The Profile

Andy Peck talks with a retired head teacher about what he’s learned from several decades leading Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School. What parts of his role has he warmed to, what Christian influence does he think he has been able to have and what are the transferable principles for leaders in other walks of life? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Best known for leading the multi-site National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C., Pastor Mark Batterson has also authored nearly 30 books, most notably The Circle Maker, a guide to persistent prayer which has sold over a million copies. Batterson came to Christ at the age of five after watching a Billy Graham film and describes himself as a "congregational mutt" going Church to Church in his early years, not settling on a particular tradition. That sense of being something of an outsider must surely have led to his inventive approach to Church planting that would eventually follow. At the age of 24, having abandoned a Church plant in the Chicago area, he spotted an ad in a Christian magazine for a role at the Urban Bible Training Center and went on to found National Community Church, famously transforming a former crack house into the largest coffeehouse on Capitol Hill and converting an abandoned apartment building into a community centre. Today, NCC owns and operates Ebenezer's Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, the Capital Turnaround, and Culture House, a portfolio that reflects his idea that Church belongs in the marketplace. In this interview with Premier's AJ Gomez he talks about his business successes and failures, taking the long-term approach and why he takes his shoes off when he writes. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks with the founder of ‘28 Too Many’ about her work helping raise awareness of the downsides of FGM (female genital mutilation) in African nations and the diaspora and her progress since the work started in 2010. How have local churches responded to the campaign, which nations have seen a reduction in the practice and what would she say to younger leaders who have a similar passion to see change? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Philippa Hanna, the British Christian singer-songwriter, is best known for her heartfelt vocals that bridge worship and mainstream music and which have made her a familiar face at large-scale Christian festivals for the last two decades. Hanna was born in Sheffield in the mid-80s and grew up in musical family, influenced by her Irish father, who was a touring performer. As well as her own musical success, her brothers Stuart is the former bassist of the band Jamiroquai, and, as discovered in 2025, Peter Cunnah, the lead singer of 90s band D:Ream Hanna discovered song writing aged 10. After a turbulent teenage period she met a Christian musician who introduced her to church and the concept of Jesus and was later saved at a worship event. Understandably she is passionate about music and its spiritual effects and is protective and outspoken about how the traditional music industry 'objectifies' it for profit. Through her multiple albums such as: Through the Woods, Speed of Light, Come Back Fighting, and the worship-focused Stained Glass Stories her music has taken her beyond Christian festivals into wider audiences and she has performed alongside major artists such as Lionel Richie, Little Mix, Marti Pellow, Lulu, and Anastacia. In this episode of The Profile she talks to deputy editor of Premier Christianity Magazine Emma Fowle about the responsibility she feels as a mentor to young women, the surprise and joy of finding out she had a half brother and how she copes with unsolicited parenting advice. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Rich Johnson wears two hats quite comfortably. On the one hand he's an archetypal parish vicar working out of a parish in Worcestershire, and, on the other, he is the leader of New Wine England a non-denominational charity supporting Christian leaders in their everyday work. Johnson grew up in Manchester and moved abroad with his family where he was educated in Belgium and Hamburg. He went on to study Geography at Cambridge and through a college chaplain was introduced to Jesus. He describes his conversion as 'intellectual' with the Holy Spirit coming in later and he realised quite quickly that he wanted to become a vicar. He now ministers at the 'dreamy church' of All Saints in Worcester which he took over in 2009, a place for and by families. Stewardship of New Wine came later. The organisation has made a name for itself primarily through its summer festival in Bath - a hit for those who like loud worship and family focussed seminars. "What is new wine?" he answers, "it's about renewal." In his latest book Holy, Healthy Humble he invites the reader to a smaller more authentic vision of Christian leadership in a world saturated with look-at-me celebrity and explores the idea of what the Lord is doing in the Church right now. In this edition of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his happy but non-Christian upbringing, how everyone needs therapy and how to keep new wine 'new.' The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

