FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Contact: Jenny Fredette WorldServe International Phone: 202-302-4979 Fax: 806-737-4979 jenny@worldserveintl.org www.worldserveintl.org   James River Assembly Gives the Gift of Clean Water to Africa   Springfield, MO – September 6, 2006 — James River Assembly of God has strategically partnered with economic development organization WorldServe International to bring clean water to African communities.   During its 2006 Spring Missions Week, the 6,000 members of James River Assembly raised over $200,000 for water well drilling equipment for Africa. This contribution led to an additional $200,000 in matching grants from the Angel Christian Television Trust, the charitable arm of international Christian broadcast network God TV.   The combined $400,000 contribution will be used to purchase deep-capacity drilling rigs and support trucks. This heavy machinery enables WorldServe and its partners to drill as many as four water wells in new communities every week. Through this creative investment, hundreds of rural communities will gain access to safe water and ultimately, hundreds of thousands of people will be served.   WorldServe, led by President John M. Bongiorno, launched its clean water initiative to respond to the global water crisis. With 1.1 billion people lacking access to clean water and basic sanitation, water is the number one killer in the world today. More people die from preventable, water-related diseases or lack of water than any other cause. In fact, 80 percent of all sickness is attributed to unsafe water. Lack of access means that women and children in sub-Saharan Africa walk up to 8 miles each day in search of water for their families.   WorldServe’s water initiative operates throughout East Africa, primarily in Tanzania and Kenya, and is currently expanding into West Africa. By using high-capacity drilling rigs, WorldServe brings clean water access to poor communities.   James River’s Senior Pastor, John Lindell, said the congregation views the water need as a unique and urgent concern. “People saw this need for clean water as something that should not be happening in our world,” he said. “In the United States, we have an incredibly high number of water taps per person. But in places like Africa, there are millions and millions of people without access to clean drinking water. At that point it is no longer a matter of compassion or even mercy – it goes beyond that and becomes a matter of justice.”   James River Assembly and WorldServe will work together closely throughout the long-term project. In addition to drilling wells, the partners plan to provide agricultural training, medical care, and spiritual care in recipient communities.   Providing clean water is one of the primary ways that James River Assembly reaches out to poor communities in Africa and beyond. Other initiatives include sponsoring missionaries, donating high-tech medical equipment for hospitals, and caring for people with HIV/AIDS.   For additional information, contact: Jenny Fredette WorldServe International Phone: 202-302-3979 Fax: 806-737-4979 jenny@worldserveintl.org www.worldserveintl.org   James River Assembly’s gift of $200,000 to WorldServe International, matched by $200,000 from another donor, will purchase water drilling equipment capable of drilling up to four water wells each week. Depending upon well depth and other factors, James River Assembly’s contribution results in 100 to 200 community-capacity water wells each year throughout Africa.   Organizational History: WorldServe is a faith-based, non-profit organization engaged in humanitarian relief and economic development. It alleviates physical and spiritual poverty by giving the poor help for today and hope for tomorrow. Providing sustainable growth opportunities and strategically investing in entrepreneurial communities, WorldServe seeks to restore dignity to people's lives. Recent innovative projects include the drilling of water wells, strategic medical missions, and microfinance loans to create jobs. WorldServe is an inter-denominational organization with a diverse array of partners. We are "Building global networks. Meeting local needs."