Willow Creek Association Churches

Many of you have been moved to investigate what role your church could play in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We have Willow Creek Association churches in South Africa who are on the front lines of this battle supporting orphans, caring for the sick and transforming communities. Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington is partnering with many of those churches, helping them to fund their ministries. These church partners could do so much more if they had increased funding. The needs are unlimited. If you are interested in finding out more on how your church can financially support these amazing churches who are the hands and feet of God in Africa, please email wbeach@willowcreek.org.

A little more information about Willow Creek’s Global Connections Ministry

As we are learning more about the needs and vision of the South African WCA partners, there are programs that could be expanded that are simply lacking resources to address them. For instance, an arm of a church in the Durban area would like to add a “step down” medical center for the community to address the overflow of patients who cannot be adequately served by the community hospital. It already has an effective hospice center in operation. In another part of the country a church supported clinic is providing nutritional supplements to AIDS patients costing approximately $15 a month. They are serving 350 but the need is closer to 3000. For a number of ministries the purchase of a van could make a huge difference by allowing more people to be transported to clinics or children to be transported to day care centers.

Many organizations are doing wonderful work in addressing a variety of needs imbedded in the crisis. If your church has relationships that are already established with organizations that you can confidently support, we encourage you to continue that partnership and do all you can do to make a positive difference.

If you are considering a financial gift, Global Connections will pass on the donation to a project where it is most needed. If you are seeking a more developed and ongoing relationship with a South African church then we encourage you to contact Gerry Couchman, President of WCA South Africa at gerry@willowcreeksa.co.za.

Whatever God reveals to you to do, we pray that you move with boldness and expediency.