World AIDS Awareness Day Prayer Breakfast Features Bishop Dwane Brock and Other Local Prominent Leaders

Urban Ministries  will convene its 2018 World AIDS Day  Prayer Breakfast on December 1, at, Flight of The Eagle's Nest Banquets Hall and Conference Center, 1125 Pennsylvania Avenue , Erie, Pennsylvania. This year's keynote speaker at the Prayer Breakfast is Bishop Dwane Brock., the International Presiding Bishop of Covenant Ministries International Fellowship. Locally, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Word of Faith Development Corporation which encompasses Victory Christian Center of Erie, Inc. and the Bishop's Institute of Applied Science & Biblical Studies. Additionally, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Eagle's Nest Leadership Corporation which is a Think Tank of community leaders dedicated to the dynamics of vision, educational initiatives, career development, and community civility for the city's at-risk youth.

The international theme for this year's World AIDS Day is "Knowing Your Status" and the event will highlight the need for communities of faith to take an active leadership role in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Elder Sonny Conception, the Prevention Coordinator Northwest Alliance Clarion University echoes the need for religious leaders to speak out about AIDS. Citing the disproportionate number of African Americans living with HIV and AIDS, Elder Conceptions says, events such as the Prayer Breakfast are important opportunities for awareness and education.  "We need to educate the faith-based community because it is impacting the people who sit in our pews,"

Elder Curtis Jones, Jr. the program host, explains, "HIV/AIDS affects all aspects of life, from not only the individual but the community itself and therefore it takes a holistic approach to address it. The basis for the work of the church in providing a successful plan for advancing health and wholeness, in response to the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, is to address all aspects of life -- economical, physical, mental, spiritual, political, and relational (community and family)."

Bishop Brock's keynote address at the  Prayer Breakfast will speak both to the understanding of the relationship between faith and health in the context of HIV/AIDS and to the need for communities of faith to take an active role in fighting the AIDS pandemic through education and prevention.

"We are honored that Bishop Brock chose to be part of this event. His (Bishop Dwane Brock)  longstanding commitment to the Erie Community coupled with his  insight on how faith impacts community health is a natural fit with the work we do.

The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Flight of Eagle's Banquets Hall and Conference Center 1125 Pennsylvania Avenue , Erie, Pennsylvania.  In addition to Bishop Brock's  address, other will participate in the program by offering readings, personal reflections, and prayers. The D.I.V.A.'s Dance Ministry of Victory Christian  Center Inc. will also perform.

Individual tickets for the event are $10.00. Full tables with seating for (5) five are $50 and  tables with seating for (4) four are $40. To purchase tickets or for more information on the World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast, please contact: Urban Ministries Erie Director of Programs and Operations Tom Lee, at 814-449-0646 or tsoundsproduction@yahoo.com.