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In a bold move that mirrors the goals of his predecessor, the senior pastor Atlanta’s Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, took an HIV/AIDS test during Sunday morning service.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of the church that the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King once preached his ministry of non-violence, says shame is part of what’s stopping people from being tested, and that the faith community must work together to change that.
I’m very convinced that if Martin Luther King, Jr. was alive today, he would be very focused on the issue of H.I.V. & AIDs. We’ve got to fight the unholy trinity of slience, shame and stigma.
Warnock took the test as part of the National Week of Prayer for Healing of AIDS. He stepped away from the pulpit, sat down and took a rapid oral fluid test called OriSure in front of the full congregation.
Twenty minutes later, he announced that the results were negative.
Warnock challenged other clergy to follow his lead, and after the service Ebenezer provided free and confidential tests to church members. I commend him for taking the first step in breaking the silence within the faith community.
This move deserves a standing ovation. Let’s see how many other Pastor’s follow his lead…
i went to ebenezer for the first time last month. since i moved downtown, i think ima go more often. i like how dude handles himself and his church
I BET NO OTHER CHURCH PASTOR’S WOULD MAKE SUCH A BOLD MOVE… KUDOS TO PAST WARNOCK!
God Bless You Pastor Warnock for taking the step that you so boldy did. I applaud you and the grace and dignity in which you held you head up high. What a "in plain signt" example you showed to the world. "If You Can Face It – God Can Fix It" and I am a witness that whatever is happending in someone’s life God is standing by to make the right wrong.
You are to be commended for showing your congregation the need for testing, truth, deliverance, the power of God, taking off the mask, and letting others know that we serve a God that is not intimidated and who will fight your battles, heal your mind, body and soul and take you to a place in Him that you never could even imagaine.
May the blessings of the Lord continue to rest upon your life as you reach out, preach messages of hope and deliverance and trust God no matter what. If I am ever in your area to minister, I will let you know. In the meantime, be ecnoruaged because God is well pleased as you are doing an excellent job in Kingdom Building! Can God? God Can! The Lord has favored you!