Teenagers in Africa contend with many of the same things as American teenagers, such as peer pressure, sexuality and stress, BUT they’re also dealing with the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS and trying not to contract it themselves.

Reach4Life is an HIV prevention program that goes beyond abstinence — beyond a “just say no” mentality — and acknowledges the difficulty of peer pressure, parental absence and poverty. It gives unchurched youth the opportunity to make an informed choice for purity and have a relationship with Jesus. Through the Reach4Life New Testament and accompanying curriculum, the program teaches the students that they can have hope! World Hope International (WHI) has partnered with the International Bible Society Send the Light to implement Reach4Life in the public school systems of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Reach4Life is an opportunity for you to step up and DO SOMETHING to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Youth around the world need to support their African peers as they deal with the hopelessness and horrible effects of HIV. Stopping the HIV/AIDS crisis is up to our generation. What are you going to do?

WHI hopes to reach 100,000 youth in the next two years in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, and needs youth from around the United States to sponsor their African peers through this program. Providing the Reach4Life experience for one student only costs $10, so you can afford to make a difference!

WHI wants to challenge every middle school and high school student to sponsor at least one African student. Many students around the country have taken the IPOD CHALLENGE—a challenge to sponsor 25 students for $250—the price of an IPOD. Consider taking the challenge too, and be a part of the sexual revolution that’s going to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS!

You've heard of the devastation of HIV/AIDS in Africa. If you are like me, you've asked yourself the question, "What can I do in response to this, not only individually, but also on a leadership level in the Church?" Reach4Life is something that has captured my heart and the heart of our students at Kentwood Community Church. Since hearing about it a year ago, I have been convinced that World Hope International's strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention and education in Africa is brilliant. World Hope International (WHI) has a long term plan to impact the young people and communities of those who have experienced Reach4Life.

World Hope International has given us the opportunity for partnership in varying creative ways with the students at my church, as well as in other avenues. We have incorporated Reach4Life in several ways at Kentwood Community Church: hosting fundraisers on a local and area level, providing student and adult leadership firepower to find resourceful ways to get involved, including it in our summer camp, and actually taking students to Africa.
Our ministry to students at Kentwood Community Church is greatly enhanced because of the momentum of helping others through Reach4Life. I've found that not only are we able to meet a need for students in Africa, but our ministry and students are significantly impacted as well. I would highly encourage you to check out what World Hope International is doing for students in Africa and consider using your influence to be a blessing to young people there and here. Their lives are depending on it!

Jeff Eckart, High School & Teaching Pastor @ Kentwood Community Church