By Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson, Executive Director of AWAB
Every year on December 1, communities around the world pause to observe World AIDS Day—a day to remember the lives taken by HIV/AIDS, to honor those living with HIV today, and to recommit ourselves to compassion, dignity, and justice.
Within the LGBTQ+ community, the history of the AIDS crisis is marked by profound loss and immense courage. It includes painful stories of rejection by the church, but also powerful stories of those who chose a different way: people who refused to let fear have the last word, people who stayed, who cared, who loved, and who fought for the dignity of every child of God.
For AWAB, this day is both remembrance and recommitment. The wounds of the crisis still echo, especially for those who encountered condemnation where they should have found compassion. Yet every week we meet congregations choosing love over fear, affirmation over exclusion, and presence over silence. Their witness reminds us why this work matters.
Why This Work Must Continue
As we mark World AIDS Day, I want to offer a word of gratitude. Your support this year has strengthened AWAB’s ministry in meaningful ways. Because of your generosity, we are able to:
• Walk alongside congregations taking their first courageous steps toward full inclusion.
• Support pastors navigating difficult and often painful conversations with grace.
• Equip churches with resources that make LGBTQ+ people safer and more welcome.
• Remind LGBTQ+ Baptists that they are loved without condition and without exception.
This is real ministry happening right now — and it is possible because of you.
Looking Ahead to Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is December 2
As we move from World AIDS Day into the Advent season, we also enter a moment of opportunity. On Giving Tuesday, AWAB invites supporters to help deepen and sustain this work.
Between now and December 31, every gift to AWAB is being matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
Your Giving Tuesday gift will help:
• Strengthen our advocacy
• Resource welcoming and affirming congregations
• Support pastors and leaders doing this work faithfully
• Expand AWAB’s capacity for the year ahead
If you feel moved to support AWAB’s ministry during this season, your gift will go twice as far.
Make a matched gift here: www.awab.org/support
Continuing the Work of Welcome
Whether you give on Giving Tuesday or not, please hear this clearly: you have already helped make this movement possible.
On World AIDS Day, we remember.
On Giving Tuesday, we recommit.
And together, we nurture a Baptist future rooted in love, justice, and radical welcome.