The Power of Partnering in Generosity: How Families Can Multiply Their Impact
Generosity is more than just a financial decision—it’s a way of life that can be deeply enriching, especially when shared with others. On a recent episode of the Generosity Now podcast, two couples—Josh and Kaitlin Saenz, and Nick and Rachel Wolverton—shared how their journey of giving together has transformed not only their lives but also the way they view generosity and stewardship. What began as a simple invitation to discuss generosity over a retreat weekend has grown into an inspiring partnership that’s making a global impact.
How It All Began: A Shared Passion for Generosity
For the Wolvertons and Saenzes, the journey started with a Journey of Generosity (JOG) retreat hosted by Generous Giving. This retreat was the catalyst for both couples to explore what it meant to give together and commit to living a life of radical generosity. As their friendship deepened, so did their desire to partner on a significant mission-driven project—translating the Bible into the heart language of the Niha people in Tanzania.
Through their shared connection with Wycliffe Bible Translators, they were able to identify a project that resonated with their collective values: translating the book of Luke, which would also support the Jesus Film Project. By pooling their financial resources, they could take on a much larger project than any one family could do alone.
But as they shared in the podcast, it wasn’t just about money. Their partnership multiplied the joy, excitement, and accountability in ways they never expected.
Collective Impact: What Happens When We Give Together
One of the most significant benefits of partnering in generosity is the ability to make a greater impact. Josh and Kaitlin talked about how, when another couple joined their efforts, they quickly exceeded their initial financial goal. This allowed them to not only complete their primary project but also take on a second one in Tanzania that they hadn’t even anticipated.
Pooling resources as a group opened doors to new opportunities, not just for giving but for deeper involvement. They didn’t just write checks—they engaged with the project on a personal level, cooking Tanzanian meals together, praying as families, and even dreaming of visiting Tanzania to see the fruits of their collective efforts firsthand. Their children became part of the process too, learning about generosity and other cultures in a way that made it a family affair.
The Blessing of Vulnerability and Accountability
One of the most remarkable parts of their story is the openness and vulnerability that partnering in generosity requires. As Nick explained, in today’s culture, money can be a difficult topic to discuss—even among close friends. But by opening up conversations about finances and giving, the couples found a deeper level of trust and accountability.
The financial side of the partnership wasn’t always easy. The Saenzes faced a major income change at one point, and they had to have a vulnerable conversation with their friends about how they might not be able to meet their giving commitment. But instead of facing judgment or disappointment, they found grace and support. In fact, God provided for their needs through the additional involvement of another couple, Nick and Laura, who joined the project at just the right time.
This level of openness created a bond that went beyond friendship—it became a spiritual partnership, where they could encourage one another to stay faithful to their commitments, even when challenges arose.
Engaging the Next Generation
Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of this story is how it’s impacting the next generation. Both the Wolvertons and Saenzes have young children, and they’ve made a point of including them in their giving journey. Whether it’s cooking meals from Tanzania, praying together as families, or simply knowing that their friends are doing the same, the children are learning that generosity is a core part of their lives.
As Kaitlin shared, doing this together normalizes generosity for their kids. They see that giving isn’t just something their parents do—it’s something that their friends’ families are involved in too. This shared experience is helping to raise a generation of kids who are not only aware of the importance of giving but are excited to be part of it.
Multiplying Joy Through Generosity
By partnering in generosity, the Wolvertons and Saenzes have experienced a multiplication of joy. While they initially expected that combining their resources would multiply the impact of their giving, what they didn’t anticipate was how much it would deepen their relationships, enrich their families, and connect them more closely to the work they were supporting.
It’s a reminder that generosity is about so much more than money—it’s about community, vulnerability, and allowing God to work through us in ways that we can’t predict.
How You Can Start Partnering in Generosity
If you’re inspired by this story and wondering how you can start a similar journey of generosity, here are a few steps you can take:
Find a Like-Minded Partner: Look for friends, family members, or fellow churchgoers who share your passion for giving. It’s important to choose people you trust and who are open to the vulnerability that comes with sharing financial goals and responsibilities.
Attend a Journey of Generosity (JOG) Retreat: This can be a great starting point for learning how to talk about money and generosity with others. Hosted by Generous Giving, these retreats create a safe space to explore the role of giving in your life.
Choose a Shared Project: Whether it’s Bible translation, church planting, or a local mission, find a project that aligns with your shared values. By pooling your resources, you’ll be able to take on a bigger project and have a more significant impact.
Involve Your Family: Make generosity a family affair. Engage your children in the process by sharing stories about the people or projects you’re supporting, praying together, or even trying activities like cooking meals from the regions where your giving is focused.
Trust God With the Outcome: Generosity requires faith. There may be seasons where financial challenges arise, but trusting God and sharing the journey with others can lead to unexpected blessings, just as it did for Josh and Kaitlin.
Final Thoughts
Generosity, when shared, is powerful. The story of the Wolvertons and Saenzes shows that giving together not only multiplies your financial impact but also your joy, your relationships, and your faith. As Nick said, “It feels like such a privilege to get to do this.”
So if you’ve ever thought about partnering with others in your giving, take that step. Invite friends into the conversation, pray together, and see how God can work through your collective generosity.
Generosity is more than an individual act—it’s a community effort. And when we come together, the impact is truly life-changing.
