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 Rick Warren in Rwanda in 2008. My Take: Church is world’s most powerful weapon against AIDS
By Rick Warren, Special to CNN On June 5, 1981, my wife Kay was late into her second pregnancy, just weeks away from giving birth. Absorbed in caring for our 2-year-old and preparing for a newborn, the farthest thing on our minds was news that day of a cluster of men in Los Angeles with a mysterious, devastating disease. But what began in Africa and was first observed in this small California group became an epidemic, then swelled to a pandemic - touching lives in every country on every continent Though late to the fight, in 2003 Kay and I heard God calling us to care for those infected and affected, to raise our voices on their behalf, and to figure out practical ways for local churches to serve them. Timeline: 30 years of AIDS moments We traveled to Africa, ground zero for this pandemic, and were brokenhearted by the pain and thrilled by the compassion we observed. Out of the bubble that is American life, we sat with dying men and women, held newly orphaned babies in our arms, and cried with shattered family members. In America, we’d heard public leaders, including pastors, make pronouncements about AIDS that implied that those infected were enemies, or at least deserved their illness. But at the grassroots level we witnessed Christ-followers by the thousands opening their hearts, their homes, their wallets and their churches to fellow human beings in their suffering. Clearly, local churches were at the forefront of this battle in Africa.  Kay Warren folding bandages in Rwanda in 2007. We returned home determined to model our church’s response to HIV and AIDS after the African church’s response. We began by inviting a member of our church – Saddleback, in Southern California - who was HIV positive to tell his story publicly for the first time. Our members responded with overwhelming love. And once people realized our church was a safe place, other HIV positive people began attending and opening up about their status. To help remove the stigma, I was publicly tested for HIV with network TV cameras rolling. We began support groups for anyone infected or affected; trained church members to be part of personalized teams for an infected individual; brought in experts in the field to educate our congregation; and hosted three “Global Summits on AIDS and the Church” to showcase the latest scientific, behavioral and psycho-social aspects of the disease. We reached out to local, regional, national and international organizations, offering our manpower and networks in the fight against AIDS. One of the great lessons of this fight is that the single fastest way to mobilize at the grassroots level around the world is through local congregations. Nothing comes close to the size and scope of this pool of compassionate volunteers. The church has the largest distribution network on the planet. There are more churches in the world than all the Wal-Marts, McDonald’s and Starbucks combined. The church was global 200 years before anyone else thought of globalization. We could take you to thousands of villages around the world where the only institution to speak of is a church. Plus, the Christian church is the only organization growing faster than the new infection rate: while 7,000 people are newly infected globally every day, and church growth experts estimate that the church is adding 35,000 converts daily in China alone. These church members have a non-profit motivation to serve. We are commanded by Jesus Christ to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Our church sent 14,869 of our members to all 195 nations in the world to beta-test a local church humanitarian program based on the model of Jesus. Called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, volunteers Plant churches that promote reconciliation, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick and Educate the next generation. We’ve learned that any church can provide six essential services in the fight against HIV/AIDS, easily remembered by the acronym CHURCH: –Care for and support the sick. Caring requires no money, just a willingness to offer compassion and kindness. –Handle HIV testing. At the least, churches can encourage members to get tested, with the pastor leading the way. Everyone should know their HIV status. –Unleash volunteers. There will never be enough professionals to fix all that is wrong in our world. The Christian church claims 2.3 billion followers worldwide. If only half could be mobilized to care for those with HIV and AIDS, the fight would look very different –Remove the stigma. It is not a sin to be sick. Jesus never asked a sick person, “How did you get sick?” He asked, “How can I help you?” –Champion healthy behavior. HIV is almost completely preventable. While new reports suggest that accessing HIV treatment at an earlier stage of the illness is a vital way to prevent transmission, the cost may be an impediment. Behavior change will continue to be the most effective way to cut down on new infections. –Help with antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients. The simplest way to cut down on new infections, to help infected individuals live longer, and to prevent children from becoming orphans, is to create accountability with medication compliance. Church volunteers can make daily visits or phone calls, reminding individuals to take their medication. This strategy has been enormously successful in the Karongi District of the Western Province of Rwanda, where Saddleback Church, the government of Rwanda and local churches established a pilot program to train community health workers. Started in 2008, more than 2,800 community volunteers have been trained through the churches to take on a caseload of 26,000 homes in the rural district where there is one hospital for 300,000 residents. These volunteers provide access to basic healthcare information and are addressing preventable and opportunistic diseases – the big killers of those living with the virus. The lives of 120,000 children and 50,000 adults are being positively impacted. Thirty years have passed since HIV was first recognized. In that time, millions have lost their lives and millions of children have been orphaned. Millions more are living with the virus today. But if the church and other faith communities will step up to the table, and as governments and other health organizations welcome their assistance, the future can be brighter. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rick Warren. soundoff (1,335 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next »Post a comment
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Editor's Note: Rick Warren is the founder and pastor at 
"But if the church and other faith communities will step up to the table ..." kind of late in the story, but at least he acknowledged that there are other "faith communities" in the world other than Christians ...
