Children’s lives are being transformed by Christ through LifeRise orphan care projects.
Spiritual Care
minister to deepest needs
The Need | LifeRise Strategy
The Need
Those suffering because of HIV/AIDS have deep spiritual needs. HIV/AIDS affects individuals in spheres closest to their core being – their health and most intimate relationships. A diagnosis of HIV may feel like a death sentence, especially in locations where treatment is not accessible. Those infected need to deal with emotions, fears, anxiety, and depression. They have questions about the purpose of life, the meaning of suffering, and the existence of an eternity. Individuals face considerations of morality, including sin, guilt, shame, and forgiveness. Marriage issues are significant, such as: need for disclosure; loss of trust and feelings of anger and betrayal; decisions whether or not to have children; how to live in a discordant relationship; and, threat of violence, separation and divorce. Individuals when confronting death and dying begin reviewing their lives and preparing for their future, including arranging for care of their children and completing life tasks. Those infected may encounter the pain of stigma in their families, communities, and churches. Children have special needs in regard to age-appropriate disclosure and understanding their disease.
Partners and family members face many of the same issues and emotions as they adjust their lives to the entrance of HIV into their households.
LifeRise Strategy
The reason that LifeRise AIDS Resources partners with evangelical Christians is so that they may share the counsel, strength, and hope of the Lord with those hurting spiritually from HIV/AIDS. Those who minister help infected and affected individuals address all the difficult issues they face. Pastors lead their churches to become places of grace, refuge and care. Church members reach out to serve those in need in their communities.
LifeRise seeks to integrate spiritual care into all our service delivery projects. From time to time, we may have discrete projects involving only spiritual care which we will describe in this section of our website. Our projects involve a rich diversity of spiritual interventions, including pastoral and spiritual counseling, evangelism, discipleship, support groups, Bible studies, church attendance, and community outreach.
In all our projects, we seek to meet physical and spiritual needs, transform individuals with the gospel of Christ, and engage in the international HIV/AIDS arena to promote Christian values and response.
Jesus offers “. . . a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of spirit of despair” to individuals suffering because of HIV/AIDS; He promises that broken lives will become “ . . . oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61). For those who draw near to God through Christ, there is compassion and healing for sickness. For affliction, there is empathy, meaning, and restoration. Instead of the pain of stigma, Christ brings acceptance and unconditional love. He grants abundant and eternal life with redemption. Individuals changed by Christ will expand the kingdom of God in their communities and transform their cultures. This is the vision LifeRise AIDS Resources has for those vulnerable and hurting from AIDS.
