., Breakout Speaker, Senior Pastor, SOAR Church, Woodbine, New Jersey

“I am praying that those attending the 2023 Accelerate Conference will worship and celebrate Jesus. In addition, I am praying that all will take a deep look at our churches and how we are affecting our communities and our world for the Lord, especially with the challenges presented in the breakout session.” – Steve Sheldon, Breakout Speaker, BRN Associate Church Health Consultant (South Central)

“I am looking forward to seeing God open the hearts of local church leaders to truth that the message of the Gospel never changes but God wants our heart to be open to how he can use us differently in our community to share that Good News!” – Ruth Hueber, Breakout Speaker, Outreach Director, Fellowship CrossPoint Church, Chesterfield, New Jersey

I’m looking forward to investing in and learning alongside other leaders who are investing in multiplying disciple makers, leaders, and churches. God has used many BRN leaders to sharpen and strengthen my ministry in past years, and I’m praying that God can use our workshop to play a small part in something much larger that he’s doing in people as they are pursuing kingdom multiplication in life and leadership.” – Tim Walker, Breakout Speaker, Lead Pastor, Restored Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

“Looking forward to seeing fellow kingdom partners and the challenge from Jeff.” – John Cope, Breakout Speaker, Send Network Director PA/SJ, Senior Pastor, Keystone Fellowship

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.