Active Generosity Podcast

In this episode of Active Generosity, Ruth Jackson talks with Anthony Delaney, Senior Leader at Ivy Church in Manchester and founder of LAUNCH, a movement equipping and connecting entrepreneurs and church leaders across the UK and beyond.   Anthony shares his passion for shifting churches from a scarcity mindset to one of Kingdom abundance. He gives practical tips on how to disciple people in generosity and offers remarkable stories of God's provision when faith steps were taken.  Anthony recalls moments when setting bold giving goals unlocked waves of generosity and miraculous provision beyond anything they imagined. He reminds us that generous living reflects God's nature and leads to eternal impact.  "Whatever we give to God He multiplies and it's 30-, 60-, 100-fold."  This episode explores:  why generosity is integral to discipleship  practical guidance for leaders on talking about money  inspiring stories of faith, generosity and provision  why investing in God's Kingdom gives the greatest return  Anthony's favourite Bible verse on generosity: 'God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that at all times and in all things having all that you need you may abound in every good work.' (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV) See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage How you can pray:  pray for courage for church leaders to talk about generosity wisely  pray for increased faith among believers to trust God in finances  pray that Christians everywhere would live as joyful givers  Related links:  Ivy Church's partner profile page Ivy Church  LAUNCH Subscribe:  Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life.  Subscribe now  The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa   

In this episode of Active Generosity, Ruth Jackson speaks with Vicki Smith, CEO of Growing Hope, a charity providing free therapy for children and young people with additional needs and supporting their families in partnership with local churches. Vicki shares how Growing Hope began with Founder Naomi Fox's vision of clinics offering both practical help and spiritual hope, and how that vision continues to grow across the UK.  Vicki unpacks the values that shape Growing Hope -community, hope and integrity - and speaks candidly about the joys and challenges of leading with generosity. From miraculous provision to everyday faithfulness, her stories offer rich encouragement to keep trusting God's abundance.  Vicki also reflects on her personal journey of faith and generosity, offering wise counsel for those struggling amidst rising living costs: it's not about comparing what you can give but considering what's in your hand and trusting God to multiply even the smallest offering.  "I think it does go back to thinking about what you have in your hand… if it can come from a generous heart, however little it might be, that's the key."  This episode explores: how Growing Hope has grown from a single clinic into a national movement championing accessibility and inclusion across UK churches how Christian values such as hope, community, courage, generosity and integrity shape leadership and organisational culture inspiring stories of God's provision and the impact of generosity, from small gifts to transformational funding what biblical stewardship looks like in practice and how generosity extends beyond financial giving encouragement for anyone wanting to live generously by offering what they have and trusting God with the outcome Vicki's favourite Bible verse on generosity: 'Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.' (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV)  See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage  How you can pray:  for Vicki and the whole Growing Hope team, that their faith would keep building and they would live out of a place of hope  for God's provision as Growing Hope seeks to serve more families across the UK  for the many families facing daily challenges, that they receive the support and encouragement they need  Related links: Growing Hope's partner profile page Growing Hope  Subscribe: Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life.  Subscribe now  The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa 

In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Jack Taylor, Operations Lead for the Genesis Network, a community for Christian business leaders across Ireland. Jack shares the story behind the Genesis Network, its roots in historic Christian business ministry, and how it is equipping leaders to live out biblical stewardship through their time, talent and treasure. He reflects on his personal journey of faith, from a non-Christian upbringing to taking ownership of his faith as a teenager, and how this has shaped his understanding of generosity, stewardship and discipleship. Through powerful stories - including a moment of unexpected financial provision - Jack explores how generosity is deeply connected to listening to God, trusting His provision and responding in faith. Drawing on his experience as both a ministry leader and co-founder of a MedTech startup, Jack shares how Christian values can be lived out authentically in a secular workplace, shaping culture, decisions and relationships. This episode explores: how the Genesis Network is equipping Christian business leaders to live missionally why stewardship goes beyond money to include time, talent and influence how generosity is shaped through faith, discipleship and listening to God the role of community, accountability and mentorship in a generosity journey how to integrate faith and values into business leadership why generosity is not just for later life, but a lifelong calling "Generosity starts in the little choices. It's not about the size of the gift, it's the posture of the heart." Jack's favourite Bible verses on generosity: Jack draws insight from the book of Philemon, highlighting how generosity can involve sacrifice rather than simply giving from abundance. He reflects that true generosity often comes from a place of humility, surrender and grace, rather than control or power. See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage How you can pray for Jack: for continued growth in his and his wife Caitlin's journey of generosity and discipleship for wisdom as he listens to God's leading in giving and stewarding resources for the Genesis Network to help shape a culture of generosity among business leaders in Ireland that younger generations would embrace generosity as a lifelong practice, not something reserved for later life Related links: Genesis Network's partner profile page Genesis Network Subscribe: Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life. Subscribe now The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  ·       TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk Podcast presenter:  Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer:  Vimbai Chigwangwa    

