This Week in the BRN Family 11.07.24

Halloween week creates outreach opportunities for churches; the BRN Team welcomes a new member; and we celebrate new life through baptism - it's a wonderful week in the BRN Family!

November 7, 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:

Halloween week creates outreach opportunities for churches across Pennsylvania/South Jersey

This year, it was all treats for our churches across Pennsylvania/South Jersey as they took advantage of the Halloween week to connect with their neighbors and serve their communities! Check out just a few Fall outreach events that happened this past week:

Harvest House Community Fellowship:

Halloween night was filled with gospel conversations, candy, and community at Harvest House Community Fellowship in Hornbrook, Pa. The church gave away goodies and offered prayer to its neighbors as families passed by to go trick-or-treating.

Faithbridge Community Church:

Faithbridge Community Church in McKees Rocks, Pa., was the place to be on Halloween night! The church passed out 400 hot dogs, 500 big candy bars, 20 bags of fun size candy, and 18 bushels of fresh McConnell’s Farm golden delicious apples to its neighbors.

Calvary Christian Church:

On Oct. 31, Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia hosted a Trunk or Treat for their community. Lots of candy was passed out, pictures taken, and connections made!

Catalyst Church Altoona:

Catalyst Church in Altoona, Pa., hosted an indoor carnival called ‘Spookless Spectacular’ on Oct. 31 for local trick-or-treaters. The event featured games, goodies, and a safe (non-scary) environment for kids to enjoy!

Kids Club shifts gears with CMA at Greencastle Baptist Church in Mercersburg, Pa.

Kids Club was full throttle (literally!) last week at Greencastle Baptist Church in Mercersburg, Pa. Kids ages 5-10 had the exciting opportunity to meet riders from the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) and learn about the organization’s mission to share the gospel with motorcyclists. Children even had the chance to sit on a bike and have their picture taken!

Men at First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church benefit from Brotherhood Retreat

During the first weekend in November, men from First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Philadelphia gathered for a Brotherhood Retreat. Those who attended enjoyed a time of resting and learning from fellow brothers in Christ.

BRN Team welcomes new member and celebrates much at latest team meeting

The BRN Team gathered at the BRN Hub in Harrisburg on Nov. 6 to discuss movement happening in PA/SJ and how they can help churches take next steps.

The team also welcomed Christy Kraus from Wrightsdale Baptist Church as the team’s newest addition. Christy will be serving as the BRN’s VBS Consultant. Team birthdays, work anniversaries, and the engagement of our very own Laurel Grimes was also celebrated! Congratulations Laurel!

Happy Birthday to Noelson Chery, Chuck Knox, Shannon Baker, and Eric Reiber! Additionally, congratulations to Lori Zeppuhar and Laurel on your work anniversaries!

Baptisms:

Three go public with their faith in Christ at Wrightsdale Baptist Church

On Sunday, Nov. 3, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., celebrated three baptisms! Wrightsdale witnessed Rachel Reynolds, Preston Kirk, and RJ Kraus go public with their faith in Jesus. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sister in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Wrightsdale Baptist Church 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.