This Week in the BRN Family 07.09.26

BRN churches utilize evangelism grants for summer outreach events and creative gospel-centered gatherings - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

July 9, 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:

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Victory in the Valley shares gospel with largest crowd yet

Victory in the Valley is an annual Christian music festival in Redbank Valley put on by local churches, including Grace Baptist Church. This year, the festival saw its largest turn out with 1,400 people! Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Grove Community Church serves local families through block party

Grove Community Church in Selinsgrove, Pa., utilized a BRN Evangelism Grant to host a block party for their community, where they engaged in gospel conversations and provided local families with a night of fun. Read More

Kids learn about the light of Christ at First Haitian Metanoia Baptist VBS

First Haitian Metanoia Baptist Church in Lansdowne, Pa., recently held Vacation Bible School for the children in their community. First Haitian Metanoia utilized Lifeway’s Illumination Station curriculum to teach kids about Jesus and how he is the light of the world. It was an exciting week for the kids and the volunteers!

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Party in the Park event produces ‘quality’ conversations at Keystone North

On June 12, Keystone North Church in Harleysville, Pa., hosted an outreach event called “Party in the Park.” Through this event, the church was able to engage in intentional conversations with community members and share the gospel. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: VBS a ‘joyful reminder’ for volunteers at Reclamation Church Monroeville

Through “Power Up,” Reclamation Church Monroeville’s annual VBS program, nearly 137 children heard the gospel and learned how to grow in their walk with Jesus. Read More

Baptisms:

Shannon Creek Baptist Church rejoices over baptisms on first Sunday in July

On Sunday, July 5, Shannon Creek Baptist Church in New Florence, Pa., celebrated the baptisms of Lindsey and Debbie. Praise the Lord for these sisters in Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with them and the entire Shannon Creek Baptist 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.