By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Kingdom Ventures International (KVI), led by Luverne native James Grayson Jr., is hosting a “Camp Stew for Clean Water” fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 1, at 453 Farrior Road in Luverne. 

The event supports KVI’s Project H2O, which aims to provide clean drinking water and the Gospel message to remote villages in the Peruvian Amazon.

“As a Luverne native, this cause is especially close to my heart,” said James Grayson, who graduated from Crenshaw Christian Academy in 1995. “Together with my wife, Crystal, I am now working in the Peruvian Amazon, installing water filters and sharing hope with families in need. Funds raised will go directly toward expanding our reach and ensuring more families gain access to clean water— a vital resource for both health and life.”

The fundraiser will feature pre-sold quarts of camp stew for $12, available for pickup between 2 and 8 p.m. Individual bowls of stew will also be sold for $5 each. All proceeds will go directly toward the purchase and distribution of Sawyer PointOne Bucket Filters, which can provide clean drinking water for up to 20 years.

The organization, founded in 2020, is a Christian non-profit with a mission to share the Gospel and support underserved communities around the world. In 2021, James and Crystal launched Project H2O after witnessing the dire need for clean water in the Peruvian Amazon, where waterborne illnesses are rampant.

The Graysons initially distributed filters to a limited number of families but quickly realized the heartbreaking challenge of turning away others due to a lack of resources. This led to the creation of the 50/50 Clean Water Challenge, a campaign to expand their reach to entire villages.

“Our goal for 2025 is to provide over 500 families, in 16 different villages along the Momon River with access to clean drinking water,” James said. “This fundraiser is a critical step in making that happen.”

Each Sawyer PointOne Bucket Filter costs $50 and can transform the health and well-being of an entire family. Through partnerships with local churches, businesses and supporters, KVI is not only addressing the immediate need for clean water but also equipping communities with sustainable solutions and spiritual encouragement.

“Our ministry goes beyond water,” James said. “It’s about fostering relationships, sharing the Gospel and offering lasting hope to communities that are often overlooked.”

Community members are encouraged to participate in the fundraiser by purchasing camp stew or making a direct donation to Kingdom Ventures International.

For more information or to support Project H2O, visit www.kingdomventuresintl.org.