Contact: Jon Hirst, The Well, 719-362-5235, jhirst@dotheword.org

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Dec. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- December 1st marks the annual observation of World AIDS Day. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation recently started a billboard campaign in featuring an image of a life-sized bull, the phrase, "No Judgmental Bullsh*t" and the website www.freeHIVtest.net. The phrase communicates AHF's commitment to offering free HIV tests without the negative stigma. House church leader Ken Eastburn believes the phrase has more value elsewhere, "It should describe the Church. I would love to see that on church signs!"

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care with over 100,000 people from 22 countries in their care. They recently embarked on a mass testing initiative to identify and treat the estimated 25 million people who don't know they are infected. By visiting www.freeHIVtest.net users can identify an "Out of the Closet" thrift store offering free HIV tests without the negative stigma.

"The Church has much to learn when it comes to the way we view and treat those with HIV/AIDS and we could stand to take a page out of the AHF's book," says Eastburn, "The fact that 'too judgmental' is one of the most common perceptions of Christians is troubling and is certainly not how Jesus was described by his contemporaries."

Eastburn is a leader with The Well, a network of home-based churches in California and Colorado. After selling their building in 2005, members began meeting in each other's homes where they challenge each other to love as Jesus did.

He continues, "The Church needs to learn, once again, that someone's condition, whether it is a result of their sin or not, does not grant us the freedom to judge or condemn them. It should be the church standing up for those with HIV/AIDS and telling everyone else, 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' It should be radical love, not judgment, that characterizes us."

The Well hosts 10-15 members at each of its five locations on a weekly basis. Eastburn and other members post their experiences on a blog maintained by the church, www.leavethebuildingblog.com, with the purpose of interacting with individuals from traditional and house church backgrounds.