July 5, 2011
In the CNN BeliefBlog this past weekend, Rick Warren wrote a special commentary on the origins of his passion with fighting AIDS. He told the story of how he and his wife experienced firsthand the devastating effect of the disease in Africa, which he called “ground zero for this pandemic,” and explained how the local church fought at the front-lines of the battle against the disease in their villages. Warren was determined to model his own church’s response after what he had seen there, even himself submitting to a televised HIV test to remove the congregation’s stigma about being tested themselves. He is convinced that the local church—Christlike volunteers working hand-in-hand with NPOs also fighting HIV and AIDS—is the mightiest and most effective weapon against the spread of the disease.
“The church has the largest distribution network on the planet,” wrote Warren. “There are more churches in the world than all the Walmarts, McDonalds, and Starbucks combined. The church was global 200 years before anyone else thought of globalization.” He calls on local churches to provide the six services he says ANY church can give to those suffering with HIV/AIDS:
Care for and support the sick.
Handle HIV testing.
Unleash volunteers.
Remove the stigma.
Champion healthy behavior.
Help with antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients.
Warren says his church’s efforts have resulted in his P.E.A.C.E. Plan, which so far has involved sending over 14,800 people all over the world to plant reconciliatory churches, equip leaders, assist and care for the poor and afflicted, and education young people about the devastating disease.
“It is not a sin to be sick,” Warren explained. “Jesus never asked a sick person, ‘How did you get sick?’ He asked, ‘How can I help you?'”
