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While the sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest hit, epidemics are propping up in Asia and Eastern Europe. Why?

There are many reasons. AIDS is seething in fissures of many societies, erupting where there is a moral vacuum, exploitation of sex, girls, and women, illegal, injecting drugs, economic hardship, migration of people, long term unemployment, violence and war, shifting family and cultural values, and separated families due to economic or political reasons. These are global issues and few countries are spared. Those that are better at controlling AIDS act quickly and openly and often have resources to manage their responses.

When Bono of the rock band U2 toured evangelical institutions, he gave the impression that we, evangelicals, hadn't been very aware or supportive of the anti-AIDS programs. What has been your experience with evangelicals on this issue?

All along there have been pioneer Christians, wherever the church is in the world, casting shadows of hope in dark places where AIDS is stealing life. But it is an evangelical disgrace that we failed to fan those early flames—sometimes because we did not want to enter a dark place. That's exactly where our light has to be. It's my prayer that our candlepower becomes an Olympic torch.

A news reports say that progress on AIDS drugs has stalled. How crucial are these drugs?

Drugs are important in prolonging life and adding significant quality of physical well-being. This makes a huge difference, for example, for children who otherwise may prematurely lose an HIV-infected parent. However, drugs are not the long-term answer to the AIDS crisis. Behavior is. We must push for behavior that curbs the crisis—abstinence before marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage—as well as behavior that compassionately accepts and cares for all families and individuals affected by AIDS.

How can churches in the U.S. best help curb the spread of this disease?

Start at home—with your own sexuality, your marriage, your youth, your church, your community. Reinforce congressional positions that support global partnerships and spending in HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Partner with churches and Christian organizations on the front lines of hard-hit countries. Scan the globe for sustainable approaches that build godly responses from God's global family and give wisely. Commit to the long term. AIDS is not going away. Our generation of Christians will be marked by how we respond to this multigenerational crisis.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today.Click for reprint information.

Other Christianity Today articles on AIDS include:

Cry, the Beloved Continent | Don't let AIDS steal African children's future. (March 04, 2004)

Confronting Moral Horror | It's a witness even the most jaded find impressive. (Feb. 04, 2004)

As Complicated as ABC | Condoms and abstinence can both play a role in AIDS prevention. (Feb. 04, 2004)

Beyond Condoms | To alleviate AIDS, we must sharpen our moral vision. (June 10, 2003)

A Strategy for Progress | Unless prevention of HIV/AIDS becomes a clear priority, things are only going to get worse. (May 2, 2003)

Civics for Gay Activists | We may see more die from HIV/AIDS because gay activists are intolerant. (April 10, 2003)

ABC vs. HIV | Christians back abstinence-fidelity plan against deadly virus. (March 10, 2003)

Jerry Thacker: Politics Muddies Fight Against AIDS | The politics of homosexuality has made it easier to battle the disease in foreign countries than domestically, says a former nominee to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. (Feb. 07, 2003)

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September 2004, Vol. 48, No. 9