Free Pentecostal Fellowship Church in Kenya HIV/AIDS Policy.

1.0 Background

HIV/AIDS is a global threat and fourth biggest killer in the world.

UNAIDS estimates show that 40 million people are living with HIV by end of 2004 in the world, 25.4 million being from Africa. Most affected being ages 15- 24 years, young women being the majority. Africa therefore is the most affected continent in the world.

In Kenya, the first case was diagnosed in 1984, in 1999; HIV/AIDS was declared national disaster by the government of Kenya. Since then, the prevalence has ranged from 14% in 2000 to 6.7% in 2003 and about 1.25 million people were estimated to be living with the virus.( MOH 2005)

• Transfusion of Infected blood,
• Piercing and contaminated objects and
• Mother to child transmission.

1.2 Policy Objectives

1. To provide guidelines to FPFK leadership and members on how to respond to HIV/AIDS within the organization and the community.

2. To demonstrate the love of Christ by proactively involving the church in HIV/AIDS epidemic through a standard framework to ensure uniformity and consistency (Matt 22:39)

1.3 FPFK Mission

To preach the word of God to all nations in preparation for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ by reaching out and establishing churches which can meet the spiritual, economic and social needs of the people through evangelism, education, training and socio-economic activities based on Christian values ( Matt 28:18-19)

1.4 Policy Development: The Process

This policy was developed through a consultative process involving staff and church representatives from all regions and structures (leaders, parents and youth) in accordance with the church constitution.

MAP International provided technical support in collaboration with FPFK National Office. The full list of participants is attached at the end.

1.5 HIV/AIDS And Implications On The Church and Society

FPFK recognizes that HIV/AIDS is a threat to humanity and shall therefore endeavor to respond with compassion and love to the infected and affected members of the church and society.

Policy Statement

• FPFK shall use its structures to empower members on basic information regarding HIV/AIDS. Such information shall be provided with sensitivity to age, culture and biblical values.
• Sunday Schools, youth programmes, seminars ,National conferences and FPFK supported institutions provides ideal environment for HIV/AIDS education ( proverbs 22:6)
• Parents are encouraged to seek HIV/AIDS information and to proactively discuss with their children with openness, respect and love (Proverbs 22:6).
• FPFK recognizes that the body is the temple of God. Therefore since sex and the mind are linked, FPFK, respects individual right to dressing , but also encourages members to dress modestly at all times , as dressing communicates individual and society values(‘Be conscious and sensitive to the environment) :(1 Timothy 2:9, 1cor 6:13-20)
• In line with the Bible, FPFK encourages abstinence for the unmarried and fidelity for the married (Hebrews 13:4, 1cor 7:1-6).
• - FPFK, recognizes the role of VCT in HIV/AIDS prevention and shall strive to:-
  • Educate members on the importance of VCT 
  • Encourage members to know their serostatus (Titus 2:6)
  • Network with Government and other agencies to enable members benefit from existing services ( Rom13:1-6)
  • VCT remains an individual choice and ethical issues regarding confidentiality shall be upheld.
  • Disclosure of serostatus remains an individual choice and responsibility (Joshua 24:14)Pre and post support groups are encouraged at congregational levels for providing support (a shoulder to lean on) ( Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:15)
• In complementing the Government efforts on HIV/AIDS prevention FPFK shall strive to:-
  • Educate members on the basic facts regarding the condom and its use.
  • Educate the members on Biblical values of sex and sexuality (Hebrews 13:4-5) 
  • Educate members to make informed choices realizing that the body of a believer is a temple of God, therefore sex outside marriage is a violation of God’s law( Icor 3:16-17, Icor 6:19-20) 
  • Encourage discordant couples to seek Christian counselling and appropriate medical advice and make efforts in minimizing infections and re-infections.
  • Train church leaders in basic HIV/AIDS guiding and Counselling / coping skills to their respective groups
• FPFK, constitution provides guidelines for solemnizing of marriage. Therefore, in light of HIV/AIDS challenge, the church shall endeavour to:-
  • i) Church clergy shall be empowered to guide the couple on understanding the implications of HIV+ and HIV-.
  • ii) Incorporate basic HIV/AIDS information within the pre-marital , guiding and counselling programme
  • iii) Encourage the couple to go for HIV testing and share results between themselves, parents and clergy. Where necessary the couple and clergy may postpone solemnization to allow further consultation.
  • iv) HIV status (either positive or negative) will not be a deterrence of solemnization of marriage, so long as the above steps have been followed and the couple involved consented in writing.
• Re-marriage in the event of death is allowed by the Bible and FPFK constitution, thus couples shall be encouraged to know their serostatus and follow steps above before solemnization
• In the event of long separations, the couples are encouraged to know their serostatus before reunion

