This special issue of The CCIH Forum draws on the extraordinarily rich sharing, exchange of information and experience, networking, learning, worship, and prayer that took place at the May 25-26, 2001, conference sponsored by CCIH, Challenges for the Church: AIDS, Malaria, and TB.  

This conference confirmed what we all knew already - that the church is deeply engaged in the global struggle against the major developing country disease killers of AIDS, malaria, and TB.  It also reminded us that the potential contribution of churches and other faith-based organizations (FBOs)  far exceeds our current level of effort, calling us to redouble our commitment to be faithful followers of the Master Healer, Jesus Christ.  

166 persons from 25 countries participated in the conference held at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, Virginia.  The venue, a house of worship, symbolized to all, including representatives from WHO, UNAIDS, USAID, CDC, pharmaceutical companies, Congressional staff, academia, and secular NGOs, that AIDS, malaria, and TB are clearly God’s business.

This issue includes several articles highlighting some of the most notable of the 65 presentations, such as the Green’s evidence that leadership from religious communities can bring impressive progress in controlling AIDS. The articles that discuss the Christian role and the way forward in fighting AIDS, malaria, and TB are noteworthy. Abstracts of presentations are included in this issue in hopes of sharing “best practices” and inspiring new initiatives by God’s people. CCIH plans to continue and expand this work of gathering and disseminating information about Christian programs. Please share your experiences with us. And check our website, www.ccih.org, for a wealth of information on Christian programs.

The conference was funded in part by grants from CDC, USAID, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Global Health Council. Its impact led to a leadership role for CCIH in the NGO program at the June 25-27, 2001, U.N. General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS. Please contact us if you would like additional copies of this issue of The CCIH Forum or other documents resulting from the conference.