A Faith-Based Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

The latest issue of the Newslink, the publication of New Missions Systems International (NMSI), contains a couple of articles highlighting the Christian mission organization's response to the HIV/Aids epidemic that is ravaging much of the world.

In an article based on reports by Slava Pleskach, an NMSI missionary to Russia, the increasingly serious HIV problem in Russia is discussed. Russia, according to the article, has the fastest growing rate of infection in the world with regard to HIV and, given current population growth rates, could have up to 30% of its population infected by 2020.

Contributing to the growth of the HIV infection is the lifestyle choice of many Russian young people. Rather than practice abstinence-the most effective way to avoid contracting the virus-young Russians engage in sexual behavior that enhances their chances of infection.

One way to encourage a change in behavior is to bring non-Christian Russians into contact with Christians who have made the commitment to remain sexually pure until marriage. To bring together believers and non-believers, Pleskach and his colleagues have established monthly get togethers where both groups have the opportunity to get to know each other and where the Christians can influence others to change their behavior,

Another opportunity for Christian influence is through "Silver Ring" clubs where non-believers are brought into contact with young people who have promised to save sex for marriage.

In addition to unhealthy behavior that leads to HIV infection is the attitude too often shown by the church at large toward those who are infected. As a result, the NMSI missionaries in Russia are teaching people in the church how to care for HIV/AIDS victims.

Another NMSI response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic is AfricaHope. Like the initiative in Russia, AfricaHope attempts to change people's behavior by changing their hearts. As the article in Newslink reports, NMSI is committed to "spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and changing lives through truth and hope." Hope is the key to their ministry in contrast to the despair and depression that are so often part of the lives of HIV/AIDS victims and the orphaned children they leave behind. A key to giving others hope is the commitment of ministry members to become involved in the lives of infected people.

One important aspect of their ministry is encouraging people to get tested for HIV, something that many are reluctant to do. If the people test negative, they can be encouraged to stay that way be engaging in safe behavior. If they test positive, they can be encouraged to begin getting help.

HIV/AIDS is a problem that may not ever be entirely solved, but NMSI is committed to doing what it can to reduce the spread and to give people hope. These solutions may not be as dramatic as the discovery of a miracle vaccine that could end the HIV/ÅIDS problem, but, in the long run, they could slow down the epidemic and make the church a helpful partner to victims, rather than an institution that is too quick to judge and too slow to be part of a solution.

Source:

www.nms-intl.org/newslink/2007/Summer07.pdf