In a repeat of a classic episode Andy Peck chats with Kathryn Segal about how God led her to share her challenges with depression on social media, and how she saw so many helped by her revelations. As a pastor’s wife in Canterbury, they look at the value in a leader sharing their weakness. There must be limits to what and how you share? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

In a repeat of a classic episode Andy Peck chats with Kathryn Segal about how God led her to share her challenges with depression on social media, and how she saw so many helped by her revelations. As a pastor’s wife in Canterbury, they look at the value in a leader sharing their weakness. There must be limits to what and how you share? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Broadcaster Swarzy Macaly is known for her infectious energy and can be heard on both BBC Radio 1 and the BBC Radio 1XTRA's Weekend Breakfast Show. She's not shy about being real about her faith and tells the story of finding God after being caught shoplifting, and praying to be let go. Not long after that she found herself in church, gave her life to Jesus and hasn't looked back since. After winning a national competition with KISS FM to become a presenter for the weekend breakfast show she admits her 'yakking' helped secure her first job and now blends broadcasting with other interests. She is also an activist and has been vocal about the injustice facing victims in the wake of London's Grenfell Tower fire. Her latest venture is The Last Supper Club, a series that blends faith, food, and community: "Cooking never tires me" says the presenter, who hopes matching The Bible mixed with delicious food will be enough to entice people to hear more about what has changed her own life so much. In this episode of The Profile with Premier Christianity deputy editor Emma Fowle, Swarzy talks about her parent's reticence towards her conversion, being out and proud about her faith in the workplace and her thankfulness for God's grace. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

In a repeat of a classic episode, Andy Peck talks to the co-authors of Mid-Faith Crisis: Finding a path through doubt disillusionment and dead ends, about their own journeys and how we might help those we know whose faith is 'not working'. How can we listen well to their concerns . The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Dr Martin Shaw the storyteller and mythographer - someone who studies myths - was well exposed to the ancient tales from an early age. He grew up in a Baptist household in Devon in 1970s with a preacher for a father ad in a house with no television or phone but with access to lots and lots of books. It is no wonder then, that he became fixated with stories and particularly myths. However by his early adulthood he had grown tired of the way the stories of Jesus were told in church, always with a message and a point that made a "muscular sermon." He came to a point, where, in his own words, he "hit the enough button." A number of decades later, following a long stretch living in a tent, as well as writing and performing as a musician and oral storyteller, he found himself praying to God in nature and had a profound spiritual encounter. The experience brought him back to Christianity and he is now a practising Orthodox Christian. Shaw has written a number of books drawing on Celtic, Siberian, Greek myths as well as Christian traditions. His latest title: Liturgies of the Wild released earlier this year is already New York Times bestseller. In this episode of The Profile with Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes he talks about his early life story, how myths and stories provide a link to our ancestors and the incredible story of what brought him back to Christ. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with one of the directors of Eastgate Church in Gravesend and author of ‘Unwrapping Lazarus: Free to live as God intended’ and ‘Faith: Discovering and using the resources of Heaven’. They discuss his new venture supporting a church in the Netherlands and how particular mindsets might affect a nation. They also consider developments in a ministry he founded, 'Heaven in Healthcare', which aims to unite those in healthcare to be a heavenly influence where God has placed them The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

