In Philippians, Paul talks about gospel partnership. He was as an apostle out ‘on the front line’, but the people to whom he was writing were ordinary, unnamed men and women ‘in the background’. Just like us! Yet almost the first thing that Paul says is “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5). This long-term partnership is the thing that gives Paul joy, that empowers him and encourages him.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5).

This biblical principle has continued down to the present day. For example, people from William Tyndale to John Newton had ‘gospel partners’ who prayed for them, supported them and backed them financially.

Now, at this point some of you may be thinking, “Well I don’t know any William Tyndales and I haven’t got any money, so this doesn’t apply to me.” Partnership certainly can include money but much more important than money is prayer and working together. We may not know someone translating the Bible into English or playing a decisive role in abolishing the slave trade, but there are thousands of churches up and down the UK who need our support.

The Gospel Partner Accounts from Kingdom Bank allow each of us, as adults, children or organisations, to play a part in such a partnership. By offering a slightly lower rate of interest on savings, the Bank is able to provide mortgages to churches, Christian charities and gospel workers across the country as affordably as possible.

The slightly lower rate is key. To be honest, I’m often surprised that Christians and Christian charities insist on the very highest rate available regardless of the nature of the Bank they are placing money with. Of course, that’s a free decision, but I can’t help but notice the contrast with our friends of other faiths such as Muslims and Jews. There, the community of believers as a matter of course very often back each other’s business initiatives with investment and form collaborative ventures to support, for example, the purchase of places of worship. Within the Christian world, we seem to have more of a sacred/secular divide.

So what difference are these Gospel Partner Accounts making on the ground?

It’s been such a joy to see and hear stories of gospel ministry being facilitated, whether through the purchase of a church building or a church-owned house for a minister, or a church worker being able to get on the property ladder in their community. One such example is that of Sam and Charlie Gibb of Hope Church, Vauxhall, whose story you might like to watch below.

There are, I should add, (not least as I’m a shareholder!) many other ways of supporting Christian causes besides via Kingdom Bank. It’s the principle that matters, which is that we can use small things for gospel work. Our small decisions can further Kingdom purposes and bring joy, just as the Philippians did to Paul.

Visit the ‘save’ area of our website to find out more about how you could help churches grow with our Gospel Partner Accounts for adults, children or organisations.