Breakthrough Sunday is a creation of the visionary, Rev. Arthur Boyd, CEO-GROUP Ministries, Inc. of Buffalo, New York. The first event involved the pastor of True Bethel located in Buffalo, New York preaching a sermon on HIV/AIDS, taking the HIV antibody test himself encouraging other church members to test as well resulting in over 100 church members testing that monumental Sunday service during November of 2003.several local HIV service providers and local Buffalo churches in an effort to engage faithful congregations and ministry on the issue of AIDS. Breakthrough Sunday events are designed in support of people living with HIV while encouraging everyone to learn about HIV prevention and to know their HIV status. CNN News provided coverage of this historic event, as did Kaiser Family News Foundation.

Beginning in January of 2003, Don Bruner, Executive Director of BMLMHC, Rev. Dr. Richard Douglass, Pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor T. Anthony Bronner, Pastor of Elim Christian Fellowship, and Rev. Arthur Boyd; CEO of GROUP Ministries begin planning for Breakthrough Sunday-Rochester.  Breakthrough Sunday-Rochester occurred on Sunday, August 10 2004, Rev. Dr. Richard Douglass preached a prophetic sermon on the topic of HIV/AIDS and healing. After the sermon, the Reverend Douglass  publicly stood on the stairs of the pulpit and took the HIV antibody test followed by Pastor Bronner and Associate Pastors from both congregations testing as well. Members of both congregations were encourage to be tested resulting in 86 individuals  being tested for the HIV antibody. pulpit where he then encouraged members of his congregation to also be tested. CNN News again provided provided coverage of this historic event, as did the Kaiser Family News Foundation.