The Reverend Karl Johnson (right), president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, accepts a letter from this young man who is participating in the 'Special Delivery' programme. - Contributed

I am a 14-year-old Christian and an active member of my church. I am sometimes called on to preach the word of God at my church. As a young person, I have been very blessed by the goodness of persons in my immediate family and organisations working in HIV. My mother is HIV-positive.

My reason for writing this letter is because I don't like the way churches in general deal with the issue of HIV. I have heard of incidents where members have been thrown out because it was discovered that they were HIV-positive. As Christians, we need to remember that we are not to judge, but to comfort and pray for those who are challenged. If members of the Church do not accept those who are HIV-positive, then who will? If the Church does not embrace the infected, then we are no better than the unsaved person who treats them badly.

Speak more on sexual health issues

I have had the occasion at my church to talk to young people and adults about HIV, and to correct some of the misconceptions about it. As the president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, I would like to see you speak more on sexual and reproductive health issues, especially as it relates to young people. Many times, as Christians, we have to go outside the Church to get this information. The Church must play its part and talk to us about sex and HIV. It won't make us promiscuous; after all, I'm still a virgin. We need leadership from the Church as we try to fight this disease. Will the Jamaica Council of Churches step up to the plate?