This document has expired. Please click here if you are not automatically redirected.

		Nearly a year ago, a half-dozen African American pastors from Chicago traveled to New York to attend a World Vision forum on HIV/AIDS. That was a pivotal moment, said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S.
Children from Tabernacle Christian School raised enough money to buy four goats for families in AIDS-affected countries in Africa.

The sponsored children are receiving education in how to avoid becoming infected with HIV—by remaining abstinent until marriage and then staying faithful in marriage. They also receive nutritious food, health care, clean water, and school assistance.

At the leading of Bishop Horace Smith, Apostolic Faith Church is sponsoring more than 200 children in India, Zambia and Zimbabwe who have lost parents to AIDS.
		Chicago pastors learn how they can respond to the AIDS crisis.

On a smaller scale, the kindergarten class at Tabernacle Christian School raised enough money to purchase four goats to benefit AIDS-affected communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Other churches have taken a similar grass-roots approach in responding to AIDS.

Princess Kasune Zulu, a World Vision AIDS educator from Zambia, expressed her appreciation for how warmly African American and other churches have accepted her at periodic gatherings during the past year. Princess Zulu, who is HIV positive, shared how dealing with HIV has strengthened her faith.

"In the midst of affliction, I decided to praise my God," she said. "In every situation, you can decide whether to break down or break through." She reminded the audience at the DuSable museum that "you come from a beautiful continent, and if we can fight together, we can make it even more beautiful."

Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, a noted Bible teacher and author of the best-selling book "The Prayer of Jabez," encouraged African American churches to go one step further—begin partnering with churches in AIDS-affected communities in Africa. "You need to go back. They need you," he said.

Earlier in the day at a World Vision warehouse, Wilkinson made a similar plea at a gathering of about 120 leaders from urban and suburban Chicago churches, and saw dramatic results.

Wilkinson, who recently relocated to South Africa to help equip African churches to respond to AIDS, shared how his decision to move came as the result of persistent urging from a ministry associate, the prayers of Christians in Africa and, ultimately, God. Said Wilkinson, "God reached into my chest, tore my heart out, dug a hole in the ground in Africa, put my heart in it, covered it up with dirt, and then said, ‘Go follow your heart.’ "

After moving to Johannesburg, he began reviewing Old Testament passages about God’s compassion for the poor and oppressed. Wilkinson realized that, like many others from the west, he had much from which to repent. "I began to repent every single morning," he said.

		Stearns, who also spoke with the church leaders, reminded them how Jesus was filled with compassion when a man with leprosy approached him. "Jesus brought a loving touch" in healing the leper, Stearns said. For people affected by AIDS, "if we are willing, we can bring a loving touch. World Vision is willing,” he said.
Richard Stearns, president of World Vision United States, congratulates a church leader during an awards ceremony at Chicago's DuSable museum.

Since the welfare of entire African nations is at stake, Wilkinson urged Chicago pastors to adopt an African church and “make sure that nobody at that church dies.” He asked how many pastors would commit to go to Africa before the end of the year. About 15 stood up.

Bob Warren, a pastor at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, said he senses some momentum now among Christians on the issue of AIDS. Rock star Bono promoted AIDS assistance at a recent concert in Wheaton, Billy Graham’s Decision magazine ran a story on AIDS in Uganda earlier this year, and World Vision is touring the country on the issue.

“This is very challenging,” Warren said. "You’ve got to be open to doing the Father’s will."