in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

What can faith do in the fight against a global killer that has claimed hundreds of millions of lives for thousands of years?

Perhaps the better question is what can faith not do against this juggernaut of death and suffering? With innocent lives ending every 45 seconds from malaria, faith may be our last stand against this disease.  Faith may be the home run in the bottom of the 9^th inning that wins this critical game of life and death.

Malaria has brought together communities of faith in new and exciting ways. Faith is a fundamental part of life on the African continent. And, faith groups often have far greater credibility and trust in rural parts of Africa than other groups or government agencies.

More and more faith-based organizations are putting aside their theological differences in the name of saving lives. For The United Methodist Church’s (UMC’s) Imagine No Malaria program, these new partnerships range in scope from the Episcopal Church’s Nets For Life program to the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and also includes Jewish and Muslim faith communities.

“We may not always share the same belief system,” Rev. Gary Henderson, executive director of The UMC’s Global Health Initiative, said. “But, we are all on the same side of this fight – working together to save lives and ultimately eliminate death from malaria.”

Last year, The UMC, through Imagine No Malaria, participated in several major anti-malaria projects with inter-faith partners.  In the Democratic Republic of Congo, The UMC joined forces with a group called CORESA (Partners combat malaria), an interfaith health alliance, to lead the effort to distribute nearly 30,000 insecticide-treated bednets.  In Sierra Leone, faith partners provided most of the 3 million mosquito nets that were provided in November 2010 (Anti-malaria campaign begins in Sierra Leone).

This unique inter-faith approach was featured in the recent television special “A Killer in the Dark,” which provided an up-close look at how faith groups are leading the fight against malaria throughout Africa.

“Working in collaboration, we can achieve so much more than working in isolation,” Rev Henderson continued. “Great progress has already been made with expectations of much more to come.”

Just last year, the World Health Organization reduced the malaria death toll from 1 million to 800,000. With new treatments and greater accountability, the fight continues with more promise of success than ever before.

Join the movement, get involved and give today. The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.

Bishop James King, president of the Commission on United Methodist Men (right), expresses his gratitude to Bishop Thomas Bickerton for his leadership in the Imagine No Malaria campaign and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets. A UMNS photo by Rich Peck.

(United Methodist News Service report) When United Methodist Bishop Thomas Bickerton preached at a Sierra Leone church, 75 of the 700 worshippers brought along empty mosquito bed-net bags from a distribution that took place the day before.

“You cared about my body, I can trust you with my soul,” said one of the worshippers who greeted him after the service.

Bickerton, who oversees the Pittsburgh Area, is chair of the denomination’s Global Health Initiative.

Read more at umc.org

The people of The United Methodist Church have a history of impact in Africa. Your compassion and generous support helped make 2010 a benchmark year. The fight against malaria with the people of Africa is stronger than ever.

2010: A Year of Impact

376,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets distributed to protect vulnerable populations

3,500 local community health workers trained

5 in-country health boards established and trained

Net Distributions

Democratic Republic of Congo: 31,000 nets

Sierra Leone: 330,000 nets

Zimbabwe: 5,000 nets

In-Country Health Boards* Established & Trained

Angola                  Nigeria

Zimbabwe          Mozambique

Democratic Republic of Congo

*An in-country health board provides local accountability and stewardship of resources for the planning and implementation of anti-malaria programs. This process also includes the follow-up assessment to determine usage rates and program effectiveness.

Establishing these boards is also a key step, making the country eligible to receive grants from The Global Fund.

We’ve still got lots to do!  Planning is under way for upcoming activities to fight malaria in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe. Please get on-board and join this life-saving movement to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa.

Listen to the buzzing inside of you.
Join the movement | Get involved | Give
The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.

Will you save a life this Mother’s Day?

Show Mom how much her love means with a gift in her honor to support Imagine No Malaria. Your thoughtful donation will help provide resources for programs that help Mothers in Africa protect their families from malaria.

SAVES LIVES FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

Then, print out this special note to include in her Mother’s Day card.

Pssst…..click a link below to share this with someone who needs a reminder (or a hint)!

PAULEY PERRETTE JOINS UNITED METHODIST IMAGINE NO MALARIA CAMPAIGN

Celebrity endorsement brings increased awareness to fight against malaria

^^^ click image to watch Pauley's message ^^^

We are thrilled to introduce actress Pauley Perrette to our growing community of supporters working together to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa.

You probably know her for playing Abby Sciuto, her character on the hit CBS TV show, NCIS. A passionate advocate for more than 30 charity causes and member of Hollywood United Methodist Church, Perrette has generously agreed to share her talent and celebrity to help generate support for Imagine No Malaria, while raising awareness and money to fight the disease.

“Every 45 seconds, malaria kills a child in Africa,” Perrette said. “Please pray about it, and join me in this global fight against a terrible—but preventable disease.”

As a spokesperson for Imagine No Malaria, Perrette’s support includes starring in several public service announcements, calling for action and generosity in the fight against malaria. She will also provide the narration for the ministry’s upcoming TV special called “A Killer in the Dark.” The program, which will air on NBC affiliates May 1 (check local listings), documents the daily struggle in Africa against malaria and highlights the work of Imagine No Malaria both on the continent and in the U.S.