As the world waits to see how humanity might be reshaped by artificial intelligence, Al Gordon believes now is the time to protect human creativity. As rector of SAINT Church Hackney in East London, he is passionate about the idea that our creativity comes from our connection with the ultimate creator, and that this divine spark is something worth guarding. SAINT itself has undergone a remarkable restoration. The church has stood in East London since 1275, but with an injection of £6 million in National Lottery funding, it has been transformed into a landmark building, now serving both its parish and hosting international musicians and world-class artists. Gordon became a Christian alone in his bedroom while listening to worship music. Raised outside The Church, that moment led to a journey of curiosity as he began asking questions and exploring faith more deeply. In his twenties he worked in film before being drawn to Holy Trinity Brompton in London. He later became a church leader himself and helped found Renaissance movement, which encourages artists and creative professionals to integrate faith and vocation, while also reimagining cathedrals as centres of culture. Gordon is also the author of Spark: Ignite Your God-Given Creativity, where he encourages Christians to resist burnout and the algorithm driven culture, instead rediscovering their God given creativity. In this edition of The Profile, he speaks with Sam Hailes, editor of Premier Christianity, about why he believes technological change may be accompanied by a new spiritual and creative renaissance, much like the one that followed the Middle Ages. He also reflects on his visit to the revival at Asbury University in 2023 and the signs of what he describes as a quiet revival already stirring. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought provoking Christian content including the latest news, inspiring interviews and commentary on all that God is doing around the world today. Get your next three issues for just £6 at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks with the Associate Minister, Lansdowne Church and Director of the School for Discipleship about how the importance and assurance of the resurrection of Jesus. They also talk about how the Discipleship School began and is run.The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

With a Catholic mother and a Jewish father perhaps Aaron Abrahamson was always set to spend his life bridging two different traditions. He grew up in America and after his mother converted to Judaism his parents brought him up in the Jewish faith eventually moving to Israel themselves when he was a teenager. There Aaron attended Yeshiva - a traditional Jewish school which focuses on studying the Torah, Talmud and Jewish law. He completed his mandatory military service in the Israeli army and served in Lebanon 1992-95 which he describes as a "volatile period". During that time a close friend was kidnapped, tortured and killed and the experience shook him. After three years he left the military with a desire to look for answers to life's big questions. He came back to America and began travelling, encountering people along the way, some of whom introduced him to The Bible and one of whom who directly challenged him to read The Gospels: "I felt drawn to his person of Jesus and I couldn't explain why and a lot of the things he (Jesus) was addressing were questions I had had in the Yeshiva." Abramson joined Jews for Jesus over 20 years ago, directly evangelising to the Jewish community in places like New York, often on the streets in bald, quite direct ways sometimes garnering criticism for that -but he hasn't looked back. His new book Mission Design talks through how the organisation deconstructed their approach, figuring out what worked and what didn't and sharing it with people undertaking similar missions of their own. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Sam Hailes, Premier Christianity magazine editor, about his own search for Christ, the struggles connecting his Jewish heritage with his Christian faith and how unique and important Jews for Jesus mission is. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the author of ‘Beautiful Leadership: your personal framework for authentic impact’ about how the book came about and two themes explored in the book: listening and empowering. Can we listen too much? How does empowering differ from delegating and how might be better empower those we lead? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

