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...
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S2 E2 Joyful generosity with Pauline Wilson
Active Generosity Podcast
In this month’s episode, we hear from Pauline Wilson, Team Leader for the Stewardship and Finance Department at the Church of Scotland. With 25 years’ experience in charity governance and deep personal roots in Christian stewardship, Pauline brings warmth, wisdom and a compelling vision for a joy filled approach to generosity. Pauline explores the heart behind Christian giving, how churches can cultivate a culture of generosity and the story behind the book ‘Living Generously: A Whole-Life Response to God’s Love’, which is cowritten by Pauline and her team. This episode...
info_outlineIn this episode of Active Generosity, we are joined by Gary Grant, Co-Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of The Entertainer, the largest family-owned toy retailer in the UK.
“I wasn’t generous before I was a Christian. In fact, quite the reverse, everything that I had was mine so why would I want to give it away”.
Hear about the dramatic journey of generosity that Gary has been on, both personally and professionally, since he came to faith in 1991. That journey includes setting up our charity partner Restore Hope, which helps people get back on their feet with practical support.
“You can’t outgive God. Be as generous as you can, as often as you can and make as big a difference as you can.”
Gary’s favourite Bible verses on generosity:
“Those who honour me I will honour, but those who despise me will be disdained.” 1 Samuel 2:30 (NIV)
See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage
How you can pray for Gary:
· For discernment to use his time wisely to best effect
· For his fundraising efforts to get the new community hub for Restore Hope up and running
· For good health
Related links:
The Entertainer: https://www.thetoyshop.com/aboutus
Entertainer founder hands over shop chain to staff: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2jjwmw9jo
Restore Hope: https://restorehopelatimer.org/
Give with Stewardship to Restore Hope: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20096832
Subscribe to this podcast: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/subscribe#Podcast
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Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa
Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/podcast/