Moving from pity to compassion

We’ve just finished the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church at Saddleback Church. More than 2,000 individuals from 39 nations attended, and my staff and I were blessed by what seemed to be a successful event. I say "what seemed to be," as only time will tell if we succeeded in getting more churches involved in HIV/AIDS ministry.

In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, said: "They say pity weeps and walks away, but compassion comes to stay." That's our prayer: that we will move from having pity to becoming the compassionate Body of Christ, putting hands and feet to ending this pandemic.

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

At global AIDS summit, churches challenged to take the lead

A pastor from Rwanda was one of more than 65 ministry, health care, and government leaders who spoke at Saddleback Church during the second annual Global Summit on AIDS and the Church, hosted by Rick and Kay Warren.

"I'm here to tell you there is hope because the Church of Jesus Christ is getting up, and when the Church of Jesus Christ gets up, things happen," Pastor Gataha said. "When the Church is getting up, HIV/AIDS will sit down.” Read more >>

Race against time: Why the Church is the answer

"Where is the Church in the global response to AIDS?" Robb Sheneberger asks. "The Church is everywhere and nowhere at the same time." In this article written for the 2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church, Dr. Sheneberger examines the global medical approach to the AIDS pandemic and gives practical ways that the Church can address AIDS. Read more >>

Pastor encouraged by AIDS summit

You might wonder why Pastor Lawrence Jimoh of Living Word and Faith Mission would travel halfway around the world from his home country of Burkina Faso to attend Saddleback’s Global Summit on AIDS and the Church. After all, Pastor Jimoh is already well-educated on the HIV/AIDS problem since more than 12 percent of his country's people have the virus.

What could he expect to gain from a conference in Lake Forest, Calif.? The answer lies in the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Read more >> | The P.E.A.C.E. Plan

Summit snapshot: A look at the numbers

When we read statistics about HIV/AIDS – 40 million individuals infected with HIV, 16 million AIDS orphans in Africa alone, nearly 8,000 AIDS-related deaths every day – it’s almost paralyzing. That’s why the recent Global Summit on AIDS and the Church was so encouraging. More than 2,000 individuals refused to be paralyzed by AIDS stats. Read more >>

What one church is doing after the Summit

Hi! My name is Kate Quinn. I and another couple from our congregation just returned from attending Saddleback’s global AIDS conference. What an absolute thrill!  Life as we know it will never be the same. God has placed a fire in our bellies that won't go away! 

We presented our passion for ministry regarding the AIDS pandemic and a wealth of resources and information received from the conference to church leadership yesterday.  We got the "thumbs up" to keep moving forward. We are so grateful to have leadership that has open minds, soft hearts, and teachable spirits. 

Our first endeavor will be to raise awareness and educate from the pulpit. Secondly, we want to move from knowledge to activity, pursuing what and where God would have us engage in this huge opportunity. There are several of us who want to go to Africa to see it, feel it, smell it...just experience it! So, my first question is... How does that happen? We believe it is essential to partner with other believers who know the ropes and have made this journey. We want it to be a safe and effective trip... purpose driven!! (no pun intended). Read more of Kate’s letter, along with answers to her questions. >>

Because of Him,
Kate

Tell us what your church is doing in response to the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church>>