This Week in the BRN Family 08.13.26

Pastors and missionaries in Philadelphia share how God is moving in their city; churches help churches through Kingdom partnerships; and we celebrate several baptisms - it's a great week in the BRN Family!

August 13, 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:

Engage the City highlights four mission field areas in Philadelphia

On July 24, North American Mission Board (NAMB) Send City Missionary for Philadelphia Kyle Canty hosted an Engage the City event, where he took local church and community members to four different mission fields within the city of Philadelphia. Those participating heard from pastors, ministry leaders, and missionaries serving in the following key locations: Strawberry Mansion, Point Breeze, Camden, and Drexel University.

Throughout the day, guests heard from Pastor Alonzo Johnson of Believers Bible Fellowship; Pastor Jahill Richards who serves in Camden, New Jersey; Dr. Kyle Canty, pastor at Great Commission Church and NAMB missionary; and NAMB collegiate missionary Brian Musser, who serves at Drexel University.

Delaware Valley Baptist and Pastor Chris Betner contributed to the day by providing transportation, while Pastor Gerald Waters and his wife Symara, Proclamation Community Church, sponsored meals for the day. Praise the Lord for an encouraging day of hearing how God is working in the City of Brotherly Love!

Virginia partners aid New Providence Baptist Church in Fellowship Hall construction

At the beginning of August, volunteers from River Oak Church in Virginia traveled to New Providence, Pa., to help New Providence Baptist Church and Pastor Ron Rush with the construction of their new Fellowship Hall. During their time in Pennsylvania, the construction crew was able to hang 200 sheets of drywall. Pastor Ron described the volunteers and the work they completed as “an answer to prayer.” Praise the Lord for Kingdom partnerships!

Lion of Judah Ministries International considers next steps through BRN Next Level Blueprint training

On Sunday, Aug. 9, BRN Church Advancement Consultant Noelson Chery joined Pastor Philip Draper and his congregation at Lion of Judah Ministries International in Yeadon, Pa., for a time of worship, encouragement, and training on the BRN Next Level Blueprint. The BRN Next Level Blueprint is designed to help churches and pastors prayerfully consider the next step the Lord is calling them to take and how they can move toward their next level of fruitful ministry.

Learn more about the BRN Next Level Blueprint and how your church can benefit or schedule a Next Level consultation with a BRN church advancement consultant at www.brnunited.org/journey.

BRN Evangelism Grant: Penn West Kids Camp engages 97 campers with the gospel

Penn West Kids Camp is an annual partnership between churches scattered throughout western Pennsylvania to provide a week-long camp experience for kids that, ultimately, points them to the Hope of Jesus Christ.

This partnership includes: Zion Church (Clarion, Petroleum Valley, and Jefferson County), Grace Community Church (Curlsville), First Baptist Church (Clarion), Faithbridge Community Church (Pittsburgh), and Catalyst Church (Altoona).

This year, the camp hosted 97 campers at Little Mahoning Bible Camp in Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, where they learned about God’s “Kingdom Quest.” At the end of camp, eight campers confessed Jesus as Lord for the first time and 30 expressed interest in baptism! Read More

Baptisms:

Altoona First Southern Baptist Church goes poolside for baptisms

Altoona First Southern Baptist Church in Altoona, Pa., rejoiced with five individuals this past Sunday as they publicly proclaimed their faith in Jesus and were baptized! Each person was baptized by Pastor Don Mast. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ!

Harvest House Community Fellowship welcomes four into the family of God through baptism

It was an exciting Sunday at Harvest House Community Fellowship in Towanda, Pa., as the church family witnessed the baptisms of Niko, Benson, Finley, and Tracy! Please join us in celebrating with these individuals and the Harvest House Community Fellowship church family.

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship hosts annual Baptism at the Beach event

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship in Sicklerville, New Jersey, recently held their annual Baptism at the Beach, where several individuals publicly declared their faith in Jesus and were baptized in front of their church family. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ and their obedience to Him!

Travelers Church rejoices over new life in Christ through baptism

On Sunday, Aug. 9, members of Travelers Church in Pittsburgh were reminded that new life is found in Christ when two people were baptized by Pastor Wes Winebarger during the worship service. Praise the Lord for this brother and sister in Christ!

PBCI annual church retreat made extra special with baptisms

Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) in Philadelphia had an extra exciting church retreat as several individuals, representing all ages, decided to be baptized during the retreat. Praise the Lord for the Hope we can have at any age because of Jesus!

One publicly declares Jesus as Lord through baptism at Three Rivers Grace Church

Last Sunday, Three Rivers Grace Church in Pittsburgh had the privilege of hearing the testimony of Gregg and witnessing his baptism. Praise the Lord for this brother in Christ and his boldness in publicly declaring his faith in Jesus!

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.