Abstracts from
"Challenges for the Church:
AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis"

ABSTRACTS: HIV/AIDS

It is hoped that the reader will find the following abstracts of the presentations and discussions both reassuring and provocative: reassuring that the Christian community is struggling (and triumphing) as they meet the challenge of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB around the world, and yet provocative enough to challenge the reader to not only reflect, but to become personally engaged in the struggle with us. The Abstracts are arranged by topic (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and Cross-Cutting Issues).

Plenary 1: The Challenge of AIDS to the Church, My Story [Reverend Gideon Byamugisha, Uganda]

The challenge of HIV/AIDS is to everybody, but more so to those in the church. HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria are all preventable and manageable diseases. In 1998 he faced death. Because of the intervention of friends who considered his HIV/AIDS ministry important, he is alive today.

He talked about three types of death: preventable, postpone-able, and irresistible or inevitable death. The first two are not the will of God as some like to say, and the third one is the only one that we need to prepare to accept. He explained that the reason he stood before us in his vestments this morning: pastors preach in the church, leave to remove their vestments, come back to the church to make the announcement that there will be a meeting about AIDS later in the other building ( not the church). Is it any wonder that no one comes?

God has given us the information, resources, tools and skills necessary that we can/will make a difference in fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB. We haven't used our full potential. The church has additional resources that no one else has to work with in this fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB: faith in God. Our hope is that the Christian church will be vocal at the June UNGASS meeting on HIV/AIDS, and the potential of the church will be recognized. Finally, we need to learn from each other and to re-strategize.

Plenary 2a: The Disease Burden of AIDS, Malaria, and TB, and the Massive Effort to Combat Them [Dr. Elil Renganathan, WHO]

Burden of disease for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB is enormous. HIV/AIDS has become a development issue because of its economic impact. These diseases disproportionately affect poor people. We have the knowledge and resources to prevent most infectious diseases. There is a move towards scaling up the response now to address HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB because there is an increased understanding that health is at the center of development success, and there is an increased political will now.

During the past six months there has been a call for the establishment of a global fund for AIDS and Health. These should be new funds, not just a reallocation of existing funds, and they should be used initially for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB. The fund also needs to be seen in a broader development framework. The Global Fund will be an alliance of partners. A small Executive Board, representing all constituencies (developing country and donor governments, foundations, corporate donors and other private sector bodies, civil society and NGOs, UN agencies and Bretton Woods institutions) will initially establish the fund and the governance structure.

The guiding principle of the efforts to scale up the response to these poverty-linked diseases will also be to promote participation of NGOs and communities, recognizing that extended health services are often missing, healthy behavior are often missing, and that effective interventions and global support for these interventions must be in place. It is also recognized that FBOs are critical in the health care of many developing nations, and that they are a proven channel for effective health care delivery.

Plenary 2b: The Unique Contribution Christian Organizations Can Make in Health in Developing Countries [Dr. Carl Taylor, Johns Hopkins]

Problems in the past associated with AIDS, malaria, and TB programs: 1) Top-down and run by outside programs, 2) "Silver bullet" approaches in which the reality of multicausality was ignored, and 3) "blueprint" imposition of rigidly implemented programs based on an effective approach in one area.

We are moving into the development of partnerships and more integrated approaches. The flexibility of FBO approaches has been appreciated. Solutions to these downfalls include promotion of partnerships, community empowerment, better support of community health workers, and looking for synergistic ways to use successful approaches to one problem to look at other problems.

Regarding community roles in partnerships: "compliance" becomes a contradictory term in the evaluation of partnerships; financing is often contradictory when funders dictate what they will and won't fund; prevention often gets pushed aside once a cure is found, we still need to focus on prevention. There are three types of partners: 1) Donors and government (top-down); 2) Community (bottom-up): to provide a framework for action that promotes ownership that leads to sustainability; and 3) Experts (outside-in): to help donors, governments, and communities to partner with NGOs. FBOs are especially effective in this role.

Panel A1: Multi-sectoral Approaches to HIV/AIDS

Inventory of Christian AIDS Activities [David Gettle, Samaritan's Purse]

The overall goal of the project is to identify the network of Christian faith-based response to HIV/AIDS. This information will be used to facilitate the mobilization of human and financial resources and establish a cooperative movement to address HIV/AIDS through churches and other Christian institutions. At the time the presentation was made there were 1566 entries in the database.

