Your will matters

October is Free Wills Month, and at Church Army, we’re celebrating something extraordinary: the transformative power of your legacy and its lasting impact on God’s work for generations to come.

Your will: An act of worship

A gift in your will is a profound act of worship and faith. Regardless of size, your legacy represents an investment in the future of Christ’s church and a sacred promise to continue his work on Earth. 

Your legacy could empower our evangelists as they reach the most vulnerable communities, bringing hope to the lost, igniting faith, and restoring life. It enables us to plan confidently for the future, knowing we can continue to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. 

Faith that echoes through eternity

How might your faith continue speaking long after you’re called home? A legacy gift surpasses an ordinary donation – it becomes a lasting declaration of your hope in Jesus, planting seeds of faith that will flourish for decades to come.

As Christians, we’re called to be faithful stewards of God’s blessings, not merely for today, but for future generations. Your life already testifies to your faith; your will can serve as a powerful final chapter in that beautiful story.

The late Revd Audrey Shilling understood this calling deeply. Church Army had such a profound impact on her life and ministry that she chose to leave a legacy gift in her will. Before her passing, Revd Shilling shared these meaningful words about her experiences, which we’re honoured to preserve in loving memory of her wonderful life of dedicated service to God.

“My working life saw a journey from housing manager to ordained minister, and it demonstrates the profound influence of the Church Army in shaping my life of service. After witnessing the harsh living conditions in Liverpool and feeling called to evangelism, I recognised my need for proper training and found my vocation within the Church Army ranks. This decision proved transformative, providing the foundation for decades of meaningful work across various locations, including Oxford House in Bethnal Green, where I developed the skills and experience that would define my ministry.

The Church Army’s impact extended far beyond my active service; it created a ripple effect that continued through my retirement. The training and ethos instilled during my Church Army years enabled me to become one of the first thirty-two women ordained as priests in the Diocese of Rochester in 1994, and to establish vital community services, including support for asylum seekers at Rochester prison’s Detention Centre. My work with the Medway and Gillingham Racial Equality Council, prison chaplaincy, and various community initiatives all reflect the Church Army’s core mission of serving overlooked communities – demonstrating how one organisation’s influence can create lasting change across multiple generations and countless lives. It is because of this I will be leaving a gift in my will to Church Army.”

Having an up-to-date, professionally written will is one of the most thoughtful ways to protect your loved ones, and it ensures your wishes are clearly understood and respected. By leaving a legacy gift to Church Army, you ensure that your commitment to sharing the gospel and serving those in need continues flourishing long after you join the saints in glory.

Church Army has partnered with Octopus Legacy, to allow our valued supporters to create a simple will for free, with no obligation to leave a gift to our work.

What story will your legacy tell?

Frequently Asked Questions

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