S2 E3: Generosity, partnership and mission with Stephen Read

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/