RETURNING TO RWANDA

The dates have been finalized for Jimmy Lakey’s upcoming trip to Rwanda, Africa. The trip will extend from August 21-29 and will include a presentation of school uniforms & books to the children at first orphanage that has been sponsored through “River’s Promise”.

Jimmy will be traveling with at least one other person, including a photographer who will capture the images of the trip. The complete trip itinerary is still be finalized but will include a visit to the Rwandan Genocide Memorial and visits to other orphanages that will be sponsored through “River’s Promise”.

INTRODUCING: RIVER'S PROMISE

In 2006, Jimmy & Carrie Lakey began the process of adopting a little boy (River) from a small Rwandan orphanage. While coming to the USA would be a great blessing for River, they knew that there would be many children left behind in the orphanage.

With this in mind, Jimmy & Carrie made a promise to not forget the needs of the other children that River had spent his early years with. A promise was made that they would do everything possible to assure that River’s friends remaining in the orphanage got to attend school and receive the education they needed.

In 2007, Jimmy & Carrie Lakey went to Rwanda to pick up their son. After numerous trips to government offices, including a court appearance before a Rwandan judge, Jimmy & Carrie were told that the adoption was done. A simple signature from the Minister of Gender in Rwanda was all that was needed to allow River to fly with his adoptive parents to his new home in the USA.

Now, over a year later, that signature has not yet come. Jimmy & Carrie have returned to the USA and continue to wait for the single signature that will allow River to join them. In Rwanda, the attorneys continue to work but there has been no real explanation as to why the final signature is withheld.

For now, River remains in Rwanda, but so does the promise to make sure that he & the other orphans have the opportunity to get the education that they need. Under the umbrella of World Changers International, a 501c3 non-profit organization, Jimmy & Carrie Lakey have launched “RIVER’S PROMISE” to help fund the education for African orphans.

A website (www.RiversPromise.com) is scheduled to launch on 08/08/08 with full details of progress and opportunities for involvement in providing orphans in Rwanda the opportunity to go to school. The cost for education is only $1.93 per week but this amount is often out of reach for the orphanages that must first pay to feed and clothe the children. Until the new website is launched, all details and updates on River’s Promise are being posted at www.jimmylakey.com.

TO DONATE NOW TO RIVER’S PROMISE CLICK HERE

NEW WEST COAST OFFICE OPEN

World Changers has opened its new office on the West Coast in San Jose, California. While our offices will not be exclusive in function, many of our efforts to provide education for orphans in Africa will be centered in California while our operations in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region will continue with much involvement in music & event promotion.

World Changers International is a non-profit organization with a multi-faceted approach to change nations by impacting this generation.

Our contact information for our West Coast Office is: PO Box 59266 * San Jose, CA * 95159

FEATURED ARTIST & CD REVIEW: KATE HURLEY

Kate Hurley’s latest release “Sleeping When You Woke Me” has had me raving for months. From the first listen I was captivated by Kate’s voice and inspired by her songwriting. Vocally you will find Kate Hurley to be as soulful as Patti Griffin and Ashley Cleveland and yet as deliciously smooth as Diana Krall. Her songwriting asks honest questions with refreshing vulnerability, but she never ceases to show hope and a love for life. “You Are Not Alone” is a personal favorite on the CD. It is a powerful reminder that is the midst of life’s struggles, we don’t walk alone.

Produced by Dave Wilton (A Boy & His Kite Productions), the CD provides a musical platform that is masterfully produced so that the beauty of her voice doesn’t get lost behind the creative instrumentation and production.

You might have heard Kate Hurley on the Third Worship Circle record but this solo project proves that Kate is an artist in her own right, fully able to connect the heart of the listener to the wonderful heart of a loving God.

Lyrical clarity, spiritual honesty, combined with vocal & musical excellence . . . This is what makes Kate Hurley’s “Sleeping When You Woke Me” a must have!

Click here to buy now!“

reviewed by Jimmy Lakey

IMPACT ON THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

World Changers continues our commitment to leadership development & ministry on the university campus. We are excited to announce our partnership & support of the following for the 2008-2009 school year.

Brooks Peppin – University of Colorado – Boulder, Colorado.
Daniel & Taylor Bashta – Auburn University – Auburn, Alabama

Brooks Peppin has taken over leadership of “the front”, a ministry that was started by Jimmy Lakey on the campus of the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Colorado. Under Brooks’ leadership, “the front” has begun to focus on service opportunities around the campus.

Daniel & Taylor Bashta will be joining the staff of “Grace Campus Ministries” that targets Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.

Your support of World Changers allows us to continue to support ministry on the university campus!

SUPPORT THROUGH SHOPPING

Did you ever think that you could help send African orphans to school by simply shopping? Well, with just the click of the mouse, you can change your online shopping for good and support World Changers International through our new partnership with iGive.com

With a simple click of the mouse, you can now support the many humanitarian & ministry efforts of World Changers by simply shopping at many of your favorite retailers including Apple, Nordstrom, Sephora, Orvis. Over 680 brand name stores will be at your fingertips on iGive. This is a simple way to help us continue to change nations by impacting this generation.

Change your online shopping for good! Simply click here. iGive.com to support World Changers International. Also, when you shop within the next 45 days, iGive will pass along an additional $5 to our endeavors at World Changers

Happy shopping & thanks for your support. iGive.com

Announcing: Music Builds Tour with Third Day, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay

“The Music Builds Tour” is coming to Colorado, featuring Third Day, Switchfoot, and Jars of Clay with Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Sunday, October 12 at the Broomfield Events Center in Broomfield, Colorado! This concert will benefit “Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity. Presented by Live Nation & Transparant Productions in association with Jimmy Lakey.

Tickets are on-sale now! Music Builds Tour

The God Rally Project

We are pleased to announce The God Rally Project to be held in Rifle Colorado at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, June 20-22. This is a free event that will feature Big Daddy Weave, John Waller Band, Jimmy Needham, Robin Mark, as well as numerous other artists & speakers… including Everfound & The Ride, friends of Jimmy Lakey & epicentre entertainment. For more information, go to GodRally.com and plan to be a part of this 3 day event in the mountains of Colorado.

Mourning with the Steven Curtis Chapman Family

On Wednesday, May 21, Maria Sue Chapman, the 5 year old and youngest daughter of Steven & Mary Beth Chapman, died from injuries sustained in an accident at their family home in Franklin, TN. Our thoughts and prayers go to the entire family. Founder of World Changers International, Jimmy Lakey, said “We extend our sympathies to the entire Chapman family during this tragic time. Having worked on events & concerts that featured Steven Curtis Chapman, his love for his family is huge. He & Mary Beth have been an inspiration to thousands of us who have pursued international adoptions and Maria Sue is evidence of that passion to reach around the globe. In times like this, while we find ourselves at a loss for words . . . we pray for the family and trust in God for His strength to sustain.”

In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope, the organization that they founded to care for the orphans of the world. Click here to be forwarded to the Shaohannah’s Hope.

Expanding West

World Changers International & the offices of Jimmy Lakey will soon be expanding to the West Coast, with an office opening soon in the San Francisco Bay Area. While the west coast office will not be exclusive in function, it will be a hub for many of World Changers’ efforts to help orphans in Africa, while much of concert & music operation will remain in Colorado. More details are coming soon.