Prevalence rates in twelve countries exceed 1% and HIV/AIDS has made its way into the general population. Many of these people are innocent victims receiving the virus through no fault of their own. AIDS is now the leading cause of death in persons age 15-44 in the Caribbean . Governments and NGO’s have invested large sums of money and energy into halting the spread of this disease. International leaders continue to solicit help from FBO’s (Faith Based Organizations) yet in the midst of all this the Church has remained markedly quiet and not entered into the business of education and ministry to the affected on a large scale. In response to the crisis the Assemblies of God’s Latin America and Caribbean missions department has launched the LAC Commission on Aids.
"Open
your mouth for the speachless, In the cause of all who die. Open your mouth, judge righteously,
Ane plead the cause of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9
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The Church is ordained by God to
be a place of salvation, healing and compassion. Jesus ministered to the lepers of his day with a compassion
touch. If the Church is to fulfill its role in the community it must reach out with grace and compassion
to the hurting. Not only for the sake of winning them to Christ but because the Churches role in the
community is broader than that. The local Church is already in place with the respect of both the community
and its leaders. It is the church that often ministers to the dying and comforts those mourning the
loss of loved ones. The church has the truth of God’s
Word to share and a platform to share it from, making it the most logical place for HIV/AIDS awareness
and education to be taught.
As I write this over 329 people die each day from AIDS in our region, HIV infections are increasing by over 250,000 a year. The Church’s message of abstinence until marriage and faithfulness once married empowers people to protect themselves, their future and the security of their families.
Aids statistics are shocking but consider this: the Assemblies of God alone has over 120,000 churches in the region, poised to touch their communities with awareness and culturally sensitive education programs. We can make a difference; we can be used of the Lord to help remove the stigma and silence, to minister to hurting families, orphans and those dying from AIDS. We can passionately teach and minister the truths of God’s Word concerning prevention and spare untold pain and suffering. I appeal to you in Christ’s name that we do everything possible to stop the spread of AIDS in our region.
Sincerely for the touch of the Master,
Paul J. Duda
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