Christian hip-hop artist Agape, otherwise known as David Scherer, is kicking off his 100 Wells Tour on Mercer Island Aug. 19 in Mercerdale Park. More specifically, he is a Lutheran artist who performs at events for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), including the recent National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. The 100 Wells Initiative is also an ELCA project, and his performances support its efforts.

“I went to Haiti in February, and I saw that a lot of people were dying of cholera and water-borne illnesses,” Scherer said. “Children didn’t have access to education because they had to carry buckets of water. I felt called to initiate a tour that would help bring water to Haiti and other communities.”

The 100 Wells Initiative is part of ELCA World Hunger, and it was an idea for the Youth Gathering. The donations from the Gathering participants surpassed the amount needed to build 100 wells.

“Our goal is to build the next 100,” Scherer said. “We want to raise awareness and have young people engaged in this work for the rest of their lives.”

Scherer was born in Spokane and grew up around hip-hop music. Later, he began incorporating his faith into his music and using it as a teaching tool, as he’d learned others had done.

“Seeing the Holy Spirit at work through my ministry was kind of an awakening and showed me that maybe it was what I was called to do,” he said.

Now he loves performing in Seattle, as he said it’s been a successful stop on previous tours. He talked to Kathy Fisher, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church’s director of youth and family ministries, and they agreed the Island would be a good place to begin. He urges people to get involved and be part of the music.

“People that are interested in coming to the concert should know that this isn’t the type of concert where you sit and watch, but we’re all involved in it,” Scherer said. “I like people to sing and dance with me so I’m not doing it by myself.”

Scherer will perform at Holy Trinity’s worship service Aug. 19 at 9 a.m., which will be at Mercerdale Park that day if weather cooperates. His concert will follow at 11 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a monetary donation to ELCA World Hunger and non-perishable food for local food banks. Rain location will be HTLC, 8501 S.E. 40th St. Call (206) 232-3270 for more information.