Jars of Clay: A Gospel Band With A Humanitarian Commitment In Africa

Traveling around the world, giving concerts on various continents, and meeting fans in different countries – that's part of the daily business of artists who have received Grammy awards and whose albums have achieved multiple-platinum status. However, it is not self-understood that such stars would have humanitarian commitments in some of the places to which they travel during their tours. But that's precisely what the gospel band Jars of Clay has been doing for several years now. The four American musicians signed by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, a subsidiary of BMG Music Publishing, have not only produced sixteen No.1 hits during their ten years and established themselves as an outstanding contemporary Christian music band, but after their first performances in Africa they also witnessed the problems this continent faces and decided to support African people in their battle against AIDS. The band members, Dan Hasseltine, Stephen Mason, Matt Odmark, and Charlie Lowell, founded the nonprofit organization "Blood Water Mission" a few years ago. Its aim is to raise public awareness about the HIV pandemic.

The message that Jars of Clay communicate to their fellow citizens is clear and simple: "Promote clean blood and water in Africa to tangibly reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic." Challenging work and sacrificial efforts are required; as a result, the gospel band members have changed their lifestyle to be able to spend time on site for all of the projects and humanitarian commitments realized in the name of the organization. In conjunction with their 2002 fall tour, the band began a series of symposiums on six college campuses across the U.S. to create a dialogue with the students and to provide a greater understanding of the HIV/AIDS crisis. According to James Morris, UN Special Envoy for humanitarian aid in South Africa, it is "the greatest humanitarian crisis the world has ever seen." The four musicians have also initiated projects in Africa. Most recently, they launched the "1,000 Wells" campaign, which aims to build 1,000 wells to provide clean water in at least eight countries.

"One dollar is enough to guarantee clean water for one person for an entire year," Charlie Lowell explained. "We use this statistic as a point of orientation and ask people in the communities we visit to donate one dollar. This is how we plan to raise enough money to build one thousands wells in Africa." Fundraising is an important part of the mission; all donations will go towards funding medical clinics and organizations dedicated to caring for African communities in the battle against HIV/AIDS. For the four band members, their work also has many beautiful aspects.

"The most rewarding part of this mission is making friends with Africans, seeing their hope and joy, and watching them rise above their bleak circumstances," Lowell said. Still, the mission is not without its challenges. "Much patience is required, and we don’t always see immediate results. It takes many people focused on a single vision to accomplish the smallest goal. That's new to us. A rock band starting a nonprofit has required a change of pace and priority," the singer explained. The "Blood Water Mission" has had an emotional impact that has influenced their songwriting. "Our perspectives have changed. We look at our world differently and see a great amount of need. We have been shocked by the amount of joy and hope that comes out of these poverty-stricken communities, and it flips everything we know upside-down," Charlie Lowell said about how these experiences have changed the band.