The Commission Files

Kerry and Will chat with Diane Holt of Thrive Ireland. Last time we heard about a church which was reaching out to its community, in that particular case, to a local prison. But most of us don't live near one! What could other churches do in the communities where they belong? Should they shift their mindset? Diane trains and equips churches to answer those questions for themselves, in something called Church Community Transformation. We also hear from some Fermanagh Christians who, with Diane's help, have started on the journey of discovering what it could mean for where they live. Diane is also an actor and singer - listen for stories of auditioning for the Sound of Music, being Sleeping Beauty at the Arts Theatre - and touring with the Riding Lights Theatre Company and its faith-based drama, back when we were all very young... Produced by Commission Christian Radio

With a prison on its doorstep, one church in south Belfast decided it would build relationships with it. No small task, given that Hydebank College and Female Prison - like any other - sometimes appears in the news in anything but a positive light. Is it a part of the community, or apart from it? Will Leitch and Kerry Greig welcome Ruth Walker from Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church, and from Hydebank College and Female Prison, the governor, Richard Taylor, and one of his senior managers, Hollie Murray. For stories of encouragements, setbacks, new friendships, and sitting up all night in the lambing season...listen on! Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Is Northern Ireland a place apart? More "religious" than Great Britain? Here's a remarkable snapshot of current Christian faith in Northern Ireland. David Smyth, the head of Evangelical Alliance here, joins Kerry and Will to discuss his charity's new report, "Good News People". It has some startling findings for an era considered to be increasingly secular, or even post-Christian. Half the population of NI self-identifies as practising Christians. A fifth, as Evangelical. And yet almost 60% don't go to church. Really? Are the findings right? What even is an Evangelical these days anyway? Produced by Commission Christian Radio

In a triumph of diary matching, Kerry and Will meet David Montgomery, known as "Monty" to his friends and associates. He works as the Regional Director for IFES Europe. IFES is the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. In other words, Monty and his staff support all the CUs or Christian Unions at universities and colleges across the continent of Europe. We also hear a little about his new book The Unfinished Story. A disturbingly fervent Man City supporter, Monty lives on the shores of Strangford Lough but spends roughly half his time travelling and meeting many of Europe's future church leaders - did they but know it. Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Cost of Living Part 2. Kerry Greig and Will Leitch dig deeper into the issues surrounding the cost of living crisis, and the response of Christians to it. Who is "standing in the gap"? Last time they heard from three groups that are really making a difference. This time they're thinking about the plans, strategies and partnerships Christian churches are pursuing or could pursue with government and wider society. Danielle McElhinney of Evangelical Alliance and Rev Brian Anderson of East Belfast Mission help Kerry and Will think about the realities of "standing in the gap". Produced by Commission Christian Radio

In this special extra edition of The Commission Files, Will Leitch meets Alan McBride. Alan appeared on many news outlets in Autumn 2023 as people marked the 30th anniversary of the Shankill Bombing which killed ten people. He's well-known in Northern Ireland for his work with the Wave Trauma Centre, as a peacebuilder and a voice for people affected by "The Troubles". In that bombing, Alan lost his young wife Sharon. He tells Will his story. How, as a young Christian man, a father and widower, he went through every emotion imaginable. Grief, anger, and despair. Curiosity, resolve, love and hope. Take a listen now, for Alan says the season for giving interviews is over. This is his story, one last time. *A shorter version of this interview first appeared on the podcast "Inspired to Act" from Thrive Ireland. Special thanks to Thrive's Director Diane Holt for allowing us to play this interview in full. Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Cost of Living Part 1. "It could be you.." That's a phrase Will Leitch and Kerry Greig heard over and over again as they researched and recorded this edition of The Commission Files, focussing on the cost of living crisis. Many people are struggling to make ends meet for themselves and their families. Most never imagined it could happen to them. Will and Kerry hear from three groups trying to make a difference, Christians Against Poverty, St Vincent de Paul, and The Trussell Trust. For them, there's a "holy discontent" with the way things are. Listen to the stories they tell, and you'll also get a little pre-Christmas audio treat! Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Kerry Greig and Will Leitch welcome two new guests to Studio 2 at Commission to hear how Christians work in so-called "restricted countries' - where traditional Christian outreach models simply aren't possible. "Matt" from Business as Mission makes a serious point with some Christmas cookies. And David Middleton from Sat-7 talks about satellite tv broadcasting to a potential audience of around half a billion people across the Middle East and North Africa. Produced by Commission Christian Radio

In this first episode of "The Commission Files", Will Leitch and Kerry Greig introduce you to David Moore. He serves as a Presbyterian minister. He's also the first minister for decades the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has sent to work specifically in West Belfast. "It's an area", says David, "we've neglected for far too long..." You'll hear how, on his arrival, he was told by his new community that Presbyterians were "so much a part of us". You'll also learn a little bit about Commission Christian Radio, the producers of this podcast, and how they dramatise the Bible. Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Will Leitch and Kerry Greig with news of a new podcast series - coming soon - from Commission Christian Radio. Produced by Commission Christian Radio