JOPLIN, Mo.—Since September 2009, more than 50,000 kids between the ages of 11 and 19 have joined the movement to create clean water wells in rural parts of Zambia, Africa. The teens are partnering with the organization Active:Water, a Christian ministry that physically goes to Zambia to build and install the wells in remote villages without clean water access.

Stephanie Beasley, 13, of Fort Smith, Ark., organized a concert at her church. Micah Schanie, 11, and his four siblings in Madison, Ind., engineered a Walk4Water event to educate the public and raise support. Rebecca Monnier, Aiden Shrum and Kirsten Williamson, all 17, of Bellevue, Neb., have organized two swim clinics and a 5K Walk/Run event. All of these projects are 100 percent organized and operated by the youths.

These and thousands of other American teenagers are learning about the ministry of Active:Water through events put on by Christ In Youth, which has become a ministry partner with Active:Water to raise awareness at Christ In Youth's 50-plus events across the United States. Together, they have created a 30-minute documentary to show event attendees the realities of the water crisis in Africa. But Christ In Youth primarily serves as a catalyst for student involvement; the real work begins after the teens leave the events and come up with their own ways to raise support.

"We have seen tremendous growth since partnering with Christ In Youth," says Active:Water's executive director, Daren Wendell. "The exposure we have received from CIY and the dedication we have received from their students is truly touching lives around the globe."

In addition to the $30,000 raised in offering at Christ In Youth events for Active:Water, thousands of teenagers have been inspired to organize events in their own communities to raise money and awareness using their own unique talents and interests.

"We receive stories every week of teenagers leaving our events and doing amazing things as kingdom workers," says Christ In Youth Director of Programming Jayson French. "Today's teens are such global advocates once you get them inspired. That's what we strive to do at Christ In Youth: inspire kids to actively impact the world for God."

For more than 42 years, Christ In Youth has provided events, missions opportunities and resources to advance student ministry in the local church. More than 50,000 students and leaders will attend at least one of the ministry’s 90-plus programs held throughout 21 countries this year. Christ In Youth advances student ministry in the local church by providing events, trips and resources that amplify Christ’s call on student lives to become kingdom workers.

Created in 2008, Active:Water is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the clean water crisis in Africa. By raising finances and support through athletic events and business partnerships, Active:Water has been providing clean water wells to rural villages that otherwise would have no source of clean drinking water.