Micro-Finance and HIV-AIDS in Cambodia [Neal Youngquist, World Relief]

This project is a UNDP funded initiative to build partnerships between AIDS organizations and micro-finance agencies and efforts. It provides credit at affordable prices so that people can work their way out of poverty. One challenge has been to help the financial sector see HIV/AIDS as a risk to economic health and development. There are two partnerships at work within this initiative: World Vision and World Relief. Brief conclusions include that small HIV/AIDS efforts in the micro-finance sector can yield significant results.

The Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative [Dorothy Brewster-Lee, Presbyterian Health Ministries, Louisville]

The World Council of Churches' new HIV/AIDS Initiative is now being established on the foundation of two documents both generated at meetings called for by the All Africa Council of Churches: The Kampala Declaration and the Dakar Declaration. The goals of the initiative are to combat denial, train and build capacity, encourage south-to-south exchange of information, address stigma and barriers, and advocacy and action in regional and continent settings. Finally, it is important that the initiative be an Africa led, not Geneva led project.

Panel A2: The Church Protecting Youth Against HIV/AIDS

Mobilizing and Equipping Congregations to Protect Youth from AIDS, The Rwanda Experience [Emmanuel Ngoga, World Relief/Rwanda]

The program began as a result of the overwhelming need for a coordinated effort in Rwanda to address HIV/AIDS. At the heart of the project is the mobilization of churches. Government officials and NGOs would be mobilized to appreciate the potential of the churches and their unique role in prevention, support and care. The key components of this initiative are equipping the church through training in awareness raising, counseling, home care, radio programs, food distribution, information dissemination, materials production, radio programs, and working with youth. In addition, funds have been made available to the churches for prevention, support and care projects. Churches are now at the front line of the battle with HIV, supporting and caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Creating a Culture for Responsible Sexuality by Promoting Abstinence, the True Love Waits Experience in Kenya [Tom Watua, True Love Waits/Kenya]

The "True Love Waits" program addresses the problem of HIV infection among Kenyan youth through media, talks with youth and mini forums. Using analogies comparing "fire" and "sex," program leaders explore the good and bad aspects of these concepts. The project includes activities such as Vision Victories, Soccer Tournaments, United Youth Pioneers, World AIDS Day Chastity Project and case studies based on the experience of secondary school students. The project is now in the process of establishing a resource and activity center.

Contribution of FBOs to HIV/AIDS: Evidence from Uganda and Jamaica [Edward Green, Synergy Project, TvT Associates]

The vast majority of HIV prevention resources have gone to condom promotion, and more recently, to the treatment of the treatable sexually transmitted infections as well. Few in public health circles really believed-or even believe nowadays--that programs promoting abstinence, fidelity or monogamy, or even reduction in number of sexual partners, have real impact on behavioral change. This paper presents evidence of positive impact on behavior resulting from the prevention efforts of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in two countries that have experienced stabilization or decline of HIV infection rates: Uganda and Jamaica. From this preliminary evidence it is concluded that FBOs can have significant impact in HIV prevention, especially among youth, when they make sustained efforts to do what they are already inclined to do, namely promote "fidelity," (which can result in reduction in number of sexual partners) and "abstinence" (which can result in delay of first sexual experience among youth).

Panel A3: Treatment and Care for HIV/AIDS Affected Individuals

Christian Caring Through Hospice for the Dying [Ivy Appolis, St. Francis Hospice, Port Elizabeth, South Africa]

Ivy Appolis provided a description of the Hospice program established in 1986 for the care and support of terminally ill patients and their families. It became one of seven hospice sites to pilot a government funded integrated home based care program. The workers trained became wage earners, care providers and valued members of the community. Several case histories were described. Church involvement began after church families became infected. Members responded by volunteering for training, developing feeding schemes and allowing day cares to operate in church facilities. Church continues to be challenged to speak more openly of family problems, sexual behavior, violence and drug use.

Church-related Home Care: The Thailand Experience [Janet Guyer, PC(USA)]

The project began as an awareness program for pastors. It expanded to provide compassionate care with the goal of "meeting needs as they found them, where they found them." A local church began a day care program for AIDS infected children that was supervised by an HIV positive teacher. They also started a clinic with a sliding fee scale and peer support. Now the program is supporting churches with AIDS outreach for the infected and is moving to more community based care support. They are also beginning to address the needs of orphaned children as well as "older orphans" (grandparents of victims).

