Maria Cimperman, an Ursuline sister, teaches moral theology and social ethics at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

THE VICTIMS OF THE AIDS PANDEMIC IN AFRICA ARE FAR MORE NUMEROUS THAN THE DEAD AND DYING. MILLIONS OF ORPHANS AND WIDOWS ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY AND SOCIAL OPRESSION. JAMES CANTELON, A CANADIAN PASTOR, HAS CHALLENGED CHURCHES IN AFRICA-AND IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES-TO UNITE IN A COMMON CAUSE TO BRING RELIEF TO SUFFERING OF INTOLERABLE MAGNITUDE. When God Stood Up is the story of a remarkable journey that affirms God's presence in the most ravaged places on Earth. Millions of our fellow human beings are depending on just to be "God's hand extended." Read about their stories and be humbled. "The book puts HIV/AIDS into terrifying perspective. Jim and Kathy Cantelon are the face of God's love to so many who are so desperate." --Deborah Grey, MP (ret'd). "As Jim narrates his accelerated response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, it reminds one of the image G.K. Chesterton captured of St. Francis: always running.' Within a matter of weeks, the author catapults out of Vancouver to the Durban colloquium, to hospitals and church events across the sub-Sahara-you sometimes look for a page to catch your breath! Come to think of it, with the awesome destruction of human life described here, what could be mode appropriate? When God Stood Up carries a sense of that which it issues a call for: breathless haste." --John & Ruth Kerr, Trans-Africa Theological College, Kitwe, Zambia "Posturing God as standing up sends readers a signal: beware. Coddled for years by an image of a benign and permissive deity, Cantelon gives a yank on our leash of grace. Human tragedy, he reminds us, isn't just unfortunate-it's the stuff of life that strikes at the very heart of faith, a fait he asserts that should neither be smug nor comfortable. This God of justice makes it clear that those who call themselves by his name are to do no less than embrace justice." --Brian Stiller, President, Tyndale University & Seminary, Toronto "This is more than the story of the calling of a man to a god-sized mission. It is an informative, unfolding drama of perhaps the most critical issue of our time-AIDS in Africa. As Jim has cast and recast his vision, people all over the world have been caught and reeled in to unexpected roles, in response to the pandemic. My husband and I are in that number. Be warned as you read, you too may be stirred to action!" --Moira Brown, Co-host, 100 Huntley Street, CTS-TV

On a cold February morning in 1987, amidst freezing rain and driving winds, a group of protesters stood outside of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Amherst, Massachusetts. The target of their protest was the minister inside, who was handing out condoms to his congregation while delivering a sermon about AIDS, dramatizing the need for the church to confront the seemingly ever-expanding crisis. The minister's words and actions were met with a standing ovation from the overflowing audience, but he could not linger to enjoy their applause. Having received threats in advance of the service, he dashed out of the sanctuary immediately upon finishing his sermon. Such was the climate for religious AIDS activism in the 1980s. In After the Wrath of God, Anthony Petro vividly narrates the religious history of AIDS in America. Delving into the culture wars over sex, morality, and the future of the American nation, he demonstrates how religious leaders and AIDS activists have shaped debates over sexual morality and public health from the 1980s to the present day. While most attention to religion and AIDS foregrounds the role of the Religious Right, Petro takes a much broader view, encompassing the range of mainline Protestant, evangelical, and Catholic groups--alongside AIDS activist organizations--that shaped public discussions of AIDS prevention and care in the U.S. Petro analyzes how the AIDS crisis prompted American Christians across denominations and political persuasions to speak publicly about sexuality--especially homosexuality--and to foster a moral discourse on sex that spoke not only to personal concerns but to anxieties about the health of the nation. He reveals how the epidemic increased efforts to advance a moral agenda regarding the health benefits of abstinence and monogamy, a legacy glimpsed as much in the traction gained by abstinence education campaigns as in the more recent cultural purchase of gay marriage. The first book to detail the history of religion and the AIDS epidemic in the U.S., After the Wrath of God is essential reading for anyone concerned with the intersection of religion and public health.

Pastor Shane Stanford shares how contracting HIV at the age of sixteen through medical procedures used to treat hemophilia has affected his life and offers insight and advice on living a life with purpose.