Materials and illustrations used in HIV/AIDS education in the church must meet professional standards; appreciate ethical issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and PLWHAs, Biblically and culturally appropriate.

(b) Care & Support

Caring and supporting the sick is a core mandate for children of God (Luke 10:33-37, Acts 9:36). Realizing the magnitude and challenges facing PLWHAs, FPFK shall:-

• Encourage churches to form support and welfare groups
• Strengthen outreach and home visitation for the sick and hurting 
• Strengthen counseling and pastoral programme 
• Encourage members to mobilize resources and reach-out to the sick and lonely 
• Equip members with basic skills for home based care and proactively get involved in outreach activities 
• Strengthen/form networks and collaborations with the Government, other agencies involved in care and support programmes
• FPFK leadership will Endeavour to educate or develop networks to enable its members acquire skills in paralegal and memory book writing , as a way of encouraging members to protect their properties in the event of death
• FPFK shall strive to do all it can, within the available resources to initiate support and empowerment for PLWHAs.
• Stigma is a challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS. FPFK shall do all it can to sensitize its members and advocate against stigma and discrimination among her members and society (Galatians 6:15).

(c) Mitigation

• FPFK shall encourage her members to foster the children of relatives and members who have passed on (James 1:27, Isaiah 58:7 )
• Where possible, resources may be mobilized to support the orphaned children, widows and widowers. But this will be at the discretion of the local churches
• FPFK shall network with the Government and other development agencies to enable her members in this category to benefit from on going programmes.

(d) Cross Cutting Issues

• 1. HIV/AIDS infected members and staff of FPFK have full rights of membership and participation in all church related activities for example administering and receiving of Holy Communion ( Rom8:1-2).
• 2. FPFK members, who die of AIDS related illness shall be accorded proper burial rites like any other member (no discrimination) Gal 6:15, Ephesians 2:13
• 3. FPFK shall educate and encourage her members to legalize their marriages to avoid wrangles and conflicts in the event of death
• 4.
• 5. FPFK, does not require a pre-employment HIV testing certificate for new staff
• 6. FPFK recognizes the emerging challenges of orphans, widows, widowers and the poor in her midst. The church will not discriminate these groups or label them, but shall:
  • a. Sensitize members to respond to their needs I Timothy 5:3-5. James 1:27
  • b. Avoid labeling of these groups, but use acceptable names that encourage healing and inspire hope
  • c. Mobilize resources and support them initiate IGAs
  • d. Integrate them within church groups.
• 7. FPFK as an employer, shall endeavor to protect the rights of the infected and affected members of staff
• 8. Termination of employment from FPFK, will not be based on HIV serostatus, so long as the staff is able to perform assigned duties
• 9. FPFK realizes that some AIDS related illness may eventually cause physical and mental limitations on ability to perform normal duties. In such situations, termination from employment will be as for any other illnesses and disabilities according to the employment contract. (However, FPFK will strive to do its best in the interest of the staff)
• 10. In event of a medical scheme for FPFK staff, health plans and cover will be according to the policy of the facility offering the insurance cover
• 11. FPFK will link its staff to Government health facilities in event of accidental exposure to HIV/pre-post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• 12. Anti-Retroviral drugs have shown to prolong the life of PLWHAs. FPFK commits to:
  • i. Provide ARV – literacy to the members
  • ii. Encourage local churches and institutions to develop referrals and networks with health facilities
  • iii. Providing information on ARVs providers to enable HIV+ FPFK members and staff to benefit.