A growing number of African pastors, educators, health workers, and government representatives are acutely aware of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa and they want to join in the fight against this devastating pandemic.

Yet they face a serious challenge. It is very difficult to find tools that effectively communicate the HIV/AIDS message to large numbers of people.

Gospel Communications' Response to AIDS, or GRAIDS, is a 10-year initiative designed to address this critical need and provide essential resources necessary to win the battle.

Gospel Communications is drawing upon over 20 years of experience and contacts in Sub-Saharan Africa and the world to produce and distribute media and accompanying curriculum in direct response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

GRAIDS began with the production of Starting Over, a culturally-relevant and regionally produced dramatic film that addresses HIV/AIDS, combines medically sound data with education and awareness, addresses regionalized cultural stigmas associated with the disease, and communicates a Biblical response.

Now and throughout the next decade, Gospel Communications films like Starting Over are being shown on television, in schools, at film festivals, at NGO AIDS awareness campaigns, and in other strategic venues.

The goals of the GRAIDS initiative are:

• to see a reduction in new HIV/AIDS prevalence rates as a result of Gospel Communications media and follow-up,
• to see the community and Body of Christ increasing in the level of care for existing AIDS victims,
• to invite viewers to seek counseling and follow-up through existing and developing regional networks of churches and volunteers, and
• to provide the opportunity for audiences to be impacted by a Biblical Christian witness.

Our overall objective is to reach 135 million people by 2012.

To be successful in stemming the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, Gospel Communications is equipping teams of pastors, film evangelists, faith-based organizations, educators, health workers, government organizations, and NGOs who are already linked to local people and communities.

In their hands, critical Gospel Communications resources like the Starting Over film and follow-up materials will become powerful tools of change for individuals, families, communities, and nations.

Gospel Communications is seeking strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals to help carry out the GRAIDS initiative.

We would like to invite you to join our team:

• As a distributor, ministry partner, or advisor, you can put Gospel Communications' ministry tools to work for your or organization and join the growing GRAIDS netowrk.
• As a financial partner, you can help support the production and distribution of films and videos to our growing network of ministry partners in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• As a prayer partner, you can help under-gird the efforts of this initiative and its impact on the people of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Together we can minister the love of Christ, communicating a compelling message about the prevention of HIV infection and a compassionate message about the care of AIDS victims.

If you're interested in partnering with us in the GRAIDS initiative, or if you'd like more information, don't hesitate to contact us.