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Why it's a race against time: Orphans and vulnerable children
You have probably seen the news about Madonna's recent adoption of a 13-month-old little boy from Malawi. Many individuals laud her care and support for this baby, others have questioned if it is in the child's best interest to be taken away from his father and his culture.
These are difficult issues. What is best?
There are more than 15 million AIDS orphans in Africa alone. How are we, as the Church, to deal with this? Every child matters to God; it is time for the Church to get connected with God’s heart for children. Advocating for orphans and vulnerable children will require every bit of compassion, tenacity, and urgency we can muster. Read more >>
Kay Warren, co-founder, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, Calif., and executive director of Saddleback Church's HIV/AIDS Initiative |
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From Tennessee to Africa, churches
work together to address AIDS
In 1999 John Thomas, senior pastor of Fish Hoek Baptist Church in Cape Town, South Africa, heard a statistic that changed his life: 44 percent of the people in a community just a mile from his church building were HIV positive. Though he later learned the real number was closer to 25 percent, he knew that if he did nothing about AIDS, he couldn’t face God on Judgment Day.
A few years later, Scott Harris, minister of missions at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., had a similar experience. Read more >>
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Ortberg says pastors should care about those with HIV because Jesus does
Long-time pastor and author John Ortberg believes there is a simple reason pastors must care about people infected with HIV/AIDS. Scripture is clear on the issue – it’s what Jesus would do.
“Jesus has told us whatever we do for the least of these, for those suffering, we do for him,” said Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in the Bay area of California. “Jesus’ central command was love.” Read more >> |
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Explore how your church can offer HIV testing
Christians reveal their thoughts about HIV/AIDS
9 ways to get involved this World AIDS Day |
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'My mother ... I am forgetting'
Martha was only 6 years old when her mother, Ruth, died of AIDS. Learn Ruth and Martha's story in this in-depth feature created by The Seattle Times. (NOTE: Some of the material may be alarming and is unsuitable for young readers.)
How to help children this World AIDS Day
World Vision offers ways to help children by joining the fight against AIDS this upcoming World AIDS Day. (NOTE: Richard Stearns, World Vision's president, is a keynote speaker at Saddleback Church's upcoming Global Summit on AIDS and the Church.)
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Every day, around 1,800 children are infected with HIV, most through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or breast milk. Fortunately, mother-to-child transmission can be greatly reduced with simple and effective interventions. (NOTE: Mark Dybul, M.D., U.S. global AIDS coordinator, is a keynote speaker at this year's Global Summit on AIDS and the Church. Prior to his current role, he led the International Prevention of Mother and Child HIV Initiative for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)
Women and children advocate honored
The Worldwide Orphans Foundation recently honored UNAIDS Special Representative Mary Fisher in recognition of her longstanding AIDS efforts, particularly as a determined advocate for women and children living with and affected by HIV worldwide. (NOTE: Mary Fisher is a keynote speaker at the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church.) |
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