The ministry mission statement is: Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church, putting faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother.
Imagine No Malaria (Advance Special #3021190) The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has begun its campaign to raise between $2.3 and $3.5 million over the next three ...
Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. Millions of lives, needlessly lost each year. A continent. Entire nations…slipping away. Slipping through life ..
[the preceding are some texts with links on Imagine No Malaria campaign as a result of a search on Bing]
If you do a search on the internet using the phrase, "Imagine No Malaria," you will be amazed at the results which come forth. Links, links, and more links in this very high profile campaign which is directed toward eliminating the deadly disease of malaria in the continent of Africa.
As noted in one of the texts associated with a link, The United Methodist Church, has been very deeply involved the past few years since this issue attracted attention within the denomination. The bishops, district superintendents, pastors, lay persons, children and youth have become greatly involved. The conferences have rallied to raise a huge amount of money for the cause.
My wife and I have given support to the cause in the past. Certainly this is something that not only needs attention but action also required in order to eliminate the killer.
In one of the quotes above mention is made that every 60 seconds malaria claims a life in Africa. Then following that, "Millions of lives, needlessly lost each year." If the first statement about 1 life every 60 seconds is accurate, then the second statement is not. At rate of 1 every 60 seconds there would be 525,000 fatalities in a year's time of 365 days! That is hardly a "millions" figure, wouldn't you say?
As the campaign against malaria goes on there is another major issue and a possible slogan which is intentionally avoided in The United Methodist Church. You will not hear a bishop even quietly mention it in a very low volume whisper and the Council of Bishops will not publicly make a high profile statement, nor will their respective conferences pass aggressive resolutions about this thing which is nothing less than an abomination in the sight of Almighty God!
How about a campaign that holds high the slogan, "Imagine No Abortions?" One that is emphasized by the Council of Bishops with the same enthusiasm as they promote "Imagine No Malaria?" Tee shirts with "Imagine No Malaria" printed on them have been worn in a number of the annual conferences when they have been in session. How about printing up shirts that say, "Imagine No Abortions," and wear those during the annual meetings of the delegates?
On statistics, consider this - it was noted that there is 1 death every 60 seconds from malaria in Africa. In the United States, double that and then some -- in less than 1 minute's time 2 unborn children are intentionally mutilated and murdered as a result of a conspiracy between a pregnant female and a fellow who makes the absurd claim that he is a "doctor!" Isn't it the purpose of training a doctor to prepare him/her to use skills to enhance and preserve human life rather than deliberately destroy it?
That means more than 1,050,000 unborn children have been destroyed in a year's time in the "land of the free and the home of the brave" -- a nation in which historical documents point out that all persons should have "the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!"
The bloody track record in the United States at this point in time (November 2012) is almost 55 million unborn children since some black robed people in Washington DC made the unholy and very deadly decision that it is a "constitutional right" for a female to dispatch her unborn child in pieces before he/she is born.
Ask a United Methodist bishop, or a district superintendent, or a conference official about malaria in Africa and be prepared for an extended conversation about the horrors of this thing, how so many are dying because of it, and what United Methodists are doing to eradicate it -- than ask about abortion and witness a sudden case of lock-jaw striking without warning! At the very best will come forth some words possibly that attempt in a feeble fashion to say, "It's a very complicated issue." Yeah, sure! There are a few of us (probably a very few) that do not see the dismemberment of a child whom God is forming in the womb (Jeremiah 1:4,5) as a complicated issue to be debated!
No, it is most unlikely there will ever come forth a bold, courageous, and confrontational statement about the "shedding of innocent blood" (to use God's words for this) and the fact that it has to stop or our republic will experience the devastating judgment of an angry God.
United Methodist silence on the subject will continue and the practice of destroying the unborn will continue -- that is, until Jesus Christ intervenes in His personal return to this planet and then the motto, "Imagine No Abortions," will become a reality in all nations around the world -- a lot of other good things are going to happen at that time also, simply because He has taken full control.
This commentary is stated by Clayton D. Harriger, United Methodist pastor who is a retired elder and member of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Presently serving as pastor of Gipsy Christian Church in Gipsy, Pennsylvania.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. --- Psalm 139:14-18
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