This Week in the BRN Family 10.30.25

Ministry leaders attend Send Network One Day in Philadelphia; BRN churches engage in evangelism and leadership development opportunities; and we celebrate new life in Christ through baptism - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

October 30, 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:

Philadelphia Send Network One Day event leaves ministry leaders encouraged and equipped

The first of two Send Network One Day events in Pennsylvania was held this past weekend, Oct. 24-25, at Keystone North Church in Philadelphia. This Send Network One Day experience featured Mac Lake, founder and CEO of The Multiply Group, and aimed to inspire and equip Jesus followers to join God’s mission of expanding His Kingdom. Many BRN pastors and leaders were in attendance.

The next Send Network One Day event will be held in Pittsburgh on Nov. 19 at Travelers Church. Learn more or register for this opportunity here.

Faith Community Church Lakeside combines with Cal U campus ministry for night of worship

Faith Community Church Lakeside in McMurray, Pa., recently partnered with New Life Campus Ministry at PennWest California University for a time of worship and fellowship. What a beautiful picture of multi-generational worship and the Church caring for the next generation!

Jesus shown and shared with ‘many’ at Plaid Community Church Fall Fest

On Oct. 19, Plaid Community Church in Shavertown, Pa., hosted more than 500 guests for their Fall Fest! The church gave away 600 hot dogs, seven gallons of apple cider, and plenty of chili throughout the day. Most importantly, Pastor Stan Oschman reported that, through the event, they were able to “show and share Jesus to many.”

First Haitian Metanoia Baptist equips through leadership development session

At First Haitian Metanoia Baptist Church in Lansdowne, Pa., Pastor Noelson Chery and his wife Edna recently met with Sunday school teachers for a special leadership development session. The heart behind this training was to encourage and equip those pouring into the next generation at First Haitian Metanoia Baptist!

First International Baptist Church of Trenton concludes summer with ‘Evangelism Explosion’ weekend

At the end of September, First International Baptist Church of Trenton in New Jersey said goodbye to summer in an explosive way. Under the pastoral leadership of E. Solomon Ernst, the church’s Evangelism Ministry hosted an “Evangelism Explosion” weekend. The entire weekend was characterized by food, fun, and fellowship.

Throughout the weekend, members of First International Baptist Church prayed over their community, intentionally went out and shared the Gospel with their neighbors, and hosted a special “Homecoming: Family and Friends” worship service. This particular Sunday was set apart by welcoming those who have left the Church for various reasons and rejoicing with new disciples who recently accepted the Gospel.

Baptisms:

Pittsburgh church plant celebrates baptism at local river

On Oct. 19, The Church at Mon River, a church plant located in Pittsburgh, celebrated the baptism of Jacob! During the church’s worship service, Jacob shared his testimony, and then following the service, he was baptized in the nearby river. Praise the Lord for Jacob’s faith in Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with him and the entire Church at Mon River family.

Calvary Christian Church gathers outside post worship service for baptisms

Following their worship service on Oct. 26, Calvary Christian Church in Philadelphia gathered outside to witness multiple people proclaim Jesus as Lord and be baptized. Praise the Lord for this celebration of new life in Christ! Please join us in rejoicing with those who were baptized and the entire Calvary Christian Church family.

First Baptist Church of Delaware celebrates baptisms and greeter recognition

On Sunday, Oct. 26, First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle, Delaware, celebrated several baptisms and greeter recognition. Praise the Lord for these brothers and sisters in Christ going public with their faith in Jesus! Please join us in celebrating with them and the entire FBC Delaware 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.