Fr. Godwin’s Call to Care – Bringing HIV Testing into the Heart of Worship.

Fr. Godwin’s Call to Care – Bringing HIV Testing into the Heart of Worship.

At the Anglican Church in Mkunazini, Unguja, Sunday services became more than a time of spiritual reflection they became an entry point to health and healing, thanks to the leadership of Fr. Godwin Masoud.

Moved by a vision of holistic well-being, Fr. Godwin helped establish an HIV testing center within the church grounds. With trained healthcare professionals on site, congregants could access confidential testing in the same space where they sought spiritual support.

“I wanted the church to be a sanctuary not just for prayer, but for health too,” said Fr. Godwin. “After mass, we opened our doors for HIV testing. That simple act helped break the silence and encouraged others to do the same.”

He led by example becoming one of the first to be tested in the church to show that caring for one’s health is a shared and moral responsibility. His approach integrated messages of health and acceptance into sermons, gradually reducing fear and stigma around HIV.

Through regular health talks, counseling, and open dialogue, the church community became more empowered and informed. As more people came forward for testing, lives were changed through early detection, connection to treatment, and ongoing support.

Fr. Godwin’s efforts were supported by the Afya Kamilifu project, a five-year HIV response initiative funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and implemented by Amref Health Africa alongside faith-based and local partners.