Azusa, Calif. — San-Dimas based Christian Community Credit Union aims to support local communities by offering financial assistance for college students. This year, the organization presented more than $31,000 in scholarships to 32 students working their way through school, including two from Azusa Pacific University: Sarah O’Dell and Luke Harmon.
The students expressed gratitude for the scholarships which will help support their schooling. “Christian Community Credit Union gives young people the resources to succeed in their pursuit of higher education,” said Sarah O’Dell, an incoming freshman whose career goal is to be a medical doctor. “I am excited to participate in this experience and am blessed to have received this scholarship.”
Luke Harmon, a student in APU's Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, said, “Moments like these help you realize just how much God wants you to succeed in the plans He has for your life. To think that people are willing to invest in your life like this is extremely humbling. This incredible blessing makes me strive harder to make sure this investment into my life will yield fruit one hundred fold in the future.”
Recipients were chosen based on an essay, academic excellence, extra-curricular activities, and references. Applicants wrote an essay on the prompt, “Proverbs 15:22 says, ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’ Write about a financial decision you made that did not work out well. Contrast that with a decision you made after seeking advice from others. How did getting wise counsel help you make a better choice with your money?” The scholarship program allows students to apply in early spring and the scholarships are awarded in June. Scholarships are available for undergraduate and post-graduate students who are members of Christian Community Credit Union.
Christian Community Credit Union was first founded in 1957 as the American Baptist Ministers Credit Union in Southern California. Since then, membership has grown nationwide and internationally to serve Christians, their churches, and Christian schools, colleges, seminaries, retirement homes, and other ministries.
