Tyler

Author Donald Miller and Christian music artist Sara Groves will be in Tyler on July 1 to raise awareness and money for a project to establish safe drinking water in Africa.

The free concert will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Bergfeld Park amphitheater and is open to all, according to information from Kristen Boldt, one of the organizers.

It is part of an effort called Blood: Water Mission.

Tyler churches are supporting the mission and have set out to raise $40,000 for the cause, according to the event’s Web site, bloodwatertyler.com.

Listed as supporters are First Christian Church, Marvin United Methodist Church, Southside Baptist Church, Green Acres Baptist Church, Rose Heights Church of God, First Baptist Church, Tyler Christian Fellow-ship and Grace Community Church.

During the concert on July 1, Miller, author of “Blue Like Jazz,” will speak about the mission and Ms. Groves, an award-winning singer and songwriter, will perform.

Also recognized will be members of a team cycling from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to raise money for and awareness of the mission.

The 3,150-mile route started on June 4 in Santa Monica, Calif., and is set to end on July 28.

Blood: Water Mission, a nonprofit organization, was founded by Christian music band Jars of Clay.

The goal is to make uncontaminated water available in 1,000 communities in sub-Saharan regions of Africa to help battle the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. Contaminated water makes those infected by HIV even more susceptible to diseases.

For more information on Blood: Water Mission, visit bloodwaterttyler.com.

To be a part of the mission’s local efforts, contact George Montalvo or Kristen Boldt at 903-253-4202 or 903-330-8163.