Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Macala Mays
STATE MEETINGS: Montana, Pennsylvania-South Jersey
Montana Baptists ‘Standing Strong’ By Karen L. Willoughby BILLINGS, Mont. – A sense of refreshed zeal emerged from the annual meeting of the Montana Southern Baptist Convention, which took place at Heights Baptist Church Oct. 1-2. Jeff Iorg, president and executive director of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, and Tim Dowdy, vice president for evangelism at the North American Mission Board, were keynote speakers.
Prayer paves the way for Serve Lehigh Valley
Photo by Tony Scaglione. A group of volunteers serving at a mobile grill site pray before starting their day at Serve Lehigh Valley. ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Burdened for her hometown friends to encounter Jesus, a teenage Amy Velarde prayed for the people of Lehigh Valley.
South Carolina pastor arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor
LEXINGTON, S.C. (BP) – A pastor with 15 and a half years of service at his church was arrested on June 30 for sexual exploitation of a minor, 3rd degree. Daniel “Dan” Keith Rabon, 62, was taken into custody by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office.
Celebrate Recovery transforms Tennessee jail
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. –Jail feels like limbo for some. It is a place of saving grace for others. It was for Torie McCord. A married mother of three, McCord had been leading what looked like an ordinary suburban life. But underneath, she was struggling with alcoholism. “You wouldn’t have known that about me. I hid it,” she said. “I was a functioning alcoholic.” The addiction carried on for years – until she received two DUIs and was sentenced to nearly a year in the Putnam County Jail.
Prayer paves the way for Serve Lehigh Valley
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Burdened for her hometown friends to encounter Jesus, a teenage Amy Velarde prayed for the people of Lehigh Valley. Thirty years later, in the same steel stack-covered region, Amy, now a pastor’s wife, saw her prayers answered June 26-27 as more than 500 volunteers from across Pennsylvania, South Jersey and beyond participated in Serve Lehigh Valley, the third installation of the Baptist Resource Network’s (BRN) ServePASJ initiative.
FIRST-PERSON: Why resolutions should matter to Southern Baptists
By RaShan Frost Each year at the Southern Baptist annual meeting, a segment of the business sessions is dedicated to the various resolutions messengers are called to vote on. Resolutions are formal statements that are “an expression of opinion or concern.” Forty-two resolutions were presented to the Committee on Resolutions this year. Eleven were adopted and revised by the committee and were sent to the messengers for a vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Cross Church on a mission to reach the next generation with the Gospel
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Cross Church was already a large and thriving church when Nick Floyd took over as pastor seven years ago. Floyd, who has been at the church for 17 years, served under his father, Ronnie Floyd, who was pastor more than 30 years. Nick said he assumed leadership over a church that was already a “healthy church with a heart for evangelism.” In addition to his role as the senior pastor, Floyd also serves as the chaplain for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team.
Georgia church sees renewed growth through prayer, invitations, faithfulness
HAZLEHURST, Ga. – When Michael Creamer arrived at Eureka Baptist Church in 2018, only three people were attending. Eight years later, the church is averaging around 65 in worship, has welcomed new believers and new members, and is seeing renewed energy through worship, children’s ministry, missions and evangelism. “We definitely have been blessed with new folks, and some new believers as well,” said Creamer, pastor of Eureka Baptist.
Baptist communicators honor history, welcome firsts at annual workshop
Photo by Jim Veneman. BCA officers Mitchell Bruce (far right) and (left to right) Kathleen Sparks, Sarah Graham and Brandon Elrod listen to BCA Historian Cam Tracy just before the 2026 workshop gets underway. MOBILE, Ala. — Fences decorated in colorful beads and sprawling branches from well-seasoned live oak trees welcomed more than 70 Baptist communicators to the historic streets of Mobile on April 13-17 for the Baptist Communicators Association’s (BCA) 71st annual spring workshop.
SCBaptist, NAMB announce partnership to support church planting in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBaptist) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB) announced the launch of SendSC, a unified initiative to strategically plant and support church planters in South Carolina. According to the United States Census Bureau, South Carolina was the fastest growing state in the nation in both 2024 and 2025, seeing an increase of 1.5 percent in 2025 and nearly 80,000 new residents in the last year.
