This Week in the BRN Family 08.14.25

BRN Evangelism Grants aid Pennsylvania/South Jersey churches in summer outreach events and help churches prepare for fall opportunities and we celebrate baptisms - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

August 14, 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:

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Students learn how to please God and compete at Ekklesia Swordfighting Camp

In June, Ekklesia of North Philadelphia hosted a five day Stronghold Swordfighting Camp for kids 10-18 years old, where kids in their neighborhood learned how to swordfight and how to study the Bible. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Friendship Baptist cultivates gospel opportunities through community yard sale

A large local community yard sale provides community partnership and gospel opportunities for Friendship Baptist Church in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania. Read More

Erie ministry couples are treated to night out as part of BRN Pastoral Blessing

Pastors and their wives in Erie, Pa., recently enjoyed a pastoral blessing dinner with BRN Exec. Barry Whitworth and his wife Beth. The ministry couples enjoyed a beautiful evening along the Bayfront of Erie as they were encouraged by the Whitworths to continue to make Jesus known and lead their churches well in the Northwest Pennsylvania region.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Harambe Baptist colabors with fellow Philly church for Resource Fair Picnic

In July, Harambe Baptist Church in Philadelphia used a BRN Evangelism Grant to partner with a fellow local church, Trinity Church, and host a Resource Fair Picnic for its community. Read More

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Block party launches VBS at Reclamation Church New Kensington

After the weather canceled their June block party, Reclamation Church in New Kensington, Pa., decided to reschedule the event and use it as a way to kick off their week-long VBS. Read More

Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida blesses local families with backpacks

On Aug. 3, Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Lancaster, Pa., distributed 51 backpacks to kids in their community! The church invited their neighbors to church and then hosted them at Lancaster County Park for the backpack distribution and an afternoon of food and fun.

The Foundry preps to launch ‘Living Free’ support group

In Delaware County, Pa., there are more than 300 AA recovery meetings each month, but only one known support group for the families of those who are in recovery. The Foundry Church is hoping to change that with the fall launch of their ‘Living Free’ family support group. Read More

Baptisms:

Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida celebrates new life with cancer survivor

Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida in Lancaster, Pa., celebrated a special baptism on Saturday, Aug. 2, with a sister in Christ who beat cancer! Praise the Lord for this sister and the ways He has healed her! Please join us in celebrating with her and the entire Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida.

Millcreek Community Church baptizes 20 along the shores of Lake Erie

On Aug. 10, Millcreek Community Church in Erie, Pa., gathered at the shores of Lake Erie to baptize 20 individuals who publicly proclaimed Jesus as their Lord and Savior! What an incredible day to witness! Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with them and the entire Millcreek Community Church family. View

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.