Contact: Tim Rickel, World Gospel Mission, 765-671-7283

MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- After the January 12 earthquake that struck Haiti and devastated capital Port-au-Prince, reports of aid being delayed due to logistical complications with the international airport have been common. However, Indiana-based World Gospel Mission (WGM), in partnership with Haiti's Radio Lumière, is sending two doctors and over a hundred pounds of medical supplies to Haiti through Missionary Flights International (MFI), a non-profit organization that provides aviation assistance for Christian missions in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

MFI planes land on the international runway at the Port-au-Prince airport, but they have a private tarmac and hangar, which means WGM aid can reach Haitians faster, an advantage they have over many of the larger relief organizations. Doctors Michael Johnson and Daniel Tolan have both served in third-world conditions in Kenya and will be taking 132 pounds of donated medical supplies to Haitians in need. They will be based at Quisqueya Christian School, which did not sustain major damage during the earthquake and is currently serving as a medical clinic and temporary shelter to earthquake victims, including orphans from a nearby orphanage that collapsed.

WGM's primary presence in Haiti is through Radio Lumière, a radio station operated by Haitian Christians that covers 90 percent of the country with their broadcast signal. The station's outside courtyard is now being used as a temporary recording and production studio and distribution point.

Paul Shingledecker, WGM regional director for the U.S. and Caribbean, spent two weeks in Haiti right after the earthquake, and he will return on February 23. Shingledecker is a former radio administrator who served as a missionary in Haiti for 23 years. "Paul will lend his expertise to the Crisis Steering Committee that includes Radio Lumière staff and local church leaders. I think that will prove to be an extremely effective combination in developing long-term relief strategy," says Tim Rickel, Vice President of Communication for WGM.

WGM has already sent $17,000 to Haiti for relief purposes. To learn more or to join these relief efforts, please visit www.wgm.org, or call Tim Rickel at 756-671-7283.

About World Gospel Mission
As an interdenominational missionary organization, World Gospel Mission facilitates and enables individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to intentionally address the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities. WGM missionaries and volunteers are serving in 23 countries worldwide. Learn more here.