When the Rev. Bernard Smith started offering HIV screenings on church premises, the stigma of the disease followed him to his pulpit.
“People would call you the AIDS preacher,” the Largo pastor said. “But I wasn’t interested, and listened to a higher power.”
But after seven years and after hundreds of people entered his sanctuary to get tested for the virus, more people are listening to what Smith preaches. In fact, churches across the state are following his lead, launching a joint initiative between the state Department of Health and the African Methodist Episcopal Church to establish at least one AIDS testing site in a place of worship in every county.
In Volusia County alone, 12 churches have signed up to do testing. In Orange County, an Oakland church is hoping to become a site. In Polk County, a site in Winter Haven is set to start testing at the end of the summer.
James O. Williams Sr., one of the regional leaders of the AME church, said that his community can’t hide from the disease that has affected a disproportionate number of blacks: Last year in Florida, blacks made up 54 percent of the AIDS cases reported, but just 14 percent of the population, according to the state health department.
“In the past it’s been standoffish as far as the churches are concerned,” he said. “But these are our family members, and the church should be part of the healing process.”
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Orlando Sentinel: Black churches shun stigma of AIDS, take on job of testing
When the Rev. Bernard Smith started offering HIV screenings on church premises, the stigma of the disease followed him to his pulpit.
“People would call you the AIDS preacher,” the Largo pastor said. “But I wasn’t interested, and listened to a higher power.”
But after seven years and after hundreds of people entered his sanctuary to get tested for the virus, more people are listening to what Smith preaches. In fact, churches across the state are following his lead, launching a joint initiative between the state Department of Health and the African Methodist Episcopal Church to establish at least one AIDS testing site in a place of worship in every county.
In Volusia County alone, 12 churches have signed up to do testing. In Orange County, an Oakland church is hoping to become a site. In Polk County, a site in Winter Haven is set to start testing at the end of the summer.
James O. Williams Sr., one of the regional leaders of the AME church, said that his community can’t hide from the disease that has affected a disproportionate number of blacks: Last year in Florida, blacks made up 54 percent of the AIDS cases reported, but just 14 percent of the population, according to the state health department.
“In the past it’s been standoffish as far as the churches are concerned,” he said. “But these are our family members, and the church should be part of the healing process.”
Read it all.