Seasoned for HIV ministry

Many of our readers are over the age of 50. That's exciting to me. You see, I believe God has special plans for those “older” adult years that he’s given us.

I was in my late 40s when God captured my heart with his plan for the Church to get involved in HIV/AIDS ministry. With an empty nest and a bit more spare time, I thought I had my future ministry all planned. You know what? God's plan was much bigger, bolder, and filled with more blessing than I could have dreamed. (Learn more about Kay's call to action >>)

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could tap into the enormous talent, energy, and life-experience seasoned adults have and funnel that into effective HIV ministry? In this edition, I'm pleased to share some stories about older adults who have followed God's call to get involved. As you read their stories, whether you’re young or old, ask yourself: How is God calling me to respond?

Kay Warren, co-founder, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, Calif., and executive director of Saddleback Church's HIV/AIDS Initiative

American grandmothers minister to their
counterparts in Malawi

One of the most devastating aspects of HIV is that it mostly strikes young adults who are raising families and caring for aging loved ones. But when young parents die, who cares for their children? In Malawi and other hard-hit countries, grandmothers often raise their orphaned grandchildren.

So who, in turn, cares for the grandmothers? One project has a creative answer.
Read more >>

Retired pediatrician serves developing world children

Chuck Miller was a pediatrician in Delaware for 36 years. After losing his wife, Lois, to cancer, Dr. Miller realized God was calling him to medical missions. He has been on 12 medical missions trips caring for children with special needs, including HIV/AIDS.

He shares what he's seen as he's treated developing world children and suggests ways churches can use their credibility to get engaged in HIV ministry. Read more >>

Get serious about letting God use you

Dale Hanson Bourke believes "grown-up" women are ready to make their lives count for something bigger than themselves. "Think about it," she says. "If all the Christian women aged 40 and older got truly serious about seeking God and letting him use us in amazing ways, we could completely change our world. ... We could help bring stability to conflict zones, hold the hand of every person dying of AIDS in Africa, and eradicate world hunger." Read more >>

I attend the Life Church of the Nazarene in Watertown, N.Y. We are starting an HIV Caring Community in northern New York. We kicked off our ministry with a World AIDS Day event with two churches. Our first training will be April 28 as part of our GO WEEKEND at church! As part of our World AIDS Day ceremony, we collected over 10 garbage bags full of personal care items that we donated to the local AIDS Community Resources organization. We are hoping to do a food drive as part of our GO WEEKEND in April for the same organization.

I am a theatre teacher at a local, public high school and I am the Teen AIDS Task Force coordinator at school. Prior to my work at this high school, I was a prevention education specialist doing drug and HIV/AIDS education. I have over 80 hours in New York State HIV/AIDS training. I am very passionate about HIV/AIDS ministry and am looking forward to attending the Summit at Saddleback this year! I have downloaded the 2005 conference and have ordered the 2006 conference. We are in our beginning stages. I pray that our group is successful in developing successful approaches.

I am modeling our ministry after Saddleback's approach. We are actually trying to invite representatives from all the area churches to be part of the HIV Caring Community and work together as a team of churches to fight this epidemic both locally and globally. Our goal is to fight AIDS and bring Jesus to those infected and affected by this disease.

Kristie Fuller

Tell us how your church is responding to HIV/AIDS >>