Rick Warren, Elton John Urge Lawmakers to Continue Global AIDS Funding

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, spoke to Congress this week regarding the United States' global health fund, encouraging the U.S. government not to cut funding to certain programs, such as AIDS funding, for foreign countries.

Warren accompanied famed musician Elton John at a Senate Appropriations panel to convince lawmakers to not cut funding for the global health fund.

The megachurch pastor told the Senate committee that foreign governments are more willing to work with church organizations than the U.S. The pastor also stressed the need for faith-based organizations in connecting with local communities abroad to help prevent diseases such as AIDS and malaria.

"I've actually found it quite easy to work with other governments. They're not nearly as afraid of the church as the American government is," Warren told lawmakers.

"They realize we're not trying to do their work. Everybody has a different role to play and the church's role is not government," he said. "And the government's role is not church, but on health issues, and on education issues and on development issues, you can team tackle. As I said, I found it easier to work with governments overseas."

John also encouraged lawmakers to continue funding global health programs, suggesting that stigma is the main reason AIDS/HIV continues to spread in developing nations.

The famous pop musician argued that help and education needs to be openly provided to global communities so that AIDS/HIV can be eradicated. John also referenced religion, suggesting that Jesus "would be appalled at the way people are being stigmatized" for diseases such as HIV/AIDS.