This Week in the BRN Family 03.19.26

The BRN hosts its fifth annual Advance Conference; churches host events to encourage and equip; and we celebrate new life in Christ through baptism - it's a great week in the BRN Family!

March 19, 2026
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 hosts fifth annual Advance Conference on 3.16

On March 16 (3.16), the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) hosted 183 guests for its fifth annual Advance Evangelism Conference at Calvary Church in State College, Pa. The day was filled with powerful worship, challenging main sessions, equipping breakouts, and refreshing fellowship. Thank you to everyone who attended Advance this year, and a special thank you to Calvary Church for hosting! Stay tuned to next week’s edition of BRN United for main session and breakout session replays and additional Advance content!

IMPACT Church equips and encourages volunteers through annual training day

After their last gathering on Sunday, March 15, IMPACT Church in Parkesburg, Pa., held their annual Volunteer Training. The training was for both current volunteers and those interested in getting involved and serving the Lord through IMPACT. Volunteers were equipped and encouraged through breakouts and left the day even more eager to serve!

Wrightsdale Baptist Church encourages men through father and son event, featuring fellow BRN pastor

On Saturday, March 14, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., hosted fathers and sons for a special time of fellowship. The men enjoyed a delicious meal served by some of the women at Wrightsdale and a message from guest speaker Josh Crans, senior pastor of Providence Church Coatesville. Crans challenged the fathers and sons to be prophets, priests, and kings in their homes, focusing on what the Lord expects from current and yet-to-be fathers. What an encouraging time and partnership between BRN churches!

Steel City Church youth lock-in filled with laughter and little sleep

Steel City Church in Pittsburgh recently hosted a lock-in for their youth. The night was filled with plenty of laughter, challenging activities, games, prayer, good conversations, and, of course, little to no sleep! What a memorable time for students!

Baptisms:

Two women testify of God’s goodness and get baptized at Big Woods Bible Church

On Sunday, March 15, Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven, Pa., rejoiced over the baptism of two young women, one a young mom and the other a college student connected to the church’s college ministry at Lock Haven University. Both women testified to the Lord’s goodness in their lives and to their need for a Savior. Praise the Lord for these sisters in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Big Woods Bible Church family.

Welcome to the BRN Family:

Pastor James Han | Story College Church, Philadelphia

Ever since his college days at the University of California (UC) Berkeley, next gen ministry has been a reoccurring passion in the life of Pastor James Han. During his days at UC Berkeley, Han came to Christ and through retreats and messages learned what it really means to have a relationship with God.

Many of his days as an upperclassman were spent discipling the younger students and pointing them towards Jesus. Following his graduation in 2014, Han joined the Acts 2 Network, the church network his college ministry at UC Berkeley was affiliated with, as a volunteer staff member. In June 2025, Han officially started as the co-vocational college pastor at Story College Church in Philadelphia. Read More

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.