How We Began

EMPACT Africa was conceived in Chipata, Zambia, at a workshop produced by the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ), one of the largest protestant denominations in the country.  The workshop was sponsored by Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, and one of WHPC’s members, David Barstow, attended the workshop as an observer.  At that point, several threads came together:

  • • The stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS is a critical barrier to effective prevention and treatment;

  • • The local pastors in sub-Saharan Africa are uniquely positioned to fight the stigma and discrimination;

  • • The use of organizational change techniques to empower the RCZ’s local pastors to become change agents in their communities is the answer.

Since that point, we have worked with the RCZ to refine the workshops and follow-up mechanisms, and have completed a series of workshops to empower the local pastors and lay leaders for all of the RCZ congregations in the entire country.  Over the course of the next few years, we will expand the initiative to other denominations and other countries in the region.

Meet the Board of Directors

What We Do

EMPACT Africa has partnered with the RCZ to develop a four-day workshop to train local pastors and church leaders to fight the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS in Zambia Africa.

Pastors develop action plans for their congregations that focus on practical steps, such as sermons, counseling and testing days, and support groups for those testing positive. Pastors are encouraged to be leaders and role models, for example, by being the first in line when their congregation undergoes HIV/AIDS testing.

The Workshops

The workshops are led by experienced Zambian facilitators who cover a variety of topics:
  • • Self awareness
  • • Basics of HIV/AIDS and treatment
  • • Human sexuality
  • • Theological framework
  • • Stigma and discrimination
  • • Counseling in the HIV/AIDS context
  • • Role of the church

The Results

The final RCZ workshop was held in May 2010. All totaled, the workshops covered sixteen presbyteries:

  • • 158 congregations
  • • 400 local church leaders
  • • 100,000 church members
  • • 8,000 AIDS victims in support groups