A new partnership between Lifewater International and Holy Trinity Church gives a local church a global outreach. 

1,600 people die every day of preventable water-borne disease. But often churches aren’t informed about the global water crisis, or don’t understand how to be an advocate and stand up to fight injustice.

That’s where Lifewater International comes in. The faith-based non-profit brings safe water, sanitation and hygiene to rural villages all over the world—and has a passion to get local churches involved in their mission. One of their partners is Holy Trinity Anglican in Costa Mesa, California. Bishop Todd Hunter and his parish launched the missional partnership with Lifewater on June 5, pledging to purchase a well for a rural village impoverished by the lack of a fresh water source.

“In one month, we raised $6,000 to fund a well in a village without the availability of fresh water,” Bishop Todd says.

Children from Holy Trinity helped raise money for Lifewater.

The Rev. Elizabeth Khorey, associate pastor at Holy Trinity, says it was an amazing thing to watch their church family, including the children from preschoolers to youth, contribute to this global endeavor.

“For me, it was a tangible demonstration of sacrificial giving and a way Holy Trinity can live into our aim of being a Church for the Sake of Others,” she says. “I value the way Lifewater helped our families learn more about the precious resource of clean water, something we often simply take for granted!”

Bishop Todd welcomed his longtime friend Bobby deLancellotti, Lifewater’s church mobilizer, to share with his congregation about Lifewater’s work in six developing countries. Lifewater is passionate about partnering with the local Church to provide long-lasting, safe water solutions to vulnerable children and their families. That includes building wells, toilets and teaching hygiene—all through a gospel-centered approach.

“When a local church partners with Lifewater, two things happen,” deLancellotti says. “1) Clean water is provided for those living in extreme poverty…a clear demonstration of what it means to love your neighbor, and 2) The church experiences a practical and powerful way to be involved in the mission of God. This builds equity in their community, as their actions speak louder than their words.”

Lifewater uses a comprehensive methodology called MWash, in which workers embedded in the communities go door to door educating families about handwashing and the importance of hygiene and sanitation. Villagers then build their own hand-washing stations called Tippy Taps. Lastly, a well is drilled and villagers are trained on its maintenance and repair, and given full ownership. Lifewater believes the difference is careful education and training over a two-to-three-year period—no quickly drilling a well and leaving. As a result, the villagers are empowered and the water is a sustainable resource.

For churches, it’s an effective way to join hands and care for the least of these. Holy Trinity’s well project integrates the entire community—adults, families, children, and youth. Together, they are being educated, becoming advocates and participating in fundraising. Holy Trinity’s youth group is also doing a Bible study on social justice, helping young people grasp a vision for Kingdom living.

Other churches have brainstormed their own approach. Some host missional garage sales and set up lemonade stands to raise money to build wells. Still others use the global water crisis as a mission emphasis for Vacation Bible School; dedicate Advent offerings to clean water; or give up treats during Lent and donate the money to Lifewater. All C4SO churches are invited to start their own creative Lifewater partnership.

Children from Holy Trinity helped raise money for Lifewater.

Is Lifewater making a real impact? Just ask Esnito, a mother of four from a rural village in Uganda. “We are no longer afraid to name our children,” she says. Because so many children were dying in their village, parents did not get emotionally attached to or name their children until 1 or 2 years of age. But thanks to Lifewater, that’s all changing.

“We want to lock arms together with the Church to fight against the global water and sanitation crisis which is destroying the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and families each and every day,” deLancellotti says.

To read more about Lifewater, their mission and impact in the world, visit their website.

Click here to listen to Bobby’s vision and mission at his visit to Holy Trinity.