The Profile

Andy Peck speaks with Matt Hatch, founder of Mosaic Church Leeds, and a leader of one of the congregations, about his book: Metamorphosis: Unlocking your spiritual transformation through healthy discipleship’. They talk about how his church approaches discipleship and the importance of the church leader remaining connected with people, and open to God’s direction if a culture of discipleship is to develop amid the many other claims on time and energy. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Jonathan Evans, Baron Evans of Weardale has worked in espionage since the 1980s, eventually becoming the director general of MI5 (2007-13). In this interview with Tony Wilson, we hear about Lord Evans' Christian faith and how it has sustained him during difficult moments. A crossbench peer since 2014, Lord Evans also comments on what threats the UK might be facing today, and speaks about standards in public life. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity. Subscribe for more interviews, news and analysis at premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Andy Peck speaks with Marcus Culverwell, head teacher of Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School about his call to lead a school. They discuss how much influence a school might have on a child, and consider some themes from his book, ‘Would God go shopping’ and how he is able to help young people consider the wider world and their place in it. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson believes she’s proof that the world isn’t as antagonistic towards Christians as many assume. In this in depth conversation with Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes, she explains her love for Calvinism, why she's written a commentary (of sorts) on the book of Genesis and reveals how her theology has changed over time.

Andy Peck speaks with two men committed to Christians bringing the whole of their lives into the workplace, including their faith. Dave Law is an analytical chemist with Thames Water and Julian Shellard a lawyer with a global pharmaceutical company. They talk about how recent legislation actually encourages Christians to form Christian groups in their workplace and why scare stories about faith challenges at work are by no means the norm. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Andy Peck chats with Paul Friend, CEO of SWYM (South West Youth Ministries) about his book, ‘Fierce Humility: leading in the way of Jesus’. They discuss why Paul wrote the book, which elements of humility are toughest to explore and why humility stands against the self-promotion seemingly required in our social media age. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Andy Peck chats with Simon Holley, the senior leader of Kings Arms Church Bedford and a leader of the Catalyst strategy team with Newfrontiers. They reflect on whether he still stands by his book, ‘Sustainable Power: creating a healthy culture of the supernatural in the church today’, ten years on; how he has stayed motivated working in the same church; and his new coaching ministry: ‘therawleader.com’ The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

"Low grade, slow grade, slow cooked church changes you in ways you can't imagine." That's according to experienced church planter, author and cultural commentator Stephen McAlpine. In this interview with Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes, Stephen argues that regular, habitual church attendance is vital. "If you say, 'we'll go to this service, but next week we won't go, and the week after that we have a sporting event...' don't be surprised that your teenagers don't end up Christian." Born in Belfast, Stephen has experience ministering across many nations including Northern Ireland, England and Australia, where he is now based. He's the author of Being the bad guys: How to live for Jesus in a world that says you shouldn't and most recently Futureproof: How to live for Jesus in a culture that keeps on changing (The Good Book Company). Much of Stephen's work is designed to help Christians in the West share the good news with a world that is increasingly antagonistic towards faith. The appropriate response to Christians being perceived as the 'bad guys', is not for us to become angry or dismayed, argues Stephen. "Let's own our stuff. We have divergent views from the mainstream culture about what human flourishing is about, and what sex and gender are about." It may be uncomfortable, but we're called to stand firm. After all the Gospel is "suffer now, glory later", he says. "You can't get away from that," he adds. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine. Enter 'PODCAST' at checkout for a half price offer premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Andy Peck talks with Christian Szurko, the National Co-ordinator, DialogCentre UK who has been serving victims of spiritual abuse for over 50 years. They talk about why Christians in leadership fall into temptation, how we can guard ourselves and how we might help someone who has been spiritually abused? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Premier Woman Alive's deputy editor Jemimah Wright engages in a profound conversation with renowned author, radio host, and disability rights advocate Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni discusses her journey of living with quadriplegia for almost 57 years and how she's learned to avoid bitterness and instead rest in God's sovereignty. Trusting in God's plan brings a sense of calm and relief from anxiety, she says, emphasising the importance of trusting in God's ability to transform suffering into hope. She shares insights into her life's work, the importance of stewarding influences faithfully, and offers advice for single individuals. The discussion also navigates complex cultural issues facing Christians today, encouraging a return to biblical guidance. Despite battling cancer twice and having covid-19 her faith is stronger than ever. This is a must-listen episode filled with wisdom and inspiration! For more from Premier Woman Alive, visit womanalive.co.uk

