If you've even casually read the New Testament in the Bible, especially the Gospels, you've seen a LOT of references (including Jesus' direct ministry) to helping the poor and the sick.
So why, then, don't more churches focus on helping people with AIDS? Unfortunately, most of that is tied in with prejudice, even bigotry, against the GLBT people who are impacted by this disease. There are even people who stand behind a pulpit who still believe that AIDS is God's punishment to homosexuals, and I suspect a lot more ministers believe it than actually have the nerve (or gall) to say so.
That's why this article from the Chicago Tribune is refreshing. Last Sunday, messages about reaching out and helping people with AIDS were preached from over 100 largely African-American churches in the Chicago area. Given the startling statistics that nearly half of new AIDS cases in the United States affected African-Americans, who represent about 13% of the population, there is no better place to focus on emphasizing this message.
Rev. Charles Jenkins from the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side led this effort:
"The church is that place to be empowered and encouraged," he said.
"Jesus wasn't just concerned about people spiritually," Jenkins said. "He was concerned about people physically too, and emotionally."
"Jesus didn't move away. He moved in when people were dealing with all kinds of circumstances."
May God bless the efforts of Rev. Jenkins and others like him. Please join me in praying that people will listen.....and act.
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