As the former head of Religious Broadcasting, Michael Wakelin knows a thing or two about producing programmes about God, often to audiences who have little or no faith. He spent his early life in Africa with his missionary parents, first in Sierra Leone and then later in Kenya, which he says influenced his own faith in his formative years. Returning back to the UK he went on to study theology at Birmingham University. As a graduate he landed his first job reporting church news at BBC Radio Norfolk before moving onwards and upwards, later working for The Sunday Programme at Radio 4 as well as the iconic Thought for the Day - eventually heading up Religious Broadcasting for the BBC. Wakelin is now Executive Chair of the Religion Media Centre, an independent charity which serves to improve the quality of media coverage of religion and belief by offering daily religious news briefings, context and background information to big news stories as well as media training. In this episode of the Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Magazine Editor Sam Hailes about his life and career, his desire for what he calls 'religious literacy' in the media and his passion for Norwich City football club. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the founder of Kingdom Living Ministries about hearing God’s voice. How does she respond to the evidence that some church leaders have data mined information and claimed that God had given it to them? How does she understand prophecy today and how might we better hear from God for our own leadership? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Grace Jin Drexel was thrust into the spotlight because of her father Pastor Ezra Jin. On October 10th 2025 he was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese authorities along with other pastors from Zion Church in a suburb of Beijing. He is officially charged with the "illegal use of information networks” and still remains in jail. The persecution against Zion Church and Christians more widely in China began in 2016 when the first rewriting of the regulation of religion in China began. It led to independent churches- those not associated with the state - beginning to feel a fresh wave of repression from the authorities. Pastor Ezra founded Zion church in 2007. It went on to become one of China’s largest underground Christian house church networks. "China is a hard country to minister to," Grace says, speaking as someone who is now an American citizen. Now, with her background in human rights, she advocates for her father and his release. In this intimate episode of The Profile Grace speaks to Tola Mbakwe, Premier's News Editor, about what it was like growing up as the daughter of a Christian pastor in China, her hope for his release under President Trump's administration and how God is not giving up on China. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the Head of Training and Principal of Westbrook Academy, at Urban Saints about how training youth leaders is to be a major part of the charity’s ministry going forward. They talk about why the change was needed, what kinds of training opportunities now exist and how God had prepared Keith for this new ministry role The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Chadwick “Chad” Gardner is pretty transparent about wanting a hit song. One that could take care of the kids college fund, "could I just get one, that would be great!" But the American Christian singer songwriter and founder of the Seattle-based band Kings Kaleidoscope knows their music is niche and that's fine too. They're a musical outfit that blend alternative rock, orchestral, hip-hop and modern worship all in one. Throw in personal testimony, hymns and some honest doubt and you have a bold, unfiltered kind of worship music that refuses to hide the struggles of faith while still reaching for hope. Chad grew up in a Christian home playing piano then drums and says he "didn't have a before and after moment of knowing Jesus" it was just always there. But, he struggled with anxiety and had panic attacks. When he did, he imagined God was with him. Early in life his music brought him to the megachurch Mars Hill where he was a worship director for a number of years and before the ministry was hit by controversy in 2014 over bullying allegation against founder Mark Driscoll. While members of Kings Kaleidoscope come and go, Chad remains the existing founding member and they now tour internationally, most recently in London at Koko in Camden Town. In this interview with Premier's Jamie Pratt, Chad talks about his slow by steady climb to 'niche' success, being cancelled from the Christian music events after swearing in a song and his honest desire for a hit. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the author of ‘Kingdom apprenticeship: Dallas Willard’s Formational Theology and Missional Vision’, about Willard’s approach to leadership. What does Dallas mean by his belief that we are ‘training for reigning’ and ‘what God gets out of our life is the person we become’? How might his approach to spiritual formation help leaders today? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Lindz West who heads up the popular Christian electronic dance band LZ7 has every reason to be happy. He's part of one of the most successful UK Christian bands. They've achieved multiple top 40 singles in their 20 years together. They're now supporting one of the biggest popstars in the world - Jason Derulo - in his The Last Dance tour. For the band whose whole purpose is to communicate the love of Jesus to young people it's just another chance to get their faith across. West was born to Christian parents and as a child his father had a role working on the Billy Graham revival missions. While he grew up in the Church he drifted and went to America to play basketball and hangout with friends though later got pulled back on track by a pretty girl at a beach mission. Following a stint in the city, he realised he needed more purpose in his work and began working and playing with The Tribe, the genesis of which would later become LZ7, touring and working in school clubs sharing the message and love of Jesus. LZ7 is deeply rooted in evangelism and mission, beginning life in a young offenders prison, with strong links to the Christian charity The Message Trust which works with tens of thousands of teenagers in schools each year. West believes that music, especially LZ7's kind, has a way of cutting through which is universal and that the 'big music event' has a way of capturing the imagination of young people in a way nothing else can. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity editor Sam Hailes about his latest single The Perfect Duet, the difficulties of being a Windsor boy when working with inner city kids in Manchester and why LZ7 is not a boyband but a 'man band.'

