This Week in the BRN Family 11.30.23

BRN churches put evangelism grants to good use and we celebrate new life through baptism - it's a joyful week in the BRN family!

November 30, 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 EVANGELISM GRANT: Three come to Christ at Deaf Gospel Rally hosted by MCC

Millcreek Community Church (MCC) in Erie, Pa., hosted their first Deaf Gospel Rally on Nov. 11, through which the church saw three come to Christ and be baptized! Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Redemption Heights Church engages in gospel conversations through block party event

On Oct. 21, Redemption Heights Church in Philadelphia, Pa., served more than 250 community members at their fall block party outreach. Read More

Firm Hope Baptist Church hosts BRN church health consultant for Sunday worship

On Nov. 26, Firm Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., and Pastor Richard Harris, Sr. hosted Dr. Robert Fontell, BRN church health consultant, to preach at their Sunday service. Dr. Fontell shared a word about the importance of the message of the cross based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. The church plans to follow up with evangelism training. How beautiful to see church accelerating Kingdom movement!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Harvest Community Church provides car maintenance for widows and single moms

On Oct. 21, members of Harvest Community Church – Petroleum Valley withstood the cold to serve widows and single mothers by offering free oil changes and the hope of the gospel. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Election Day presents gospel opportunities at East Shore Baptist Church

In Harrisburg, East Shore Baptist Church serves as a polling station for all elections in their community. This opportunity presents the church with the chance to serve and share the gospel with its neighbors. Read More

The Foundry Church in Wallingford, Pa., meets needs of community through provision of pet food

Lifewerks Inc., the Social Service Nonprofit arm of The Foundry Church, located in Wallingford, Pa., has begun to serve Pet Owners in Delaware County. As of Nov. 28, the church has been able to provide dog and cat owners in need with food, due to a generous donation of pet food from a local agency. For the past few months, Lifewerks Inc. And The Foundry has received five or more requests per week for pet food help.

“We are grateful for God answering our prayers to be able to better serve the needs within our community,” said Chuck Kieffer, senior pastor at The Foundry Church.

Baptisms

Three are baptized at Deaf Gospel Rally hosted by Millcreek Community Church in Erie, Pennsylvania

Following their first Deaf Gospel Rally on Nov. 11, Millcreek Community Church hosted its first Deaf church service on Sunday, Nov. 12, at the hotel where they held the rally. After the church service, three individuals decided to follow Jesus and be baptized. Jason, Allen, and Tracy were baptized right there and then in the hotel pool! What an awesome step of obedience in faith! Please join us in celebrating with Jason, Allen, and Tracy and welcoming them into the family of God!

Wrightsdale Baptist Church celebrates Baptism Sunday with four going public in their faith

On Nov. 19, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., celebrated Baptism Sunday! The church witnessed four people share their personal testimonies through encouraging videos and then be baptized by Pastor Ryan Day. Praise the Lord for these individuals taking the next step in their walk with Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the whole 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.