Summary
Living Water International (LWI) exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the Living Water of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. LWI’s services are provided in developing countries. The goal is to provide services by establishing independent nonprofit organizations in the country being served. In countries where LWI has not yet established a relationship with a nonprofit organization, LWI provides support to individuals
or groups who work to further the ministries.
Locals are trained to operate, maintain and service community water systems. LWI also offers limited medical assistance and training in health and hygiene. Through its drill camp near Houston, LWI trains volunteers to operate portable drilling rigs. Short-term mission trips are conducted in cooperation with missionaries working in developing nations. These trips provide opportunity for volunteers to meet physical needs through well drilling and hygiene education and meet spiritual needs through presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the true Living Water, and establishment of local churches.
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 35496
Houston, TX
77235-5496 |
| Website: | www.water.cc |
| Phone: | (877) 594-4426, (281) 207-7800 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 760324875
| CEO/President: |
Dr. Jerry Wiles |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Mr. Gary Loveless |
Fiscal Year End: |
December 31 |
| Board Size: |
16 |
Financial info from: |
Audit |
| Founder: |
Group of Houston Businessmen |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1991 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1998 |
Living Water International (LWI) exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the Living Water of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. LWI’s services are provided in developing countries. The goal is to provide services by establishing independent nonprofit organizations in the country being served. In countries where LWI has not yet established a relationship with a nonprofit organization, LWI provides support to individuals
or groups who work to further the ministries.
LWI operates in 25 different countries. Nationals are trained to construct, operate, maintain and service community water systems.
LWI also conducts training in well drilling, pump repair, hygiene education and construction of bio sand filters. Seminars are offered year round in various locations throughout the U.S. Upon completion of LWI's training program, volunteers can operate portable drilling rigs and take short term mission trips in cooperation with LWI Missionaries working in developing countries. These trips provide an opportunity for individuals and churches to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the "living water " pf the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst.
Living Water International uses the following to express its Mission Statement:
"LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the “living water” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst."
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
As of fiscal year ending 2007 LWI completed more than 4,800 water projects in 25 countries, providing clean wter to more than 7.5 million people daily.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Living Water International uses the following to express its Statement of faith:
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrections of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender and class differences.
Living Water International uses the following to express its History:
LWI was established in 1991 when a group of Houston area businessmen on a visit to Kenya realized the overwhelming need for safe drinking water. They also recognized the opportunity to use clean water as a means for opening doors and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They returned to Houston and began the process of forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In Kenya, a large drilling rig was obtained and a Kenyan Christian driller was hired who began the process of creating an NGO, the local equivalent of a non-profit organization.
Over the past 12 years, LWI has expanded across 4 continents, and now maintains ongoing work in 16 countries.
- It costs LWI on average $0.98 to provide clean, safe water to one person for one year: every dollar makes a difference.
- Well Rehabilitations/Pump Repair
One well rehabilitation for $3,000 or buy a new pump for $600.
- Shallow Well
A shallow well (up to 200 ft with a hand pump) provides approximately 500 people with fresh, clean water. Sponsor a shallow well for $5,000.
- Deep Well
A deep well (between 200 and 1,000 ft with electric submersible pump, storage tank and generator, as needed) can provide up to 10,000 people with clean water. Sponsor a deep well for $10,000 to $50,000.
- Equipment
LWI needs $1 million of additional equipment to meet their goals. Equipment can include vehicles, rigs, drilling supplies, pumps, etc. Consider contributing $10,000 to $100,000 to help equip their field personnel and begin new projects.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | 11/12/2008 9:52:37 AM: Living Water International posts its audits and IRS form 990s on its website (along with a lot of other good information). This is a ministry that others should follow by their example. Living Water International should be commended for their very good practices. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 11/12/2008 9:55:02 AM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 11/12/2008 9:55:14 AM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | 100 | |
Click here to compare ministries on transparency and other stats
Click here to learn more about how ministries are graded
MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Relief and Development Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |    | 184 of 352 | 39 of 54 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |   | 252 of 352 | 44 of 54 |
| Resource Allocation Decision |    | 131 of 352 | 38 of 54 |
| Asset Utilization Decision |    | 177 of 352 | 36 of 54 |
Learn how the ratings are calculated for this ministry
Learn how ratings are calculated in general --
or here for a longer explanation
Click here to compare ministries
2009 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list2008 MinistryWatch.com Shining Light top ministry list
Living Water International listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.
MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary.
This ministry is one of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:
- Transparency
- Truth Claims
- Values/ Worldview
- Sectors/Functions
- Resourcefulness
- Red Flag Issues
- Consultation
A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.
Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.
This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.