Courageous Leadership Award

World Vision and the Willow Creek Association--an organization sponsored by the megachurch in my backyard, Willow Creek--have partnered to offer The Courageous Leadership Award "to honor churches that are strategically engaging the AIDS pandemic."

According to the Courageous Leadership Award Site:

The award in 2007 will be given to three churches, domestic or international, that demonstrate outstanding involvement and effectiveness in the fight against AIDS. Sponsored by World Vision with funding from a private donor, a total of $100,000 will be awarded, with $60,000 going to the winning church and $20,000 going to each of the two runners up. Dividing the $100,000 between three churches will allow more churches to be recognized for their work on this important issue.

To me, the award brings up an interesting question of Stewardship. Could that money be better applied directly to the battle against AIDS? Just because it is going to a church, does that mean it won't be employed in that way or in a way that would strengthen that particular community's fight against AIDS?

I know where I stand on this issue. What are your thoughts and opinions?