Award for Churches Addressing AIDS

Rich Stearns and WVUS have teamed up with the Willow Creek Association, an organisation providing vision training and resources for churches worldwide, to create The Courageous Leadership Award.

The award will honour three churches that demonstrate outstanding involvement and effectiveness in the fight against AIDS, what many call “the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.” A total of $100,000 will be awarded, with $60,000 going to the winning church and $20,000 to each of two runners up.

The award is open to all Christian churches worldwide affirming an historic, orthodox understanding of biblical Christianity.  Deadline to apply is March 31, 2007, with the winners to be announced at the Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit near Chicago in August.  

“The goal is not only to honour those churches already involved in fighting HIV and AIDS, but also to be a catalyst, encouraging other churches to explore how they might get involved in what God is doing through His Church to have an impact,” says Rich Stearns, WVUS president.  “Regardless of the churches’ size or budget, the recipients of The Courageous Leadership Award will be selected based on how they strategically, intentionally and creatively have leveraged their God-given vision, gifts and resources to help address AIDS.”

I urge you to contact pastors in your community about this award and consider nominating a church you believe is deserving of such an honour.  The complete application and more information on the award are available by visiting: www.courageousleadershipaward.com/