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Black churches tackle AIDS during special prayer week
Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel
By DUANE SCHUMAN
02.26.01
STAYING HEALTHY
Government researchers use the words "devastating" and "chilling"
to describe the impact AIDS has had on African Americans. While African Americans
make up an estimated 12 percent of the U.S. population, they account for
nearly 37 percent of the nation's AIDS cases.
The latest year national statistics are available is 1999, and the numbers
are even more disturbing: 47 percent of all new AIDS cases that year were
among blacks; 63 percent of women with AIDS were black; 65 percent of children
with AIDS were black. Reports on HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- are
worse.
Reversing the often-fatal disease's spread is the reason behind the Black Church
Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. It is observed Sunday through March
10 at congregations in the United States, the Bahamas and Africa.
The problem in Allen County is marginally better than the situation nationally.
While blacks make up about 11 percent of the county's population, they represent
23 percent of HIV cases and 21 percent of AIDS cases.
Wendy Woods is the outreach coordinator for communities of color at Fort Wayne's
AIDS Task Force. Woods is charged with waking up our city's African Americans
to the problem of AIDS and HIV.
"People don't want to know," Woods said. "They think it's a
gay, white male disease."
In its 12th year, the Black Church Week of Prayer tries to use "the power
of the pulpit" to fight HIV and AIDS. It suggests that predominantly
Black churches hold services focusing on AIDS education during the week.
This will be the first time it is observed in Fort Wayne. Woods worked to inform
nearly 50 pastors of predominantly black Fort Wayne churches about the week.
Five showed interest. Only three churches have agreed to participate.
"It doesn't surprise me," said Pastor Ternae Jordan. "A lot
of churches are struggling with the role of the church in the battle against
this dreaded disease."
Jordan's Greater Progressive Baptist Church, 2215 John St., will devote its
7 p.m. March 7 service to AIDS education. Woods will attend and offer painless
oral swab testing after the service.
Greater Come As You Are Community Church, 6005 S. Anthony St., focuses on HIV
and AIDS during its 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. The New Joshua Full Gospel
Church International, 4119 Lafayette St., will hold a 7 p.m. March 6 service
on the subject.
Jordan's decision to participate was not difficult.
"I think the church should be right in the center of everything that is
happening in society," he said. "It ought to be on the forefront
of educating people about promiscuous sex, or talking about what the Bible
says about sin and homosexuality.
"Not only preaching about it, but reaching out to those affected by it,
ministering to those living with it."
Sometimes AIDS is in the center of the church.
"I'm a reverend and no one knows," said Edward, a black Fort Wayne
associate minister who has AIDS.
Edward, who asked that his full name not be used, believes he contracted HIV
in jail in the 1980s.
In 1998, he became deathly ill. He promised God from a hospital bed that he
would "preach the gospel" if his health returned. He credits God
with slowly taking away "the desire of homosexuality, drugs and partying."
Woods said one problem in the black community is married men who engage in
homosexual relations. Another is men who become HIV-infected in prison, and
then spread the disease when they are released.
Although he remains silent about his own AIDS, Edward urges a vocal role from
Fort Wayne Black churches.
"I don't know if they're scared to say the word 'AIDS' from the pulpit,
or they're just ignorant, but it's something that needs to be discussed,"
he said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that any effort to
prevent AIDS in African Americans must focus on high-risk behaviors. Among
male black adolescents and adults, 37 percent contracted AIDS through homosexual
relations. Another 34 percent were infected through injection drug use. Trading
sex for drugs and sharing needles can spread the disease.
Among black adolescent females, 42 percent contracted AIDS from injection drug
use. Heterosexual relations caused 38 percent.
Pat is a black Fort Wayne woman who believes she contracted HIV from her fiance.
He did not tell her that he was HIV-positive.
Pat broke off the relationship in late 1995. She said she has not dated, nor
had sex, since learning she was HIV-positive.
She warns women not to trust a man's image.
"(My fiance) was the cleanest, sharpest guy you'd ever see," she
said.
Jordan said that within Fort Wayne's churches, many people "struggle with
their sexuality." The pastor may get tested for HIV to set an example
for his own congregation. He hopes that those who are uncomfortable getting
tested at church will go to the AIDS Task Force, 2124 Fairfield Ave.
Pat urges Black churches to tell children about their risk. She also has a
message for HIV- and AIDS-infected black men.
"If you really want to be with (a) girl, you have to be truthful and honest,"
she said. "(Don't) just see how many women you can get infected before
you die."
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