Contact: Rachel Elwood, Media Relations, World Gospel Mission, 765-671-7255, mediarelations@wgm.org
MEDIA ADVISORY, June 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- With more than 10 million people in Kenya facing starvation due to drought and political unrest, World Gospel Mission (WGM) is helping Christians in the United States get much-needed food supplies to the hardest hit areas.
"Today, about a third of Kenyans are hungry," said Tim Rickel, vice president of Development at WGM, a missionary-sending agency based in Marion, Indiana. "Right now, they need food, and WGM has the infrastructure and the people on the ground to distribute it and make sure it gets to those who need it."
Years of droughts that yielded poor harvests, political violence that displaced thousands of people in 2008, and skyrocketing fuel and food prices have led to the current crisis in Kenya. Only 18 percent of Kenya's land is suitable for farming, and unstable rain patterns have resulted in Kenya being unable to feed all of its 37 million people.
"But WGM's missionaries and Kenyan partners are ready to help," says Rickel. "They just need more food to give away. Fifty-pound bags of corn cost $50 each and will keep whole families from starving."
WGM has been serving in Kenya since 1932 and partners with Africa Gospel Church, an indigenous Kenyan denomination of churches. These churches are often used as staging areas for distributing aid.
"It's sending a powerful message that the church is concerned about feeding a person's body and soul," says Rickel.
Visit www.wgm.org to find out how you can respond to this need in Kenya.
About World Gospel Mission
World Gospel Mission disciples believers to become missions-active Christians. As an interdenominational missionary organization, WGM partners with individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to intentionally address the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities. Learn more at www.wgm.org.
Rachel Elwood, Media Relations
World Gospel Mission
(765) 671-7255
mediarelations@wgm.org
www.wgm.org
