FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Contact: Jenny Fredette WorldServe International Phone: 202-302-4979 Fax: 806-737-4979 jenny@worldserveintl.org www.worldserveintl.org   Speed the Light Grants WorldServe International $1 Million Matching Challenge for Water Drilling Equipment   Springfield, MO – September 1, 2006 — Speed the Light, the Assemblies of God youth-initiated ministry that provides equipment to missionaries, has granted economic development organization WorldServe International a $1 million matching challenge for water drilling equipment. Every dollar given for equipment over the next year will be matched 1:1 by Assemblies of God youth through Speed the Light.   WorldServe 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 and is now expanding into West Africa. By using high-capacity drilling rigs, WorldServe brings clean water access to poor communities.   Evangelism and church planting are another component of this “water evangelism” strategy. By working closely with the national church in each African nation, WorldServe creates pathways for missionaries and church leaders to share the gospel. In past water projects, recipient communities have eagerly given land for building a church as an expression of gratitude and friendship.   “Water is a powerful tool for evangelism,” said WorldServe President John Bongiorno. “As it says in John 4, Jesus is the Living Water. We believe those who drink of Him will never thirst again. So when we drilling a water well and provide a community with access to clean water, they also receive a powerful illustration of God’s love for them.”   Speed the Light’s support of WorldServe fits well with its overall mission. STL had its humble beginnings in 1944 when youth leader Ralph W. Harris prayed for a way to give Assemblies of God youth the opportunity to help missionaries in their work. Today, STL is one of the most effective missions programs in the church world, having raised over $207 million since its inception.   With $1 million in donated funds matched by $1 million from Speed the Light, WorldServe will acquire drilling rigs and other necessary equipment. A deep-capacity drilling rig with accessories costs approximately $200,000. Each rig can drill between one and two water wells each week, or 50 to 100 community wells every year depending upon well depth. Funds donated from other individuals, corporations, and foundations are required for drilling team training, compensation, support trucks, fuel, and project monitoring and evaluation.   For additional information, contact: Jenny Fredette WorldServe International Phone: 202-302-3979 Fax: 806-737-4979 jenny@worldserveintl.org www.worldserveintl.org   Speed the Light’s $1 million matching challenge for WorldServe will result in a total of $2 million in water well drilling equipment for communities 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."