Carson-Newman students preach in Tennessee churches through student-led effort
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – It’s a rainy Thursday on Carson-Newman University’s campus. A few minutes before noon. But the late February overcast doesn’t dampen spirits of the students filing into the conference room. The weekly mid-day meeting is a new class called “Sermon Preparation and Delivery” and is the structured result born from events that began organically last fall. The commonality among the young men taking their seats: a collective desire to share the Good News and to learn to do it well.
Baptist communicators honor history, welcome firsts at annual workshop
MOBILE, Ala. – Fences decorated in colorful beads and sprawling branches from well-seasoned live oak trees welcomed more than 70 Baptist communicators to the historic streets of Mobile April 13-17 for the Baptist Communicators Association’s (BCA) 71st annual spring workshop.
STATE MEETINGS: Pennsylvania-South Jersey, Montana
Metadata: Series: SBC DigestsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: Accelerate 2025 marked by ‘a call to return to the altar’ and bold moves By Macala Mays HARRISBURG (BRN) – Guests at the fifth annual Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey Accelerate Conference were challenged with sidelining the timid and accepting a call to bold prayer, bold impact and boldly loving their neighbors on Oct. 7 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Americans help Canadians on ‘Moving Day’
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and MinistryFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: QUEBEC CITY, Quebec, Canada (BP) – Churches from six states sent members to Quebec City to help people move from one residence to another June 30 and July 1. Together with 74 Canadian Christians, the 140 volunteers moved 54 families over the two days. Each team moved between four and six families.
Rural church provides hope and a refuge for the outcasts
BLACKSBURG, South Carolina (BP) — “If you start a church, I’ll come.” Phillip Martin was in his last semester at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary when two unchurched friends told him they would attend a church if he planted one. Martin had no plans of starting a church in his hometown of Blacksburg, South Carolina. After finishing at Southeastern in 2018, he had begun working full-time at an established church in town and hadn’t thought about planting one. But he could never get settled.
‘We’ve seen God come through’: Alabama church’s Christian school growing
Metadata: Topic(s): EducationFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SELMA, Ala. – When Gary Crum was in high school, he spoke some words that one day he’d learn weren’t true. “My dad worked at a factory that made military garments in Selma, and I remember bringing him lunch sometimes,” he said. One of those times, his dad’s boss asked him what grade he was in. “I said, ‘I’m in the 12th, and he said, ‘So you’re getting ready to come over here with us,’” Crum said. “And I said, ‘No, sir.
‘Catalytic’ cooperation drives Serve Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | Baptist Press
WILKES-BARRE, Pa., (BRN) – Over the course of two days, more than 500 volunteers from across Pennsylvania/South Jersey and beyond converged in the northeast corner of the Keystone state to serve alongside six churches in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, June 27-28.
Church plant in Peru grows after medical clinic
In the heart of Lima, Peru, a church plant blossomed in the backyard of a home in the community of Magdalena. Initially, the congregation was small, but a turning point came when the church hosted a medical clinic for residents. This act of kindness and compassion brought about a significant transformation. A team of volunteer medical professionals from the U.S., including pharmacists, nurses, a physical therapist and nurse practitioners, traveled to Lima to provide medical care to those in need.
This article was originally written by Alice Hobbs, Macala Mays and published to Baptist Press. SAN ANTONIO (BCA) – Baptist communicators from across the nation made their way to Alamo City April 21-24, for the annual Baptist Communicators Association (BCA) spring workshop.
Sena se jubila después de seis décadas sirviendo a la
“Estoy profundamente agradecido por la vida fiel de servicio del Dr. Sena. Desde la iglesia local hasta un seminario nacional, los bautistas hispanos han tenido la bendición de contar con su liderazgo, influencia e impacto en nuestra comunidad. Oramos para que Dios bendiga su nueva etapa”, dijo Jesse Rincones, director de la Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas y presidente de la junta directiva de la Red Nacional Bautista Hispana (RNBH).
Continúa la disminución de miembros de la Iglesia Bautista del Sur en medio de otras áreas de crecimiento
Metadata: Share this post: BRENTWOOD, Tennessee — En 2024, la Convención Bautista del Sur bautizó a más miembros nuevos que en cualquiera de los siete años anteriores, pero aún así registró su decimoctavo año consecutivo de disminución general de miembros.
