This Week in the BRN Family 04.30.26

VBS workshop equips volunteers to pour into the next generation; two BRN churches participate in Pulpit Swap Sunday; and we celebrate baptisms - it's a great week in the BRN Family!

May 3, 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:

VBS training equips volunteers and leaders across PA/SJ

VBS leaders and volunteers from across Pennsylvania and South Jersey packed the BRN Hub on Saturday, April 25, for Light Lab VBS Workshop! During the workshop, those passionate about reaching the next generation through VBS were equipped by Christy Kraus, BRN VBS Consultant, as well as Kris Buchman, Kids and Youth Ministry Consultant at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and Jen Gelert, VBS Director at East Shore Baptist Church in Harrisburg.

The workshop concluded with a powerful time of prayer for the next generation and for all the VBS volunteers and leaders serving in PA/SJ! Thank you to everyone who attended the VBS workshop!

Wrightsdale Baptist and Mason Dixon Baptist participate in Pulpit Swap Sunday

Sunday, April 19, looked a little different for two of our BRN churches! Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., and Mason Dixon Baptist Church in New Freedom, Pa., participated in a “Pulpit Swap Sunday,” when Dr. Ryan Day (Wrightsdale’s Senior Pastor) spoke at Mason Dixon Baptist Church and Dr. Terry Felton (Mason Dixon’s Senior Pastor) spoke at Wrightsdale.

These two pastors facilitated this special Sunday to encourage their churches to expand their view of God’s kingdom, and to remember that God is moving beyond the boundaries of our own comfortable corners of the world.

Harvest Community Church grows in discipleship practices through D-Life Training

On April 25, Harvest Community Church in Corry, Pa., welcomed a full room of eager disciple-makers for a D-Life Training hosted by David Ludwig, BRN director of discipleship and leadership development. Those in attendance spent the afternoon being reminded of their purpose as Christ followers: to make disciples. They discussed helpful practical steps and how to implement those within their own church walls and community.

Thank you for hosting David for this D-Life Training, Harvest Community Church! If your church is interested in hosting a D-Life Training, please contact David Ludwig at [email protected].

Baptisms:

Several proclaim their faith and are baptized at New Growth Church

It was an exciting Sunday at New Growth Church in Ocean View, New Jersey, on April 26! The church witnessed several people go public with their faith in Jesus and be baptized by Pastor Robert Matthews. Praise the Lord for new life in Christ and for all He is doing at New Growth Church!

Keystone North Church fills the tank and hears of lives transformed by Jesus

On April 26, Keystone North Church in Harleysville, Pa., witnessed the life-transforming power of Jesus as multiple people stepped into the waters, proclaimed their faith in Jesus, and were baptized. Praise the Lord! Please join us in rejoicing with the entire Keystone North Church family.

Steel City Church reminded of God’s faithfulness through Sunday baptisms

Sunday, April 26, was extra special at Steel City Church in Pittsburgh! During its worship service, the church watched several individuals share testimonies of God’s faithfulness and then be baptized. Please join us in celebrating with these brothers and sisters in Christ!

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.