United Methodists Seek Resources for Malaria Campaign

The United Methodist Church has been invited to apply for up to $5 million in support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Foundation to underwrite a fund-raising, education and outreach campaign to strengthen its global health ministries, especially work related to malaria and other diseases of poverty in Africa.

Bishop Janice Huie, president of the Council of Bishops, received the invitation in mid-January through the United Nations Foundation, which is helping to facilitate the grant process.

Bishop Felton E. May, interim general secretary of the Global Ministries agency, and the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, announced the receipt of the invitation in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 26 at a briefing on the 2008 General Conference, which will meet in the Texas city on April 23-May 2.

Both Bishop May and Rev. Hollon said that many details are still to be worked out regarding the grant, the operation of the campaign, and the ministries that will be supported by the funds expected to be raised. Submitting a formal grant proposal is the next step in the grantmaking process, which began with a letter of inquiry last May.

The United Methodist Church has long been a key player in the fight against malaria and other diseases of poverty, having operated hospitals, clinics, schools and mission centers across Africa for more than 160 years.

In 2006, the people of The United Methodist Church joined with the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, and NBA Cares to become one of the founding partners of Nothing But Nets, a global grassroots effort to prevent malaria through the purchase and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to children in Africa, more than a million of whom die from malaria every year. The campaign has raised more than $18 million so far.

Rev. Hollon noted that global health is one of the four areas of focus that represent a long-term vision for the denomination. “Our goal is to ultimately create conditions for better health for people all over the world,” said Hollon.

“Health ministries are an integral part of both domestic and international mission outreach of The United Methodist Church,” said Bishop May. “This has been the case for almost two hundred years. “The commitment takes various forms in different time periods and places. Today, the Lord is calling us to tackle the diseases of poverty, those plagues that must and can be controlled. Such work is our God-given responsibility.”

The church also has a long history in education, advocacy, medical ministries and creating public awareness of health issues including HIV/AIDS, another of the diseases of poverty. The 2004 General Conference set up a Global AIDS Fund to address this health issue.