Challenging AIDS ~ A National Initiative

On January 28, 2003 President George W. Bush, in the State of the Union address, spoke these words "Ladies and gentlemen, seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many." President Bush was speaking of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We are writing to invite you to join a select group of national and international leaders who are serving on the National Convening Committee for City AIDS Summits which are planned for November 30, 2006! You are also invited to join with other leaders for a national conference call scheduled for Thursday, April 27th at 10:00am CDT to get an update and for you to ask questions.

HIV/AIDS affects everyone – both in the United States and around the world. It is clear in Scripture that God desires His Church to respond to the needs of people both locally and globally. The HIV/AIDS pandemic both here in our own cities and communities and in distant lands presents an unprecedented opportunity to practice and proclaim the Gospel of Christ!

Every 14 seconds, more than 7000 times a day, someone dies and children are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. Millions of children have been left behind with little hope for the future. The pace of infection in the United States is growing at an alarming rate with over 1 million people known to be infected already. Our African-American and Hispanics populations have incurred a majority of the new infections.

The Mission America Coalition and other collaborating partners are calling the Church in America together for City AIDS Summits. It is time, past time really, for every Christian leader to learn about HIV/AIDS and take practical steps of engagement with this pandemic.

The Vision: A National gathering of pastors and other local Christian leaders—in their own cities and communities, on the same day—to seek God's wisdom and direction for the church (individually and corporately), in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic here in America and around the world.

Your Role: the National Convening Committee for City AIDS Summits would be to help call together a national coalition of leaders, who will in turn invite local pastors and other Christian leaders to host City AIDS Summits this fall on the same day nationwide.

The purpose of the summits is to educate, encourage and equip local churches. We hope that this will be a way to engage members of local congregations with those who are currently faithfully serving in response to HIV/AIDS; domestically as well as internationally. At the City AIDS Summits, we will:
· consider collaboration for expanded and focused holistic evangelism and discipleship
· seek to address long-term ministry needs of those impacted by HIV/AIDS with a sustained prayer, care, and share approach.
This massive pandemic necessitates the entire Body of Christ coming together proclaiming the message of Hope in word and deed .

Our plans are to send a brochure (see attached draft or visit www.cityaids.com) and a cover letter requesting the involvement of these convening leaders. Afterward, letters and emails will go out nationwide to local pastors and Christian leaders in cities/communities inviting them to partner in this effort by hosting the summit where they live or work. A smaller National Design/Planning Team will work on organization details for the Summits; however, your leadership is needed to make this vision a reality.

As you prayerfully consider your involvement for the City AIDS Summits, please join us for a nationwide conference call on Thursday, April 27 th at 10am CST to learn more and discuss the role of the committee. The conference call will last approximately 1 hour.

To get the conference call number and to RSVP please reply to cityaids@missionamerica.org or call Jarvis at 601 932 4522.

Together in Christ,
Jarvis Ward Brian Considine
Jim Overholt GAPP
Mission America Coalition
City AIDS Summits ===>Click headline to access website . . .

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