S1 Ep6 Generosity at the heart of our faith with Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood
Release Date: 06/10/2025
S2 E5: Faith, generosity and emotional wholeness with Jo Hargreaves, The Faith-Filled Therapist
Active Generosity Podcast
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...
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S2 E4: Equality, faith and generosity with Fola Komolafe MBE, CEO of World Vision UK
Active Generosity Podcast
In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Fola Komolafe MBE, CEO of World Vision UK, the UK branch of the world’s largest international children’s charity. Fola reflects on her journey of faith, leadership and generosity, shaped by growing up in Nigeria, where she saw poverty first-hand, and witnessing generosity modelled by her family and church. Fola shares openly about leading World Vision UK during a time of global crisis - including the world's worst humanitarian crisis in Sudan - aid cuts and economic uncertainty and how...
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Episode 7: Ben Nelson, business founder and sport specialist
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to episode 7, the final week of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! Today, Ruth is joined by 40acts pro Ben Nelson. Ben runs a manufacturing business creating brands for businesses and influencers and is also a director of hockey at a local school. With passions for Jesus, generosity and business, Ben reflects on what it looks like to live a life of everyday generosity - not just during Lent, but all year round. As the 40acts journey draws to a close, Ben shares highlights and challenges from this year’s campaign, how generosity has become...
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Episode 6: Tim Gallagher, online fitness coach and podcaster
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to episode 6 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! Today, Ruth is joined by Tim Gallagher, online fitness coach, founder of ‘Powered By Purpose’ and host of the ‘Morning Coffee with Tim’ podcast. Tim shares how his faith has become a more intentional part of his online presence and how 40acts arrived at exactly the right moment in his discipleship journey. From prayer videos mid‑run to simple acts of kindness, Tim reflects on how God has been prompting him to be more generous and more open about his...
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Episode 5: Deborah B, faith and lifestyle content creator
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...
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Episode 4: John Reynolds, author and content creator
Active Generosity 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...
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S2 E3: Generosity, partnership and mission with Stephen Read
Active Generosity 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...
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Episode 3: Emma Francis, author and podcaster
Active Generosity 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,...
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Episode 2: Rev Pat Allerton aka ‘The Portable Priest’
Active Generosity 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...
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Episode 1: Swarzy Shire, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra host
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to Episode 1 of the 40 Acts Generosity Challenge podcast! This weekly Lent podcast series from Stewardship explores what it means to live generously -through stories, reflections and practical encouragement from our 40 Acts community. In this opening episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra host, speaker and cultural influencer Swarzy Shire, who kicks off the series with warmth, honesty and humour. She shares her thoughts on our upside-down approach to Lent, her experiences...
info_outlineIn this episode of Active Generosity, we are joined by Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, Director of Giving for the Church of England and author of The Porcupine Principle (and other fundraising secrets).
From porcupines to a ‘MINT IDEA’, in this wide-ranging discussion Jonathan outlines the principles that he believes are essential for both enabling giving and growing a culture of generosity in the Church of England. He also discusses his own experience of faith, generosity and the joy that comes with giving.
Jonathan’s favourite Bible verse on generosity:
“And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning – you must walk in it… How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” (NRSV)
2 John 1:6; 1 John 3:17
See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage
How you can pray for Jonathan:
That he may be open to and receive the spiritual gift of generosity as embodied by St Anselm’s prayer:
“I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you.”
Related links:
Church of England’s ‘Generous Church’ model: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/building-generous-church
The fundraising target for Jonathan’s own church was met within a month. Read the blog Jonathan and his vicar wrote that tells the story: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/building-generous-church/generous-church-blog/how-we-cleared-ps30k-deficit-one-month
The Porcupine Principal (and other fundraising secrets): https://www.dsc.org.uk/publication/the-porcupine-principle-2/
Jonathan’s discipleship course ‘Living Generously’: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/building-generous-church/generosity-resources/living-generously-films-small-groups-and
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