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In addition, church leaders can model a theology of sexuality that affirms abstinence before marriage and faithfulness after marriage. And our most important and unique contribution remains sharing the gospel that offers forgiveness and the power to change.

Despite our many unique advantages, we cannot defeat this pandemic alone. HIV ministry often calls for out-of-the-comfort-zone teamwork that might include these types of partnerships:

1. South and north: Christian leaders in the Global South are much more experienced with church-based HIV ministry than many of their northern counterparts.
2. Faith-based and secular: For instance, a leading secular group, Physicians for Human Rights, aspires to find ways to partner on HIV-prevention efforts with Roman Catholics and evangelicals.
3. Volunteers and professionals: Experts realize there are not enough pros (or enough money to pay them) to defeat HIV. When professionals train motivated Christian volunteers, effective outreach is multiplied at low cost.

In Lusaka, Zambia, Bishop Joshua H. K. Banda (Assemblies of God) has seen countless families crippled by HIV. In the Oxford report, he said, "One of the greatest challenges we face is the family of the patient. It is simply not enough just to talk to the patient alone. One has to include the whole family in the treatment plan." Bishop Banda cites an African proverb to help make his point: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

The HIV pandemic is far in advance of the global response. In 2004, a Lausanne panel meeting in Thailand declared that HIV/AIDS is a world evangelization issue. They said, "At the end of this century, the question will be: Where were you when this diabolical holocaust worked its course in human history?" Let's not await 2099 to give our answer.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

More Christianity Today coverage of AIDS includes

Rift Opens Among Evangelicals on AIDS Funding | Dobson targets Global Fund, which helps Salvation Army, Youth for Christ, and World Vision. (June 2, 2006)

Speaking Out
Finally, Some Overdue Good News in the Battle Against AIDS | "Global slowing" is about as good as it gets when you're talking about this disease. (June 1, 2006)

Close Encounters with HIV | Local churches should network in the war against the virus.—A Christianity Today editorial (Jan. 19, 2006)

Warren, Hybels Urge Churches to Wage 'War on AIDS' | Hundreds of evangelicals attending Disturbing Voices conference repent, refocus on outreach to outcasts. (Dec. 5, 2005)

On The Record
Why We're Losing the War Against HIV/AIDS | Harvard's Edward C. Green says health officials undermine abstinence and fidelity programs in Africa. (March 7, 2005)

Q&A: Deborah Dortzbach | The international director of HIV/AIDS programs at World Relief talks on our progress, and regress, with AIDS. (Aug. 16, 2004)

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)

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August 2006, Vol. 50, No. 8