HIV/AIDS Care and Support: Lessons from the US [Rev. Robert Hensley]

Reverend Hensley described the involvement of AIDS related programs within the Episcopal Church and specifically the formation, with help from USAID, of the AIDS Interfaith Network (AIN) in Dallas, Texas. AIN developed Care team programs that include a broad range of training for lay volunteers and clergy, including self-care for volunteers. This particular ministry provides an opportunity for volunteers to engage at whatever level they feel comfortable and encourages all participants from a variety of faith backgrounds to "be who they are called to be."

Panel A4: Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

The Challenge of Orphans Affected by HIV/AIDS [Iyeme Efem, PLAN International]

The presentation focused on the realities faced by children affected by HIV/AIDS within their communities. The key areas of intervention are 1) protection of children's rights, 2) inheritance rights, 3) rights to family health, 4) memory books, and 5) supporting aging grandparents, and 6) greater community involvement within the African Context. The session ended with the presentation of the Circle of Hope Model for community interventions involving young children.

Working with Communities to Support Children Affected by HIV/AIDS [Moses Dombo, World Vision/ Uganda]

Moses Dombo was sent to work in a district in Uganda where AIDS was so rampant that he was constantly attending funerals. The program focuses on empowering children affected by HIV/AIDS (orphans, those with infected parents and the one infected themselves) and their households, to cope with the challenges of the pandemic and to stay safe. Program activities include helping children to stay in school for as long as is possible, improving health care services, and supporting households to increase their food security and disposable income. Households are also assisted to improve their shelters and are provided with counseling and spiritual support. The program also worked to improve the social infrastructure and leadership of communities.

Personal Challenges in Caring for AIDS Orphans [Bishop Jeremiah and Alice Muku, Methodist Church/ Kenya]

There are many personal challenges in caring for AIDS orphans. Africa has one of the highest population growth rates annually in the world. 1.5 million people have died leaving 1.7 million orphans. For the church health is an integral part of ministry. In the bishop's area they are caring for 200 orphans. All members of the family are working to care for these children.

The Uzumba Orphans Trust in Zimbabwe [Sarla Chand, United Methodist Ch.]

The ambassador's wife organized small groups with a pastor. Through community leaders they coordinated 15 workers to go home to home where families are caring for orphans with assistance from volunteers. They used income generation activities like a poultry farm and grinding mill to support orphans. A video was shown to describe and illustrate the impact that the program is having on the lives of children.

Panel A5: Overcoming Religious Obstacles in Fighting HIV/AIDS

The African Church Confronting AIDS: An Assessment of Progress and Obstacles [Nicta Makiika Lubaale, Organization of African Instituted Churches, Kenya]

Evolution of the confrontation of AIDS (theologically) in the African Independent Churches has moved through several phases: from silence, confusion, fear, and condemnation (1985-1990); to breaking the silence in early 1990's with emphasis on education, training-of-trainers, and the beginnings of prevention and care, but no in-depth cultural analysis; to the late 1990's when the churches began to look at cultural practices such as polygamy, wife inheritance, and sexual cleansing, resulting in the churches making their first policy document on HIV/AIDS; to the current situation where although the theological issues are still not clear, HIV/AIDS is being included in the prayers and songs of the church. They are working to enable churches to go beyond sensitization and to develop concrete HIV/AIDS programs and to think long-term. They are also working to enable the churches to review their theological positions and develop "appropriate theologies" in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support. .

Church-related Aspects of Denial and Stigmatization in India [Dr. N.M. Samuel, India]

Dr. Samuel presented a case study about a young man who experienced stigma as a result of his HIV positive status. His girl friend rejected him, thinking that he had been sleeping around. His church and priest rejected him by public announcing his status and denying him communion. Family and friends helped him to discover that he became infected by an unscreened blood transfusion during an operation years ago. This made no difference to the ex-girlfriend or the priest. The young man has said that he had been made to feel like junk. Dr. Samuel has been involved in seminars to train priests about HIV/AIDS and how to counsel with persons living with HIV/AIDS .

