"HIV and AIDS Call to Compassion", the first international conference of its kind held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, took place at U.S. based Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, from June 23 to June 27, 2005. The conference was held in conjunction with an International Church Planting Conference on the same campus and focused on church planting from a world-in-need perspective.

Between 75 and 100 people from around the world, including directors of various church ministries-health, children, women, and family-as well as from the world church headquarters, attended this conference.

"A regional conference on HIV and AIDS was held in 2002 in Harare, Zimbabwe; and another regional conference was held in 2003 in Nairobi," says Dr. Allan Handysides, director of the world church Health Ministries Department (HMD) and coordinator of the event. "The HMD, in conjunction with the church's Administrative Committee (ADCOM), decided it was time to hold an international conference to address this global epidemic.

Interactive seminars addressed topics relevant to HIV and AIDS, such as the social implications of this disease, the school as a community resisting HIV/AIDS, and organizing the church to fight HIV/AIDS.

Donald Messer, M. Div., Ph.D., professor of Practical Theology at the ILIFF School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, challenged Adventist Christians during his presentations to break the "conspiracy of silence." He called them to get past the denial and minimalization of this disease and its effects, and to seek to engage with the world. "If the church won't reach out for the children, who will?" asked Messer. "The sexual predators and the militant will."

According to the 2004 statistics, more than 5 million people worldwide become infected with the HIV virus annually-2.5 million women and 800,000 children. It is estimated that more than 400,000 Adventists currently are living with HIV and/or AIDS.

Jonathan Craig, an Adventist who has lived with the HIV virus for more than 23 years, says the church can do more to show care and compassion for those living with HIV and AIDS. "The church can listen to our real-life stories: the trials, the tribulations, and the successes," he says. "The church can take the lead in stopping the ignorance of the disease and the discrimination. God's people can embrace us when we come into God's house."

Patricia Fillies, an HIV and AIDS caregiver in South Africa, runs an orphanage in her home, taking care of 18 HIV infected and affected children. Fillies says of the conference, "It has opened my eyes in a special way. People need to know what they [HIV and AIDS patients] go through on a daily basis." And while financial support is needed to care for those living with HIV and AIDS, Fillies urges, "We need help in all ways-especially prayer."

Two recommendations have been formulated as a result of the conference and will be taken to the Administrative Committee of the Adventist world church for consideration:

1. To establish an HIV and AIDS committee at every level of Adventist church administration that will include church ministry directors.

2. To incorporate an HIV and AIDS Day, on which local congregations will collect a global offering to help HIV and AIDS patients.

Handysides says, "I hope this conference has sensitized people to a new perspective on caring. My dream is that in five years, in those regions in which HIV and AIDS are epidemic, that a majority of churches will be identifiable places of support for those living with HIV and AIDS. Whether it be placing a sign outside stating that they welcome people living with HIV and AIDS, offering counselling to individuals or families, or whether it be friendship, I would hope that all our churches can become safe, caring, and compassionate places."

In 2004 the Adventist church's world headquarters, the Adventist church divisions, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and U.S. based Loma Linda University with its Medical Center, officially opened the Adventist HIV/AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) Africa Office in Johannesburg (South Africa). The AAIM Africa Office, headed by Dr. Oscar Giordano, focuses on care and vocational training for AIDS orphans and widows, treatment for those infected, and a widespread education and prevention effort in churches, schools and communities. [Editor: Bonita Joyner Shields for Adventist Review/Christian B. Schaeffler for APD]