This Week in the BRN Family 07.31.24

Mission teams take the gospel to the nations; Summer outreach continues across PA/SJ; and we rejoice over baptisms - it's a great week in the BRN family!

July 31, 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:

First Baptist Church of Crestmont youth live out Great Commission in Puerto Rico

First Baptist Church of Crestmont in Willow Grove, Pa., sent out a group of 16 youth students and six leaders to partner with YouthWorks Missions Organization in Puerto Rico to live on mission and share the gospel, July 20-28. Read More

VBS focuses on magnifying the Lord at Harvest House Community Fellowship

It was an exciting week of VBS at Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., as volunteers taught kids in their community what it means to magnify the Lord through interactive lessons and engaging games!

Travelers Church pairs backpack giveaway with community cookout

Last week, Travelers Church in Moon Township, Pa., combined a backpack giveaway with a cookout to bless the families in their community! Kids were able to pick out a backpack for the upcoming school year, which was filled with essential school supplies, and families were invited to stay and enjoy a free meal and a time of fellowship.

Big Woods Bible Church hosts first ever boys and girls sports camp

Through July 21-25, Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven, Pa., launched their first ever boys and girls sports camp for kids in 3rd-6th grade. The new outreach saw a total of 18 kids, who, during the week, learned how to play a variety of sports as well as about different “MVPs” of the Bible and how they point to Jesus, the ultimate MVP!

Firm Hope Baptist Church hosts VBS for all ages

This past week, students of all ages learned how to magnify the Lord through VBS at Firm Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia. During this week of VBS, the church offered classes for children, teens, young adults, and adults – it was an encouragement for the whole church!

First Baptist Church of Ulysses rounds out week of VBS with community cookout

First Baptist Church of Ulysses in Ulysses, Pa., concluded their week-long VBS with a community cookout! At the end of the week, the church invited their VBS kids and their families to come and enjoy a free meal and fellowship as well as family-oriented activities. What a great way to top off a fun week of VBS!

Edgewood Church wraps up annual EC Kidz Camp

Edgewood Church in Beaver Falls, Pa., recently wrapped up their annual EC Kidz Camp, where kids are invited to come and participate in formative summer activities and learn about the Lord! This year’s activities included horseback riding, fishing, sports, theater, pottery, wood crafts, and hiking. What a fun way to engage children and get them excited about hearing the gospel!

Baptisms:

Iglesia Electric City rejoices over 11 individuals going public with their faith in Jesus

Last Sunday (July 27) was a special day for Iglesia Electric City in Scranton, Pa., as they watched 11 brothers and sisters publicly declare their faith in Jesus through baptism! Praise God for drawing these individuals to Himself and for their obedience and boldness in declaring that Jesus is Lord! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire Iglesia Electric City family.

Catalyst Church Altoona celebrates baby dedication and multiple baptisms

It was an exciting Sunday at Catalyst Church in Altoona, Pa., on July 27 as the church celebrated a baby dedication and several baptisms! Praise the Lord for the young families He is raising up at Catalyst and for these baptisms! Please join us in celebrating with these individuals as well as with the Catalyst Church family.

Plaid Community Church gathers poolside for baptisms

On Sunday, July 20, Plaid Community Church in Pittston, Pa., gathered at a pool and witnessed the baptisms of Jenna, Alberta, and Isaac! The church hosted a cookout following the baptisms to continue the celebration. Praise the Lord for these individuals going public with their faith in Jesus! Please join us in rejoicing with them and the entire Plaid 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.