The Black Church 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 the Black Church Training Institute for HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities, 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 17 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 addressing HIV/AIDS in our communities, which includes, ignorance, stigma, denial, homophobia, myths and lack of education and resources.

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 conquering HIV/AIDS.