"I, _________, take thee __________, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse..." Dear Reader, This book is a demonstration of faith, love, tests and trust in God through it all. God's mercy, grace and love is evident throughout this book and the faith that both Robert and Jerilyn have demonstrated throughout their journey is a testament to others that if this married couple can go through all they've been through and still trust and love God, then we are able to play the hand that has been dealt to us. Their transparency in sharing their story is nothing short of courageous and bold. As a result of reading this book, many will be blessed, and some will be set free. I pray that this book will bless your soul as it has blessed mine and will give you the faith to continue fighting the good fight. Remember what it says in the Word: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." ~1 Corinthians 10:13 -Dr. Mia Y. Merritt ________________________________________________________________________________ Pastor Robert E. and Lady Jerilyn L. Ward are the founder and co-founder of "IN SPIRIT & IN TRUTH MINISTRIES, Inc." which was birthed on January 4th, 2011 in Deerfield Beach, Florida. "ISIT" ministries focus is on "Kingdom Home Economics", which involves developing the total man; Spirit, Soul and Body in every aspect of life. Pastors' Ward also provide leadership training to local pastors' and their team's, called "True Servanthood Leadership". They were married the summer of 1991, on July 30th with three wonderful children being birth from this union; Nicholas, Brea and Jessica who have also worked alongside them in ministry. They both have operated in many areas of ministry which has equipped them for the work God has placed in their hands to walk to together. They began as Youth Pastors and then Associate Pastors as well as operating in the ministry of Help's, Hospitality and Administration. Pastor Robert is a Praise and Worship Leader in his own right with songs which have been copy written. He is also an accomplished Chef with a career in the Foodservice industry which spans over 35 years. Lady Jerilyn is a dedicated Intercessor and a practical teacher of God's Word. She believes that when God's Word is brought forth, it must be applied to the lives of the believers. She believes that all believers can have a successful walk with Christ by applying the practical principles of the Word of God and by having a consistent prayer life. She witnessed the evident of this first hand in December of 2014, when she was miraculously delivered from Cervical Cancer through a direct word from God, her faith in God and his word, intercessory prayer, and the love and support of her husband and family. Which is a testimony all in itself. Over the past 25 years, she has been a teacher of Liturgical Dance and Flag ministry. She's passionate about ministry in dance because it is an expression of Worship to our God, ushering in His presence that brings liberty to the lost. Lady Ward is also a gifted Seamstress and Entrepreneur, being the CEO/Founder of "Sewing with Lady Ward, LLC". This book is based on their real life testimony of how the Grace of God kept them through some of the worst times of their marriage, but they choose to stay together. This choice has birthed their outreach marriage ministry, "Forged" a ministry assisting married couple's in strengthening their marriages through the fires of life.

Europe's "Black Death" contributed to the rise of nation states, mercantile economies, and even the Reformation. Will the AIDS epidemic have similar dramatic effects on the social and political landscape of the twenty-first century? This readable volume looks at the impact of AIDS since its emergence and suggests its effects in the next decade, when a million or more Americans will likely die of the disease. The Social Impact of AIDS in the United States addresses some of the most sensitive and controversial issues in the public debate over AIDS. This landmark book explores how AIDS has affected fundamental policies and practices in our major institutions, examining: How America's major religious organizations have dealt with sometimes conflicting values: the imperative of care for the sick versus traditional views of homosexuality and drug use. Hotly debated public health measures, such as HIV antibody testing and screening, tracing of sexual contacts, and quarantine. The potential risk of HIV infection to and from health care workers. How AIDS activists have brought about major change in the way new drugs are brought to the marketplace. The impact of AIDS on community-based organizations, from volunteers caring for individuals to the highly political ACT-UP organization. Coping with HIV infection in prisons. Two case studies shed light on HIV and the family relationship. One reports on some efforts to gain legal recognition for nonmarital relationships, and the other examines foster care programs for newborns with the HIV virus. A case study of New York City details how selected institutions interact to give what may be a picture of AIDS in the future. This clear and comprehensive presentation will be of interest to anyone concerned about AIDS and its impact on the country: health professionals, sociologists, psychologists, advocates for at-risk populations, and interested individuals.