Humanity in crisis. HIV/AIDS and its impact on the church and community in South Africa

Abstract

The writing of this thesis is to investigate the role that the church can have with people living with HIV / AIDS. This investigation takes us both into the role of the Evangelical Christian Church as a healing community, and becoming a haven for those who walk alone and suffer quietly because no one cares. Never before in the history of the world have we faced such a pandemic. It knows no boundaries, leaving a path of death and destruction to all who treat it lightly. HIV / AIDS has touched every community within the global village. There is not a parliament or doctor that has not pondered this terrible disease. My question through this thesis is the role of the church. Can the church rise to embrace the enormous social need that HIV / AIDS presents. South Africa is a vast land with many race and cultural groupings. Effective therapy and pastoral care I believe transcends all race and cultural barriers. All human beings respond to love and shelter, the very basic of our human needs. South Africa has the highest rate of infection in the world. It is estimated that we will have over a million orphans to care for soon. Let the church not lag behind, let us set the pace of showing the love and care for all people with HIV / AIDS.