Las iglesias plantas bautistas del sur de la “generación 2024” se multiplican
ATLANTA – Tras ver un anuncio de una iglesia en las redes sociales, un padre recién divorciado entró por casualidad a la All Grace Church de Atlanta con sus dos hijas. All Grace no era la iglesia que había visto en Internet, pero resultó ser la que necesitaba. “Él estaba como: ‘Estoy empezando de nuevo en la vida en este momento, y yo sólo estoy tratando de estar en el camino correcto’”, dijo Allen Hollie, líder plantador de All Grace Church.
Cerca de 200 líderes hispanos se capacitan en la conferencia Para la Iglesia en Georgia
Metadata: Share this post: JONESBORO, Ga. — Cerca de 200 líderes de iglesias de habla hispana se reunieron en la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Jonesboro el sábado 5 de abril para un día de adoración, ánimo y capacitación en liderazgo, centrado en el tema Liderazgo fiel y eficaz. Organizada bajo la iniciativa For the Church del Seminario Teológico Bautista Midwestern, la conferencia reunió a pastores y equipos ministeriales de todo Georgia.
La Junta Estatal reconoce a Rummage con instalación oficial / escucha el desafío de los imperativos misionales / celebra el pasado / enfoca en el futuro | Baptist Press
JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Al asumir el cargo de director ejecutivo-tesorero de la Convención Bautista de Florida el 17 de agosto de 2024, Stephen Rummage fue reconocido con un servicio oficial de instalación durante la reunión de la Junta Estatal de Misiones los días 24 y 25 de abril en el edificio bautista en Jacksonville.
Cada vez más, los adolescentes ven los aspectos negativos de las redes sociales, pero aún no están dispuestos a abandonarlas
Metadata: Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) – Aunque un reciente estudio de Pew Research afirma que cada vez más adolescentes son conscientes de los efectos negativos de las redes sociales, eso no significa que estén preparados para nada parecido a una ruptura a gran escala con ellas.
Communicators reflect on work done ‘all in the name of the Lord’ at 2025 BCA workshop
SAN ANTONIO (BCA) — Baptist communicators from across the nation made their way to Alamo City April 21-24, for the annual Baptist Communicators Association (BCA) spring workshop.
International missionaries face new restrictions spreading Gospel in China
BEIJING (BP) – The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enacted new restrictions on foreign missionaries there May 1, preventing them from preaching, evangelizing and establishing various religious organizations among other activities without official government approval.
Cooperation key to work among nations say new IMB missionaries emeriti
Metadata: Topic(s): International Mission BoardFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: RICHMOND, Va. – Together, the newest group of emeriti who gathered at International Mission Board’s annual Celebration of Emeriti near Richmond April 27-May 1, represent 1,818 years of service. They didn’t reach that milestone alone. Among the 65 new emeriti who came to Virginia were Mick and Dalese Stockwell, who spent 30 years as IMB missionaries in Ukraine and Czech Republic.
Bible Study: Redemption that matters
Metadata: Topic(s): LifewayFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Communicators reflect on work done ‘all in the name of the Lord’ at 2025 BCA workshop | Baptist Press
Metadata: Topic(s): SBC NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SAN ANTONIO (BCA) – Baptist communicators from across the nation made their way to Alamo City April 21-24, for the annual Baptist Communicators Association (BCA) spring workshop.
Philadelphia churches near fatal plane crash respond and seek prayer partners
Located just three miles from the site of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of seven individuals on Jan. 31, Proclamation Community Church, Calvary Christian Church and other BRN churches seek to minister to those impacted by the crash and ask for prayer warriors.
Evangelicals want secure borders and citizenship pathway for immigrants
Metadata: Topic(s): Immigration, LifewayFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Many U.S. evangelicals may view early immigration and refugee maneuvers by President Donald Trump’s administration as a mixed bag. Evangelicals want both secure borders and laws that provide avenues for certain illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, according to a Lifeway Research study.
SBC DIGEST: New Lifeway women’s Bible studies; New Jared Wilson book
Lifeway spring Bible studies include Rothschild, Woodson, Doctor, Beless By Lauren Pratt/Lifeway Lifeway Christian Resources is releasing several new Bible studies for women this spring from seasoned teachers of God’s Word, including “Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight” by Jennifer Rothschild, “Live Free: A Study on Galatians” by Elizabeth Woodson and “Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace” by Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless.
