CARE MINISTRY: Raising HIV/AIDS-Friendly Churches
Care Ministry is a new project designed to be a hand by which the EC Church responds to HIV/AIDS. Located in the region of North East India which is noted for its high prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases where it has presented itself to such a magnitude that it has become one of the most important issues confronting the Church today.
No doubt the Church has a tremendous potential to respond to this menace. First and foremost, it has a moral obligation to respond as Jesus responded to the marginalized and the outcastes of his days. Secondly, the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ requires the Church to reach out to these affected people with the message of love.
Fourthly, the fears and stigma attached to this can be overcomed only with the power and love of Jesus Christ. Finally, they are the group who are naturally most receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our vision is to see churches open their arms to welcome people who are affected by the disease, accepting them and integrating them into the mainstream of the society and help them cope with the problems and inconveniences caused by the disease.
For this every individual from the top leadership need to be not only HIV-educated, but be convinced that it is the business of the Church to help and respond to this deadly menace.
Our Strategy: The EC Church of India adopts the following action plan in order to accomplish its goal and vision:
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Conduct trainings for all the pastors and leaders of local churches under ECCI so that they may be able to respond to the needs in their respective local settings.
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Setup a Scholarship to help children of affected parents towards their education up to Graduate level.
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Introduce a Course on Ministering to PLWHAs at Evangelical College of Theology with practical training on Care and Counseling for the students