Church-related Obstacles in Confronting HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe [Alec Musiiwa, Zimbabwe Association of Church Hospitals]

In 1985 the first AIDS case was reported in Zimbabwe. In 1986 the first doctor (an expatriate) to speak loudly about HIV/AIDS was asked by the government to leave the country. In 1992 a pastor asked "is there really AIDS?" There has been a lack of commitment by pastors to become engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Talking about AIDS (sex and human sexuality) has been taboo in our culture and in our church. The condom issue has been divisive. Church doesn't want "willy-nilly" distribution of condoms. Youth get the wrong message about the "safety" of condom use. The church says they are not safe and give false hope to the youth. There was mention of some NGOs telling their donors of their good results, when it has been the result of the work of the church. Urban AIDS patients are going to the rural areas for home-based care and using up rural resources.

Overcoming Resistance to Policy Formation [Meredith Long, World Relief]

How do we mobilize the church in a place like Kenya where 8 of 10 say that they're Christian? First, the project team at MAP International, built upon its credibility as a Christian organization that shared basic values with the participants. They selected church representatives who were open to change and not already polarized in their views. The meetings reflected both Christian worship--they were punctuated with prayer and worship--and African values of community and relationship. MAP's project team reported on data collected from among churched young people in Kenya, in order to span the boundaries between community realities and the tendency of some church leaders to minimize its impact in the church. The challenge is to link information with policy issues. The project team permitted ambiguity on some issues such as condom distribution. The presenters taught accurately about condoms but did not try to force a consensus where there was none. Inclusion of key medical and clerical participants has helped to correct certain misinformation about HIV/AIDS. Participant church leaders have been able to commit to resulting policy statements because they have helped to develop them. We present scripture and ask the right questions at the right time.

Discussion Points: Much of the ensuing discussion centered on condom use and alternatives. Participants shared concerns about promoting open dialogue about sex and condoms, about the safety of condoms, about different church views about condoms, about why we focus on youth who are sexually active when we need to focus on those who are not, about alternatives like "True Love Waits" programs, and about what the local church is contributing to the protection of their youth. Advocacy for Anti-Retroviral therapy is needed to improve quality of life. Poverty and other social issues must be addressed.

Panel A6: Preparing Church Leaders Theologically and Psychologically to Become Leaders in Fighting HIV/AIDS

Mobilizing and Equipping Church Leaders in Uganda [Reverend Gideon Byamugisha, Anglican Church, Uganda]

The church leaders in Uganda have become active in fund raising to provide care and support to families affected by HIV/AIDS, hold days of fasting and prayer, and are mobilized to sensitize people and provide training. Christian church leaders need to be met where they already have strengths, in using the Bible, before training about research and statistics. Training involves values exercises and risk sessions to determine levels of value and risk of leaders.

If HIV/AIDS is a problem of youth, then it is a problem of leaders because they should be according to Proverbs, "training children in the way they should go." We use different weapons when risk is far (arrow-abstinence), closer (spear), and in the house (condoms). Sex outside of marriage is sin, killing is a sin, safer sex is not safer sin. A condom does not mean the act is acceptable outside of marriage.

Preparing Clergy through Seminary Training [Lee Owen, MAP International]

MAP International began its work on HIV/AIDS in 1994 with the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) and Evangelical Fellowship Network, when it helped to assemble 150 participants from 28 African nations with delegates from North and South America, Europe and Asia at the All Africa Church and AIDS consultation in Kampala . MAP then initiated a project: "Integrated Action Against AIDS with Kenyan Churches" with USAID funding through Family Health International.

Of 311 Kenyan pastors and church leaders across denominations in urban and rural areas surveyed, over 60% had received no counseling or information on AIDS or STDs. Forty-four percent saw AIDS as a curse from God. Nearly one-half of the respondents said their churches rarely or never discussed AIDS, yet nearly three-quarters of the pastors and church leaders surveyed said they knew congregation or community members who were infected. One in five said they knew fellow pastors and church leaders with the disease. Fear of associating with "sinners" was indicated as the reason why pastors felt that the churches were not responding adequately to the epidemic, while 13.8% maintained that AIDS was not a problem for the church to get involved.