Andy Peck chats with the author of ‘Rediscovering Church as Networks: The ongoing story of the non-denominational Charismatic Churches. What kind of leadership did they develop and what might we learn from their development and leadership challenges they faced? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Spring Harvest is arguably one of the most identifiable UK Christian festivals in the calendar seeing between 10 and 20 thousand people descend upon Butlins in Minehead each Easter for family-themed activities, worship and bible study. Now it has a new leader at the helm- Jo Moir - whose deep background in the Salvation Army has given her plenty of experience mucking in and dealing with different types of people. The former midwife grew up in Guernsey to parents who were part of the Salvation Army but in her early teens she walked away and got in with a 'rough crowd'. A prayer brought her back as her mother went to Africa and looking back now she regards her time as a prodigal as valuable. Moir describes the Salvation Army as Christianity with 'its sleeves rolled up'. It is no doubt her open and vibrant personality that brought her to the attention of the BBC, which led her to feature in a documentary, later becoming friends and mentor to the comedian Paul O'Grady . In this interview with Premier Christianity editor Sam Hailes, she talks about her fascinating family history, the opportunities she believes there are for God to move at big Christian events and the importance of all Christians to ask themselves 'why' they're doing whatever it is they're doing. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the founder of Growing Hope, who five years ago shared her vision of having 20 therapy clinics to help families with children with additional needs. They discuss how the vision has grown, how many more clinics are needed and what she has learned about leadership along the way. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Adineke Adewale has forged an unusual but successful career path in not just one but two fields. After studying law she went on to work in the Ministry of Justice in the International Team of the Judicial Office of England and by day rubs shoulders with judges and chief justices from across the world. But by night it's a different matter. Back in 2021, the then 29-year-old auditioned for The Voice, reaching the semi-finals with her powerful vocals. The experience launched her music career and she can now be seen performing as Whitney Houston in Queen of the Night, the musical about the American singer's life. It's an interesting dual life which Adewale seems to manage effortlessly. Growing up with Christian parents she learned to hold two different things together quite easily, often attending different churches- a catholic tradition from her mother and a Baptist one for her father. Since then she has gone on to work in Christian youthwork and speaks openly about her walk with God and her faith in his purpose for her life. In this episode of The Profile the Londoner talks to Premier Christianity magazine Deputy Editor Emma Fowles about her stage nerves, the advice she'd give her younger self and her belief that anyone can be a powerful witness for Christ no matter what they do for work. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the creative consultant, who spends his time with people who run organisations of all kinds, helping them clarify and communicate vision and overcome obstacles that lie in the way. They look at why people come to him for help, how he helps them communicate better and what to do if you have lost your joy engaging in the ever challenging work of leading a local church. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Harry Benson, Research Director at the Marriage Foundation didn't start out with an interest in psychology and relationships. In his early life he became a Royal Navy helicopter pilot serving in the Falklands during the conflict aged just 22. He went on to work in finance in Asia and had two children with a thriving social life. His marriage and life, seemed perfect from the outside but from the inside it was falling apart. He and his wife had little time to spend with each other and were living more as flatmates than intimate partners. They were on the brink of divorce. But following a series of counselling sessions that helped he and his wife Kate learn to communicate the pair reconnected. Now Benson helps other couples navigate family breakdowns, which, according to Benson, now stands at an all-time high. In this interview with Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes, Harry talks about the mistakes he made in his early life, the issues of children living without both parents and why a lack of attention to one another is more dangerous than adultery. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy the thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with the founder of The Good Book Company about the books that have shaped his leadership journey, Desert Island Discs style, in particular in shaping the growth of TGBC. The books include: Good to Great by James Collins, The Three-box solution by Vijay Govindarajan and Faithful Leaders by Rico Tice, and many more. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

