Christians Grapple With HIV/AIDS Pandemic At International Meeting

Samaritan's Purse
Monday, 28 January 2002

Franklin Graham Gathers Frontline AIDS Workers from 80 Countries in Washington, D.C.

Some would say the Christian church hasn't done enough in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In fact, a recent survey shows, only 3 percent of evangelical Christians in the United States say they plan to help (Barna Research Group 2001).

For this reason, 700 emergency relief, government, medical, and church leaders from 80 countries are coming to Washington, D.C. to help mobilize Christians in the fight against this pandemic.

Prescription for Hope, the international Christian conference on HIV/AIDS to be held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C., Feb. 17-21, will feature sessions and workshops with some of the world's top experts and field workers battling HIV/AIDS including:

• U.S. Senator Bill Frist, M.D. (R-Tenn.)


• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Andrew Natsios


• United Nations Director of UNAIDS (New York) Desmond Johns, M.D.


• Father Angelo d'Agostino, M.D. of Nairobi, Kenya


• First Lady of Uganda Janet Museveni


• Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham (Conference Organizer)

"Jesus Christ was the ultimate humanitarian and as Christians we should follow his example," said Franklin Graham, president of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, and son of Billy Graham. "Leadership is needed as we face this disease. The Christian community can offer more in this battle."

Graham's Samaritan's Purse, operating in nearly every country where HIV/AIDS is most severe, is organizing the conference. Prescription for Hope is a call for the Christian church worldwide to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and seeks to challenge and mobilize the Christian community to address the crisis with Christian compassion, action, and hope.

Highlights of the conference will include:

• 10 main plenary sessions featuring top experts, government leaders, and relief workers


• 20 workshops covering relevant topics including moral leadership and Christian responsibility, compassionate care, and orphans and vulnerable children


• Networking for relief workers, government organizations, and church leaders to compare and discuss best practices and ways to combine and complement efforts


• 17 profiles of frontline ministries and individuals from around the world

More than 24 million people have died from AIDS (UNAIDS). It is estimated that more than 40 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

For more information, or to contact Samaritan's Purse, see their website at: www.samaritanspurse.org