This Week in the BRN Family 09.25.25

A BRN church considers what's next with a BRN Next Level Training; we celebrate new life in Christ through baptism; and the next generation serves at the church and campus level - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

September 25, 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:

CareView Community Church explores next steps with BRN Next Level Training

Last weekend, CareView Community Church in Lansdowne, Pa., hosted BRN Director of Church Advancement and Evangelism Dr. Larry Anderson for a Next Level Training. This training encouraged the church to work together to explore what God may be calling them to next as they seek to reach their community with the Gospel. Is your church ready for the next level? Contact the BRN Help Desk to schedule a Next Level Training at your church by emailing [email protected].

Youth lead worship experience at First International Baptist Church of Trenton

On Sunday, Sept. 21, the youth took over at First International Baptist Church of Trenton in Trenton, New Jersey, for the church’s 11 a.m. worship experience. The students were in charge of the entire worship service, except for the preaching of the Word. This opportunity gave students a chance to serve their church family, while also learning how to step into leadership.

‘Church Mother’ is honored and encouraged at Browns Mills Baptist Church

Browns Mills Baptist Church in Browns Mills, New Jersey, shared that on Sept. 14, they honored an integral member of their church family, Ms. Lois Bodine. Bodine is affectionately referred to as Browns Mills’ “Church Mother” and on Sunday they celebrated her 90th birthday! Sister Lois has been faithfully cleaning the church and assisting with various projects over the years. She was also formerly a member of the church choir. Happy Birthday, Sister Lois! We are grateful for the life the Lord has given you and for your faithfulness to the Browns Mills Baptist Church family!

Wrightsdale Baptist Church connects with community through Solanco Fair

Last week, volunteers from Wrightsdale Baptist Church in Peach Bottom, Pa., spent their days at the Solanco Fair, connecting with their community and “being the Church” outside their building’s walls. The church set up a “corn bin” for kids to play in and find treasures, while parents and family members were invited to sit down and take a break from all of the fair fun! Volunteers from Wrightsdale were available to engage in Gospel conversations and offer prayer.

Baptisms:

Five are baptized from New Growth Church following Wild4Jesus Conference

Sept. 19-21, New Growth Church of Oceanview, New Jersey, attended the Wild4Jesus Conference in Wildwood, NJ. The conference was designed to celebrate God-given creativity across multiple art forms and point guests to Jesus. Following the Sunday service, five individuals felt led to publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus, so New Growth Church made their way down to the beach, where Pastor Robert Matthews Jr. baptized these brothers and sisters! Praise the Lord for this harvest!

God’s blessing seen through baptism at Fredericksburg Baptist Church

Fredericksburg Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Pa., celebrated the baptisms of two new Christians on Sunday, Sept. 21! During the worship service, the church witnessed Braiden and Sarah Williams proclaim their faith in Jesus and be baptized. Please join us in celebrating with Braiden and Sarah and the entire Fredericksburg Baptist Church family.

First Baptist Church of Delaware celebrates baptisms

Sept. 21, was a beautiful Sunday full of baptisms at First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware! The church rejoiced with several brothers and sisters in Christ as they made public proclamations of their faith in Jesus. Please join us in celebrating with all those who were baptized and the entire FBC Delaware church family.

Ministry Milestones:

Greencastle Baptist Church celebrates 50 years of Kingdom work

This year marks 50 years of Kingdom work at Greencastle Baptist Church! On Sunday, Sept. 21, the Greencastle, Pa., church celebrated this ministry milestone during their worship service and then hosted a picnic celebration after. Congratulations Greencastle Baptist! We are so thankful for all the Lord has accomplished through you in these past 50 years. Thank you for your faithfulness in proclaiming His Good News!

Collegiate Corner:

Campus Ministry at PennWest – California leads See You at the Pole prayer event

Early in the morning on Sept. 24, students at PennWest – California University (Cal U), gathered around the flag pole on campus for See You at the Pole, an annual event where students across the nation gather for a time of prayer. NewLife Campus Ministry at Cal U hosted the event, leading their peers in a time of worship and prayer.

BRN EVANGELISM GRANT: Welcome event draws students into spiritual conversations at Drexel University

Drexel University Baptist Campus Ministries partnered with Story College Church to host a Glow in the Dark Sports night for students. This event created a space for Christian and non-Christian students to be welcomed to campus and engage in spiritual conversations as they wanted. Read More

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.