This Week in the BRN Family 06.18.26

BRN churches kick-off VBS across Pennsylvania/South Jersey; in-and-out of state partnerships bless BRN churches; and churches celebrate ministry milestones and volunteers - it's a great week in the BRN Family!

June 18, 2026
Macala Mays

Ministry leaders in the Lehigh Valley gather to pray for Serve Lehigh Valley; churches enjoy special worship services; and we celebrate recent seminary graduates and many baptisms – it’s a very exciting week in the BRN Family!

Mission team from South Carolina serves alongside FBC Clarion and Harvest Community Church

Shady Grove Baptist Church in Belton, South Carolina, made their way to Clarion, Pa., and Corry, Pa., earlier this week to serve alongside First Baptist Church of Clarion and Harvest Community Church. Throughout the week, the SC mission team has helped with construction projects, local evangelism, and other projects that have served FBC Clarion and Harvest Community Church.

We are so thankful for our partnerships with fellow state conventions that make these connections possible. Thank you to our South Carolina friends for blessing our BRN churches!

MINISTRY MILESTONE: Ezekiel Baptist Church celebrates 64 years as a church family

Ezekiel Baptist Church in Philadelphia recently celebrated their 64th anniversary! To celebrate this ministry milestone, the church spent time together reflecting on years of building relationships, encouraging one another, and growing together in Christ. Through laughter, shared meals, hard work, and worship, Ezekiel has witnessed God faithfully strengthening bonds and growing their church family over the years.

Congratulations on 64 years, Ezekiel Baptist Church! We are so grateful for all the Lord has accomplished through you and are praying for your next many years of ministry!

First International Baptist Church of Trenton hosts ‘Usher Day’ and honors greeters

ministry On Sunday, June 14, First International Baptist Church (FIBC) of Trenton, New Jersey, hosted “Usher Day.” Usher Day is a Sunday that FIBC sets aside to train their ushers how to greet guests and warmly welcome worshippers with a smile as they are taken to their seats. A special badge was given to each participating usher, and a service of recognition was held to honor the ushers’ commitment and dedication to FIBC.

Wrightsdale Baptist Church highlights Lancaster Bible College and BRN partnership

On June 14, Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., hosted Fredd Williams from Lancaster Bible College (LBC) to share about the educational and spiritual life opportunities available at LBC. Lancaster Bible College shares a commitment to a Christian worldview, the authority of Scripture, and the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Now through a partnership with the Baptist Resource Network (BRN), students who attend a BRN church and go to LBC can receive 15% off their in-person tuition. Churches or individuals interested in benefiting from this discount or connecting with LBC can learn more here.

VBS season begins across Pennsylvania/South Jersey

VBS season is here!

While some of our BRN churches are still prepping for VBS, others are already fully immersed in all of the Vacation Bible School fun! No matter when your VBS or summer outreach takes place, we are thankful for all of our PA/SJ churches who are reaching the next generation and their communities with the Gospel this summer!

Here are just a few VBS moments from this past week in our BRN churches:

Shannon Creek Baptist | New Florence, Pa.

Thompsontown Baptist Church | Thompsontown, Pa.

Greencastle Baptist Church | Greencastle, Pa.

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.