The New York born preacher Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell admits he ran from God at first. The 2819 Church founder grew up in Queens to Bible believing parents who took him to church and yet, in his own words, he still chose sin. His running took him to the south of America where after some soul-searching he turned to Christ, married and following a powerful experience in Israel returned to the US. In the next ten years - which he refers to as being 'forged' - and with his wife Lena, he began 2819 Church in Atlanta. Mitchell's preaching and ministry is focussed on calling America back to a more orthodox Christianity and now prays and preaches for a revival away from materialism which he believes, amongst other things, has gripped the Church in his home country. In this intimate interview with Premier's AJ Gomez he talks through the twists and turns of his early life and powerful experience he had in Israel which lead him to the path he is now on. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck chats with Aaron Shah, a songwriter, poet, artist, and coach who leads weekly times of worship on the streets of Sheffield city centre. They talk about the vision God gave him for the work, how many more are now leading similar events in towns and cities across the UK, and the practicalities of getting started. His website is www.worshiponthestreets.co.uk and email address [email protected]. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

It was a marathon that began Mike Dickson's journey into giving and launched him into starting one of the UK's most unique charities. Back in the nineties Dickson was running to raise money for a child who he had met who had cerebral palsy and had limited mobility. He was inspired to do something for her and any money raised from sponsorship would go towards a motorized wheelchair. They made £9 but after the race, Dickson wanted to do more. He founded Whizz-Kidz, which provides mobility equipment for disabled children. 35 years later is it now the largest UK supplier of paediatric mobility aids outside of the NHS. Dickson is also the founder of Rainmakers, which finds philanthropists and marries them up with charities that need financial support and of which Desmond Tutu was a patron. The subject of giving is close to Dickson's heart and he is the author of Our Generous Gene and more recently How to Be a Better Human. On this episode of The Profile he talks through his work's life, it's up and downs and why he thinks we are more blessed when we give than when we receive. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck catches up with his first ever guest 20 years later. He’s still leading Church Without Walls as part of Eleos Ministries. They talk of the loss of his wife, being a single parent and the place of mercy ministries for the church today? What would he say to a young leader starting out? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Andy Peck is joined by Wayne Dixon, from Christian Connections in Schools, working with pupils and staff in schools in Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead. They talk about what is concerning young people today and how to best connect. What changes has he noticed since he began working with young people 40 years ago? Has he noticed an upturn in interest in Christianity? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Andy Peck talks with Jenny Pillar and Rich Gower, who are involved in a new venture, ‘Counselling Carers’, which has as its strapline: improving the lives of the most vulnerable by caring for their carers. He asks Jenny Pillar, founder and clinical director about her vision for the work and Rich Gower, the managing director, about the options he faced when looking to structure the work to be sustainable. How can we develop our visionary ideas to serve others? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

