[1]BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–Woman’s Missionary Union has assumed responsibility for Pure Water-Pure Love, a ministry launched by the Brotherhood Commission in 1995 to provide water purification units to International Mission Board personnel living abroad.
The move of the project to WMU came at the request of Brotherhood Commission officials earlier this summer as the agency’s work was transferred to the North American Mission Board, the new Southern Baptist agency that replaced the Brotherhood Commission, Radio and Television Commission, and Home Mission Board.
At the time of transfer, more than 1,000 units had been assigned to IMB personnel by the Brotherhood Commission’s Men’s Ministries department, which initiated and coordinated the ministry from its inception in January 1995.
Jim Burton, who coordinated the project for the Brotherhood Commission and is now director of volunteer mobilization for NAMB, said the transfer of Pure Water-Pure Love to WMU was a practical move. NAMB, he noted, will continue to “do all it can” to promote the ministry.
“We felt that Pure Water-Pure Love paralleled some of the other work Woman’s Missionary Union has with international missionaries,” said Burton.
Joyce Mitchell, WMU associate executive director and new coordinator for Pure Water-Pure Love, agreed with Burton.
“Water purifiers are such a practical and immediate way for those of us who value and support missionaries to say “thank you” to them,” she said. “Staff at the national WMU are delighted that we can provide the continuity in fulfilling this worthy project. We look forward to providing many more churches the opportunity to be a part of Pure Water-Pure Love.” Burton said the purpose of Pure Water-Pure Love has been simply to provide clean drinking water for missionaries and their families. However, having clean water is one of the greatest ways missionary families can maintain their health and continue to share the gospel in the country where they serve.
“The joy of the ministry has been to get letters back from missionaries who give testimonies of improved health,” Burton recalled. “Consider the agony of going through a call (to missions), disrupting your culture, taking your family overseas and then being sick with a preventable illness. That has to be very, very discouraging,” he added
“While this is not going to cure all of the ills a person might face overseas, it cut backs on a number of them by giving missionaries potable, safe drinking water,” he said. “It also lets us know that we are improving the effectiveness of our people in the field by improving their standard of living.”
Along with meeting a basic need for a family, the project also serves as a link between the donor and recipient, Burton said, explaining each purchaser is given the name of the missionary family that receives the unit. “It is a wonderful way for Southern Baptists to connect with their missionaries,” he said.
Each unit costs $175. The table-top units provide 4,000 gallons of water or enough to supply a missionary family approximately four years of clean water before a new filter is needed. The units are compact, easily installed, and require no electricity.
Individuals or churches interested in participating in the project, may write Pure Water-Pure Love, P.O. Box 830010, Birmingham, AL 35283 or call 800-968-7301. Donations may be sent to the above address, but to the attention of “Cashier.”
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*Name changed for security concerns.