VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/10/12)—Christian Community Credit Union’s “Cards that Give to Missions” program donated $52,000 for the “Launch a Village” project in Northern Thailand.  Launch a Village is a program that is led by American Baptist International Ministries (IM) Global Consultant, Mike Mann and his wife, IM missionary Becky Mann. 

In partnership with Integrated Tribal Development Programme (ITDP), the donation will provide water and sanitation resources, build a school and a health clinic as well as provide micro-enterprise lending. It will also help sustain three villages economically by providing agricultural and business training, purchasing a 4-wheel drive truck and facilitating the production and marketing of Arabica coffee. The recent donation fulfilled the Credit Union’s pledge set in April 2008 to give a total of $232,500 to the project.

“Working together with ITDP allowed us to apply the credit union movement’s philosophy of ‘people helping people,’” states Dr. John T. Walling, Christian Community Credit Union President/CEO. “Through the ‘Launch a Village’ project, our members are helping change lives economically, socially and spiritually every time they use their credit or debit card for purchases.”

For over 22 years, Mike and Becky Mann have given a positive alternative for livelihood to the hill tribes of Northern Thailand through ITDP. Their efforts have provided much needed help and hope to the tribal people, who in the past were involved in child prostitution, growing opium, and criminal activities.

“Partnering with Christian Community Credit Union members is a great opportunity to put Christ’s love into action by helping resource-poor villagers in Thailand rise above poverty and at the same time plant the seeds of Christ,” says Mike Mann.

“To see the lives of villagers changed when they finally have running water, when they can afford to send their children to school with new clothes and shoes, and most of all, when they become new believers is the greatest joy,” says Becky Mann. “The ‘Launch a Village’ project is an answer to prayer. Not only do we help bring water and life skills to the poor and remote villages in Thailand, we’re also sharing about the Living Water that will flow into each of the villager’s heart and soul!”

To date, Christian Community Credit Union’s “Cards that Give to Missions” program has given over $3 million. Of that amount, $1.5 million has gone to the larger American Baptist family which includes $1.1 million donated to International Ministries. The donation comes from interchange income the Credit Union receives from fees merchants pay to card issuer.

“When our members use their Credit Union cards exclusively, the potential donation to missions is enormous,” adds Walling. “Besides transforming villages and their communities, our members are helping build God’s Kingdom. That’s what makes our credit and debit cards so unique!”

With assets over $550 million, Christian Community Credit Union serves over 29,000 members nationwide and has served as a financial partner of Christian churches, ministries, and their members for over 55 years.

To apply for “The Card that Gives to Missions,” call 800.347.CCCU (2228) or visit myCCCU.com/card.

NOTE: Information on this news release is not intended for use in publications mailed using postage for non-profit organizations as it does not meet U.S. Postal requirements.

American Baptist International Ministries was organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America. It began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to help people come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.