The Balm In Gilead Presents it's National Black Church Institute For HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities

Registration Open for National HIV/AIDS Conference for Black Churches in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina October 23-26, 2007

NEW YORK, NY) –August 8, 2007…The Balm In Gilead, a non-governmental organization whose mission is to improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to address life-threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, presents The Black Church Institute for HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities to be held October 23-26, 2007 at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Now in its 7th year, The Black Church Institute on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities brings together African American church leaders and representatives from across the country to enhance and strengthen their capacity to address HIV/AIDS, as well as other diseases that are disproportionately affecting African Americans such as cervical cancer and Hepatitis C.

This year’s Black Church Institute will include keynotes and workshop sessions from religious leaders who represent some of the nation’s top historical denominations and institutions.

Some of these speakers include: Rev. Dr. Stephen Thurston, president, National Baptist Convention of America and senior pastor, New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, IL; Rev. Dr. Claude Alexander, senior pastor, University Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC; and, Keith Rawlings, medical director, Peabody Health Center, Dallas, TX; In addition, the conference will feature an unprecedented session led by the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., senior pastor emeritus of The Riverside Church in The City of New York along with his brothers Drs. David C. Forbes and Ronald O. Forbes and his sister Anna Forbes Towns. This renowned family will host a plenary on A Comprehensive, Spiritual Approach to Effectively Addressing HIV/AIDS.

Other conference speakers for this year’s Black Church Institute on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities include: Bishop Michael V. Kelsey, Sr., New Samaritan Baptist Church, Washington, DC; George Roberts, PhD, Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; Rev. Dr. Renita Weems, Teacher of Spiritual Insight; and Bev. Smith, host, "The Bev Smith Show,” American Urban Radio.

"Many African American congregations across this country are making the ‘crisis of health’ a major focus of their ministry,” says Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO, The Balm In Gilead and organizer of the conference. "For many congregations, HIV/AIDS is no longer a silent subject within the pew. It now has a major place within the ministerial body of the church. Our 2007 conference will provide training and support that will strengthen established health ministries, as well as educate and empower other pastors and laity to do the same.”

Information and Registration
A registration fee of $295.00 ($325 after October 15, 2007) covers all conference materials, activities and meals. Information on overnight accommodations at The Hilton Oceanfront Resort is available in the conference brochure. Individuals interested in attending The Black Church Institute for HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities may contact The Balm In Gilead at 1-888-225-6243 for a conference brochure or click here to visit the Programs area on our web site for full conference details.

About The Balm In Gilead
The Balm In Gilead is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to address life-threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. For 18 years, The Balm In Gilead has mobilized The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which engages Black churches to become centers for education, compassion and care in the fight against HIV/AIDS.