This Week in the BRN Family 08.20.26

BRN churches distribute backpacks and serve their communities; volunteers complete beautification projects; and we celebrate baptisms - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

August 21, 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:

Sewell, NJ, families blessed by backpacks during Party in the Park event at The House Church

On Saturday, Aug. 15, The House Church in Sewell, New Jersey, hosted a backpack giveaway and free event for their community. The Party in the Park outreach allowed the church to bless kids and families with free school supplies, including backpacks, for the upcoming school year as well as food, games, prayer, and meaningful conversation. The event gave volunteers a chance to invite community members to church and engage in gospel conversations.

Alabama mission team lends helping hand at New Life Church of Toms River

This week, a team of volunteers from His Place and Harvest Evangelism, two Alabama-based ministries, spent time serving New Life Church of Toms River in Toms River, New Jersey, by completing outdoor beautification projects as well as some construction inside the church.

The Alabama volunteers and members from New Life Church will wrap up their week this Saturday with an all-church workday. Praise the Lord for this Kingdom partnership, and for these volunteers who traveled so far to be a blessing!

Faith Community Church Lakeside enjoys time together at church picnic

Last Sunday, Faith Community Church Lakeside in McMurray, Pa., hosted a church picnic following their worship service and was reminded of the sweet truth found in Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

During the picnic, the church body enjoyed a meal together, lots of laughter, meaningful conversations, and time of building each other up. What a beautiful day of serving each other and reflecting on the gift of God’s family!

The Church at Mon River serves with PRISM Pittsburgh to bless international students

PRISM Pittsburgh is an organization that seeks to provide community for international college students attending academic institutions in the city. The Church at Mon River in Pittsburgh recently partnered with PRISM to serve students through a Garage Giveaway. During the event, the church was able to serve nearly 200 international students who are just beginning their academic journey in Steel City!

Hazleton Community Church rolls up sleeves to care for church building

Members of Hazleton Community Church in Hazleton, Pa., rolled up their sleeves last weekend and worked together to complete a beautification project at their church building. Some volunteers were even donning a ServePASJ shirt as they served! What a beautiful picture of the church stewarding well what the Lord has graciously given.

Harvest House Community Fellowship holds evangelism training prior to outreach event

In preparation for an annual community outreach, Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., hosted an evangelism training for church members on Saturday, Aug. 15. Those planning to volunteer with the church at the Towanda Riverfest, Aug. 20-22, gave up their Saturday morning to learn more about sharing the gospel and spent time in prayer for the event. What a great time of equipping before serving your community!

First Baptist Church of Delaware partners with local organizations for Community Fest

First Baptist Church of Delaware recently partnered with several fellow New Castle, Delaware, organizations to host a Community Fest and bless their neighbors with a day of fun and resources. During the festival, the church fired up the grill and provided a meal for the community, while people mingled with local vendors and enjoyed free haircuts, school supplies, and games and activities. At their booth, FBC Delaware offered prayer to those in the community and shared the hope of Jesus.

Baptisms:

Hillview Church celebrates baptisms during outdoor worship service

On Sunday, Aug. 9, Hillview Church in Williamsport, Pa., celebrated several baptisms during their outdoor worship service. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ and their boldness in declaring Jesus as Lord! Please join us in rejoicing with them and the Hillview 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.