history

In 1996, CAP founder John Kirkby nearly lost everything. He was in dire financial straits and was heartbroken about his inability to provide for his two daughters. With over 20 years experience in the finance industry on his side he was able to fight his way out of debt, but he could not forget the culture of brokenness, pain and fear which he had battled.
 
An excerpt from his diary of those dark days, published in his book “Nevertheless” reads, “I used to look out of the window and see my girls playing in the garden knowing in my heart their parent’s marriage was over and I’d lost them their home. I felt so guilty and incredibly ashamed that I’d had so much and blown the lot. The stresses took their toll on my marriage ... Anne and I separated. Over the next year I gradually fell apart. I was a completely broken man, living in a shell, shattered and breaking up. The word ‘destitute’ is often over-used but that is what I became, utterly devoid of any spirit, hurting, lonely and afraid.”
 
He realised that those without his knowledge and expertise would almost certainly succumb to the loneliness, terror and desperation caused by unmanageable debt. So, with £10 in his pocket, he went into the poorest communities of Bradford, England and Christians Against Poverty (CAP) was born. John created budgets which prioritised food and essentials, liaised with creditors and educated people in financial self-management. He advocated for clients whilst empowering them to take control of their finances in order to sustainably repay debts and provide for their families. He supported those who were lonely and alienated by society and gave them a sense of hope, while asking for nothing in return.
 
Since those days, CAP UK has well over 100 debt counselling centres around the UK, has won numerous management and leadership awards and is the UK’s largest Christian debt counselling charity. CAP is now an international organisation, with head offices in Australia and New Zealand and 20,000 people a year are helped by CAP’s services around the globe.

Want a free copy of John's book, "Nevertheless"?

Christians Against Poverty NZ

Gareth and Heather Jones arrived in New Zealand in November 2007 with just enough money to cover two month's expenses and a few contacts to enable the couple to begin the work of CAP. 

Gareth and Heather said, "Within the first week, we managed to find a home at a fantastic price, fully furnished (which is almost unheard of in Auckland!) with a spare room where we could have our office... Right from the beginning God was looking after us and things were slotting into place."

CAP NZ is now a dynamic, fast-paced organisation which operates through a growing network of centres in New Zealand, all of which are opened in partnership with a local church. Our vision is to have at least one CAP Centre operating in every major town and city in New Zealand by 2021.

If you would like to know more about the life-transforming work of Christians Against Poverty, order your free copy of Nevertheless, the inspiring story of how CAP began.

video blog

check out John's latest video blog on Christians Against Poverty New Zealand!