“We are blessed to have the support from an influential celebrity like Pauley Perrette,” Bishop Thomas Bickerton, chairperson of the United Methodist Global Health Initiative, said. “With World Malaria Day observed on April 25, this is a great time to get involved, give and save lives together as we work toward a world with no malaria.”

NCIS airs on CBS on Tuesday nights. Check your local listings for start times.

Listen to the buzzing inside of you.
Join the movement | Get involved | Give
The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.

Message brings attention to malaria issue, calls for mobile donations by text

Right now, in the heart of New York City, a message of need is being broadcast to more than 1.5 million people who pass through Times Square every day.

Imagine No Malaria, a ministry of The United Methodist Church, is airing a video message to underscore the urgent need to fight a disease that claims nearly a million lives each year.

“The video links malaria’s tragic toll with our ability to make an impact by using a mobile device to make a donation,” Rev. Larry Hollon, general secretary of United Methodist Communications said. “It’s truly an amazing opportunity to save a life with something as simple as a text message.”

The 15-second video, which will be broadcast hourly through July 5, 2011, informs viewers that although malaria kills a child in Africa every 45 seconds, it only takes 45 seconds to make a life-saving donation via text message. A $10 donation can be given by sending a text message with the word “MALARIA” to 27722. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

“We are thrilled to share a message in Times Square that raises awareness about malaria,” Rev. Hollon concluded. “What better place to raise awareness and money to save lives than the busiest intersection in the world?”

Listen to the buzzing inside of you.
Join the movement | Get involved | Give
The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.

In today’s edition of The Huffington Post, Rev. Larry Hollon (general secretary of United Methodist Communications), contributed a special guest post in recognition of World Malaria Day.

In the column, Rev. Hollon tells the story of a woman who lost her entire family to malaria and gives us hope that someday soon deaths from this preventable disease may be a thing of the past.

The faith-based community has stepped up to the global table by doing whatever is needed to heal the sick and help those in need.

Read more at huffingtonpost.com >>

To help make a difference right now, text MALARIA to 27722 and give a life-saving gift of $10

Nashville, Tenn. – Today, on World Malaria Day, The United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria campaign is using technology to fight mosquitoes with the launch of a new mobile application that keeps mosquitoes away and also raises funds for the fight against malaria.

The new mobile app repels mosquitoes using sound instead of spray. When used, the application emits three different high-pitched frequencies that serve as a deterrent for mosquitoes. Available for download on the Android platform at a cost of $.99, 70 percent of the proceeds benefit the fight against malaria in Africa. In addition, the app provides information about malaria, and a link to ImagineNoMalaria.org for those who wish to donate to the cause.

The Imagine No Malaria app was developed by Pico Brothers in conjunction with Ad Hope.

^^^ click image to watch trailer ^^^

There’s a killer out there, in the dark.  Hunting children and pregnant women.

But, it’s not some menacing figure walking our streets.  It’s malaria, and it’s killing a child in Africa every 60 seconds.

Beginning Sunday, May 5, Imagine No Malaria will be presenting “A Killer in the Dark,” a documentary about malaria and how we are fighting back.  This special television event, narrated by Pauley Perrette (of TV’s NCIS) will air on NBC affiliates (check your local listings) through November 3.

It chronicles community-based efforts on both sides of the ocean – nationally and globally – as everyday people strive to reduce the deadly results of the disease.

As one mother tucks her children into bed in Middle America, a mother in Africa does the same. In the morning, their children will wake with two very different missions directed toward the same critical goal: ending deaths caused by malaria.

Malaria kills 655,000 people each year. Every 60 seconds a child in Africa dies of this preventable and treatable disease. Yet, malaria can be eliminated with the right tools: prevention, treatment, education and communication

We need your help!

To make sure “Killer in the Dark”  is part of your NBC station’s lineup between May 5 and Nov. 3, we need your help.

1. Call or email your local NBC affiliate and ask them to share this important message with your community. Request that it be scheduled during a time to reach the most viewers.
   1. Here is an NBC affiliate directory to help.
   2. Sample script for emailing your local station
2. Spread the word. Ask your congregation and other groups to call and help your local affiliates to choose to air the broadcast.
3.  Watch it together. We encourage congregations and community groups to view the documentary together. Then engage in conversation on how you can become involved. Join the movement | Get involved | Give

The list of stations confirmed to broadcast “Killer in the Dark” is growing every day, and we thank you for helping make sure we reach as many people as possible!

UMCOR to host Imagine No Malaria Webcast

Please join us on Wednesday, April 20 from 12 – 1 p.m. (EDT) as the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) hosts a webcast about the denomination’s Imagine No Malaria global health initiative, and its work to combat diseases of poverty.

Tune in for an overview of the INM campaign, its impact in Africa and a look ahead to upcoming projects, including a net distribution in Mozambique later this spring.

Featured guests include the Rev. Gary Henderson, executive director of The UMC Global Health Initiative as well as Shannon Trilli and Nyamah Dunbar, members of the UMCOR’s malaria program team in Africa.

The webcast will take place on Wednesday, April 20 at 12 – 1 p.m. (EDT)

Click here >> Join the Webcast!

For more information about UMCOR, visit www.umcor.org

Listen to the buzzing inside of you.
Join the movement | Get involved | Give
The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.