What Interserve does

Interserve is a UK-registered Christian mission charity (The International Service Fellowship Trust, company limited by guarantee, charity no. 1020758) founded in 1852 in South Asia as the Calcutta Normal School, now headquartered in Birmingham with approximately 70 employees. The organization mobilizes individual volunteers, churches, and donors to support whole-life ministry among the peoples of Asia and the Arab World, combining verbal proclamation of the gospel with educational, healthcare, community development, and anti-trafficking initiatives. Its core programs include short-term placements (On Track, 1–24 months), long-term service (2+ years), an 11-month Internship, NextGen Trips (ages 18–29), and Adventurous (ages 18–30), alongside training resources for churches and individuals engaging cross-culturally with peoples of Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.

The organization's product and content surface includes the Kitab resource hub (books, courses, and media priced £4–£20), GO Magazine published three times a year, and structured training courses such as The Friendship First Course and Joining the Family. Distribution is driven by a church partnership network across Great Britain & Ireland supported by Regional Connectors, supplemented by affiliate fundraising integrations with Amazon Smile, Easyfundraising, Give as You Live, Just Cards Direct, and Make a Will Online. Marketing relies on content (blog, magazine, newsletters), organic social media, prayer networks via PrayerMate, and annual community events such as Tea for Transformation.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and non-commercial channels: individual one-time and recurring Direct Debit gifts (with Gift Aid uplift of 25% for UK taxpayers), community fundraising events, legacy wills, retail affiliate percentages, and resource shop sales. There is no subscription software, technology platform, or proprietary AI/ML capability underpinning operations; the technology stack is limited to standard web analytics (Google Analytics, Hotjar), payment processing (Secure Trading), and prayer integration (PrayerMate). Pricing is donation-tier based rather than market-priced, with suggested giving amounts of £5, £10, or £20 for one-time gifts and flexible monthly/quarterly/annual direct debits.

Name

Interserve

Legal name

The International Service Fellowship Trust

Website

https://interserve.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1852

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Interserve is a UK-registered Christian mission charity founded in 1852 that mobilizes volunteers, churches, and donors to support ministry among the peoples of Asia and the Arab World through short- and long-term mission placements, training resources, and church partnership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Mission & Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Cultural Adjustment & Intercultural Training Programs (EDAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Christian mission services
• Cross-cultural ministry training
• Short-term mission placements
• Church partnership programs
• Religious resource publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual supporters make one-time or recurring donations via direct debit, standing order, credit/debit card, cheque, or bank transfer. Donors can give to general fund or designate to specific causes like Christmas Appeal, St John's House, or specific partners.
2. Fundraising Events: Community fundraising initiatives including challenge events, birthday dedications, Facebook fundraisers, and the annual Tea for Transformation campaign where hosts gather to fundraise for the organization's work.
3. Legacy Gifts: Supporters can leave gifts in their wills to support Interserve's ongoing mission work beyond their lifetime.
4. Retail Affiliate: Partnership with Just Cards Direct for Christian greetings cards and gifts where 10% of orders is donated. Additional affiliate programs through Amazon Smile, Easyfundraising, and Give as You Live where a percentage of purchases is donated.
5. Resource Sales: Sale of educational resources through the Kitab shop including books, courses, and training materials for cross-cultural engagement with Asian and Arab peoples.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Interserve is a Christian mission organization that mobilizes and supports short-term and long-term mission workers, interns, and young adults serving among the peoples of Asia and the Arab World through education, healthcare, community development, and church partnership programs. It also produces and sells educational resources (books, courses, magazine) for cross-cultural ministry and provides training and consulting services to local churches in Great Britain & Ireland.

Product overview

Interserve is a Christian mission organization offering a portfolio of programs and resources for mission engagement among the peoples of Asia and the Arab World. The core offerings include GO Magazine (tri-annual publication), Kitab (resource hub for cross-cultural engagement materials), On Track (short-term 1-24 month placements), Long Term service (2+ years), NextGen Trips (18-29 year olds), Adventurous program (18-30 year olds), and an 11-month Internship. Additional products include The Friendship First Course, Joining the Family Course, and various books and resources. The organization also operates donation platforms including online giving, Direct Debit, and campaign-specific fundraising through Tea for Transformation. Church support services provide training and resources for local congregations engaging in mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kitab: Resource hub providing books, courses and media designed to help with cross-cultural engagement with the peoples of Asia & the Arab World
• Tea for Transformation
• The Weavers
• On Track
• GO Magazine
• Adventurous
• NextGen Trips

