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For Immediate Release
Contact: 212-730-7381
The Balm In Gilead Mobilizes Black Churches
As AIDS Crisis Worsens Among Black Americans
With Black people now accounting for 47 percent of new AIDS cases, The Balm In Gilead is intensifying its efforts to mobilize Black churches to respond effectively to the AIDS epidemic. The national non-profit organization, headquartered in New York City, seeks to establish Black churches as community centers for HIV/AIDS education and compassion. Toward that end, The Balm In Gilead is releasing new educational materials, establishing a presence on the worldwide web and organizing the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which begins the first Sunday in March and engages more than 5,000 churches in a week of prayer and educational activities.
"Churches are the most important institutions owned and operated by Black Americans," said Pernessa C. Seele, the founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead. "Their active and visible leadership is essential for alleviating the devastation AIDS is causing in Black communities." According to Ms. Seele, who founded the organization in 1989, the worsening AIDS status of Black communities is motivating more and more churches to seek ways to integrate HIV/AIDS education into their work with church members and community residents.
"There is no doubt that the link between HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and sexual activity has been a stumbling block for churches who feel that such behavior is contrary to their tenets," said Ms. Seele. "Fortunately, increasing numbers of churches are realizing that providing AIDS education and social services is consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Clearly, Jesus' actions on behalf of the sick show us how we should behave during this age of AIDS."
The Balm In Gilead operates the nation's only Black Church HIV/AIDS Technical Assistance Center under a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC's) National Partnerships for HIV Prevention. The Technical Assistance Center provides guidance to churches, nonprofits, schools and individuals. Its many resources reflect Black church cultures and traditions.
The Balm In Gilead is endorsed by all major Black Christian denominations and caucuses, including the eight-million-member National Baptist Convention USA and the four-million-member African Methodist Episcopal Church. It also has earned the endorsement of Bishop T.D. Jakes, who draws millions of viewers to his weekly television program.
National Training Opportunities
The Balm In Gilead offers training conferences throughout the year. The training programs assist churches in addressing AIDS and help public and private health agencies engage Black churches in HIV/AIDS programs.
In 1999, church representatives may attend the Black Church HIV/AIDS Training Institute. The Institute will address the practical and theological issues associated with HIV/AIDS and participants receive continuing education credits from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. The Institute, which is supported by an educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb, will take place October 7-9, 1999 in Atlanta.
Representatives of public and private health agencies who wish to increase their effectiveness in working with Black churches on AIDS issues may attend The Balm's training conference for community-based organizations in July 1999 in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Innovative Approach
Recognizing that traditional methods of promoting HIV/AIDS awareness may not work among Black Americans, The Balm In Gilead has developed new ways of making AIDS messages relevant. The organization's approach puts AIDS awareness into a Black church context, as exhibited through such publications as The Black Church HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention Guide and Urgent! What Black Pastors Need To Know About Drug Abuse and AIDS.
The Balm also provides educational videos, including the Emmy winning Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS, which features Maya Angelou, Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Toni Morrison and other celebrities. With funding from the Kaiser Family Foundation, The Balm is creating the world's first HIV/AIDS Sunday School Curriculum, which will be available in 2000.
Where There Is Hope, There Is Healing
The Balm In Gilead is founded in the belief that education and prayer have brought Black Americans through the toughest of times. The organization takes its name from the biblical Book of Jeremiah (8:22), which refers to healing in a time of sickness. The name also is the title of a traditional African American spiritual which is sung as an expression of faith and comfort in most Black churches.
Churches, organizations or individuals wishing to get more information about The Balm In Gilead's programs and services may contact The Balm at: 130 West 42nd St., Suite 450, New York, NY 10036; 1-888-225-6243. Web users may visit www.balmingilead.org or email the organization at info@balmingilead.org.
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