What if your faith could help save millions of lives—and already has?
In a recent episode of 20 Minute Takes, Dr. Jenny Dyer, founder of the 2030 Collaborative, joined CSA Executive Director Nikki Toyama-Szeto to explore the surprising ways Christians have helped transform global health. From cutting hunger to fighting HIV/AIDS, the church’s quiet advocacy has made a measurable difference around the world.
Faithful legacy in global health
Over the last three decades, U.S. investments in global health—many supported by Christian advocacy—have led to major wins:
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Child mortality has been cut in half.
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Maternal deaths are down by 50%.
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Infections like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria are in sharp decline.
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Global hunger has dropped dramatically.
These are not small victories. They reflect the power of Christian action on a global scale. According to Dr. Dyer, “Christians have led in this space through prayer, giving, and especially advocacy. When we raise our voices, we don’t just help thousands—we help millions.”
Why now is so urgent
Programs like PEPFAR (The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) have saved over 26 million lives. However, recent budget cuts and policy shifts are putting that progress at risk. Millions of vulnerable people—especially children—are losing access to essential food and medicine.
“In just a few months, one-third of people supported by PEPFAR have lost access to daily HIV treatment,” says Dyer. “The most vulnerable—children—are often the first to suffer.”
The truth about foreign aid
There’s a common misconception that the U.S. spends too much on foreign assistance. In reality, foreign aid makes up less than 1% of the federal budget. Global health receives only a fraction of that—just 0.25%.
Despite the small investment, the impact is massive. Funding supports education, prevents disease, and helps families stay together. It also fuels local economies and strengthens global stability. “This isn’t charity,” Dyer explains. “It’s smart policy. And it works.”
Advocacy is an act of faith
Some Christians wonder whether their voice matters in the halls of Congress. It does. Policy advocacy is one of the most effective—and biblical—ways to love our neighbors. Matthew 25 calls us to care for the hungry, the sick, and the stranger. Christian advocacy puts that call into action, not just for one person, but for millions. “Even a few hundred calls from constituents can change a vote,” says Dyer. “Every voice matters.”
The church has done this before
In the early 2000s, Christian leaders and artists—Rick Warren, Bono, Amy Grant, and many others—rallied evangelicals to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Their efforts helped spark a movement that saved millions of lives and reshaped global public health. Now, we’re at another crossroads. Progress is in danger of being reversed. “The good news is, we already know what works,” Dyer says. “We’re not gambling anymore. We just need the will to finish the job.”
Take action today
If you want to make a difference, start here:
- Call your members of Congress and ask them to support funding for global health programs like PEPFAR and the Global Fund.
- Send an email. Even a short note helps your representative understand that Christians care.
- Pray—and act. Advocacy is a form of intercession. It’s love, lived out loud.
