FIRST BAPTIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SELECTED TO SHOWCASE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY INITIATIVES BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tri-State Tour Will Provide Over 25 Participants a Closer Look at Successful Community Development Models

Somerset, NJ - June 18, 2001: First Baptist Community Development Corporation ("FBCDC") has been selected to showcase its faith-based community initiatives by the National Congress for Community Economic Development ("NCCED"). Over 25 participants representing community economic development practitioners, religious leaders, consultants, students, and representatives of intermediary nonprofit organizations will take part in a three-day, three city tour commencing June 18 - 20, 2001. "We welcome the opportunity to showcase the important work the CDC does throughout our community. We are also happy that our faith-based initiatives are considered as model programs among our peers".

The tour stops will include Nuevo Esperanza, People for People for Community Development Credit Union and the Universal Community Homes in Philadelphia on day one; Malcolm Shabazz Development Corporation, Harlem Congregations for Community Inprovement and Abyssinian Development Corporation in New York on the second day; and the St. Paul's Community Development Corporation and First Baptist Community Development Corporation in Somerset, New Jersey on Wednesday, June 20th, the final day of the tour. FBCDC's tour will showcase parts of the Renaissance Community including the FBCDC's office and community complex, the Hampton Club and areas throughout the neighborhoods along the Route 27 corridor within the vicinity of Franklin Township and the City of New Brunswick. The tour will conclude with a dinner for the participants hosted by the FBCDC at their New Brunswick facility.

The National Congress for Community Economic Development is the trade association representing over 3,600 organizations committed to the development of economically distressed urban and rural communities across America. Their mission is to promote, support, and advocate for the community economic development industry.

Their membership represents a diversity of geographic, ethnic, social and economic interests. NCCED's principal constituency is nonprofit community-based development corporations and their affiliates. Member activities include the production of affordable housing, the development and operation of small business enterprises, creation of employment opportunities and the delivery of community services.

The First Baptist Community Development Corporation was founded in 1992 and incorporated as a nonsectarian not-for-profit, 501©(3) organization in February, 1993. It was formed to improve the social, educational and economic conditions in the community surrounding the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, located on Route 27 in Somerset, New Jersey. FBCDC was created as a logical outgrowth of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens' sixty year-old rich history of dedication to community service.

MEDIA NOTE: The dinner concluding the tour at 123 How Lane in New Brunswick is open to media for interviews with tour participants. Contact Stephanie Clark at 732-951-1810 to confirm your attendance and to coordinate interviews.