I'm a member at UMCU. I'd gotten an email previously (subject line "Michigan and Detroit Lions Players + UMCU") promoting an event last Friday with players from the Lions and UofM Athletics: It looks like at least [Jahmyr Gibbs, Bryce Underwood](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaoXMk-DmXL/) and [Macy Brown](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaoXMk-DmXL/) of UofM women's basketball showed up.

>Get ready for an amazing afternoon with University of Michigan Football and Detroit Lions players! UMCU is thrilled to partner with Camp Ignite and to invite you to a one-of-a-kind family and community celebration, packed with excitement, games, and legendary guests.  
This isn’t just any event, it’s your exclusive chance to mix, mingle, and grab photos with your fan-favorite Michigan Football and Detroit Lions players! And to make it even better, there are once in a lifetime experiences and giveaways!  
What to Expect  
Family-friendly games and activities  
Food and refreshment  
Giveaways and fun surprises for all ages!  
Friday, July 10th  
**5:30 pm - 7:00 pm**  
**Camp Ignite, 19780 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI**  
**Space is limited, RSVP to reserve your spot!**  
**REGISTER TO EXPERIENCE** [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/umcu/2277209](https://www.tickettailor.com/events/umcu/2277209)

[Screenshot of the email](https://i.imgur.com/UZ4akwm.png)

UMCU often does events with players they partner with and I considered going. (They are a big sponsor of both UofM Athletics and the Lions: for those confused it's a separate organization from UofM, the name is because it's a former employee credit union). After realizing it was not at a Michigan or Lions facility, but that UMCU was partnering with "Camp Ignite," I did some searching and found that Camp Ignite is Word In Action Christian Center's summer camp, hosted at the church. UMCU's CEO, [Tiffany Ford sits on the board of Word In Action Christian Center](https://www.mcul.org/newsroom/university-of-michigan-credit-union-ceo-tiffany-ford-honored-for-leadership-community-impact-and-service#:~:text=Ford%20also%20serves%20on%20the%20boards%20of%20Michigan%20Medicine%2C%20Credit%20Union%20Executive%20Society%2C%20Ann%20Arbor%20SPARK%2C%20Empowerment%20Plan%20and%20Culture%20Source%2C%20and%20is%20an%20active%20volunteer%20in%20her%20community%2C%20including%20service%20on%20the%20board%20of%20Word%20in%20Action%20Christian%20Center%20International) and it's presumably the church she attends.

There is the obvious conflict of interest (using UMCU money and the credit union's ties to college and pro players to help her church's summer camp) and then there are the views of the pastor of this church. Here he is with an unhinged sermon about how [2025 is the "Year of the Great Awakening,"](https://youtu.be/bZNG7fnOM4I?t=367) expressing anti-gay and anti-transgender beliefs: **"You've seen men wanting to be women and women wanting to be men and people being confused in their sexuality. These are real spiritual attacks that are in the earth from real demons."** There's a whole youtube channel of this.

Given how they promoted this to members (with no mention of religion or Word In Action, only "Camp Ignite") I'm guessing they realize their members might object. The promotion of the summer camp on the surface level is secular, with their [site claiming that](https://wiacc.com/events-calendar/) "Apostle Clarence Langston & Pastor Robyn Langston partnered with The City of Detroit and other local organizations to host an 8-week Summer Camp Program" but I can't find anything else substantiating that the city is a participant. (though I strongly suspect UMCU is one of those "local organizations" given the following:)

Word In Action's social media feed shows that [this has been going on since at least 2024](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9z9wuGObhg/) (UMCU and Lions branding heavily featured and some appearances by Lions players). The 2025 promo for the event features [Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery with heavy UMCU branding](https://www.instagram.com/clarencelangston/reel/DMkvJkMyk1M/) and interviews with the pastors who are open that it's a church event performing ministry. It also looks like there was a recent event where [employees from UMCU were hosted at the camp for their business week](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaeL-qiDa36/): "spending time with our campers and sharing valuable lessons and real-world experiences."

Since originally posting this in r/AnnArbor, I have had several accounts reach out to me saying they were UMCU employees (or or knew an employee) and claiming that the credit union has spent a considerable amount of money and time promoting this church event with full knowledge of what it is (going well beyond the scope of just this one event and explicitly to help promote the church). (And look at all these [booths and inflatables](https://www.instagram.com/p/DaoHR6XiENC/), I believe it.) They describe an atmosphere where Tiffany Ford is pretty emboldened and is enabled by a management team of yes men. I am deeply concerned as a member of the credit union and would like to see full accountability on this. I also think the Lions and UofM Athletics should reconsider their relationship with an organization that operates this way.

University of Michigan Credit Union partnering with their CEO's anti-LGBTQ evangelical church for an event that featured Michigan athletes and Lions players