05/06/2026
Wise words from our founder and executive director in tribute to the unsung heroes, sheroes and pioneers in faith and community service:
We Celebrate Pioneers in HIV Prevention in the Faith-Community
What does an Adrian Dominican Sisters, a Director of a Doctorate of Ministry Program and a Gospel Music Historian have in common? When it was not “popular” they made wide reaching platforms available that provided HIV preventive education to thousands, dare I say millions and their impact is still alive today in the houses of worship of different denominations that are providing HIV prevention services. They voices helped to open “the doors of the church.”
Recently these 3 “unsung heroes of HIV prevention” made their transitions. Dr. (Sister) Anneliese Sinnott, was the Director of Pastoral Ministry, Dean and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary (ETS), her quiet strength radiated both humility and authority. Her academic and ministerial accomplishments were impressive and far-reaching extending all the way to Belgium. I had not idea that when she “decided” that Gospel Against AIDS HIV preventive educational training sessions would be held in every major course at ETS, she made it happen. Thankfully the President of ETS at the time, Dr. V. Bruce Rigdon endorsed her decision. We began our sessions at Marygrove College then moved with ETS to its present location. That was over 20 years ago.
Dr. Urias Beverly, Director of the Doctorate of Ministry and Muslim Chaplaincy Program made taking GAA’s HIV Prevention Sessions mandatory for his seminarians. Dr. Beverly would become one of 3 Board Chairs for GAA. His input helped to guide the direction of GAA for over fifteen years. He would also allow GAA to use ETS’s historic sanctuary to provide monthly multi-denominational “Time for Healing” Worship Services, where guest Pastors (among them Dr. Charles Adams, Dr. Edward Branch and Dr. Timothy A. Williams, to name a few), would deliver the word, while diverse choirs and gospel singers uplifted spirits. These services were for the “community.” Those who were homeless, in recovery, under and unemployed would receive a meal, clothing and HIV testing. Because of Dr. Beverly, City Covenant Church under the Pastorship of Thomas Semmeal in Detroit, and 2nd Chance Church under the Pastorship of Derrick Aldridge in Flint became HIV testing sites and condom distribution centers for more than 2 decades.
Dr. Deborah Smith-Pollard, who corrected me the first time that I met her in the correct pronunciation of her name, “Deborah like the prophet,” was a gospel music historian whose national reputation solidified her name among the most recognized, respected, and knowledgeable names in gospel music. For over 20 years, I needed only to call her and say “… the HIV infection rate is increasing” and she would make a way to have me on her show. Whatever testing event we held, she would provide the platform for it. At the time, she was the only voice on radio that gave HIV prevention and testing a platform to be heard. She knew that the role of the church should be to meet not only the spiritual needs of people but their health needs as well. She opened the door for other radio hosts to invite us to speak, and in their pulpits. Mix 92.3 became a major promoter of HIV prevention events for GAA because she opened the door.
I will truly miss them all. They are passing the baton to all of us. What will you do with it.
Thank you Anneliese, Urias and Deborah.
-Rosalind Andrews-Worthy
Gospel Against AIDS Executive Director/Founder
