This Week in the BRN Family 11.2.23

BRN churches across PA/SJ get into the harvest season by hosting Fall themed outreach events and we celebrate a ministry milestone with a BRN pastor - it's a fun week in the BRN family!

November 2, 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:

BRN churches are in full force with Fall outreach…

As October came to an end, BRN churches took full advantage of the season and all the fun that comes with this time of year! Here is just a glimpse of how some of our churches are reaching their neighbors this Fall:

Calvary Christian Church

It was all treats at Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 31 as the church hosted another successful Trunk or Treat! The outreach event gave church members the chance to get creative with their trunks and pass out treats to local families.

First Baptist Church of Delaware

First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, DE, hosted more than 650 people at their Fall Festival on Oct. 29. The church set a new record by sending a gospel presentation home with every child!

Delaware Valley Church

Delaware Valley Church had a sweet Halloween! On Oct. 31, the church hosted a Trunk or Treat for the Willingboro, New Jersey, community.

Faithbridge Community Church

Faithbridge Community Church in McKees Rocks, Pa., kept their community warm on Oct. 31! The church set up tents and fireplaces outside and passed out hot chocolate and hot dogs to families trick or treating in the neighborhood.

Harvest House Community Fellowship

Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., went all out on Oct. 31! The church blessed those out-and-about with hot drinks, food, and gospel conversations.

West Hills Baptist Church

Last weekend, West Hills Baptist Church (WHBC) in Coraopolis, Pa., hosted their annual WHBC Fall Fest and Chili Cook Off. It was a tasty time with only a little mess and a whole lot of fun!

Philadelphia Baptist Church International

On Oct. 29, Philadelphia Baptist Church International in Philadelphia, Pa., celebrated Hallelujah Sunday in their best Halloween costumes!

Ministry Milestones

Senior pastor at The SOAR Church in Woodbine, New Jersey, celebrates 25 years of ministry

On Sunday, Oct. 29, Dr. Tom Dawson, senior pastor at The SOAR Church in Woodbine, New Jersey, and his wife, Adriane, celebrated 25 years of pastoral ministry! Congratulations, Dr. Dawson and Adriane! We are so thankful for you and your many years of ministry! We will be praying for your next 25+ years of Kingdom work!

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.