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(PROJECT) RED is more than a sermon series, more than a church campaign, more than a single event. It is a life-changing adventure that promises to impact thousands of people in Lafayette, and tens of thousands of people around the world starting with YOU!

The History of (RED)

Some time ago, Bono, lead singer for U2 became an outspoken advocate for the plight of the less fortunate in Africa. In particular, he recognized that the problem of AIDS, running rampant and killing millions was a symptom of systemic economic oppression. That is, one reason there is no resolution to the problem of AIDS in Africa is that the poverty of the country and the corruption of the government is preventing the right help getting to the people who need it. Additionally, the system of intergovernmental loans has caused many countries in Africa to owe more money in interest to foreign powers than their total wealth production can afford.

To help solve the problem of global poverty, he launched the ONE campaign.

To help solve the problem of AIDS in Africa, he launched the (PRODUCT) RED Campaign which is a business model rather than a charity. Companies produce “RED” versions of their products and give a portion of their proceeds to the Global Fund which then routes 100% of those funds to purchase anti-retroviral drugs for distribution in Africa.

These are things Christians should be doing, and these are things Jesus would commend. After all, red isn’t just the color of an iPod, it’s also the color of the strongest words of social justice to be found in the Bible! (Many English Bibles follow the tradition of printing quotations of Jesus in red ink. These Bibles are called “Red Letter Editions.”)

Our Version

One one hand, our (PROJECT) RED Campaign is a parody of the (PRODUCT) RED campaign, but on the other hand, it’s a parallel endeavor aimed at doing something good for this world because that’s what Jesus told us to do. We also believe that as we pay attention to the words Jesus spoke, we will become better people ourselves.

Over the summer months of July and August 2008, Southside Church will be exploring the words of Jesus in the New Testament. We will be “reading the red letters” and putting them into practice by rethinking our own lives and taking strategic steps to serve the poor in our own community and around the world. Additionally, in the spirit of the (PRODUCT) RED campaign, we will be raising money through T-Shirt sales and direct donations to send to AIDS relief in Africa through a partnership with Art and Dorothy Helwig, Christian missionaries to Nigeria. This video shows some of the work they’ve been doing in addition to AIDS relief.

How it Works

• Subscribe to our campaign updates and daily devotionals written by members of this church from Lafayette and supporters of this church nationwide.

• Show up for our Sunday Gatherings at the Long Center in Downtown Lafayette (more info).
• Buy a shirt. Shirts will be sold at our Gatherings or by mail to those who request one for $15. All profit from shirt sales will go directly to AIDS relief in Africa.
• Send money. Gifts can be made online by clicking Donate Online here or at the top of our website.
• Sign up to serve. Twice this summer, we will be hosting a service project to help us get serving together. Stay tuned in to find out what they are and how you can help.