Despite widespread evangelism efforts, Africa is still a continent in deep need of the healing power of Christ. Internal strife threatens the stability of some of the countries. But an even greater crisis looms in the AIDS pandemic. Seventeen million Africans have died since the AIDS epidemic began in the late 1970s, more than 3.3. million of them children. An additional 12 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Nearly nine percent of adults in Africa are infected with HIV/AIDS, and in seven African countries at least one adult in five is living with HIV.

CBN is participating in an intensive effort to introduce needy Africans to Jesus. It is called Operation Sunrise Africa. The project was conceived by Campus Crusade for Christ and is supported by a partnership of churches and missions agencies.

The goal is to blanket 50 cities in 50 days to win 50 million Africans to Christ. The evangelistic blitz covers 13 countries in eastern and southern Africa.

CBN's role was to produce TV programming that will saturate the area. A total of 400 hours of CBN programming will air. That includes seven segments of Turning Point, the African 700 Club, seven of 1 Cubed, a music video show for youth, and seven animated programs like The Promise, The Witness, The Storm and Spunky's Circus Adventure. The programs will air in English, French, Portuguese and Amharic for Ethiopia. CBN also produced an original radio evangelistic series in partnership with Radio Christian Voice.

Countries that are airing CBN programs in conjunction with the effort so far are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Mozambique.

CBN also trained counselors in four cities in the region to handle counseling calls and prayer requests generated by the evangelism. The 46 counselors who participated went on to train others throughout the target countries.

Operation Sunrise Africa kicked off July 1 and concludes Aug. 19. Campus Crusade for Christ volunteers will provide follow-up for those who make a decision for Christ.

Please pray for the effort. The millions who are dying need salvation, and those who survive will need Christ to deal with the aftermath of this healthcare crisis.