2023 Impact Report

Race Against Time

2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church

On Nov 30/Dec 1st, 2006, I attended the AIDS conference sponsored by Saddleback Church in California. After being back a few days, I have reviewed my notes and reflected on what I saw and heard. This is an attempt to summarize those thoughts.

The stated purpose of the conference was “first and foremost for pastors of local congregations in our Purpose Driven Network looking for a practical plan of care, treatment, and prevention to use in their own communities.”

Background

There are currently 40 million people with AIDS worldwide and about 65% of those (26 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• EVERY DAY: 11,000 people become infected
• EVERY DAY: 8,000 people die
• There are currently 12 million African AIDS orphans

The major problem is the distribution of medicine, nutrition and education. The church ‘claims’ 2.3 billion members worldwide. The answer to the AIDS pandemic is the local church and its volunteer force.

In most of the remote parts of Africa, they may not have running water or electricity; they may not have access to clean drinking water or basic needs; but in nearly EVERY village, there IS a church!

This was the premise of the conference.

What keeps us from caring about this pandemic?

(As presented by Kay Warren at the AIDS conference in 2006)

1. We are afraid of the disease
   “I am bent over and racked with pain…my loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance.” (Ps 38:6,11 NLT)
2. We are afraid of what others might think
   “The Pharisees were indignant. ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’ they asked his disciples. Jesus replied, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.’ “ (Matt. 9:11-12 NLT)
3. We are afraid the problem is just too big
   “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matt 19:26 NLT)

Why must we care?

1. We are blessed to be a blessing.
   “If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?” (I John 3:17 TEV)
2. Jesus modeled caring.
   “…He had compassion on them and He healed their sick.” (Matt 14:14 NIV)
3. The problem demands it.
   “It’s criminal to ignore a neighbor in need.” (Ps 14:21 MSG)
4. God commands it.
   “Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.” (Matt 9:13 CEV) Also: Luke 6:36; Ezekiel 34:4; 9-10

What can your church do?

Care and support the sick (I Thess 5:14; James 1:27)
Handle testing and counseling (II Corin. 1:4)
Unleash a volunteer force of compassion (Matt 16:18)
Remove the stigma (I Cor 15:43; Rom 15:7; Gal 4:14)
Champion healthy behavior (I Cor 6:19,20; Rom 6:13; Ps 119:73)
Help with nutrition & medication (Isa 58:7)

This is Saddlebacks’ acrostic that they use to minister in their AIDS ministry. Obviously, each church can adapt to their own unique place and personality. However, this is a good starting place for a church who has no idea where or how to begin.

These issues can be accomplished through a program that Saddleback calls P.E.A.C.E.

Plant churches
Equip servant leaders
Assist the Poor
Care for the Sick
Educate the next Generation

The above offers a basic summary of the conference. Now, the question is, how will churches and individuals respond to this issue?

At the Leadership Summit in August, Bono of U2 talked about his work with AIDS and his desire for the Church to become involved. Bill Hybels challenged every person and church to “do something to help alleviate the pain and suffering caused by AIDS”.

In light of the Summit and the AIDS conference, here is a basic strategy that key leaders such as Bill & Lynn Hybels and Rick & Kay Warren are recommending for the church:

1. Doing nothing is not an option. This is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time and the church is the only organization that can work with government and NGO’s to accomplish the task.
2. The initial work must be started by the Senior Pastor. Whether it is just an initial sermon or announcement of a ministry, the Senior Pastor must lead it.
3. Form a group of individuals (task force) to help lead and guide your church into the type of AIDS ministry that works best for your church. Start an “AIDS education” class at your church to educate your people on AIDS. You would be surprised what you learn!

In light of these recommendations, here are some basic ways to get involved

• On the local front: Contact an AIDS ministry and simply ask: “How can our church assist you?” Find out what the most critical need is in your community and meet that need. Examples include transportation for AIDS patients; offering free AIDS testing at your church; hosting an AIDS support group at your church. These are EASY and can be started immediately with little or no funds.
• On the global front: Don’t go an inch deep and a mile wide. Whatever resources you commit to global AIDS, choose one area or one ministry and then ‘give and go’…give most or all of your AIDS resources to one focused, strategic ministry. Make sure that your key leaders visit the area that you are supporting.

One of the most respected ministries in America is World Vision. The Executive Director of World Vision is Richard Stearns. He spoke at the AIDS conference and was asked to speak on “what should the local church do”?

1. Key leaders must lead their churches in awareness; make church members aware of the scriptural teaching about the poor (over 2,000 verses about the poor); teach about the sin of apathy in regard to AIDS.
2. Churches must “listen and learn” before they act. Listen to the needs of the AIDS community before telling them what you can do for them.
3. Focus on them (AIDS victims) and not your own church. It’s not about us! Don’t let your church be the focus of the ministry.
4. “Don’t be a mile wide and an inch deep”…have a ‘focused’ strategy
5. Be professional. Do things with excellence. Do things the right way.

VISION FOR “STREETS OF AFRICA, INC”

After 4 months of research, learning and praying about the AIDS pandemic, I am certainly ready to move forward in an effort to help ‘alleviate the pain of AIDS’ through a ministry called “Streets of Africa” which was formed to educate churches about AIDS while working along side missionaries in Lusaka, Zambia to meet some of the most critical needs regarding the AIDS pandemic.

Streets of Africa, Inc exists to “educate, equip and engage the local church to minister to those affected by AIDS”.

We will accomplish this through an A, B, C approach:

Awareness (educate churches and individuals),
Basic training (equip pastors, church leaders and lay members for AIDS ministry)
Compassion (engage in the alleviation of pain and suffering through orphan care, medical clinics, hospice care and pediatric care and education)

Any person or group that would like to know more about AIDS and what churches can do or how they can become involved with “Streets of Africa”, I am more than willing to share with them.