Mark Lampley Sr., pastor of McColl Pentecostal Holiness Church in McColl, S.C., will begin a three week journey to Uganda Jan. 20 following a request by a Ugandian minister who asked him to speak at an upcoming conference.

"I will be addressing the assembly on poverty, and encouraging people to have a fresh start in life," Lampley said.

Lampley plans to speak two to three times a day while visiting the African country.

"While my personal expenses are paid, I am planning to bring a monetary gift with me to present to the Ugandian people," Lampley said. "This is not a denominational thing, but is a matter of people helping people; I am taking the biggest offering that I can."

A benefit gospel singing has been organized at Lampley's church by the Rev. Richard Tyson to raise funds for the Ugandian people. Lampley hopes that the amount collected will help to offset the "tremendous poverty" in that country.

"The need here is great, but we're extending a hand to help these poverty stricken people," Lampley said. "Uganda is such a poor nation that the average person with a job works a 10 to 12 hour work day making only $1.25 per day. That same person will get only one meal per day."

According to Lampley, half of the population lives below the international poverty line.

"The average age in Uganda is 18, with disease and poverty so bad that the life expectancy is far less than that of the average American. There is no welfare department in Uganda, and the less fortunate only receive a meal every two to three days."

The benefit gospel singing for Lampley's mission trip will take place Jan. 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at the McColl Pentecostal Holiness Church.

"We will present 'Gaither Style' singing with the One Accord Singers, a collection of more than 25 groups who will be on stage throughout the performance," Lampley said.

Featured performers include Rhonda Emmanuel, Spirit Borne, and Heavenly Voices.

"One hundred percent of all proceeds raised will go to the Ugandian people," Lampley said.

Last May, Lampley was invited to visit the country by Ugandian Min. Godfrey Mulonde, who Lampley had met at a conference in Phoenix, Ariz. He agreed to the trip after some initial hesitations about visiting the country.

"I thought about disease, the uproar in the Middle East, and the recent events involving the fellow who tried to blow up the airliner," Lampley said. "An American missionary in Africa told me to keep my eyes open all the time, but I have been assured that there would be plenty of security during my visit. Still, it took months to consider."

For those unable to attend the Jan. 9 fundraiser, Lampley encourages anyone interested to "extend a helping hand" by making a contribution by mail.

"If you will please help by sending a financial donation by Jan. 15 it would be greatly appreciated," he said. "Whatever you give will be tax deductible."

Contributions may be made in care of the McColl Pentecostal Holiness Church Uganda Project, 400 S. Main St., McColl, SC 29570.

Lampley said he lives by the motto, "Find a need and fill it; find a hurt and heal it."