Proceeds of a debut album from an Anderson-area contemporary Christian music artist are supporting Anderson University students participating in mission trips.

Laurie Thompson, who serves as a journey coach for the AU College of Christian Studies and the South Carolina School of the Arts at AU, is celebrating the release of her debut album, “Jesus Loves Me: I Love to Tell the Story.”

The album is a compilation of Thompson’s original songwriting and classic hymns. Thompson grew up in Anderson and has ministered overseas in Moldova, France and Russia as well as performed throughout the east coast of the United States.

Thompson’s album is available at major online music retailers.