This Week in the BRN Family 11.20.25

BRN reveals and dedicates Pittsburgh-Warren Mission House; Send Network holds One Day event in Pittsburgh; and college students gather for worship and service opportunities - it's an exciting week in the BRN Family!

November 21, 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 reveals and dedicates Pittsburgh-Warren Mission House at Open House event

On Nov. 15, several BRN leaders and friends from South Carolina dedicated the newly renovated Pittsburgh-Warren Mission House in Pittsburgh. Participants enjoyed a tour of the updated facilities and prayed over all the future ministry that would take place there.

During the dedication, BRN Executive Director Barry Whitworth commended Randy and Pam Creamer (and teams) of the Saluda Baptist Association (S.C) for their sacrificial and faithful help in organizing and leading the work, BRN Director of Finance and Operations Andy Weber for his diligence overseeing the projects, Steve Dirks for his caretaking of the property, and several pastors and church leaders from across Pennsylvania and South Carolina who assisted in the effort. Want to learn more about the house? Visit brnunited.org/pgh-house.

Christian Faith Fellowship considers next steps using BRN blueprint

Christian Faith Fellowship in Downingtown, Pa., recently hosted BRN Director of Church Advancement and Evangelism Dr. Larry Anderson for a day of vision-casting and next steps. Alongside Pastor Ricky Wilson, senior pastor at Christian Faith Fellowship, Anderson walked the church’s leadership team through the BRN next steps blueprint and encouraged them as they considered their next steps as a church!

New Growth Church blesses community through ‘Love Banquet’ event

On Nov. 8, New Growth Church in Rio Grande, New Jersey, hosted a special event called “The Love Banquet – Cape May County.” The event was designed to be a day of service, prayer, and worship as volunteers from New Growth came together to bless their community. The church served free meals, provided a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, and offered prayer and gospel conversations to all who attended.

Send Network One Day equips planters and ministry leaders in greater Pittsburgh region

On Nov. 19, church planters, ministry leaders, pastors, students, and laypeople gathered at Travelers Church in Moon Township, Pa., for Send Network One Day. One Day events are designed to inspire and equip Jesus followers to join God’s mission of expanding His Kingdom. During this One Day event, guests were challenged in their leadership and discipleship skills by Mac Lake, Founder and CEO of Multiply Group. Lake encouraged ministry leaders to approach leadership development just like Jesus.

Throughout the day, guests also heard from NAMB Send City Missionary Zakk Roberts and other Pittsburgh area leaders, enjoyed worship, celebrated local church planters, and recognized BRN Executive Director Barry Whitworth and his wife Beth

Ordination council takes place at BRN Hub for Wrightsdale next gen pastor

On Nov. 18, Wrightsdale Baptist Church leaders and other ministry leaders from across our state association gathered at the BRN Hub in Harrisburg to participate in an ordination council for Jared Carline, next gen pastor at Wrightsdale Baptist. During this time, ministry leaders examined Carline’s testimony of faith, calling to ministry, education, leadership experiences, theological beliefs, and ministry philosophy. Thank you to all of the pastors and leaders who took part in this special day!

Baptists on Mission continue to deliver backpacks throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey

Our North Carolina friends from Baptists on Mission are on the move in Pennsylvania and South Jersey!

This past week, volunteers from Baptists on Mission delivered 500 backpacks to Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and 300 to Browns Mills Baptist Church in Browns Mills, New Jersey. Filled with toys, essential items, food, and the Gospel message, these backpacks will be distributed to families in need this Christmas season. Thank you Baptists on Mission for helping our churches meet needs in their communities! We are so thankful for your partnership!

Baptisms:

Baptism marks new life in Christ at First International Baptist Church of Trenton

Following Sunday School on Nov. 16, First International Baptist Church of Trenton, New Jersey, celebrated the baptism of Sister Jamestta Givens! Sister Givens was baptized by Rev. Solomon Ernst, senior pastor at First International Baptist Church of Trenton. Praise the Lord for this sister in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with her and the whole church family!

One goes public with faith in Jesus at Wrightsdale Baptist Church

On Nov. 16, Wrightsdale Baptist Church rejoiced over a young lady named Katelyn going public with her faith in Jesus! Praise the Lord for Katelyn and her new life in Christ! Please join us in celebrating with her and the entire Wrightsdale Baptist Church family.

Collegiate Corner:

Steel City Church hosts worship night for students

On Nov. 19, Steel City Church in Pittsburgh hosted a special worship night for the college students in their community. Not only did students experience a time of worship and fellowship, but they also enjoyed a cereal bar provided by the church!

College students at Lock Haven University pack Operation Christmas Child boxes during Bible study

During their Monday night Bible study, students a part of Athletes Bible Study at Lock Haven University, a collegiate ministry of Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven, Pa., packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). The students donated items for OCC and then worked together to pack a total of 34 boxes! After packing, the students spent time praying over the boxes and the children who would be receiving them.

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.