HE INTENDS VICTORY
Background
He Intends Victory is a Christian ministry to those affected by AIDS. Begun in 1990 in Irvine, California, USA by Bruce A. Sonnenberg, pastor of the Village Church of Irvine and Herbert Hall, a person living with AIDS, He Intends Victory has circled the globe with the hope that only Jesus Christ offers. He Intends Victory provides a free information packet including their book He Intends Victory by Dan Wooding, phone counselling, support groups and AIDS education with AIDS educators who may also be HIV+.
Purpose
- To encourage a spiritual awakening within the HIV/AIDS community, and to promote faith in Jesus Christ as a living and personal God.
- To support churches in outreach opportunities to their HIV/AIDS members, their families and the local community.
- To educate the Christian community by providing educational packets, examples of church policy and personal testimony of Christians living with HIV/AIDS.
- To provide a loving Christian witness and scriptural literature at HIV/AIDS meetings and conferences nationally and internationally.
International Website
Full details on 'He Intends Victory' can be found on their website at www.heintendsvictory.com
United Kingdom Operations
He Intends Victory is a US registered organisation number 33-0616574 which has operated as a division of Judah Trust in the United Kingdom for some 10 years, initially in the Merseyside area under Irene Bibby. Following Irene's retirement at the end of 2008, He Intends Victory has appointed Pastor Asher Emetananjo as UK Country Director presently operating in the Greater London area.
The founder of He Intends Victory, Bruce Sonnenberg and Dan Davis a director, introduced Asher Emetananjo to Judah Trust in January 2009.
Asher Emetananjo, Bruce Sonnenberg, Joy Thomas, Dan Davies at Judah Trust
London Support Group
The He Intends Victory support group of Christians affected by HIV came as a result of HIV prevention work with black majority churches. The outreach and community mobilizers met with isolated and hidden members who could not find a safe space to discuss their issues. HIV related stigma, silence, denial and discrimination have been, and still are, an enormous barrier to effectively check the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Since March 2008 when the support group started with 8 members who came together, it has constantly grown to above 40 active members (about 28 women between the ages of 25 to 60 years and 12 men aged between 21 to 50 years of African and Caribbean origin, with about 11 children who come along with their parents). Though specifically targeting Christian communities for mobilizing members, other people affected by HIV who do not belong to the Christian faith have also become active members of the group.
The main success of the project in it’s first year has been the creation of a positive and loving environment for open discussion and sharing experiences by people affected by HIV.
He Intends Victory holds regular monthly meetings to share personal experiences of living with HIV within a Christian environment. It identifies issues affecting members in the community i.e. HIV and faith; faith and medication; HIV and immigration; coping with discrimination and stigma; dealing with disclosure and faith; healing and me.
He Intends Victory seeks to empower positive speakers who are willing to go to congregations, workshops seminars and communities to discuss and share about positive living and to train members as volunteers and key contacts between HIV prevention organisations and faith communities; and to provide home support to members
The role of faith cannot be underestimated particularly within the BME communities. Members find comfort in having a place where they can go and share about their challenges in a conducive and friendly environment. Whilst faith plays an important role, there are lots of myths and misconceptions that thrive due to lack of proper knowledge and awareness.
Having successfully piloted the first Christian faith based support group in London that is thriving, impacting and transforming lives of people affected by HIV, He Intends Victory is seeking to establish two new chapters in the Midlands.
Pastor Asher Emetananjo directly manages the work of He Intends Victory in the UK and can be contacted on asherng@yahoo.com .
Current News
Details of meetings and events will be posted here from time to time.