Christians Around the World Encouraged to Pray for Those Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS on World Aids Day

Christians Around the World Encouraged to Pray for Those Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS on World Aids Day - Friday, December 1

He Intends Victory ministry also asks Christians to unite in caring for those affected by this pandemic in their community

By Dan Wooding

IRVINE, CA (November 20, 2000) -- He Intends Victory, a Christian AIDS ministry based in Irvine, California, has issued an urgent appeal to Christians around the world to join together in prayer for those infected and affected by AIDS on World AIDS Day, December 1. They have also asked believers to unite in caring for those afflicted by this pandemic in their community.

The theme for the 13th annual World AIDS Day (2000) is "AIDS: Men Make a difference".

The Rev. Bruce Sonnenberg, President of He Intends Victory, said, "We encourage Christians around the world to pray for those infected and affected by AIDS and also to share how we, as believers, can offer the only real hope available to bring peace and comfort through Jesus Christ."

He pointed out that according to estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), 34.3 million adults and 1.3 million children were living with HIV at the end of 1999.

"Some 5.4 million people became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS," he said. "The year also saw 2.8 million deaths from HIV/AIDS - a higher global total than in any year since the beginning of the epidemic, despite antiretroviral therapy which staved off AIDS and AIDS deaths in the richer countries.

"The HIV-positive population still expanding the annual number of AIDS deaths can be expected to increase for many years.

Sonnenberg continued, "World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity for pastors to mention the topic in sermons and encourage people to follow the example of Jesus and reach out in love. I would also urge Sunday school class leaders to encourage ministry, for youth groups to be educated for missionary groups to commit finances to support AIDS ministries and for Churches to make a stand on this very important opportunity."

"This year's World AIDS Day observance invites all of us to become a force for change and for men to play a responsible role in not spreading the virus. It began in 1988 and has been a day bringing messages of compassion, hope, solidarity and understanding about AIDS to every country in the world, North and South, East and West."

Sonnenberg added, "World AIDS Day is a celebration of sorts; a celebration in the sense of recognizing a terrible virus that traveled around the world. It's a sad celebration for that. It's also a celebration for life for those who know Jesus Christ."

The Rev, Herb Hall, a Christian living with AIDS and vice president of He Intends Victory, said, "Around half of all people who acquire HIV become infected before they turn 25 and typically die of the life-threatening illnesses called 'AIDS' before their 35th birthday. This age factor makes AIDS uniquely threatening to children. By the end of 1999, the epidemic had left behind a cumulative total of 13.2 million AIDS orphans, defined as those having lost their mother or both parents before reaching the age of 15.

"In 1999, an estimated 620,000 children aged 14 or younger became infected with HIV. Over 90% were babies born to HIV-positive women, who acquired the virus at birth or through their mother's breast milk. Of these, almost nine-tenths were in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa's lead in mother-to-child transmission of HIV was firmer than ever despite new evidence that HIV ultimately impairs women's fertility: once infected, a woman can be expected to bear 20% fewer children than she otherwise would.

"I call on the body of Christ and churches to pray around our world for people that are infected with HIV/AIDS and pray that these people will know and accept JESUS. This pandemic is not over even through we have seen the death rate drop in the United States. Around the world, thousands die every day. I believe as a Christian and a follower of Jesus Christ, that the Lord calls all of us to minister and reach out when we have the opportunity to do so.

"So on World AIDS Day 2000, I challenge all believers to pray for us as we reach out with the message of love to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and tell them that Jesus is the only answer."

Herb Hall added, "The need is for the church to move to the forefront of this epidemic and take over from what secular society has already done. We need to reach out with the love and compassion and minister in the name of the Lord. The young people of the world that are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS particularly need our care, love and help."

He Intends Victory, which now has support groups across the United States, has ministered overseas this year in Belize, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa at the World AIDS Conference, as well as the United States. The ministry now has a branch in Belize with its director being Mrs. Noelia Ritchie. It also and now has a branch on Merseyside, UK, run by Mrs. Irene Bibby and a team of volunteers.

He Intends Victory supplies free information packs on how to minister to people with HIV/AIDS, and includes the book, "He Intends Victory" by Dan Wooding to all those who request it. Write: He Intends Victory, PO Box 18499, Irvine, CA 92623, USA. Or call: (800) HIV-HOPE. In the UK, write: He Intends Victory UK, PO Box 31, Liverpool, L35 5HX, England, UK.