09/03/2026
On Sunday, August 30, Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis partnered with Step-Up, Inc. to observe National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day through our Faith, Fellowship & Health Community Wellness Fair. Our church was transformed into a welcoming space where members of the congregation and surrounding community could receive free HIV testing, blood-pressure screenings, health and wellness information, community resources, prayer and pastoral support, free food, and opportunities for meaningful conversation and fellowship. Children and families also enjoyed activities and a bounce house.
This impactful day was made possible through the collective work of Step-Up, Inc., Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, The Journey, WeCare, Women in Motion, Inc., HIV Modernization Movement–Indiana, the Ryan White HIV Services Program, the Marion County Public Health Department, Aspire Indiana Health, and the Damien Center. We are deeply grateful for every organization, healthcare professional, volunteer, ministry leader, and community advocate who shared their knowledge, resources, time, and compassion.
These photographs capture more than a successful community event. They reveal what becomes possible when the Church opens its doors and faith and public health come together with a shared purpose. Every screening offered, every conversation held, every resource shared, and every person welcomed represented an opportunity to reduce stigma, expand access to care, strengthen community relationships, and remind people that they are seen, supported, and valued.
This is prophetic ministry: confronting stigma, addressing health disparities, sharing trustworthy and potentially life-saving information, and caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. It is the Church declaring through both word and action that every life possesses sacred worth and that no one should have to face illness, fear, or uncertainty alone.
The pictures capture the joy, but the impact reaches far beyond what the camera could see. This is partnership in action. This is prophetic ministry in practice. This is the Church serving with open doors and open hearts. Special thanks to Dr. Joty T. Allison for chairing this event and to Naks Photography for capturing this amazing moments!
Ending stigma. Expanding care. Building healthier communities.
