About Us
Our Vision
At CAP Ireland, we believe that no one should have to live with constant financial distress or worry. Our vision is to equip a movement of churches to support individuals experiencing financial anxiety, and to share the fullness of life in Jesus.
Through our dedicated resources and expertise, we empower churches to offer practical services that help people manage their finances and find a pathway out of debt. Our aim is to see lives transformed from fear to freedom, respecting the dignity of all individuals and offering support without judgement.
Our Story
With a small donation and big faith, John Kirkby started Christians Against Poverty in 1996. He believed God was calling him to sacrifice his career in finance and use his knowledge of the industry to help those in financial crisis.
In his hometown of Bradford, UK, John set off on the incredible journey of CAP. His faith adventure led him to people crippled by debt; parents who couldn’t feed their children, families facing eviction, and desperate people living in fear and without hope. He used his expertise to set up budgets, give financial advice, and offer a lifeline to those trapped in debt and financial crisis.
Since then, CAP rapidly grew its work across the UK, partnering with hundreds of churches and expanding its services to tackle the causes of debt and poverty too. CAP has also expanded into Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and now Ireland. Hear more about John’s story and why he started Christians Against Poverty.
Our People
Staff
Alan
CEO
Helen
Money Coaching Coordinator
CAP Ireland was established by a Steering Group, in close co-operation with the CAP International Team, Mark Kitson and Ed Parker.
We have a dedicated team of Trustees/Directors whose hard work and determination led to the establishment of our charity status in Ireland. They oversee the work making sure that we maintain the highest levels of integrity.
CAP Ireland founder and Chairperson Steve Vaughan – passes the baton (March 2026)
I first came across CAP back in the early 2000s when I was in ministry in Leeds. CAP had been going only a few years by then, with a handful of employees. Their aim was to help relieve the pressure on those in financial debt with practical money management help, and to point people to Jesus – the one who can answer all our problems. God blessed those initial endeavours and now CAP UK is over 30 years old and has since started sister organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.
In September 2021, with the encouragement and support of Penny Philips a steering group was formed and after 2 years of research and pulling the right people together, CAP Ireland was officially born (September 2023). It has been a wonderful journey for me to be a part of with so many wonderful people helping us along the way – a few key mentions go to Alison Flanaghan, Edd Parker, Kgosi Ngweny, Mark Kitson and Joe Murphy.
I am delighted that after four and half years of helping start the work I am able to confidently handover the role of chair to a wonderful board, with Niall Barry moving from Vice-Chair to Chairman. I will remain a supporter and partner of CAP, but in a different role – as a church partner!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Trustees / Directors
Niall Barry
Chair
John Fallows
Treasurer
Penny Philips
Trustee
Hugh Byrne
Prayer
Steve Vaughan
Founder Chairperson 2023-2025