American missionary Heidi Baker says she's been preaching God's word for 50 years but 1995 was the year when life changed and she answered the call to go to Mozambique. She has been there ever since. Through her humanitarian organisation Iris Global she has been serving some of the most poor in the region whether that was helping families in crisis, caring for orphans or being a vessel of healing for those with real debilitating illnesses through God's grace. Her work has put her and her family in the cross hairs of ISIS militants and she has had to make difficult decisions about the safety of those closest to her. However, through all that she has found a way to minister to those in her community and found a way to love her enemies. In this powerful interview Heidi talks about her decades of dedication to God, her hope and happiness for the future of the quiet revolution, her pride in her own university work and God's unfailing Grace. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our latest HALF PRICE offer plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Celebrating 20 years and 1000 episodes of The Leadership Show, we repeat part of the first ever show with Kurt Erickson, founder of Church Without Walls, looking at his call to leave New York for London. In the second half we repeat part of an interview with Sarah Mullally, then a vicar in Sutton and now Archbishop of Canterbury designate. Why did she leave a senior position in the NHS for ordination? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Celebrating 1000 episodes of The Leadership Show this month, we dip into the archive to feature parts of two classic shows as Andy Peck talks with Dallas Willard, author of 'Personal Religion, Public Reality?: Towards a Knowledge of Faith' and David Heywood, author of 'Reimagining Ministerial formation'. With Dallas they look at the four questions everyone has to deal with and what it actually means to follow Jesus in the kingdom of God. With David they look at why ‘every member ministry’ requires a major change in culture in many local churches and at a practical way to help Christians grow spiritually. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Celebrating 1000 episodes of The Leadership Show this month, we dip into the archive to feature parts of three classic shows as Andy Peck talks with Eli Gardner of Kids Matter, Jenny Costa of Rubies in the Rubble and Carrie Longton of Mumsnet about how their respective ventures came about. What might we learn about responding to an idea or prompting we receive? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Allan Finnegan's stint on Britain's Got Talent in 2020 made him known to millions. The Baptist minister turned stand up comedian, who wears his dog collar in stage and draws on his experience as a minster, impressed all the judges, including Simon Cowell who gave him a standing ovation. Finnegan made it to the semi-finals but his journey there was unorthodox. He grew up in Bootle in the 70s, a poor area of Liverpool where 'he knew no different' and went into work in construction. It was only when he began dating a girl that he was encouraged to go to church, realised people there really did believe what they were saying, and got the bug. He became a Baptist minister himself, then feeling a similar call to comedy began doing gigs in the Liverpool circuit, eventually having his talent acknowledged by the judges audiences of BGT. More recently Finnegan's been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer which ultimately has spread to liver. In his new book I Didn't Ask for Any of This he draws on his unique faith journey amid the realisation that the tumour is now incurable. In this episode of The Profile he speaks to Premier Next Gen's Gareth Crispin about what led him to Christ, how 'bad' he felt he was at his first role as a minister, why one-person-one-mic is still as relevant as it's ever been and how cancer helped him re-evaluate his faith. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Celebrating 1000 episodes of The Leadership Show this month, we dip into the archive to feature parts of two classic shows as Andy Peck talks with Ian Parkinson author of Understanding Christian Leadership and then with Trevor Waldock founder of Emerging Leaders. Should Christian use ‘secular’ approaches? What does the Bible say? What role does story play in a leader’s understanding of self and others? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

The new Archbishop of Melbourne Ric Thorpe is no stranger to change. He's an accomplished church planter and until very recently served as the Bishop of Islington. But even with that experience, he still admits that moving with his wife over 10,000 across the world is both exciting and daunting. Thorpe grew up going to church and as a schoolboy attended a boarding school where chapel was mandatory. It was only when he reached university that he encountered the Christian Union made some lifelong friends and had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus for the first time that set him off on a deeper relationship with God. After university he put a promising career with Unilever on hold to work at a Christian bookstore at Holy Trinity Brompton in London for 2 hours a week, eventually becoming ordained and later rising to bishop. His passion and experience for church planting gave him a name following a successful church plant from HTB to St Paul's Church in Shadwell which combined with an openness to listen to different traditions, particularly around prayer. Now, in his new role he is the first bishop to be installed as the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne in Australia in nearly 70 years. In this episode of the Profile he speaks to Premier Radio's David Senior, himself a Church of England priest, about his Christian walk and how we need to be bolder in talking about the hope that Jesus brings, as he insists, "don't let the costs stop you." The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks with the founder of Jubilee Leadership and former pastor, Andy Hickford, about engaging in politics from the pulpit. What are the dangers? How might we do it and what should we make of the rise of what is called ‘Christian Nationalism’? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

The British broadcaster, journalist, and campaigner Charlie Webster has known her fair share of trauma. As a child in Sheffield she was abused by her stepfather and watched her mother be the victim of domestic abuse. Later as a young teen she was groomed and abused again by her running coach. She speaks openly about her experiences and its effect on her and campaigns for greater scrutiny on the issue calling for greater understanding around women's mental health and trauma. Fortunately her interest in sports never waivered and Webster became a journalist initially working as a TV presenter for Real Madrid going on to work for ESPN, Sky Sports, Channel 4 and British Eurosport covering boxing, cycling, athletics and ice hockey among other sports. In 2016, she became critically ill with malaria after a 3,000-mile charity cycle from London to Rio and was told she might die. She credits the help of a nurse who found the Church she had connected with in the UK before she left and God's purpose for her along with people's prayers for her recovery from around the world. In this interview with Emma Fowle, Associate Editor of Premier Christianity magazine, Webster talks openly about the trauma that made her, the battles she faced in a sexist world of sports journalism and how she's happy to speak out for those who cannot speak. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks to the founder of Destiny Coaching about tricky areas leaders may not easily address. What about imposter syndrome? What do we do when we doubt our faith? How can coaching provide a healthy context for discussion and ultimate growth? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

