Global relief giant World Vision will kick off its first-ever summer concert series next month in hopes of getting sponsorships for more than 800 needy children before the tour’s end.

World Vision is joining with churches and radio stations around the country to promote the family-friendly concerts, which will feature pop-rock band Building 429, which made a big impact in the ministry of World Vision last year.

"During 2008, in concerts all across the US, Building 429 connected over 4000 vulnerable children to new World Vision sponsors,” reported World Vision's Artist Representative Ben Greene. “We are so excited to be partnering with them to create a new summer event that will surely be an incredible concert series. Concert goers are sure to leave a Building concert with a renewed passion for being the hands and feet of Christ, and that makes our relationship such a perfect fit."

According to World Vision, the tour dates lead up to Building 429's mission trip to Uganda in July, when the band will be performing in front of approximately 30,000 people in Rwanda with Andrew Palau of the Luis Palau Association. The band will continue their tour with World Vision in August for 15 dates across Canada.

"World Vision is thrilled to once again be teaming up with Building 429," said Greene.

As one of the largest Christian humanitarian organization in the world, World Vision provides hope and assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries. Since 1950, the group has received support from more than 3 million donors, supporters, and volunteers; more than half a million child sponsors; thousands of churches; hundreds of corporations; and government agencies in the United States and around the world.

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"Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people," the group states.

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More information on World Vision Summerfest '09 and the tour dates at worldvisionsummerfest.com.