A historic event in the life of the Nazarene Church in Papua New Guinea occurred last week when the church launched its nationwide HIV Ministry thrust with a gathering of 30 church leaders from all 12 districts for a HIV Ministry Training of Trainers course in Kiam in the Western Highlands Province. At the current growth rate, it will only take a few more years for the percentage of PNG's HIV positive population to equal or exceed that of the African countries with the highest infection rates. The National Board was so serious about empowering the church to respond to the crisis that they recently added a new division of HIV Ministry to those of Sunday School, Children's Ministry, NYI, and NMI. Last week's training of all District Superintendents and District HIV Ministry Coordinators was the first in a series of training courses that will be conducted this year in every district, circuit and local church.
In PNG the root causes of the rapid spread of HIV are in the family. The church is, therefore, focusing on equipping married couples, parents, and teens to live holy lives of purity and faithfulness in the midst of tremendous traditional society pressure to do otherwise. Local church members are also being equipped to practically minister Christ's love and message of hope to people in their communities with HIV/AIDS, their caregivers, surviving spouses, and orphaned children. Appropriate biblically-based materials are being prepared in Pidgin for the trainers and local church members.Reported by Dr. Becky Morsch
for the Nazarene National HIV Ministry Committee
Photos by Dr. James Radcliffe
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