Minute for Mission: PCUSA World AIDS Sunday

June 27, 2021

FJKM seminary students and family members wear masks from the FJKM AIDS Committee. (Provided)

Ministering faithfully in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has called for creativity and solidarity. Who would have predicted that producing masks would be a part of fighting HIV and AIDS? The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), the PC(USA)’s partner church, has been committed to fighting HIV and AIDS since 2001.

When COVID-19 arrived in March 2020, everything changed. Travel and meeting restrictions were put in place to reduce the spread of the virus. Many of FJKM AIDS’s activities were put on hold. Others, like HIV testing, stopped altogether. One need the AIDS Committee identified was for masks. So, it produced masks to share with seminary students and their families and those living with HIV and AIDS. Although delayed in 2020, the AIDS Committee was able to carry out its AIDS training at all five of FJKM’s seminaries and distribute masks. Now when trainings occur, everyone is wearing masks and being socially distant. Instead of eating together, which facilitates the spread of COVID-19, bags of rice and oil are shared with the seminary students. 

Unfortunately, HIV testing in Madagascar and in Africa has been greatly affected. Only individual testing is available at certain locations. In many locations, it has been difficult to get medications to those living with HIV and AIDS.

In a mark of solidarity, the PC(USA) sent a grant to help the FJKM in its AIDS ministry. This has helped the AIDS Committee as it has tried to find relevant and creative ways to continue its fight against HIV and AIDS amid the COVID-19 pandemic and be an advocate for those living with HIV and AIDS who often have no voice.

FJKM’s commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS amid difficult odds can be an inspiration for local PC(USA) congregations to become more involved in their local communities’ issues with HIV and AIDS.

Elizabeth Turk, Mission Co-Worker in Madagascar, World Mission, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for:  

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Donna Miller, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Martha Miller, Office of the General Assembly

Let us pray with singing:

Lord God, please be with all those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Be with those accompanying them. May we the church be a place of refuge and a voice for those who are often overlooked. Amen.

Minute for Mission: PC(USA) World AIDS Sunday

A choir got tested for HIV during an FJKM fair. (Photo by Elizabeth Turk)

How would you celebrate your 50th anniversary? Last year, the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), a PC(USA) partner church, promoted free HIV testing at all of the events celebrating its 50th anniversary. FJKM President Irako Andriamahazosoa Ammi was tested publicly last August. Over 40,000 people were educated about HIV and AIDS, and 2,000 were tested during six events.

In addition to promoting HIV testing, FJKM trains all of its pastoral students about HIV and AIDS. In a country where the education level is very low and most rural people have little access to news and the internet, pastors are among the most educated and respected members of their communities. It is important that pastors understand the basics about HIV and AIDS. They are then well placed to help their congregations and communities reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS and to fight against discrimination.

Another exciting way the FJKM fights the spread of HIV and AIDS is by training youth peer educators in FJKM schools. This past spring, the FJKM Development Department and FJKM AIDS Committee trained 40 middle and high school students in northern Madagascar. These youth returned to their schools to share with their peers about how to avoid the dangers of drugs, early pregnancy and illnesses like HIV and AIDS. They also learned skills in long-term planning and setting goals so that they will have a better chance of making sound biblical decisions when faced with pressures and temptations.

UNAIDS notes that “the global AIDS response is at a precarious point — partial success in saving lives and stopping new HIV infections is giving way to complacency.” The FJKM is an excellent example of a group that has not given into complacency even in the face of political crisis and reduced funding.

Working with the FJKM in its fight against HIV/AIDS as a PC(USA) mission co-worker has been a great joy for me. The PC(USA) has faithfully supported FJKM’s efforts to train pastors, produce educational materials, provide HIV testing and train youth peer educators. Together, we are helping to fight the spread of AIDS in Madagascar and providing a powerful witness of God’s love. 

If you’d like to learn about the ways your congregation can help respond to HIV/AIDS, visit pcusa.org/toolkits/hiv-aids.

Elizabeth Turk, Mission Co-Worker serving in Madagascar, World Mission, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Hannah Green, Presbyterian Foundation
Ken Green, Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

God of life, we pray for those in our community and around the world who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. We pray that our Church may be a place of compassion and protection for those in desperate need of healing. Amen.