HIV and AIDS is one of (if not) the biggest epidemics of our age. Its spread and the effects thereof are a story that is not fully appreciated in the West. The major cause of this status quo in the West is access to antiretroviral treatment that masks the effect. The challenge of access to care and healing, and the consequent effect on culture, education, labor, and economy, and the response of both the state and the church to the pandemic is going to be the focus of this class. Both church and state responses are fraught with challenges as they interface with local worldviews. It is expected that the student will have a greater appreciation of the extent of the pandemic and its effect and the role that the church has and is playing in mitigation, the not so adequate response of the international community and the shortcomings of government responses.