Bob Blees (left, SIM USA) and Dan Hitzhusen (e3 Partners) announce the new HIV/AIDS Cube. (Hitzhusen is seen holding the “Big Cube” version, which is being produced for larger group meetings, in addition to the smaller handheld cube.)

The partnership between SIM and e3 Partners took center stage on the opening night of the third annual “Global Summit on AIDS and the Church,” November 28-30, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. Bob Blees, Vice President of SIM USA, and Dan Hitzhusen, Vice President of e3 Partners, shared the podium during the evening plenary session and told the more than 1,000 participants gathered how they had providentially met at the “Global Summit” a year earlier and forged an exciting partnership.

The theme of this year’s conference—as well as World AIDS Day, December 1—was leadership, and the leadership exhibited by SIM and e3 in this unique collaboration was given a special spotlight by conference organizers. Blees shared from the platform, “This cube gives ordinary people the tool to share the facts about AIDS. Now imagine one million ordinary people being equipped to share about AIDS!”

	Rick Warren (right) endorses the HIV/AIDS Cube

The HIV/AIDS Cube was well received by Saddleback Church's pastor and conference host, Rick Warren. Recording a video to endorse the Cube, Warren said, “It’s an incredible teaching tool! ... Pick up some of these and use them when you take your mission teams on the road and when you’re [doing] ministry in your local area. It’s a great way to teach people.”

The redesigned HIV/AIDS Cube is currently in production and is expected to ship by February 1, 2008. Orders for the HIV/AIDS Cube can already be placed online via e3 Resources or by contacting SIM USA (literature@sim.org, 704-587-1435).

In addition to the HIV/AIDS Cube announcement, SIM’s Jean Garland signed copies of the book “AIDS Is Real and It’s In Our Church,” and Dr. Perry Jansen, of Partners in Hope Malawi, also participated in the “Global Summit.”