PORTLAND, OR (March 18, 2013) – The deadline is fast approaching for free online downloads of five albums from singer-songwriter Josh Garrels to benefit World Relief International’s work in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Garrels, described as an “up and coming” artist by Christianity Today, “is known for vulnerability and authenticity in his music, infusion of traditional folk music with hip-hop elements, and nontraditional exploration of Christian themes,” according to his Wikipedia entry. “He’s very popular with my Covenant pastor friends,” says one Evangelical Covenant Church pastor.

The deadline for free downloads of five of the artist’s albums is March 28, according to his website. Click here to access the albums, which can be downloaded individually through the Noisetrade website.

While the downloads are free, there is a special button associated with each album that suggests a “tip” of $8 per album – the sliding scale donation button actually extends to a maximum of $25 per tip if desired. One hundred percent of all donated tips will go to the work of World Relief International in DR Congo, where World Relief partners with Covenant World Relief.

“Congo is currently the most unstable, violent, and impoverished country in the world, with thousands displaced due to warring factions and a majority of the women suffering from gender-based violence,” Garrels says on his website. “Please consider leaving a tip, and in so doing, becoming a partner in the work for restoration in Congo.”

Hailing from South Bend, Indiana, Garrels and his family now reside in Portland where he self-produces his own albums under the Small Voice Records label he created.

Garrels released his sixth and most-recent album in June 2011 titled Love & War & The Sea In Between. It was listener-supported and released as a free online download. Christianity Today described the album as “prophetic, incisive, achingly human, and longingly spiritual,” naming it the magazine’s 2011 Album of The Year.