This Week in the BRN Family 04.09.26

BRN churches across Pennsylvania/South Jersey celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ through powerful worship and outreach opportunities, and we celebrate many baptisms on Easter Sunday - it's a joyful week in the BRN Family!

April 9, 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:

He is risen! He is risen indeed! BRN churches celebrate Easter Sunday across PA/SJ

This past weekend, BRN churches across Pennsylvania/South Jersey celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ with powerful worship services, community outreach events, and baptisms! Catch a glimpse of Easter celebrations across our two-state region below:

Providence Church Coatesville

Easter Sunday was a one of firsts at Providence Church Coatesville in Coatesville, Pa., as the church held two services for the first time!

Bedrock Fishtown

Bedrock Fishtown in Philadelphia welcomed over 1,200 people, including 558 kids, from their community for their fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt at Penn Treaty Park!

The Church at Mon River

In the Pittsburgh area, The Church at Mon River had a full sanctuary for Easter Sunday as they worshiped the risen Savior.

CareView Community Church

At CareView Community Church, the whole church family rejoiced over Jesus’ victory over death — including the kids!

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship and The House Church

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship in Sicklerville, New Jersey, partnered with The House Church in Sewell, New Jersey, to host an Easter Egg Hunt for their community.

Harvest Church

Harvest Church’s Kittanning Campus hosted an Easter celebration, while their Petroleum Valley Campus had a glow in the dark egg hunt.

Great Commission Church

It was a day of powerful worship at Great Commission Church in Philadelphia on Resurrection Sunday as Dr. Larry Anderson brought the Word.

More BRN Family News:

Nebo Baptist Church blesses local law enforcement with care packages

Earlier this week, Nebo Baptist Church in Nanticoke, Pa., packed care bags for law enforcement officers and personnel at the Nanticoke City Police Department. On behalf of the church, Pastor Dan Gray delivered the care bags and thanked the members of the department for all they do to keep their community safe.

Zion Church hosts third annual Mental Health Summit

On March 19, Zion Church in Clarion, Pa., hosted its third annual Mental Health Summit. Pastor Trent Kirkland, senior pastor at Zion, shared that it was a “meaningful day that brought together church leaders, mental health professionals, and community partners to learn, connect, and build stronger pathways of care for people who are struggling.”

Throughout the day, the summit focused on the church’s role in supporting mental health, the importance of collaboration between faith communities, providers, and public systems, and practical tools for building a real culture of care. Guests experienced valuable table discussions, networking, and resource sharing.

The gospel of Jesus was made clear as keynote speakers Laura Howe and David Eckert talked about Christ as the ultimate solution to mental health issues.

Baptisms:

Several are washed by the water at Elk Baptist Church on Easter Sunday

Several were washed by the water at Elk Baptist Church in St. Marys, Pa., on Easter Sunday! As they witnessed these baptisms, the church rejoiced in the truth found in Romans 6, that just as we are buried in the likeness of Christ’s death, we are also raised in the likeness of His resurrection! Please join us in celebrating with the Elk Baptist Church family.

Iglesia Electric City witnesses new life in Christ on Resurrection Sunday

On April 5, Iglesia Electric City in Scranton, Pa., celebrated the resurrection of Jesus by witnessing a young man named Brian proclaim his faith in Jesus and be baptized! Praise the Lord for new life in Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with Brian and the entire Iglesia Electric City church family.

Harvest House Community Fellowship celebrates baptisms on Resurrection Sunday

On Easter Sunday (April 5), Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., celebrated three professions of faith through baptism! What a blessing to witness these individuals be raised to new life in Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with them and Harvest House Community Fellowship.

Nebo Baptist Church witnesses several go public with their faith in Christ on Easter Sunday

Nebo Baptist Church in Nanticoke, Pa., rejoiced with several brothers and sisters in Christ on Resurrection Sunday as they publicly proclaimed their faith in Jesus! Praise the Lord for new life in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with the entire Nebo Baptist Church family.

First Baptist Church of Rochester celebrates Resurrection Sunday with baptism

First Baptist Church of Rochester in Rochester, Pa., celebrated the baptism of Ella Osborne on Resurrection Sunday! What a beautiful reminder of the abundant life we have in Christ because of His death and resurrection. Please join us in rejoicing with Ella and the entire FBC of Rochester 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.