Church leaders are supporting HIV testing by being tested themselves and sharing images of testing with their congregations via social media.

During May international coordinator Tassie Ghata had two separate meetings with the national leaders of the TEKAN network and the leaders of the ECWA denomination.

The TEKAN network is a group of national church leaders from 16 denominations including COCIN and headquartered in Jos. During the meeting Tassie spoke with five executive leaders about the way we work with local churches and how communities are changed when Christians apply the gospel to all areas of their lives.

During the meeting Tassie tested three people – the COCIN president, TEKAN leader and his wife – to demonstrate testing and counselling. They posted pictures of themselves being tested on their Facebook pages so their followers could see their support for Grace & Light.

A few days later Tassie spent time with the president and leaders of ECWA Divisional Church Council of Jos, again explaining our social righteousness ethos and how we work with local churches. This follows a meeting with ECWA Divisional Church Council of Bukuru leaders in February.

These meetings are a big step forward for Grace & Light’s work in Nigerian churches as the support of leaders means local congregations are more likely to welcome volunteer teams to Sunday services.

Following these meetings Grace & Light volunteer teams have received invitations to speak at many TEKAN and ECWA churches that were previously unwilling to be tested and hear our message of social righteousness.

Please pray for the TEKAN and ECWA churches around Jos, for their leaders and our volunteer teams as we speak in their Sunday services; that all will seek to serve God and be light, salt and yeast in the area.

Photo captions:

Top: Tassie Ghata testing COCIN President Rev Dr Dachollom Datiri

Bottom: Tassie Ghata testing TEKAN General Secretary Rev Ebuga and his wife