A mighty force: Challenges and opportunities in mobilizing a statewide African-American young woman's auxiliary health ministry to address cancer health disparities

Since 2005, the State Baptist YWA of the WBEMC in South Carolina has partnered with the SCCDCN to address cancer health disparities among African Americans. The YWA of the WBEMC is affiliated with the largest AA denomination in SC, and the SCCDCN is one of 25 National Cancer Institute Cancer Network Programs to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. The primary goal for the YWA is to provide cancer health promotion and health prevention educational sessions within participating Baptist congregations. Despite the adoption of a conceptual framework for a health ministry in 2002 by the parent body leadership, many challenges were encountered in mobilizing the YWA health efforts. The YWA became A Mighty Force by taking the lead in developing a health ministry that (1) met the needs of its congregations and university, (2) organized and generated regional strategic plans; (3) sought other grant opportunities to support effective health education programs and collaborations; and (4) led to tangible products (training, journal articles, scientific presentations, improved communications). In 2005, 45 persons attended a statewide planning meeting from affiliated churches, and in 2010, more than 225 individuals attended. While there were no health ministry planning sessions, regional planning meetings are now scheduled monthly. This partnership has created ten separate educational programs on topics to address cancer health disparities. A core component of the health ministry's foundation is that of CBPR and its principals which has aided in the removal of some barriers and stigma that might exist among faith based organizations and academia collaborations.