This Week in the BRN Family 02.26.26

Night to Shine lights up the week for many BRN churches; churches spend time recognizing volunteers and building up their members; and we celebrate new life in Christ through baptism - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

February 26, 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:

Night to Shine lights up the week for several BRN churches

Several churches across the Pennsylvania/South Jersey region recently hosted Night to Shine events. Night to Shine is an annual worldwide event started by the Tim Tebow Foundation, where churches across the country and beyond host prom-like celebrations for those in their community with special needs. Each Night to Shine is centered on God’s love and making sure all guests feel honored and valued. Check out some of the Night to Shine events hosted by our BRN churches below!

Calvary Church Lewistown partners with fellow local churches for Night to Shine

In a partnership effort known as the Hope Collective, Calvary Church in Lewistown, Pa., collaborated with fellow local churches to bring Night to Shine to the Mifflin County area! On Feb. 13, the honored guests were welcomed with signs and smiles, a red carpet, and a dance floor ready for some action!

Riverbend Community Church crowns kings and queens at annual Night to Shine

On Friday, Feb. 20, Riverbend Community Church in Bethlehem, Pa., hosted their annual Night to Shine. Guests made a grand entrance on the red carpet, were crowned kings and queens, and hit the dance floor for a night of fun and celebration!

Photos provided by Tobias Hibbs Photography, Victoria Maxwell, and Michelle Scribano.

Calvary Church Harvest Fields rolls out the red carpet for Night to Shine

On Feb. 13, Calvary Church Harvest Fields in State College, Pa., rolled out the red carpet for Night to Shine! Calvary hosted one of two Night to Shine events happening in the Central Pennsylvania region. At Calvary’s Night to Shine, the church crowned and honored 150 kings and queens!

Photos provided by Calvary Church Harvest Fields.

Impact Church honors volunteers with annual Appreciation Dinner

It was all about serving those who serve on Friday, Feb. 20, at Impact Church in Parkesburg, Pa., as the church hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Church volunteers of all ages were treated to a home cooked meal and a focused time of fellowship, games, and reflecting on another year of serving their church and community. The evening concluded with a devotional and time of prayer. In 2025, Impact had more than 100 volunteers who served.

Men’s ministry at Stagecoach Road Church Fellowship fills the table at monthly breakfast

On Saturday, Feb.21, Stagecoach Road Church Fellowship in Sicklerville, New Jersey, hosted their monthly men’s breakfast, where 17 men came out to enjoy a meal and encourage one another in God’s Word. Praise the Lord for these men who want to grow more in their faith!

Travelers Church hosts Marriage and Family Seminar

Last weekend, Travelers Church in Pittsburgh hosted a Marriage and Family Seminar for couples in their church and community. Couples in attendance enjoyed sessions on healthy marriage, parenting, running a household, and growing spiritually as a family. This intentional weekend gave couples time to learn and build each other up as they seek to serve the Lord together.

Baptisms:

Calvary Church Harvest Fields celebrates 10 baptisms across two services

Calvary Church Harvest Fields in State College, Pa., recently baptized a total of 10 individuals between their two services on Feb. 15. During the first service, the church witnessed four go public with their faith in Jesus, and then an additional six during the second service. Praise the Lord for these baptisms! Please join us in rejoicing with these individuals and the entire Calvary Church family.

The Church at the Mon River rejoices over baptism

On Feb. 22, The Church at Mon River in Pittsburgh celebrated the baptism of Nathan! Prior to Nathan’s baptism, his friend Thomas read his testimony. Praise the Lord for Nathan’s story and for how the Lord is working in his life! Please join us in rejoicing with him and the entire church family at The Church at Mon River.

Ministry Milestones:

Proclamation Community Church and Ezekiel Baptist Church ordain new deacon

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Proclamation Community Church in Philadelphia joined with their sending church Ezekiel Baptist Church to affirm the call on the life of brother Ashok Sahota. Together, the churches ordained Sahota to the office of Deacon in order to serve the church body at Proclamation Community Church. What an exciting Sunday! Praise the Lord for Deacon Ashok and his call to ministry! Please join us in rejoicing with him and his family as well as the Proclamation Community 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.