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He goes on to call her a "lightning rod… that sings about Christ's inclusive love and our need for repentance." Bishop Whalon also praised Becker for her years of volunteer work for worthwhile causes that include being a tireless spokesperson for World Vision that works to help Africa's AIDS orphans and feed the world's hungry, mobilizing thousands to end the injustice and indignity of substandard housing by donating proceeds from her concerts to Habitat For Humanity, and speaking out against apartheid in South Africa and the violence in Northern Ireland. In Bishop Whalon's words, "she has toured the world with the message of muscular Christianity."
Indeed, since 1993, Margaret has been involved with World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. She has experienced their work firsthand, traveling to Third World countries and serving as a spokesperson to thousands as she advocates child sponsorships. Margaret's involvement in promoting World Vision's 30 Hour Famine, a program that puts hands and feet to helping students live a life of Christian compassion, helped propel the program's participation level 400 percent during the first three years of her endorsement. She is also involved in World Vision's Hope Child Initiative, a program that helps African children and their families who are affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2003, Margaret created on behalf of World Vision the Orange Fund, which collects and distributes both money and resources to the areas most in need and least funded in the African AIDS crisis. She serves as a liaison to DATA (Debt, Trade, AIDS, Africa), has met with Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) regarding AIDS and has worked to encourage President Bush to release the assistance he promised to Africa in 2003. According to World Vision, more than 500,000 people are alive today due to Margaret's efforts on their behalf.
Currently, Margaret can be found around the country at "anti-conferences," presenting the principles from her latest book, Coming Up for Air, which describes living from your personal gifts outward. She loves spending down time in her house and playing with her dog, Max. She is still singing and writing music and is in the process of recording a new album.
--by Lauren Kleist
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