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.
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Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa
UK