In 1997, MAP, in partnership with a select number of theological institutions in Kenya, began the development of a curriculum on HIV and AIDS targeting pastoral and theological institutions, developed a series of eight curriculum modules, collectively called: " Choosing Hope: Curriculum Modules for Theological and Pastoral Training Institution." The modules address the biblical foundations for an HIV/AIDS church ministry, facts about HIV transmission, advice on mobilizing church resources, information about home-based care, pastoral counseling, influencing feelings and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexuality as a whole, and giving hope to parents and youth for an AIDS-free generation.

In early 2000, a pre-test took place at St. Paul's United Theological College in Limuru. In June 2000, MAP, in partnership with the World Council of Churches and UNAIDS hosted a forum that attracted academic deans, principals, and representatives from 20 theological institutions from 14 countries in East and Southern Africa across denominational divides. The need for a cadre of facilitators, trained in the use of the curriculum for future sustainability was apparent along with the development of "Church in AIDS" networks. Nine sub-Saharan countries are targeted.

Theological Reflections on Love, Health, Healing, Sin, Forgiveness, and Care [N.M. Samuel, India]

This presentation illustrated the gaps between knowledge and love, care, and healing. An anonymous survey was conducted in India from which 68% of respondents said that they thought HIV/AIDS was punishment for sin and 75% said that the church should not be used as a forum for sex education. Training in theological institutions should include sex education, social and ethical teaching, and psychology. The role of the church is to respect patients, to show Christ's love, to develop policy on HIV/AIDS, and to promote prevention and care.

Special Lunch Session: Anti-retrovirals (ARV) [Dr. Bob Kent, ProHealth International, Baltimore, MD]

There were conflicting views about impending availability of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) therapy. Dr. Kent believes that it will be available in Africa by December 2001 at ~ $350/yr. Dr. Cherian Thomas (India) says that India is ready to market generic ARVs that will be available soon in India. Dr. Samuel reported that testing of Combivir in rural Indian setting on women has done well out of an NGO-run day care center. India is also using Nevirapine on pregnant HIV+ women with free testing. Both are successful, but there is a need for constant counseling. The international community is putting pressure on drug companies to get price down to around $1/day. Although ARV has been very effective in urban Brazil program, D. Bryden wasn't as optimistic about the availability of ARVs in Africa by December 2001. He noted that the US government has not been favorable regarding generic production. The Christian community has not been vocal in support of ARV therapy. The US arguments against responsibility to help are weak.

Special Lunch Session: Facts and Figures from Nigeria [Bayo Oyebade, Mashiah Foundation, Jos, Nigeria]

The Mashia Foundation is involved in ministry and care areas: counseling, free medical care for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), educational programs in schools on abstinence, home-based care, and widow empowerment.

Counseling of PLWHAs or their spouses helps them to live with the disease, to overcome stigma, and make decisions about the care of their children when they die. Because many of them have difficulty staying employed and have used up their financial reserves, Mashia Foundation provides free medical care and provides free home-based care. Visitation of project workers to the homes of PLWHAs helps them to see problems first-hand. They are finding ways to talk about sex and sexuality with teens in schools to prevent HIV infections among youth. The widow empowerment includes training of widows/widowers in small microenterprise skills and with small loans to get started.

In Nigeria a million children have been double-orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. Rural areas are becoming "hiding places" for those with AIDS. For this reason, AIDS ministries in rural areas need to be intensified.

Special Lunch Session: Christian Information Resources on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB

A small group convened during the Saturday lunch break to discuss and share information on the various inventories, databases and resource compilations on AIDS and other health challenges currently underway.

Objectives of the Various Efforts include learning; sharing information; better telling our stories; supporting community initiatives and learning; advocacy and enhanced visibility; the hugeness and duration of the pandemic calls for our support in partnering / establishing partnerships; facilitating the operation of local focal point persons; linking to donors; fostering South to South linkages; being in touch and reaching out; recording and accessing what has been done - monitoring and evaluating at project level - communicating results and improving project, for inclusion in larger evaluations.

