The Trust was established through the estates of the late Lewis Alfred Silson (1975) and his sister, Eunice Silson (1977). Their vision was to support elderly and vulnerable members of churches affiliated with the Assemblies of God in New Zealand, particularly within the Auckland metropolitan area.
Initially, the Trust’s purpose was to establish a rest home, retirement home, convalescent home, or hospital to serve elderly and/or needy members of these churches. The founders also provided for the creation of a missionary aid fund to support retired missionaries in New Zealand and missionaries on furlough in the country.
In 1981, the trustees revised the Trust Deed to broaden its charitable scope. These amendments expanded the Trust’s purposes to:
- The advancement of religion by providing assistance, relief and support for Pastors, Ministers, and Missionaries of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand.
- The relief of poverty by providing assistance, relief and support for the elderly, infirm, disabled, or needy members or adherents of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand.
In 2014, the trustees undertook further amendments to ensure the Trust remained aligned with current legislation while continuing to honour its original charitable intent. At that time, the Assemblies of God in New Zealand comprised a movement of approximately 240 churches nationwide.