"Purpose Driven" author calls on churches to fight AIDS

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Today I came across an article written by Rick Warren, author of the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life, calling on churches to take action to fight HIV and AIDS. Warren emphasizes the tragedy of AIDS in both Africa and the US, and calls on America's clergy to mobilize their congregations in the fight against AIDS. His sixfold call to action, abbreviated CHURCH, was as follows:

Care for and comfort the sick
Help test and counsel

Unleash an army of volunteers

Remove the stigma

Champion healthy behavior

Hand out meds and nutrition

Warren makes the case that the church is in a unique position to carry out those actions, and that taking these steps is tantamount to obeying the gospel. He also takes the opportunity to plug his upcoming conference, Disturbing Voices: An International HIV/AIDS Conference coming up this November. It seems Warren is taking this new crusade seriously.

If only a fraction of the churches in America take increased action against AIDS, it will make a world of difference, both here and elsewhere. To any of you who are active members of a congregation or are friends with any preachers/reverends/ministers, please consider emailing the article to them, or talking with them about the ways your church can take action.