AIDS is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time; it may be the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time. The flames of this pandemic are leaping across continents, consuming all they touch with no regard for race, culture, religion or economic status. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the contagion burns the hottest, entire communities have been consumed by the disease. Asia and Eastern Europe, particularly India, China and Russia, are the next front in this firefight.

Regrettably, the response to the cries of those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS has been largely silence. The Church was not the first to the frontlines of this conflagration. However, we believe the Church is uniquely positioned to serve as the pivotal agent in turning the tide against AIDS through its message of reconciliation, faithfulness, hope and compassionate care.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that we need God’s help. We cannot win this battle without God’s guidance, His direction, and His wisdom. As Christians worldwide we call upon the Name of Almighty God for his sovereign intervention.

Nearly 63 million people have been infected with HIV and more than 20 million people have died of AIDS since the virus was discovered in the early 1980’s. Today, five people die every minute from the complications of this preventable disease. Other statistics are equally daunting:

· AIDS is the fourth-leading cause of death in the world.
· In Africa, AIDS is the leading cause of death. 70 percent of all people infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, even though it is home to only 11 percent of the world’s population.
· Today, nearly 14 million children are orphaned due to AIDS. By 2010 it is estimated that the disease will leave 25 million children without parents.
· 55% of the HIV-infected population are women. In many countries in Africa, girls 15-19 years of age are becoming infected at more than twice the rate of boys in the same age group.
· Eastern Europe and Asia are experiencing catastrophic increases in HIV prevalence rates. More than 7 million of the HIV infected presently reside in Asia and Russia.

The Christian Church in America and throughout the world is uniquely equipped to address the AIDS pandemic. With God’s help it is our firm conviction that this battle can be won.

Love, mercy, compassion and the teaching of God’s truth are hallmarks of the ministry of Jesus Christ. By encouraging a loving and non-judgmental response to those infected with the virus and those affected by AIDS, Christians have the opportunity to demonstrate their faith in action. Moreover, Christians have the responsibility to bring the hope of Christ to those whose lives are seemingly hopeless. The promotion of sexual abstinence before marriage and faithfulness to one’s spouse after marriage, reduction of stigma, as well as compassionate care for orphans, widows and those already infected, we believe, will help further reduce the spread of this deadly disease.

We realize that there is a divergence of opinion regarding the use of condoms as one strategy to slow the spread of the disease. We, therefore, respect the right of all signatories to hold to their own convictions on this issue.

With more than 8000 people dying every day from AIDS related illnesses, global leaders, policy makers and educators need to do more to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS. Public attention is only beginning to focus on the plight of the orphans and vulnerable children affected by the disease. As leaders in a wide range of church denominations within the Christian community in the United States, we commit to actions demanded of us by Scripture and Christ’s own example. We solemnly pledge:

To mobilize and pray for fragile communities left vulnerable by the ravages of HIV/AIDS: To pray for those who have become infected with the disease, for widows and orphans in their distress, for people and organizations that provide care for the dying and their families, and that God will guide our policy makers who can effect change through their leadership. To speak out among our families, congregations and communities to help remove the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and motivate them to address the spiritual and practical needs of the millions whose communities are at risk of being consumed by HIV/AIDS through practical ministry, advocacy and prayer. To mobilize constituent faith communities in providing acts of compassionate care and financial resources for those impacted by HIV/AIDS. To advocate with America’s elected and appointed leaders on all levels of government to increase funding for faith based organizations in the area of AIDS education, prevention, care, treatment and research. To urge our partner and/or affiliate organizations in other nations to advocate for their nations’ leaders to fulfill their obligations to help fund the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. To promote abstinence before marriage and faithfulness within marriage as the best way to protect against contracting HIV.