Cherise Vermeulen Executive Director Generous Generations Financial Finish Line Podcast
Finish Line Podcast Episode 118

Cherise Vermeulen, Executive Director of Generous Generations, on Seeding Generosity in Children and Youth

You want to steward God’s resources faithfully. But questions about generosity, calling, and impact are rarely simple.

In this conversation, you’ll hear from someone who has walked through these kinds of questions and learned along the way. Listen for the next step God may be inviting you to take.


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Meet your guide

Cherise Vermeulen, Executive Director of Generous Generations, had several childhood experiences that radically impacted her faith and her understanding of generosity. At the age of six, she woke from a coma following a severe car accident, where she felt the healing touch of prayer. This life-altering event left her with visible scars, but it also prompted her to explore her identity in Christ and discover her intrinsic value. Later, as the recipient of an incredibly generous gift, Cherise came to recognize the immense impact of generosity in changing the course of someone’s life.  

Through these experiences and Cherise’s background in children’s educational television, God laid the foundations for Generous Generations, which now provides generosity programming, videos, and content for children and youth across 26 different countries. By collaborating with localized ministries and training local leaders, Generous Generations has reached millions of children with the message of generosity in a culturally contextualized way.

What you’ll gain

  • The amazing story of how Generous Generations was born
  • Different strategies for teaching children to young adults about generosity
  • Collaboration as a central strategy for sharing the program
  • How Generous Generations is affecting families and communities
  • The challenge of contextualizing stories and examples to share generosity concepts with different cultures
  • Tips for families to incorporate generosity into the daily lives of their children

Inspired? Take your next step

Try the Game of Life Simulator

Step into a four-minute interactive experience and see what unfolds as you decide how to manage your resources.

Start the Game
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot
Game of Life Simulator Mobile Screenshot

Quotes to Remember

  • “Even in times of need, it’s not about what you can get, it’s about what you can give.”
  • “I used to think you had to have a lot in order to give.”
  • “Let’s decide how much we want to give and let God work out the details.”
  • “Generosity is transformational. Why do we wait until we’re grownups before we learn about these beautiful values?”
  • “Children learn quickly because they’re not afraid to fail.”
  • “Teenagers need to feel like they have a voice and a role to play in deciding how to give.”
  • “We want children under the age of twelve to begin to understand that generosity is an adventure.”
  • “With the great wealth transfer being underway, we have the opportunity to speak to children and youth now to instill these biblical values of generosity and stewardship into their lives so that by the time they reach adulthood, they will be able to make huge decisions about how money is spent.”
  • “When a child discovers the joy of giving, it’s not a duty to them or something that they have to do, it’s something they get to do. And the joy is contagious!”
  • “Generosity is a new way to spread the gospel because it’s a universal language. It’s a concept that’s understood across cultures.”

Links from the Show

Bible References from the Show

Philippians 4:8 | Think on These Things  

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.

Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free PDF guide to explore the specific adventure you were called into.

Generosity Profile Image

Use Our
Free Guide

Have you considered the ways you are uniquely called into generosity? We’re not all called into the same adventure.
Generosity Profile Image
Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free PDF guide to explore the specific adventure you were called into.
Generosity Profile Image

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