The Profile

On this week’s show, Rev Nadim Nassar, the Church of England’s only Syrian priest, talks to Megan Cornwell about growing up in Syria and the constant threats to his life which led him to a deep sense of trust in Jesus and to his calling as a peacebuilder. He shares stories of the Syrian Muslim experiencing profound visions of Christ in the war-torn country at the moment and he shares a strident message for the CofE’s leaders, whom he says have failed “to step up their challenge to the government” and end the conflict in his home country. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample 

On this week’s show, Mark Sayers, the pastor of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia talks to Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes about his life and ministry. Mark speaks on a variety of topics related to church and culture, including his own experience of failed church plants, the dangers of “digital capitalism” and his definition of revival as ‘renewal gone viral’. He also opens up about his own mental health struggles and shares a touching story of how waking up to graffiti plastered across his church building one Easter Sunday led to an unexpected moment of Christian unity. Follow Mark on Twitter @sayersmark The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample   

It’s a double bill this week. The Nashville based country star Josh Turner talks to Premier’s Simon Tuck about his music career, and why faith matters to him more than anything. Then in part two, Maria Rodriguez meets co-author of The Bible of the Year, Pippa Gumbel. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample 

On this week’s show, Ortis Deley talks to Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes about his Christian upbringing, why he doesn’t go to church anymore and the ups and downs of a career in broadcasting. Ortis is best known for previously fronting the BBC’s flagship morning show Live & Kicking, and today presenting The Gadget Show on Channel 5. In this in-depth interview, he answers questions on young people, technology and opens up about how a blunder on live TV almost cost him his career. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

Andrew Peterson’s biggest struggle is believing the truth that God loves him. Not because God isn’t loving, he explains, but because “I’m not lovable”. It’s a surprising admission from a man who has sold thousands of records and tours internationally. In this in depth interview with Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes, Andrew opens up about a variety of topics, including his battle with depression, why community is so important to him, and his reflections following the ‘Is he worthy?’ music video controversy. Speaking during the first ever Hutchmoot gathering in Oxford, Andrew also recalls growing up in the “troubled culture” of the American South, how his faith has matured over time and why he recently became a bee-keeper. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

During a recent visit to London, Shane Claiborne met with Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes to discuss a number of issues close to his heart. Claiborne is well known as a social activist, author and campaigner who has long advocated for nonviolence and simple living. Recalling his formative experience working with Mother Theresa, Claiborne speaks about the importance of loving the person in front of you and following Jesus in everything. He is part of a movement know as Red Letter Christians, who emphasise the words of Jesus printed in red in some Bibles. The co-founder of that movement Tony Campolo recently had a change of heart on same-sex marriage. Has Shane been on a similar journey? And does he really think the problems of gun violence in the US and knife crime in the UK can be overcome? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7JLQOH8fRQ&feature=youtu.be The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

On this week’s show, the founder of The Message talks to Megan Cornwell about his life and ministry. Andy Hawthorne OBE was previously a member of the band The Worldwide Message Tribe, and has been involved in evangelistic efforts for over 25 years. In this in-depth interview, Andy explains why he believes the UK Church needs to do a better job at raising up evangelists, and comments on how 2020 is set to be a significant year for anyone passionate about sharing the gospel. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

As his long-running Premier Christianity column draws to a close, Rob Parsons chats to editor Sam Hailes about his ministry with Care for the Family, the disruptive nature of technology and the power of vulnerability. The former lawyer has sold thousands of books, including The Sixty Minute Father and The Money Secret, and is known as an expert on family issues, but he’s as friendly, relatable and down to earth as he has ever been. In this interview the 71 year old reflects on life growing up in rural Wales, the importance of honesty and vulnerability, why he often feels like a “rubbish Christians” and what the future holds for him. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample You can also read this interview in the latest issue of the magazine.

On day three of his new job as CEO of the UK’s oldest and largest evangelical unity movement, Gavin Calver met Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes to discuss his vision for the organisation to become ‘braver’ and ‘kinder’. The pair also talked about secularisation, LGBT issues, social media, revival, the death of nominalism, whether or not preachers should talk about Brexit and why a global view of Christianity should fill us with hope.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample

The actor best known for his portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot talks to Premier’s Justin Brierley about his faith. David Suchet, CBE was converted after reading Romans 8 in a hotel room Bible. In this in-depth interview he reveals what it’s like to be a Christian in the worlds of stage and screen, why he’s not a very good evangelist and what it was like to record an audio version of the entire Bible.   The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the latest issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample