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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071201/CLSA012 )
More than 5,000 teens participated in the event, including more than 4,100via satellite uplink to 200 locations in 35 states and Canada. Relatedactivities included a kick-off concert Friday evening by Disney musicalsensation Jordan Pruitt and a high-flying motocross demonstration by Ridersfor Christ.
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"Nothing has taken so many lives and is so incurable as AIDS," Dr. RickWarren said. "While we are looking for a cure, we need to care. But beforeyou can care, you need to be aware; then you need to dare to do somethingabout it."
"Why are we doing this conference?" Dr. Warren asked rhetorically."Because Jesus cared about sick people, and commands us to have that samecompassion. Sympathy says, 'I'm sorry you hurt;' Empathy asks, 'How can Ihelp you?' but compassion says, 'I will do anything I can to help you.'"
Kay Warren shared a testimony of her personal journey as a woman"seriously disturbed" by global need as she became aware of how much peoplearound the world want our compassion and love. "We're here on World AIDS Dayto help make a difference," she said, referencing this year's theme,'Leadership: Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise.'
"I pray for you everyday as young people, because you are the future,"said Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa, First Lady of the Republic of Zambia. "AIDS hasno boundaries, but success has no headquarters. There will be no success inovercoming this disease if you don't protect yourselves.
"The message is clear: we need you in the fight against HIV/AIDS," Mrs.Mwanawasa continued. "As parents we play our role, but the responsibilityfalls on you -- and with God, you cannot fail."
South African pastor John Thomas gave a frank, hard-hitting presentationon 'Sex: Doing it God's Way -- on Purpose.' "We don't talk about sex inchurch, but you sit there with all those hormones," he said. "AIDS has drawnback the curtain to our bedrooms, exposed our moral lives and then leaves itsbusiness card behind. But God has a sexual plan for your life."
First Daughter Jenna Bush shared her experiences in Panama working forUNICEF as chronicled in her new book. In "Ana's Story," she relatestransferable principles that changed her life after meeting a young 17-year-old single mother who was herself infected with HIV at birth and has sincelived a life filled with abuse.
"She [Ana] wanted me to tell you that if you know someone, a child, facingsimilar hardships that Ana faces, you should tell them they are not alone andit is okay to get the help they need to keep themselves safe," Ms. Bush said.
"You are probably asking yourself how can I make a difference, what can Ipossibly do?" Ms. Bush continued. "Often it's the smallest gesture ofkindness that makes a huge difference. First, get educated on HIV/AIDS andknow the difference between myths and facts. Then start a dialogue with yourfriends and families and at school. But the most important thing you can dois to protect yourself and others."
Irish rock star Bono gave a passionate plea to the next generation ofleaders in the response to HIV/AIDS. "These are important issues -- not juston Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, or Dec. 2 or Dec. 3 -- but for the work Saddlebackand your partners in Rwanda are doing 365 days of the year -- that's anincredible thing; we are a long way from beating this pandemic," he said. "Ithink it's important to stop and take a minute to look back at how far we'vecome, but then we've got to get back to work -- it's not a cause, it's anemergency."
This Summit is an ex