Andy Peck talks with Yvonne Tulloch, the founder and CEO of the charity At a Loss. She is a former Canon in the Church of England, and served as the Bishop’s Officer for clergy bereavement for Southwark, who faced the challenge of the very sudden death of her husband. They discuss how the charity was born and why caring for the bereaved is becoming an essential ministry in many local churches. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Debra Green OBE was planting churches, preaching and pioneering social action work when few female leaders were moving in those spaces. Ahead of Mother’s Day, she’s joined by son, Josh Green, who leads youth ministry for 24-7 Prayer, to discuss prodigal sons, working in ministry and what happened when the police arrived on their doorstep. You can also read this interview in Premier Christianity magazine The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity. Subscribe for half price at premierchristianity.com/podcast

Andy Peck talks to evangelist Scott McNamara, director of evangelism at Nations Church in Orlando, Florida about the tool, ‘Jesus at the Door’ which he developed in his time as evangelist at Causeway Coast Vineyard Church, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. How was the tool birthed and used and how can local churches be ‘reapers’ as well as ‘sowers’? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

The leader of Prayer Storm speaks to Premier Christianity's Emma Fowle about wimpish prayers, speaking in tongues with his ten-year-old and the incomparable joy of learning to commune with God. You can also read this interview in Premier Christianity magazine. Subscribe for half price at premierchristianity.com/podcast

Andy Peck talks to Chris Curtis of Youthscape and Nathan Mlandin of Theos, both part of the AI Christian Partnership (www.aichristian.org) about the possible impact of AI: in ministry to young people; the work place; and our personal privacy. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

In this episode of The Profile, the Grammy-nominated Australian songwriter Mia Fieldes (Hillsong, Bethel, The Belonging Co) shares her incredible journey of faith and resilience with Woman Alive's deputy editor Jemimah Wright. Despite facing significant health challenges and fertility issues, including the removal of one of her ovaries, Mia held steadfast in her belief in God's promises that she would be blessed with a child. From grappling with multiple surgeries to overcoming the odds to conceive naturally, Mia explains how she's been able to face life's challenges with hope and gratitude. As a child, Mia found solace in writing letters to God every night expressing her faith and trust in him (and she still has boxes of those letters!). She met her husband through Hillsong Church in Sydney, before moving to Nashville where she now resides. She also recounts how she prayed in faith for a husband and then waited, trusting in God's promises. Her experience of receiving prophetic words and signs, and even dreams from friends about her future marriage, helped her to keep believing. Today, she characterises her journey as being one marked by miracles and an unwavering belief in God's goodness. In every hard thing, there's an opportunity for an upgrade, she says. Read the full story in an upcoming issue of Premier Woman Alive magazine. See the latest subscription offers at womanalive.co.uk The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine. Subscribe for half price at premierchristianity.com/podcast

Andy Peck talks to Alun Leppitt, the European regional representative for Global Awakening- a network of churches which came out of a move of God in Toronto in 1994 – known as ‘the Toronto Blessing’. They look at how as a pastor of a church in Southampton, he was thrust into a wider ministry, what an ‘apostolic network’ is, and why he values corporate worship so highly. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Robert James Rogers, Baron Lisvane, is a crossbench peer and former Clerk of the House of Commons (2011-2014). He's also chairman of the Royal College of Organists and, married to a Church of England priest, has a deep love for church music. In this interview with Tony Wilson, Lord Lisvane explains the inner workings of the houses of parliament, recalls how traditional chapel services were central to his life as a youngster and recounts a memorable lunch with the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine. Subscribe for a reduced rate at premierchristianity.com/podcast

Andy Peck speaks with Tyler Prieb, a New York-based pastor and missiologist who is the founder of Missional Labs - an interdisciplinary community that works to launch new, imaginative ministry ventures in our modern missional context. They talk about how they collaborate with missional projects over several years to complement work done in local churches, how they work in the UK, and how he finances his work The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine Subscribe now from $1/month

Few Christian politicians of our generation have dared to voice orthodox views on marriage, family and sex. When they have, there’s been a fierce backlash from their colleagues and the media, as former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron MP experienced. Miriam Cates MP, however, is not only Conservative in party but conservative in policy – and not ashamed to say so. She has spoken out against radical transgender ideology, extreme sex education in schools and is in favour of the traditional family. This has been met with some intense opposition that has, at times, bordered on abuse. So perhaps it's no surprise that this relative newcomer to politics tells Heather Tomlinson that “courage” is needed. This interview was recorded at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) and is available to read now at premierchristianity.com and in the print magazine The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine. Enter 'PROFILEPOD' at checkout for a special half price subscription