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We are Stewardship

For over 100 years, we’ve helped Christians, charities and churches activate generosity, resource calling and make a difference.

Helping Christians be the best stewards of the resources God gives them. 

We provide lots of different services to free the hearts of believers to give joyfully and generously to support faithful Christian causes to flourish and achieve more Kingdom impact. 

A community of generous stewards uniting to use all God has given us to love him, love one another, and love our neighbours as ourselves.

 

Our vision

Our Story

For over a century, Stewardship has been advancing the Kingdom through active generosity.

The journey has taken many turns and shaped countless lives but has always been guided by the same principle; finding new and revolutionary ways for generosity to grow. It all started with eleven people around a table…

The East of England Evangelisation Trust (EEET)

As the Open Brethren movement grows exponentially, eleven men gather around a table to work out how best to support churches springing up around the country. EEET is born – a trustworthy, unified body supporting new church buildings and their congregations.

1906

The East of England Evangelisation Trust (EEET)

Growing God’s Church

Passionate about evangelism and generosity, EEET connects philanthropists and missionaries as they run evangelistic “tent missions” in towns and cities. Thousands come to Christ, and EEET supports those Christians and their congregations as they build new meeting places.

1915

Growing God’s Church

The Origins of ‘Gift Aid’

To make tax-effective gifts, individuals have to sign a ‘covenant’; committing them to support a church for seven years. With people reluctant to make a long-term commitment to one recipient, EEET offer flexibility – sign a covenant with them and they’ll distribute donations to more than one church.

1946

The Origins of ‘Gift Aid’

The First Giving Account

Mirroring the modern-day Giving Account, EEET attracts more donors keen to have flexibility and boost their generosity. The national demand prompts a name change – to United Kingdom Evangelization Trust (UKET), and UKET commissions a Christian solicitor, Mr Francis Stunt, to take on the administration.

1950s

The First Giving Account

The Start of Sovereign Giving

In a different part of the country, another significant part of Stewardship’s history begins. 50 years before a merging of paths, Sovereign Giving is founded (then called North Staffordshire Evangelical Trust) by banker Harry Green.

1958

The Start of Sovereign Giving

A Change of Pace

Back to UKET, and the popularity of the covenanting service grows, Frank Stunt struggles to balance his legal work with the service, so turns to an influential character in Stewardship’s history - Tony Wakeling, a self-employed clerk. So began a pivotal 20-year era for the organisation.

1971

A Change of Pace

On the Move

Having recruited a number of employees to keep up with the pace, Tony and his team outgrow the cramped room they’ve been working in. They move to a bigger space, occupying the upper floor of a church hall; keen to keep UKET’s face-to-face, relational approach.

1980s

On the Move

Modernisation

Rapid advancements in technology provide uncharted territory for UKET, but a series of inspiring leaders, including Tony himself, followed by Chair Leslie Lucas and CEO David Jones, lead the way, using innovation to foster greater generosity and support even more causes.

1990s

Modernisation

A Wider Appeal

Over the years, UKET supports more people and causes outside of the Brethren movement, and offers a range of services including insurance, mortgages, legal advice and accountancy. This wider appeal prompts a further name change, to something more familiar to us today: Stewardship Services.

1995

A Wider Appeal

Kingdom Partnerships

A series of mergers bolster the offering. MET in 2001 bring research and educational expertise, Sovereign Giving (see 1958) is added alongside Credit Action in 2006, and philanthropy investment company Maxco merges in 2008. Stewardship Services becomes simply ‘Stewardship’.

2001-2008

Kingdom Partnerships

Church Growth Fund

Having grown a portfolio of church buildings since 1906, The Church Growth Fund is created by Stewardship and all properties gifted to it. The fund has more autonomy and is better equipped to support the church buildings – some dating back all the way to EEET’s origins.

2010

Church Growth Fund

A Global, Generous Community

Every Lent since 2010, over 100,000 people from around the world take part in 40acts – a generosity challenge encouraging individuals to impact their communities with acts of kindness. It’s not only blessed other people, it’s blessed churches, charities and causes along the way.

2010

A Global, Generous Community

A New Platform for Giving

True to the innovation of recent years, a new giving platform launches – Give.net. The online fundraising platform makes it easy for people to raise money and donate to causes they care about. To date, Give.net has raised over £14 million through 23,000 appeals.

2014

A New Platform for Giving

Raising Funds Conference

Building on the foundations of an organisation called Action Planning, Stewardship relaunch the Raising Funds Conference – a place for church leaders, charity leaders and fundraisers to explore biblical principles and practical tools that make a significant impact on fundraising. Hundreds join from around the country.

2017

Raising Funds Conference

Kingdom Bank

In a ground-breaking, pioneering deal, Stewardship acquire Kingdom Bank. The acquisition saw philanthropists come together to fund the move, ensuring the Christian bank with a rich and vibrant 65-year legacy stayed under Christian ownership.

2019

Kingdom Bank

Philanthropy Services

Partnering and supporting Philanthropists has always been a significant part of Stewardship’s DNA, and in 2019 a new team ensures that aim continues. As well as two new funds, the new Stewardship America service allows dual taxpayers to make tax-efficient donations to causes they care about.

2019

Philanthropy Services

A lot has changed in the last century – but Stewardship’s vision stays the same. Since the East of England Evangelisation Trust’s inception, the goal has been to encourage active generosity and support Kingdom causes. Last year, we received over £100 million, ready to support charities and churches doing incredible work across the world.

Today

Being ready to go above and beyond for others. We want to be open-handed with our time, talents, resources, finances and words. Motivated by a gratitude for God’s sacrificial gift of Jesus and an acknowledgement that all we have is his, we have a selfless desire to bless others.

A spirit-filled contentment, vibrancy and worshipful delight in God and the blessings he has given us. We choose to nurture life-giving joy that comes from knowing Jesus and gives us strength, creativity and energy. We seek to be thankful, united and at peace with one another, to encourage each other and enjoy working together

Positive, honest, open and loving relationships between us and every person we connect with. We are relational and care deeply about our partnerships. We believe the Church is a family and we treat others as we would wish to be treated, knowing that God loves and values every person.

God-given wisdom in how to act, what to say and when the timing is right. Showing empathy and compassion and acknowledging that each person and situation is unique. Putting ourselves in the shoes of those we serve and going humbly before God in prayer to find the best way forward.

In line with God’s word and guided by his wisdom: we want our actions to reflect our words, keeping our promises even when it is costly. To be transparent and honest in our communication, admitting when we make mistakes. We want to stand by our values with humility, continually challenging ourselves to be a greater blessing to others.

Every voice is heard and all are treated with respect and care. We want to act in righteousness and confront injustices. We are willing to see from another’s standpoint, acknowledging our own sin and need for a godly, impartial perspective.

Putting others first, just as Jesus took the nature of a servant. We listen to the needs of our partners, work out what is best for them and seek to fulfil it with willingness and humility. Not for our own reward, but for the glory of God and the furthering of his kingdom.

Striving to equip, engage and create to the best of our God-given ability to benefit those we serve. Aiming high and putting in the effort to get there, whilst avoiding perfectionism. We seek to continually improve the value we offer in all our services and relationships: everything we do we want to do well.

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