Dr Matthew Porter admits he may not be a greatest or even the most natural Evangelist himself but says his own passion for sharing The Gospel tends to override that. It must be this quality that has lead him to his current position as Champion Lead Bishop in Mission and Discipleship in the Church of England. Porter is also Bishop of Bolton and serves as one of three Anglican bishops within Greater Manchester bringing over 30 years of ministry experience with spells serving as Honorary Chaplain to both Queen Elizabeth II and Charles III. He grew up in a Christian Methodist household and says he heard the voice of God quite early on, much like Samuel, also learning that prayer was powerful- it could do things. The call to ministry came at university and with a move over from his Methodist childhood to the Anglican Church. Bishop Porter is also the author of number of books including The Art Of Journalling and the A-Z of Prayer, providing practical guides on some of the key elements of faith. In this interview he talks to David Senior, a Church of England vicar himself in the Diocese of Guildford, about his early life and coming to faith, his love of journaling and how sharing faith and evangelism is simply speaking about the joy that exists within you. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks with the missiologist and assistant professor about how AI might assist pastoral care and theological study, from his book ‘AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence’. How might AI serve as a tool for pastors and will AI revolutionise College study? Todd shares principles from his vital book. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

The writer and publisher Stephanie Duncan Smith was raised by Christian parents in the state of Maryland in the US, so from a very young age faith was woven into her life. Smith likes to talk about in terms of 'rhythms' and says there were three that dominated her early life: Church, dinner and reading. It didn't take long for her to develop an instinct for 'the word'. She is now the senior editor for HarperOne which produces books on religion, spirituality and growth, among other things, and is part of the Harper Collins publishing house stable. She also writes herself publishing the Slant newsletter on Substack which is aimed at writers hoping to hone their craft. Her book, Even After Everything: The Spiritual Practice of Knowing the Risks and Loving Anyway, explores her personal experiences of loss alongside themes of joy, and hope. In this conversation with Emma Fowle, Associate Editor of Christianity Magazine, she talks about the changing of the seasons and the sacredness of the year focussing particularly on Advent and how it ended up having deeper meaning to her after a period of personal grief. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

Andy Peck talks with the author of ‘When Jesus Met Hippies: The Story and Legacy of the Jesus People Movement in the UK’ They look at what we might learn about revival from those days. What are the similarities between 70s and today? What might we learn about the sad fall outs that occurred and what is the key message for church leaders today? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com

"God gives us human curiosity" says the renowned American physician-geneticist Dr Francis Collins whose is best known for his leadership of the Human Genome Project and his contributions to finding a vaccine for Covid. It's curiosity which has helped Collins play a part in some of the most extraordinary scientific discoveries of the modern age. Born in 1950, Collins trained as a physician and geneticist, eventually becoming the director of the Human Genome Project. Under his leadership, scientists successfully mapped the entire human genome providing the first complete blueprint of human DNA. He went on to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) being a guiding force in the medical advances in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also a pivotal member of the team that discovered the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis. Collins’ grew up in a secular home but embraced Christianity, finding that faith and scientific inquiry are not enemies but complementary paths to truth. His latest book The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith and Trust examines the challenges society faces and suggests a way forward that emphasises the importance of truth, science, faith, and trust. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his work and the resistance he has had to it in recent years, how he sees politics divide people - especially Christians- and how he believes studying science is worship. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.