What happens when evangelists come face to face with the AIDS epidemic savaging generations of Africans?

‘AIDS, Africa and the Gospel’ is a seminar being hosted this Saturday by St Matthew's Anglican Church in West Pennant Hills.

Guest speakers for the brunch meeting include CMS missionaries in Tanzania, Dr Russell Clark and Rev. Kay Clark, and Ms Jenny Fallon, SIM missionary in Burkina Faso.

Each have first-hand experience of witnessing in the face of a pandemic that is savaging an entire generation of Africans.

Ms Fallon is a nurse/midwife who has been based in Burkina Faso since 1987.

She lives in the town of Fada, working with the local church to establish and develop AIDS-related ministries.

Dr Clark (pictured) practises medicine and teaches at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, north-east Tanzania while Rev. Clark teaches pastors and evangelists at Munguishi Christian Training Centre.

In 2003, adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania was 8.8%, and in Burkina Faso the rate was 4.2%.

By comparison, Australia's prevalence rate is 0.1%.

“This is an opportunity to learn from people working in Africa who are daily confronted by the disease,” Dr Clark says.

“Jenny, Kay and myself have all seen the effect of AIDS on Africans, and particularly African Christians.”

The brunch runs from 8.30am " 11am, and costs $5/head.

RSVPs must be registered with Marion at St Matthew's office on 9484 2937 before 4PM today [Thursday, May 5].

Dr Clark says it is a rare opportunity to understand the way AIDS affects all aspects of Mission.

“Come and hear the perspective of a nurse, a doctor and a Bible teacher.”

Lead photo courtesy Tom Cosgrave