In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Stewart McCulloch, CEO of Christians Against Poverty (CAP). Stewart joined CAP in January 2024, following five years as CEO at Stewardship, where he led a period of significant growth, including a 40% increase in giving and the development of an award-winning philanthropy team. Stewart shares his personal journey of faith, including coming to know Jesus following the loss of his first wife, and reflects on how the local church played a vital role in his healing and restoration. He also speaks candidly about the relationship between generosity, discipleship and transformation — both for those giving and those receiving. Drawing on his experience across Stewardship and CAP, Stewart explores how generosity is deeply relational, how it connects people to impact and how the church is uniquely positioned to respond to rising poverty and financial hardship across the UK. "Christian giving is about relationship. It's about everybody being part of the ministry and connecting that they're giving all the way through to the impact it has on people and their lives and their walk with Jesus. …This ministry isn't about raising money, it's about raising people." This episode explores: why generosity is fundamentally about relationship, not transaction how giving connects people to ministry, impact and spiritual growth the role of the church in responding to poverty, debt and inequality in the UK why generosity transforms both the giver and the receiver how even those on tight budgets can participate meaningfully in generosity what it means to live with an 'abundance mindset' rooted in faith rather than scarcity "Christian giving is about relationship. It's about everybody being part of the ministry and connecting that they're giving all the way through to the impact it has on people and their lives and their walk with Jesus. …This ministry isn't about raising money, it's about raising people." Stewart's favourite Bible verses on generosity: 'And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."' — 2 Corinthians 9:8–9 (NIV) These verses reflect Stewart's conviction that generosity flows from God's abundance, enabling us to participate in His work with confidence, joy and faith. See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage How you can pray for Stewart: for wisdom and leadership as CAP and Community Money Advice come together to have 4,000 people out in the mission field for strength and inspiration to build a team that can make that partnership thrive that God places the CAP ministry on the hearts of those who want to pray, give or act, to bring those in greatest need into a relationship with Jesus Related links: Christians Against Poverty's partner profile page Christians Against Poverty Client report 2026: Stronger together – read CAP's 2026 client report, exploring 30 years of UK poverty and how support is weaving hope back into people's lives.  Subscribe:  Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life.  Subscribe now The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube Follow us on social media:   ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  ·       TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa    

In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Jo Hargreaves, also known as the Faith‑Filled Therapist. Jo is a psychotherapist, pastor, writer, speaker and podcast host, whose work integrates theology and therapy, submitting neuroscience to the authority of Scripture.  Jo reflects on her journey of faith, emotional healing and generosity, shaped by growing up with financial insecurity, encountering Jesus as a young adult and discovering how God has wired our brains for connection, wholeness and generosity. She shares openly about the relationship between faith and mental health, how generosity impacts our emotional wellbeing and why open‑handed living is both spiritually and neurologically transformative.  "Generosity is one of the ways God rewires us – it loosens the grip of scarcity, comparison and fear and reminds us that nothing we have really belongs to us."  This episode explores:  how faith, neuroscience and therapy can work together rather than sit in tension  why generosity is essential for emotional and spiritual wholeness  holding money lightly and developing a heart of joyful generosity  how upbringing, culture and teaching shape our attitudes to giving  why God designed us for relationship, community and generosity    Jo's favourite Bible verses on generosity:  'Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."' Mark 12:43–44 (NIV)  The story of the widow's offering is a powerful reminder that generosity is never about the amount given but the posture of the heart.  See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage  How you can pray for Jo:  for courage to continue living generously at deeper levels  for discernment about where and to whom God is inviting her to be generous  for provision and freedom to respond joyfully to opportunities to give  Related links:  The Faith Filled Collective with Jo Hargreaves Subscribe:  Be the first to receive each month's episode. You'll hear from donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they've experienced along the way, and the difference generosity makes in everyday life.  Subscribe now The podcast is also available in The Journey Tab on our Giving app (available on the App store and Google Play) and on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PlayerFM, Amazon Music, YouTube  Follow us on social media:   ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/  ·    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/  ·    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stewardship/  ·    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stewardship.org.uk  ·    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stewardshipuk  Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson  Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa