World Malaria Day is always a time when many partners come together to raise awareness about the global fight against this killer disease. This year, in honor of World Malaria Day, the United Methodist Church made a $9.6 million donation to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- the single largest contribution made by a faith organization to the Geneva-based institution.
To learn more about UMC's work with malaria, ASTMH spoke with Reverend Gary R. Henderson, the Executive Director of the Church's Global Health Initiative. Henderson is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, 
and the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the Gammon Seminary. Henderson also oversees the Church's Imagine No More Malaria initiative.
1) Please describe your background and what personally motivates you to improve global health.
As a United Methodist and as a clergy person, I take seriously the words of Jesus that invite followers to “heal the sick.” I am motivated everyday by the awareness that the global health ministry to which I am called; is literally a lifesaving opportunity. I am aware that from the place of blessing that we are expected to be a blessing. In my denominational role, I have the unique opportunity to educate, advocate, build awareness and raise funds so that others might have abundant life.
2) How did the United Methodist Church get involved in the global fight against malaria?
We have had a presence in Africa for more than 160 years and so we are not a stranger to the reality of malaria. We are a founding member of Nothing But Nets through the United Nations Foundation and this involvement sparked a renewed interest in malaria.
The United Methodist Church caught the interest of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation because we have people on the ground in hard to reach places in Africa. The Gates Foundation actually provided the seed money for the formation of Imagine No Malaria, our campaign to raise $75 million dollars targeted toward the reduction of death and suffering from this preventable disease. To date, more than $66 million dollars has been raised in cash and pledges.
3) How does the church work with the broader global health community?
We are willing to collaborate and partner with those who share our interest in the fostering of a healthy and whole world. We are a major faith-based financial donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. To date, we have donated more than $18 million to the Global Fund. We also partner with a very wide international community in the fight against malaria; key would be our involvement with the Alliance for Malaria Prevention. Because we have a network of more than 300 hospital, clinics and rural outpost across Africa our reach is broad and comprehensive.