Products and services

• GO Magazine A tri-annual magazine published by Interserve containing good news stories, insightful thought pieces, and articles that inspire and equip readers for mission among Asian and Arab peoples. Distributed in both print and email form.
• Kitab Resource Hub An online resource hub providing books, courses, and media designed to help users engage cross-culturally with the peoples of Asia and the Arab World. Categories include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Other Languages, Intercultural, Courses, Scriptures, and Real Stories.
• On Track (Short-Term Mission Placements) Short-term mission placements from 1 to 24 months offering various options including On Track Discovery (18-30 year olds), On Track Experience, On Track Service, On Track+, On Track Returning Professional, and On Track Consultant.
• Long Term Mission Service Long-term mission service opportunities (2+ years) enabling extended investment in lives and communities for lasting transformation.
• Internship Program An 11-month program offering young adults aged 18-24 experience in mission, professional skill development, and spiritual growth through serving in a missional community in Birmingham with opportunity to spend time overseas.
• NextGen Trips Short-term mission trips for young adults aged 18-29 to grow and serve as part of an international team in Asia, with opportunities to watch, learn, and participate in local mission.
• Adventurous Program A program for young adults aged 18-30 who want to grow, learn and get sent out to be on mission for the Lord, both overseas and in Great Britain and Ireland.
• The Friendship First Course A four-session video-based course designed to give Christian students confidence, skills, and resources to build Christ-centred unconditional friendships with Muslims.
• Joining the Family Course An electronic course supporting growing numbers of Muslims who are choosing to follow Jesus Christ and want to join Christ's community.
• Joining the Family: The Book A book by Tim Green and Roxy supporting new believers from Muslim backgrounds joining Christ's community.
• Church Resources & Support Services Support services for local churches including speaking engagements, training courses for cross-cultural relationship building, mission strategy support, and prayer resources.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Just Cards DirectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Just Cards Direct, a Christian greetings cards and gifts company. When customers select Interserve as their charity at checkout, 10% of their order value is donated to Interserve at no additional cost.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile allows supporters to select Interserve GBI as their charity. When shopping via smile.amazon.co.uk, a percentage of purchase price is donated to Interserve.
• EasyfundraisingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterserve GBI is registered on Easyfundraising, enabling supporters to raise free donations when shopping online with over 4,000 retailers including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, and ASOS.
• Give as You LiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGive as You Live partnership enables customers to raise funds when shopping via the platform or app at stores including M&S, Boots, Waitrose, Tesco, B&Q, and Argos.
• Make a Will OnlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering a FREE will-writing service for supporters who want to include Interserve in their estate planning.
• Govanhill Free ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovanhill Free Church collaborates with Interserve in their diverse neighbourhood. They value Interserve's expertise and warm personal approach in walking the mission journey together.
• Local Churches (Asia & Arab World)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterserve serves alongside and builds up local churches in the nations they work in, even where the church is persecuted or small. They work to equip and empower local churches.
• All Nations Christian CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that provides training for some Interserve partners. Some partners attend Bible college or training programs there before or during their service.
• PrayerMateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrayerMate integration allows supporters to receive daily prayer points direct to their phone or tablet through the app.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WEC International: A UK-based international Christian mission sending workers to multiple regions of Asia, North Africa, and the Arab World. Directly comparable in mission focus, geography, and church partnership approach.
• YWAM (Youth With A Mission): A global Christian mission known for short-term mission trips, discipleship training schools, and young-adult programmes. Closely overlaps with Interserve's NextGen, Adventurous, and Internship offerings.
• Pioneers: An evangelical mission organisation focusing on unreached people groups with church-planting teams worldwide. Comparable in cross-cultural worker mobilisation and supporter-driven funding model.
• OMF International: A mission organisation focused on East Asia's peoples, with UK and international offices. Strongly comparable for the Asia dimension of Interserve's field of service.
• Crosslinks: A UK-based evangelical mission organisation sending workers to multiple countries. Comparable in mission-sending focus, UK supporter base, and church engagement model.
• OM International (Operation Mobilisation): A global evangelical Christian mission sending workers from many nations, with programmes for short and long-term service. Directly comparable in mission-sending model, donor base, and field footprint.
• SIM (Serving In Mission) UK: A global evangelical mission with a UK base sending workers worldwide and engaging in community development. Comparable in cross-cultural mission model and diversified income streams.
• CMS (Church Mission Society): A UK-based evangelical Anglican mission society sending cross-cultural workers worldwide and equipping churches for mission. Closely matches Interserve's UK roots, church-partnership model, and placement programmes.
• AWM (Arab World Ministries): A Christian mission specifically focused on the peoples of the Arab World, sharing Interserve's dual emphasis on service and evangelism. Direct peer for the Arab World half of Interserve's mission field.

Broad incumbents

• Tearfund: A major UK-based Christian relief and development agency. Operates in a related faith-based nonprofit space but focuses on humanitarian aid rather than direct mission-sending, making it a broader incumbent peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Interserve_GBI
• Facebookfacebook.com/interserve
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/interservegbi
• Instagraminstagram.com/interservegbi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Interserve