Meanwhile African churches know this is only one piece of the battle against AIDS. They are at work every day promoting prevention efforts, holding the hands of dying patients and caring for AIDS orphans.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s support of its African partners in these efforts demonstrates solidarity, helps some of the world's most marginalized and oppressed people, and models sound stewardship.

"We support the effort to provide anti-retroviral drugs, but that's not where we are putting our focus and resources now," says Joy Raatz, international HIV/AIDS initiative facilitator for the PC(USA). "Churches in Africa are doing some amazing things in the fight against AIDS and we are privileged to be able to support them by sending people and resources and by praying for them."

Churches are effective in the fight against AIDS because they are trusted and because they proclaim hope amid death and despair.

African churches believe behavior can be transformed because the gospel can change hearts. They call people to responsible sexual behavior not just to avoid HIV/AIDS but also to urge them toward more faithful living.

Hearts changed by the gospel extend welcome and acceptance to AIDS patients, a population often stigmatized, and raise the status of women, who often are consigned to a life of abject poverty and limited choices.

"I've been impressed with the leadership role women in Africa are taking in Africa," Raatz says. "They are involved in every aspect of the fight against AIDS."

Part of that effort, she says, is women helping women move toward economic self-sufficiency by teaching them skills that generate income.

Women are better able to avoid lifestyles and life situations that put them at risk for HIV/AIDS if they have some economic independence, says Raatz, who is completing a doctorate in health behavior at Indiana University. "I used to work at a health department in the States with women who were at high risk for AIDS," she explains. "I would visit homeless shelters and see how poverty is a contributing factor for AIDS because these women saw their life as hopeless and without choices. This is even more true in Africa."

In this context African churches are working to bring hope, and contributions from U.S. Presbyterians are helping their efforts. For African churches this is not just about fighting AIDS or improving society. It's a Matter of Faith.