he meant other christian faith communities
One of the many factual statements in this article that I find hard to believe is that he believes the churhc is growing faster than the AIDS epidemic. He says, ".Plus, the Christian church is the only organization growing faster than the new infection rate: while 7,000 people are newly infected globally every day, and church growth experts estimate that the church is adding 35,000 converts daily in China alone." What about these figures? http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/07/muslim.world.population/index.html?iref=allsearch. Now if Islam people outnumber Christians 3:1, how can "The "Christian Church" be the only organization growing faster than the new infection rate?
high population ≠ high population growth rate
I could have a religion that currently has a total of 200,000 followers in the whole world (a very small number relatively speaking), but if 200,000 people start converting everyday it would be GROWING faster. I've read that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, but that Christianity is growing faster in Africa
you don't understand Chinese. In the West, people TEND the crops. In China, people ARE the crop that eats the food.
chinese will take all you give them times 10 million. they can't help it.
Really? Like the church that tells people not to use condoms?
CNN post one good article about a Church and the butt hurt flows.
It's all a lie...he has done more harm than good in the fight against AIDS. A real religious whack job in it for the cash only.
It's a concept faux pas. Morality is currently out of fashion in America, and church carries a social stigma among the movers and shakers in politics and media
The church is the world's most powerful weapon against AIDS in the same way that banks are the most powerful weapon against white collar crime. It's true, if banks suddenly decided to stop defrauding the general public, there would indeed be less grift. Just as if the church stopped spreading ignorance, we'd have a better chance of fighting deadly disease.
Really?? Church can stop HIV/AIDS??? I was thinking more along the lines of abstinence or condoms..Silly me.
Rick Warren, is a self-proclaimed global "apostle", but then again so was Ted Haggard.
not so silly your thinking is exactly what churches think and why u and them are flawed.
u and churches are why this is still a problem, once that mindset gets out of this people will use their intelligence in better ways
The church can help in the fight again HIV/AIDS. The problem with the 54 countries in Africa is that they have been fighting with each other for over 10,000 years The people need to help themselves. Christian missionaries have been going there for centuries, and the people have learned to do nothing and receive. Now, it is Islam. The people need religion, but they need to stop going through life with their hands out.
bam you don't have proper command of the English language and A P, no religion is the primary source of trouble of this world. There are radical Christians and Muslims who think they are fighting in the name of God. I'm no advocate of Satan, but I don't recall anyone ever starting a war in his name. If you say Haiti did, that is a falsehood, they never officially embraced the devil.
@AP the biggest problem in Africa is the church. The church that tell's their followers not to wear condoms.
You mean the same church that BANS THE USE OF CONDOMS? That church? What a f_king moron.
I'm not up on all the specifics of Warren's Church. And, I know the Catholics are against the use of contraception, but... are you saying Warren's Church is...?
As I understand it, he is a southern baptist evangelical. I'm not aware of any prohibition of condoms by he or his church. Maybe you're right...?
Regards,
Peace...
Never mind... Found out his stance on condoms. Appears that he 'is' and has been basically against them.
Peace...
You think what Africa is currently doing – following the left wing hollywood model of no commitment in marriage, no self control and living your life irresponsibly is working pretty well?
Rick Warren is dèlusional, but then so are most conservatives who think the only ed which should be taught is don't do the deed in conjunction with bible thümping. Idìòts.
Are you flipping kidding me? The church is the biggest reason AIDS is the epidemic that it is. It's pretty simple. Combating AIDS requires condoms (no mention by Warren), education, and science. Essentially all Christian sects are against all three of those things.
Christians have the blood of millions of Africans on their hands, for spreading their medieval doctrine of ignorance, and advocating the avoidance of condoms. Just know that when you give money to your church, "compassionate" Christians, this is what you're supporting.
And for all you conservatives that think Barack Obama is a godless leftist radical, this guy (Warren) is one of Obama's friends, and the man he choose to speak at his inauguration.
Actually, I have to correct myself. Christian doctrine isn't medieval at all. (5th to 15th century) It's even more antiquated and primitive than that.
