LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, Calif., used a conference timed to conclude on World AIDS Day to announce a new commitment to caring for the millions of people infected with HIV and AIDS.
Nearly 1,700 senior pastors from evangelical churches nationwide gathered Nov. 29–Dec. 1 for a conference on AIDS called Disturbing Voices. Warren said ministering to those suffering with AIDS is another responsibility Christians must take seriously.
Earlier this year, Warren announced his “PEACE Plan” for international Christian involvement. PEACE stands for planting churches, equipping leaders, assisting the poor, caring for the sick and educating the next generation.
Other speakers included Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, medical experts and other leaders in the AIDS community.
World AIDS Day began in 1988. According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS, there are 38 million adults and 2.3 million children living with HIV worldwide. Some 4.9 million people were predicted to become infected with the virus in 2005.
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