Christian Information Resources:

• Samaritan's Purse mapping of 2000 Christian groups working on HIV/AIDS

• CCIH bibliography on web "HARP" HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB Resources

• WCC [World Council of Churches] detailed inventory of all AIDS-related FBOs in Africa

• Interfaith Health Program at Emory University

• CCIH plans to develop a compendium of good/best practices

• Comprehensive Interfaith Resource Center currently being developed by the Future's Group International with funding from USAID, including email groups, listservs, newsletters, and links

• World Bank conducting inventory of FBOs in health-related work

• WCRP [World Conference on Religion and Peace] list of FBOs in Africa concerned with care to children affected by AIDS

• FXB AIDS orphan assistance database (Boston)

• UNAIDS considering community inventory

• ICASO [International Council of AIDS Service Organizations] extensive database that includes FBOs

Questions Raised:

• Where are these various lists, inventories and resources hosted?

• How does one access the info within them?

• How does one contribute to them?

• How is information consulted (key words/authors/ region or country, health topic)?

• What is the level of detail available?

• How are links to other teams and sites established and managed?

• Who is the audience? Who are the known / expected users?
  

Speed and fluidity of the medium is an asset, sloppiness can be tolerated. However a need for reflective knowledge is apparent after 20 years of AIDS, with the opportunity to produce academic work (such as doctoral theses) with world relevance.

Highlights and Discussion of Christian Role and Future Directions in the Fight against AIDS

• There is an unprecedented urgency for Christians to respond positively and compassionately to the current HIV/AIDS crisis, with a vision for a long-term, sustained response.

• HIV/AIDS is inextricably intertwined with human sexuality. Through the indiscriminate practice of sex outside of marriage, HIV is taking advantage of one of the most beautiful God-gifted expressions of love that can be shared by two people. The church's unique Biblical perspective can serve to both preserve the loving expression of human sexuality intended by God and protect human relationships from the destructive and divisive nature of HIV.

• God has called the Church to various ministries through which we express His compassion and love towards people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. However, Christian HIV/AIDS work needs to become more collaborative, while respectfully allowing for theological differences between various denominations and Christian aid and development organizations.

• The Church has unique gifts:

a) A God that desires to have a personal relationship with each of us through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His son.

b) A written guide--the Bible--for living according to God's will.

c) A powerful means by which Christians have direct access to God--prayer. Christian HIV/AIDS work promotes open, active, and on-going inter-faith dialogue to collaboratively address HIV/AIDS prevention, and promotes the development of a rich variety of Christian responses to HIV/AIDS.Many churches have already produced preventive educational materials.

• On-going development of culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate Christian educational materials on HIV/AIDS needs to be promoted, supported, and sustained.

• Some Christian organizations have informally shared their educational materials, research findings, and project profiles and evaluations, leaving others relatively ignorant of these pioneering efforts. The Church needs to develop ways to network and make these resources available to the wider Christian community and others.

• The development of materials on human sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and biblical perspectives are needed to equip and train pastors and church leaders to teach and model behavior that will protect people from HIV infection.

• The Church needs to move on from waiting for the "silver bullet"--a miraculous cure--to awareness that it can be instrumental in promoting behavioral changes that can prevent HIV infection. Proactive HIV/AIDS educational programs need to emphasize that HIV is a preventable infection, and that the Christian principles of abstinence before marriage and fidelity during marriage are the only behaviors that are highly effective in preventing HIV infection.

• Churches, individuals, and Christian organizations disagree over the promotion of condom use as an HIV preventive measure. The urgency of the current situation supercedes such arguments, and calls the Church to be actively engaged in other preventive and caring measures, now, even as an open dialogue on condom usage continues.

• Discrimination based on HIV status has no place among Christians. Not only should Christians take a personal stand against discrimination and stigma based on HIV status, but they should also advocate for and promote policies in the church and civil society that eliminate discrimination and stigma.

• Our individual efforts to address issues that adversely affect persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and place people at a greater risk of HIV infection are often undermined by more globally pervasive issues, such as poverty and access to health care. The united voice of the church advocating on behalf of PLWHAs, widows, orphans, and the poor, can often have a greater impact on government and civil society institutions.

• Christians have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of the gifts and resources that God has given or made available to the Church for use in the fight against HIV/AIDS and for the care of those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. The Church has a record of good fiscal responsibility and a self-imposed mandate to use the resources for the most needy.

• The church has a history of continuity and longevity in responding to difficult situations, often going where other institutions will not and staying the course when others tire, dropout, or shift energies to other crises. The church has always been concerned about having a sustained response, not simply in self-supporting or sustainable projects and programs.