Philadelphia pastors provide prayer, presence following tragic plane crash
PHILADELPHIA – Members of Proclamation Community Church and Calvary Christian Church are feeling the weight and impact of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of seven individuals, including an 11-year-old pediatric patient and her mother, when it crashed Jan. 31 shortly after taking off from the Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
The importance of – and mandate for – Christians in the public square | Baptist Press
NASHVILLE (BP) – Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, doesn’t feel politics is something to avoid. “Christians engaging in elections should not be seen as an extracurricular activity,” said Griffin, who has advocated on behalf of Georgia Baptists in the state capitol for 17 years.
Bible Study: Your kingdom come
NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups. This week’s Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.
STATE MEETINGS: Pennsylvania-South Jersey
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey (PA/SJ) held its best-attended annual meeting to date with nearly 300 attendees and 90 churches represented Oct. 8 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg. The business session was followed by the fourth annual Accelerate Conference. At the time of the business session, 111 messengers were seated, and a total of 226 guests were present.
STATE MEETINGS: Pennsylvania-South Jersey
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey (PA/SJ) held its best-attended annual meeting to date with nearly 300 attendees and 90 churches represented Oct. 8 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg. The business session was followed by the fourth annual Accelerate Conference. At the time of the business session, 111 messengers were seated, and a total of 226 guests were present.
Glimpses of hope: Photo gallery shows Florida Baptists' Helene response so far
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: From darkness to light. From despair to hope. From tears of sorrow to tears of joy. Amid widespread devastation throughout the Sunshine State in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have demonstrated and shared God’s love over and over and over again.
Recovery of a different kind: church’s plan for Helene was put in place years ago
Metadata: Topic(s): Churches and Ministry, Disaster ReliefFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: SWANNANOA, N.C. (BP) — As a student minister in Deland, Fla., Jeff Dowdy led a group of teenagers to Metairie, La., to join the cleanup response after Hurricane Katrina. He was at his church, Stetson Baptist, when four hurricanes rolled through his city in just over a month’s time in 2004. For the last 11 years Dowdy has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Swannanoa.
‘Wars and rumors of wars.’ Stress builds as Israel fights on seven fronts
Metadata: Topic(s): International NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: NORTHERN ISRAEL (BP) – Burned, torn, dismembered bodies. Chemical smells. Even the noise. Yasmeen Mazzawi handles it all as a volunteer paramedic with the Israeli emergency medical services organization Magen David Adom (MDA). “It’s not easy to see this and come back home at the end of the day and put my head on the pillow,” she told Baptist Press. “I think of everything I saw.
Four reasons why evangelism is often misunderstood in the local church
Metadata: Format(s): Text Articles Share this post: It’s Chuck Lawless’ fault. Okay, the previous sentence is tongue-in-cheek. My friend and co-laborer in ministry, Chuck Lawless, has cited 2 Corinthians 2:4 so many times that I often get it stuck in my mind. To be clear, getting it stuck in my mind is a good thing. Look at the verse: Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.
Volunteers walk away 'good tired' from inaugural Serve PA/SJ weekend | Baptist Press
ERIE, Pa. (BRN) – In the northern corners of Erie, rows of grapevines consume field upon field, filling the air with the sweet aroma of produce ready to be plucked. In the southern pockets of the city, the metropolitan region sees both high class sail boats docking at Bayfront and run-down warehouses sitting vacant on impoverished streets.
STATE MEETINGS: Colorado; Pennsylvania/South Jersey
Colorado 2023 annual meeting shows its diversity By Karen L. Willoughby ARVADA, Colo. – Colorado’s multicultural population was on full display at the state convention’s recent annual meeting. At last count, 318 Southern Baptists registered Oct. 9-10 at Revive Church in Arvada for the 68th annual meeting of the Colorado Baptist General Convention.
STATE MEETINGS: Pennsylvania-South Jersey, Colorado
Baptist Resource Network meeting emphasizes missions, love By Macala Mays/Baptist Resource Network HARRISBURG, Pa., (BP) – Placing a focus on showing the love of Christ and reaching the next generation, the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey appropriately kicked off its annual Accelerate Conference with 246 attendees – 132 messengers and 114 guests – worshiping to music led by students from Messiah University’s SEVEN.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Macala
Contact Macala, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack