Greetings to my dear family !
Bridging the gap between compassion and theology
is the theme of this year's Black Church HIV/AIDS Training
Institute on May 27-30th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our
Training Institute is designed to convene pastors, deacons,
missionaries, church school educators, youth ministry leaders,
church nurses and other auxiliary leaders of The Black Church
to examine, discuss and seek solutions to effectively address
the continuing impact of HIV/AIDS on Black people.
At this annual Black Church HIV/AIDS convention, we invite
all church ministries to re-dedicate themselves to the critical
role of “leader” as we seek God’s guidance
in living through this sad hour of history, when over 25 million
people living with HIV/AIDS in the world today are of African
ancestry.
Over the past 14 years, The Balm In Gilead has been providing
technical assistance to Black churches who desire to develop
effective AIDS ministries in response to the AIDS epidemic
in their local community.
Today throughout our nation, many Black churches have AIDS
ministries and are making a difference in the lives of people
and families living with HIV here at home and abroad.. We
invite these churches to come and share their knowledge, triumphs,
innovations, motivations as well as the challenges to providing
HIV/AIDS education and services in their communities.
The Balm In Gilead works toward creating an environment of
knowledge, support, care, compassion and unconditional love
to overcome the barriers of ignorance, stigma, homophobia,
denial and hate. All of us at The Balm In Gilead are filled
with thanksgiving for the grace we have been shown this past
year in our efforts to mobilize faith institutions throughout
our global community to become centers for HIV/AIDS education,
service and care.
May the Holy Spirit embrace us as we come together to study
to show ourselves approved unto God. May the knowledge and
messages exchanged at The Black Church HIV/AIDS Institute
echo throughout our communities to bring us steps closer to
triumph!
Abiding Peace!
Pernessa C. Seele
Founder / CEO
Photo by: Gary Specter
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