To help Black churches address the stigma of AIDS, Jamell Meeks, wife of Rev. State Sen. James Meeks of Salem Baptist Church, will lead the wives of nearly 40 African American pastors, along with several Black female ministers, in holding an historic HIV testing event in their churches on September 26, following Sunday services. Of the participating churches, nearly 75 percent are offering HIV testing for the first time.
Screenings for high blood pressure will also be conducted.
Mrs. Jamell Meeks, who chairs the annual "First Ladies Luncheon" initiative, comprised of more than 100 church First Ladies from throughout the Chicagoland area, spearheads this Health Day. Salem Baptist has over 4,000 members.
Other participating First Ladies include: Tara Jenkins of Fellowship Baptist Church, Margaret Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church, Corliss Moody of Quinn Chapel AME, Beverly Walker Donley of Stone Temple Baptist Church, Regina Crider of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Lisa Porter of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Georgette Finney of Metropolitan Apostolic Church, and Rev. Vicki Johnson of Come Alive Ministry of Faith.
“We believe this is the first event of its kind involving churches throughout the area,” says John Gremer, Director of Community Affairs for Walgreens, which is sponsoring the event. Additional sponsors include the Chicago Dept. of Health, the Illinois Dept. of Health, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and Danielle Ashley Communications.
“Too many people in our communities are suffering heart attacks, strokes, complications from diabetes, or going untreated for AIDS because they are not even aware they have these medical conditions,” says Jamell Meeks of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. “We decided enough is enough, and are making these vital health screenings available to everyone.”
“Having these screenings available on the same day at locations around the area makes it an event that will be hard to miss,” adds Tracey Alston, President of Danielle Ashley Communications. “If someone’s church isn’t participating, chances are the church down the block or around the corner is, so no one will have to miss out on any of these life-saving health screenings.”
Although Danielle Ashley is reaching out to churches, the agency also is encouraging churches to contact them at (312) 640-9550 so that more churches can participate in this health initiative.
Participating churches
Salem Baptist Church of Chicago
752 E. 114th, Chicago, IL 60628
Beautiful Zion M.B.C.
1406 W. 64th Street, Chicago, IL 60636
Mt. Carmel MB Church
740 E. 42nd Street, Chicago, IL 60653
True Foundation Transformation Church
8801 South Normal Ave., Chicago, IL 60620
Temple of Glory
311 E. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60619
Fellowship
4543 S Princeton Ave., Chicago, IL 60609
Gethsemane C.O.G.I.C
6959 S Elizabeth, Chicago, IL 60636
Valley Kingdom Ministries International
1102 E. 154th St, South Holland, IL 60473
Apostolic Faith Church
3823 S. Indiana, Chicago, IL 60653
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
1257 W. 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60643
Holy Jerusalem M.B.C.
1621 E. Lincoln Highway, Ford Heights, IL 60411
Atonement Covenant Church
7001 S Laflin, Chicago, IL 60636
St. Thomas Episcipocal Church
3801 S Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60653
Come Alive Ministry of Faith
2204 E 73rd Street, Chicago, IL 60649
The Christ Way M.B.C.
1210 E. 62nd St., Chicago, IL 60637
Stone Temple Baptist Church
3622 W. Douglas Blvd., Chicago, IL 60623
Quinn Chapel AME
2401 S Wabash, Chicago, IL 60616
City of Refuge
200 Dellwood, Lockport, IL 60401
Canaan MBC
1701 W Garfield, Chicago, IL 60636
Zion Temple Church
7010 S. Union, Chicago, IL 60621
Third Baptist Church of Chicago
1551 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643
St. James Ministry
11750 S. Lowe, Chicago, IL 60628
Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church
4100 S. King, Chicago, IL 60620
Southlawn United Methodist Church
8605 S. Cregier, Chicago, IL 60617
Greater Lily Baptist Church
4823 S Princeton, Chicago, IL 60609
Englewood Mennonite
832 W 68th St, Chicago, IL 60621
The Christian Temple Missionary Baptist
6344 N Kimbark, Chicago, I L 60637
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church
116 N Leclaire, Chicago, Il 60644
