KNOXVILLE - The FAITH Coalition will mark the 2020 National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, March 1-7, with education, prayer and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing.

The coalition joins communities across the country observing the week to bring attention and awareness to the HIV epidemic, as well as to encourage a national dialogue on prevention, treatment and care and to reduce the stigma of HIV infections. The theme for this year’s week is Let’s Talk About It! Youth and HIV in America: Know Your Status.

National Week of Prayer activities include: An Evening of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m., Wesley Foundation at the University of Tennessee, 1718 Melrose Place.

On Thursday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m., there will be a dinner and Panel Discussion on Living with HIV for faith and healthcare professionals hosted by Samaritan Ministry at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 546 College Street.

The coalition will conclude the week with The National Week of Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 7 at 8:30 a.m. at the Community Evangelistic Church, 2650 Boyds Bridge Pike. The featured presentation is entitled I Live to Tell the Story – Why Faith Still Matters, with guest speaker Mr. Nathan Townsend.

Nathan Townsend is a singer, songwriter, producer, motivational speaker, international trainer and presenter, professor, writer, social advocate, philanthropist, creative director, fashion designer and consultant, and world-renowned emcee. However, out of all the titles that pose as preludes to his name, the one that matters the most is Social Advocate. Nathan is most passionate about his ever-widening work for HIV Awareness. His primary desire is to help others renew, recover, and rebuild.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, 17,522 Tennesseans were living with HIV in 2017. The black community particularly has been hard hit by the epidemic in Tennessee, accounting for more than half (56.4 percent) of those infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV and that 1 in 7 do not know they are infected. “It is important that our faith leaders step up to the plate in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the stigma that comes with this disease. We believe it is possible to get to zero,” said Deborah Porter, chair of the FAITH Coalition.

Faith leaders will pray for courage and inspiration to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with compassion. Samaritan Ministry will offer free and confidential HIV testing at the Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 7th.

The dinner and prayer breakfast are both free and open to healthcare providers, faith leaders, and all other interested members of the community, but organizers ask that attendees RSVP by February 27th as space is limited.

To make reservations for the dinner and/or the breakfast, or for further information, please contact Samaritan Ministry at 865-410-8597.