Active Generosity Podcast

Welcome to episode 5 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! 

In this conversation, Ruth is joined by Deborah B, a London-based faith and lifestyle content creator who uses her online platforms, including her 'Faith Talks' podcast, to mentor and encourage women in their walk with Jesus. 

Deborah shares her honest journey of faith, including walking away from God, hitting rock bottom and experiencing restoration through God's mercy. She reflects on how taking part in 40acts has challenged her understanding of generosity — particularly learning to be generous not just with friends and family but also with strangers, time and attention. Together, Ruth and Deborah explore how generosity shapes faith, forms habits and becomes a powerful outward expression of love. 

"What we have is not ours, so it's kind of giving back to Him by blessing His people." 

Deborah's favourite Bible verse for Lent 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34–35 (NIV) 

How you can pray for Deborah: 

for focus and freedom from distraction, particularly around time spent on social media 

for wisdom and discipline in being generous with her time, especially when God prompts her to reach out to others 

that she would recognise when healthy boundaries need to give way to obedience and generosity 

that God would continue to strengthen and sustain her as she encourages others through her content and ministry 

Related links: 

Follow Deborah B on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahbx_/  

Final thoughts 

Deborah's reflections remind us that generosity is not just about what we give but who we are becoming. Through honest insights about faith, distraction, time and obedience, she shows how small, everyday acts — even when they feel uncomfortable or costly — can shape our character and point others to Christ. As generosity becomes a practice rather than a oneoff gesture, it opens space for transformation, joy and deeper connection with God and those around us. 

If the conversation inspired you: 

Subscribe by signing up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent. You'll receive a daily email for the remaining days of Lent, each one with a reflection, challenge and prayer prompt. On Wednesdays, the email will also include a link to the next 40acts podcast episode.  

You can also follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App for the first time this year, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows. 

Sign up to 40acts 


Please also remember to: 

leave a review on your favourite podcast platform  

share the podcast with someone starting their Lent journey  

The podcast is also available 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: Esther Simmons 

Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast

Welcome to Episode 4 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! 

In this episode, Ruth is joined by John Reynolds, content creator, speaker, author and former youth pastor, best known for his much-loved family comedy and storytelling across social media. Together with his wife Jade, John shares honest, humorous reflections on family life, disability, faith and generosity. 

John talks openly about taking part in 40acts as a family, how the daily prompts have helped him be more intentional and why encouragement has become one of his favourite and most powerful acts of generosity. 

"Encouragement is totally free, instantly possible, and genuinely lifechanging for people." 

John's favourite verse for Lent 

'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35 (NIV) 

See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage 

How you can pray for John and his family 

for energy, strength and reduced pain for Jade, particularly in seasons of low energy 

for opportunities to continue sharing faith, humour and encouragement through content and speaking 

that John's work would continue to connect with and encourage people who may be struggling 

for wisdom and grace as they raise their children to grow in generosity and gratitude 

 Related links 

Follow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnreynoldscomedy 

 
Final thoughts 


John's reflections remind us that generosity doesn't have to be big or costly to be meaningful. Small, intentional acts — especially words of encouragement — can have a lasting impact, shaping habits, families and faith over time. 

If the conversation inspired you: 

Thank you for joining us for the fourth episode of this Lent podcast.  

New episodes are dropping weekly throughout 40acts - packed with stories, encouragement and practical ways to live generously. 

Subscribe by signing up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent. You'll receive a daily email throughout Lent with a reflection, a simple challenge and a prayer prompt. On Wednesdays, the email also includes a link to the next 40acts podcast episode. 

You can also follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows. 

👉 Sign up to 40acts: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts  

Please also remember to: 

leave a review on your favourite podcast platform  

share the podcast with someone starting their Lent journey  

The podcast is also available 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: Esther Simmons 

Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast

In this month's episode, we're joined by Stephen Read, who has served with Ambassadors Football for nearly 20 years. Stephen works with local churches in the UK and internationally, using football as a powerful way to build relationships, share faith and disciple new believers. 

Stephen reflects on his own faith journey, from growing up in church to walking away as a teenager, and eventually returning to faith through community, mission and football. He also shares honestly about his experience of raising personal support, how his perspective on generosity has changed over time and why he now sees support raising as an invitation into joyful partnership. 

This episode will particularly encourage Christian workers, church leaders and anyone exploring how generosity shapes discipleship, community and mission. 

This episode explores: 

how football can open doors to faith, discipleship and mission 


why support raising is about partnership, not pressure 


stories of generosity shaped by transformed hearts rather than amounts 


the connection between giving, trust and discipleship 


"When you give, you hand over control to God… you're saying, 'God, I trust you more than I trust myself.'" 

