Introducing the World Mastercard for Ministry

Yes. The 24/7 call center support number for our credits cards is 866.664.9364. This is also listed on the back of your credit card and in the Contact Us section of our website.

To activate your credit card, call the card activation line at 866.642.0450 using the primary phone listed in your account.

No, the ELCA FCU will default all cardholders to electronic statements. This is an environmentally friendly alternative to paper statements. You will receive an email within the first couple of days of each month notifying you that your eStatement is ready to view.

You must login to www.elcafcu.org to view your credit card statement each month. Click the eStatements link located in the Quick Links and Member Services sections.

Continue to submit your expense reports in accordance with your employer's reimbursement policy. For questions about making direct payments to the credit card, please contact the Credit Union at 773.717.5757 or via email at info@elcacu.org.

It is highly recommended that you do. Notifying us beforehand is very helpful in minimizing the potential for your card being blocked due to unusual activity. As with any new credit card, you will need to establish a spending pattern/history in order for the fraud analytics that monitor and safeguard your credit card to learn what is considered normal activity for you. To notify the Credit Union of your travel or large purchases, please call either of the phone numbers on the back of your card—877.715.1111 or 866.664.9364—or you can email us at  info@elcacu.org.

There are two types of fraud alerts and/or blocks: "warm" and "hot." A "warm" block is when a charge in question is actually authorized/approved, but the card cannot be used beyond that point until the fraud alert is verified by the cardholder via text/call. A "hot" block is when the charge in question and the card itself are actually blocked/denied until the fraud alert is verified by the cardholder via text/call. If a charge is verified by the cardholder in the "hot block" scenario, the previously denied charge in question will then need to be attempted again in order for the charge to go through. It will not happen automatically.

No. Our credit card processor, Worldpay (FKA Vantiv), is a global, industry leader that processes more than 40 billion transactions annually. Their fraud monitoring systems analyze real-time, ever-evolving data and trends across their entire portfolio to identify and prevent fraudulent transactions. Historical transaction data for the individual cardholder is also analyzed during this process. As you begin to use your Ministry card over time, it will help to refine the accuracy of the fraud alerts.

While it may be a minor inconvenience, fraud monitoring is for your protection and may impact cardholders at any time, regardless of the processor or issuing financial institution.

The Ministry Credit Card is structured like most corporate credit card programs in that your personal credit profile (FICO Score and debt-to-income ratio) are not affected. However, you are liable for the responsibilities associated with your Ministry Credit Card as you would be with any other corporate credit card. Refer to the Unit/Event Card User Acknowledgement Form you signed for more details.

Each credit union is structured in a way where products and services can only be provided to its own members. Therefore, becoming a member is a requirement to use the ELCA Federal Credit Union Ministry Credit Card. By opening a savings account, you can maintain your membership and enjoy all the benefits of the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

In order to use the ministry credit card, you have to be a member of the ELCA FCU. All credit unions have a minimum membership deposit requirement. Member deposits are then used to provide low cost loans, credit cards and other products and services to fellow members. By joining the ELCA Federal Credit Union with the $25 membership deposit (not fee) you are helping one of the ELCA's financial ministries provide these low-cost products and services to fellow colleagues, church members and clergy across the country. Your $25 will be returned to you upon closing your ELCA FCU membership.

Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives, organized solely to meet the needs of their members. The ELCA Federal Credit Union was created by the ELCA to provide additional financial services, under a trusted source, to ELCA members, clergy, congregations, synods, ministries and their employees. All earnings are returned to members in the form of higher savings rates, lower loan rates, and fewer fees.

Yes, the card can be added to digital wallets using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.