I think that it is the catholic church that suggests not using condoms, I'm pretty sure that the "church" referenced in this article is not a catholic church
Thanks Mr. Warren. keep us the good work.. We need more Rick Warren in the world.
we need them to go to prison for fraud
Condoms. Why do the churchgoers always forget the condoms?
It is nice that a church is on the anti-AIDS bandwagon, but maybe they could take some advice from public health professionals for a change. Also, the Catholic Church prohibits condom use, even in Africa, where AIDS is a devastating problem. Prayer does not cure, stop or slow AIDS. So while one church is trying to help, an even larger church is turning their back on the African faithful.
Oh right, let's just use the bible, a book that has been written by the help of many people's stories 2000 years ago, and ignore the other billions of years of logical evolution. Let's just follow an old book's stories and focus less on science and human psychology and its weaknesses. It's sure gonna make Africa a better place. NOT.
I understand your frustration. I hope you have an open mind – And that you would listen to other point of views.
You said that two things in your comments
1) The bible was written over 2000 years ago – by many people.
2) Following two billion years of logical evolution is obviously more "truthful"
I agree with your first comments – The bible was written 2000 years by many different people –
I also agree with your second comment – trusting science and logical evolution should be the bedrock of our faith and understanding of reality.
I do however disagree with you on two assumptions that you have:
1) even though the bible was written over 2000 years by different people – their are a lot of accurate accounts and prophecies that could not have been for told – the writers could not have known the future –
I would invite you to take a look at this site/webpage:
http://www.reasons.org/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-reliability-bible
2) Even though you seem like a person who appreciates logic – I challenge you to apply the very same logic – against the validly of evolution –
Resources abound on both points of view – i challenge you to read a few that argue against evolution.
The same website I mentioned above should be good enough.
Ferder: I respect your opinion and your point, so I will not insult you by prefacing my comment and assuming you are frustated or ask that you have an open mind. As I christian this is what I find very disturbing about christianity, and that is the absolutes. Do not permit people to speak or write in generalities to validate a belief. Do not allow people to put in that box or on the defensive. For example: the bible was written over 2000 years ago by many people. What exactly does that mean? It never fails that the further we are removed from an actual or percieved event the more likelihood that the event will be distorted because there are those that will not take the time to educate themselves and question. If more people were to educated themselves on the history of this book of writings, poetry, parables, stories,allegories, letters, etc... called the bible, thier faith will not only be shaken but destroyed, because they never believed in a God to begin with, they just want the easy way.
lol, just wait until he buys everyone Nike's and make a batch of koolAid.
oh look I said it all already.
i see you have. am i wasting my time again who can tell
There's just SO many things wrong with this. Yeah "church" has done such a great job with this.. NOT
Yes churches teach abstinence, however some religions forbid condoms. Yet people are infected with HIV every day. So its obvious its not working.
I think "the church" is the WORST thing for HIV/AIDS. People are delusional if they think differently. Then again most people like Rick Warren are delusional anyways...
I don't think the church can stop anything except reason. One would think that we'd be able to have compassion and helpfulness without all the hate and guilt that comes with the Christian church.
The Christian Church is the ONLY weapon against any evil on Planet Earth.
The man who history has deemed one of the most evil men of all time attended church services and considered himself a devout christian.
@Relictus: You mean the Darwinian atheist in disguise. Neither the world or the Jews cannot be deceived. Your wishful thought. The true Christian Church ALWAYS established righteousness and goodness EVERYWHERE on earth.
The only weapon against evil in the world is for people to see the humanity in each other, recognize and respect it – regardless of what the outer trappings (including the religion) of that other person may be.
Righteousness...that's really part of the problem, isn't it? One man's righteousness is another man's persecution.
@ThinkAgain, Truth is more important than false respect. @Heli-, your statement does not apply in the hedonistic America.
Hmm, who are you talking about? Hitler was a pagan – according to Joseph Goebbels, Hitler was anti-Christian. Stalin and Mao were atheists. They are responsible for the deaths of couple hundred million people.
Oh, George Bush is a Christian, and to most CNN readers – He is the most terrible, evil person in the world.
For the record Hitler was a devout Roman Catholic.
Thank you, CNN. At last a news from a normal Christian church. Please feature normal Christian leaders for your own and the nation's benefit, CNN.
'normal'?
warren, "oh come on, dont buttt slam your buddy while youre waiting for the bus "
Uh-oh.... Sumpthin' a little smelly here..... With these guys, it usually has to do with a drop-off in the collection plate, So they gotta find a new angle. mebbe preacher Rick has found his.