This Week in the BRN Family 05.08.25

BRN churches serve their communities through various outreach opportunities; we celebrate multiple baptisms; and our college ministries send off seniors - it's a celebratory week in the BRN Family!

May 8, 2025
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:

Bedrock Fishtown Men serve alongside The Table ministry in Kensington, Philadelphia

Men from Bedrock Church in Fishtown, Pa., teamed up with Pastor Benny and The Table ministry on Saturday, May 3, to serve breakfast to community members in the Kensington area. This opportunity not only allowed the men to meet physical needs, but also spiritual needs by engaging in gospel conversations and showing the love of Christ through their service.

Hillcrest Baptist Church races through weekend with Pinewood Derby

Over the weekend, Hillcrest Baptist Church in Butler, Pa., hosted a Pinewood Derby for the kids and youth in their community. Although the event was geared towards kids, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all ages! The kids had a blast racing their cars, while the adults enjoyed cheering them on and judging whose car was the fastest.

Erie Deaf Community Church hosts Easter fellowship

On April 17, the Erie Deaf Community Church hosted an Easter gathering, where they enjoyed a meal together, fellowship, and the inaugural performance of their choir. What a special time of celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior!

Women of all ages enjoy Ladies Conference at Harvest House Community Fellowship

On May 2, Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., welcomed women ages 6th grade-adult for their 2025 Ladies Conference. During the conference, women enjoyed a fine dining experience with men from the church serving them and heard an encouraging message from BRN Ministry Wives Consultant Beth Whitworth.

FBC Rochester hosts Pine Ridge Boys for Southern Gospel concert

First Baptist Church in Rochester, Pa., welcomed Southern Gospel group the Pine Ridge Boys on May 2 for a night of gospel-centered music and encouragement. The whole community was invited to come and enjoy the concert and hear a clear plan of salvation. This was FBC Rochester’s third time hosting the Pine Ridge Boys!

Harborcreek Community Church installs new lead pastor

On Sunday, May 4, Harborcreek Community Church in Harborcreek, Pa., officially installed Pastor Josh Scherrer as their new lead pastor. The church held a special service of prayer over Pastor Josh and his family and over HCC, with a meaningful message from his mentor and friend, Brian Croft.

Pastor Josh, his wife Emily, and their three boys moved to Erie in April from Lancaster. Prior to coming to Erie, Josh served as the Pastor of Member Care at Harvest Bible Church in Lancaster, where he had served since 2017. Previously, he attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Josh grew up in the Erie area and still has family and friends in the area.

Congratulations Pastor Josh! We are praying for you and your family as you step into this new role at HCC!

Baptisms:

God’s Field Church partners with fellow BRN church to celebrate baptisms

On Sunday, May 4, God’s Field Church in Ambridge, Pa., partnered with West Hills Baptist Church in Coraopolis, Pa., to baptize three people. West Hills opened their doors and baptismal for these individuals and Pastor Ken Sachs, and then joined God’s Field in celebrating new life in Christ! Praise the Lord for these baptisms! Please join us in celebrating with these individuals and the entire God’s Field Church family.

Five are baptized at Reclamation Church New Kensington

Reclamation Church in New Kensington, Pa., was reminded of the redeeming power of Jesus through the testimonies and baptisms of Jared, Will, Johnelle, Laura, and Natalie on Sunday, May 4. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ and their faith in Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Reclamation Church family.

Two go public with their faith at Grace Reformed Baptist

On May 4, Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Ramey, Pa., celebrated the baptisms of Noah Frantz and Lydia Walter. Praise the Lord for Noah and Lydia and their commitment to Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with them and the entire Grace Reformed Baptist Church family.

Renaissance Church holds baptism second week in a row

For the second week in a row, Renaissance Church in Pittsburgh celebrated baptism! This past Sunday (May 4), the church rejoiced as a young lady named Ann went public with her faith in Jesus. In a Facebook post, Renaissance shared Ann’s story, saying that she grew up in church but really didn’t know what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus until college. It was through the friendships and discipleship she experienced in college that she learned what it really meant to walk with Jesus. Praise the Lord for Ann and her testimony!

Igreja Batista Getsêmani teams up with Riverbend Community Church for baptism

Last weekend, Igreja Batista Getsêmani, a Brazilian church plant led by Pastor Josias in Lehigh Valley, held a baptism at Riverbend Community Church in Allentown, Pa. Praise the Lord for new life in Christ and for sweet church partnerships! Please join us in celebrating with this sister in Christ and the entire Igreja Batista Getsêmani church family!

Six testify to Jesus’ rescuing power at Restored Church

It was an exciting Sunday at Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on May 4 as the church witnessed six individuals share their testimonies and be baptized! Pastor Tim Walker shared that many of the testimonies were stories of Jesus rescuing people out of addiction, prison, homelessness, abuse, and dead religion. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Restored Church family.

Collegiate Corner:

College ministry at PennWest Clarion bids farewell to graduating seniors

NewLife/BASIC Campus Ministry at PennWest Clarion University said goodbye to their seniors last weekend as several of them walked across the stage and received their diploma. Congratulations to these college graduates! We are praying for you and all the Lord has in store for you!

Ministry at PennWest California sends off four seniors

It was a bittersweet weekend for NewLife Campus Ministry at PennWest California University as they bid farewell to their seniors. The group said goodbye to four seniors on Saturday, May 3. Congratulations to these graduates! Please join us in praying for them and their next season of life.

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.