Stephen's favourite Bible verses on generosity: 

'All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.' Acts 4:32–34 (NIV)
Stephen reflects on the picture of the early church sharing their possessions to ensure no one was in need and how generosity fuels both community life and Gospel mission. 

See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage 

How you can pray for Stephen 

that teaching on generosity would remain firmly rooted in biblical truth 


for churches and Christian organisations across the UK and Europe to grow in generosity 


that the church would move with spiritual power marked by open-handed generosity 


Related links: 


Ambassadors Football: https://gb.ambassadorsfootball.org 

The Partnership Collective: https://thepartnershipcollective.eu/ 

Subscribe to this podcast: 

https://www.stewardship.org.uk/subscribe#Podcast 

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. 

Sign up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts 

There's still time to join in with 40acts this Lent, daily reflections and challenges created with Christian partners and voices from across the Church. Each day offers a simple opportunity to live out generosity in everyday life. 

New for this year: be encouraged and inspired with our new 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast. You'll receive it straight to your inbox weekly throughout Lent when you sign up to 40acts.  

Catch up on the Generosity Challenge podcast: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast 

Also new for the year - you can follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App, helping you to stay engaged and see how your generosity grows. 

Download the Stewardship Giving App: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/giving-account 

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 
Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/podcast/

Welcome to Episode 3 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! 

This special podcast series explores what it means to live generously this Lent, using our time, talents and treasure to respond to the 40acts challenges.  

In this episode, Ruth is joined by Emma Francis — author, podcaster, trainee life coach and founder of 'Girl Got Faith' and 'Kobe House'. Emma reflects on her 40acts journey with her young family and offers practical, inspiring advice and encouragement for keeping going.  

"Getting into the spirit of generosity is getting into the habit - getting into that mindset and that flow - and that becoming a part of the rhythm of your life, that you do things that are generous, that invest in other people." 

 Emma's favourite verse for Lent  

'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.' Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) 

See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage 

How you can pray for Emma: 

that she would stay focused on Jesus and keep her gaze fixed on God amid the distractions of everyday life 

that she would be able to run the race God has set before her, without being swayed or pulled off course by competing demands 

for help in remaining undistracted and spiritually attentive during the 40acts journey and the Lent season 

Related links: 

www.kobeyhouse.com 

https://girlgotfaith.com/ 

Follow Emma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaloufrancis/ 

Final thoughts: 

Thank you for joining us for the third episode of this Lent podcast.  


New episodes are dropping weekly throughout 40acts - packed with stories, encouragement and practical ways to live generously. 

If the conversation inspired you: 

Subscribe by signing up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent. You'll receive a daily email for the 40 days of Lent, each one with a reflection, challenge and prayer prompt. On Wednesdays, the email will also include a link to the next 40acts podcast episode.  

You can also follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App for the first time this year, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows. 

Sign up to 40acts 

Please also remember to: 

leave a review on your favourite podcast platform  

share the podcast with someone starting their Lent journey  

The podcast is also available 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: Esther Simmons 

Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast

Welcome to Episode 2 of the 40 Acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! 

This special podcast series explores what it means to live generously this Lent, using our time, talents and treasure to respond to the 40acts challenges.  

In this episode, Ruth is joined by the Reverend Pat Allerton, vicar of St Peter's Notting Hill, otherwise known as 'The Portable Priest'! Pat shares the remarkable story behind his unexpected nickname, reflects on generosity as a spiritual discipline and encourages us to keep going with 40acts even when it takes us out of our comfort zone.  

"It's remembering why we're doing this, that we serve a God who's endlessly generous to us and we want to be like Him." 

Pat's favourite verse for Lent 

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) 

A reminder to commit each act of generosity to God, even when we can't see the impact — trusting that he is at work beyond what we understand. 

See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage  

How you can pray for Pat: 

that he would persevere day by day throughout the 40acts journey 

for growth in generosity, courage and trust in God's provision 

for continued fruitfulness in his ministry and witness, pointing others to Jesus 

Related links: 

St Peter's Notting Hill: https://www.stpetersnottinghill.org  

Follow Pat Allerton on Instagram (The Portable Priest): https://www.instagram.com/patallerton  

Final thoughts:


Thank you for joining us for the second episode of this Lent podcast. New episodes will drop weekly throughout 40 Acts - packed with stories, encouragement and practical ways to live generously. 
If the conversation inspired you: 


subscribe by signing up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent:  https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts 

You'll receive a daily email for the 40 days of Lent, each one with a reflection, challenge and prayer prompt. On Wednesdays, the email will also include a link to the next 40acts podcast episode.  

You can also follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App for the first time this year, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows. 

Please also remember to: 

leave a review on your favourite podcast platform  

share the podcast with someone starting their Lent journey 

 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: Esther Simmons 

Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast