This Week in the BRN Family 02.05.26

BRN churches live on mission serving their communities; pastors and BRN leaders pray with state leaders at PA Capitol; and we celebrate baptisms and ministry milestones - it's a great week in the BRN Family!

February 5, 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:

Greencastle Baptist Church hosts missions dinner to share about God’s work among the nations

Last month, Greencastle Baptist Church in Greencastle, Pa., was blessed to focus on missions and celebrate how God is working among the nations. The church was encouraged when they gathered for a missions dinner and enjoyed dishes from around the world, stories of God’s work across the globe, and learned from the International Mission Board (IMB) of how to get more involved in spreading the Gospel.

Third Eternal Baptist Church blesses neighbors with winter food distribution

On Jan. 31, Third Eternal Baptist Church in Philadelphia held a food distribution day for their community. This outreach provided essential groceries for those in need and blessed many in their community during the harsh winter season.

Mt. Wolf Community Church hosts fun-filled Saturday Matinee for kids

It was a fun-filled Saturday at Mt. Wolf Community Church in Mount Wolf, Pa., as kids were invited to spend their Saturday at the church enjoying a movie, facing fears through a decorative obstacle course, meeting a real live snake, and participating in fun songs and games! This outreach enabled the church to make valuable connections with the children and families in their community.

Pastors and leaders pray with Pennsylvania state leaders at BRN Day at the Capitol

On Feb. 4, several pastors and their spouses attended a BRN Day at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, where they prayed for several legislators and enjoyed viewing the many biblical quotations and religious references on the buildings’ walls and ceilings as they toured the Capitol. The event was sponsored by the Church Ambassador Network, who regularly seeks to “connect shepherds of the church with the shepherds of government,” to minister to them and expose them to Christian values.

Baptisms:

Redemption City Church rejoices over baptism and elder installation

Redemption City Church in Philadelphia had an exciting start to the month of February! This past Sunday, Feb. 1, the church celebrated a baptism and the installation of a new elder. Praise the Lord for Hannah’s decision to publicly proclaim her faith in Jesus and for Corry stepping into this new leadership role at Redemption City. Please join us in rejoicing with the entire Redemption City Church family!

New Horizon Church celebrates new life in Christ through baptism

Recently, New Horizon Church in Mars, Pa., celebrated the beauty of new life in Christ through baptism! Praise the Lord for all those who were baptized and for the gift we have in Jesus! Please join us in rejoicing with entire New Horizon Church family.

Ministry Milestones:

Poco Farm Road Church in Williamsport, Pa., celebrates 50 years of God’s faithfulness

On Sunday, Feb. 1, Poco Farm Road Church in Williamsport, Pa., held a special worship service to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Congratulations, Poco Farm Road on reaching your community with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 50 years! We are grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness to you, and we are praying for your next many years of ministry!

Collegiate Corner:

Recap videos from Winter Campus Missionary Learning Community now available

January 23-24, BRN Next leaders and PA/SJ campus missionaries gathered at the BRN Mission House in Harrisburg for their annual Campus Missionary Learning Community (CMLC). During this time, the collegiate ministry leaders engaged in helpful conversations relevant to next-gen ministry and discussed effective tools and tactics for evangelism on the campus.

These workshop style sessions were recorded and are now available for any campus missionary who was unable to attend the CMLC, any church leader or next gen pastor who is looking to reach a nearby campus, or any campus missionary who would like to benefit from these sessions again! Access these CMLC sessions by clicking here.

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.