By 1996, Dr. H. Charles Roost had accomplished a lot in ministry for Jesus Christ.  Having served as Executive Director for Youth For Christ in Lansing, Michigan, Dr. Roost, known to many as “Chuck”, also served as Program Director for Camp Barakel, in Fairview, Michigan, the President of John Wesley College in Owosso, Michigan, and had assisted many para-church ministries across the US in fund development through his firm Perkins-Roost.

But in 1996 God began to open Chuck’s eyes to the level of dependence that ministries around the globe had on funds coming from the West.  Knowing that this dependence was literally crippling the efforts toward building God’s Kingdom Chuck began looking for ways to teach ministry leaders how they might inspire those around them to excel in the grace of giving.

Beginning the efforts in a few target countries, Chuck and a select team of teachers began noticing that not only is generosity transformational to a community it is contagious as well.  And in the year 2000, International Steward was formally organized.

Chuck, now in his mid-70s, still travels much of the world, teaching pastors and ministries leaders.  So in January 2010 the board of directors established Dirk Ailts as the new CEO of International Steward.  Under Dirk’s leadership the ministry maintains its focus upon the developing world and with God’s blessing the ministry of International Steward is growing exponentially.  Ministry leaders from every continent (with the exception of Antarctica) have taken part in the workshop entitled, Leadership through Biblical Stewardship and Fund Development.  And today, leaders are finding new freedom in ministry as local individuals are investing resources entrusted to them by God into these ministries that God has started around the world.