The Profile

After many years of alcohol abuse, Emma Heath was desperately lost. A decision to go into treatment and rediscover her faith led to healing and a role helping others in recovery. Sam Hailes hears the full story. In part two, we talk to Neil O'Boyle - the national director of British Youth for Christ. He talks about his experiences ministering all over the world and explains why the Church needs to get serious about reaching young people today.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile Follow Emma Heath on Twitter @RecoveryTwo and Neil O'Boyle @NeilOBoyleYFC  

Ken Fish, founder of Kingdom Fire Ministries tells Justin Brierley about his life story and training in supernatural healing ministry under John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Church. Ken now ministers around the world and says he sees supernatural miracles on weekly basis. Nevertheless he saw his friend and evangelist Nabeel Qureshi die of cancer last year, despite Ken’s prayer ministry. He shares his story, experience and theology with Justin. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile For more information about Kingdom Fire Ministries visit kingdomfireministries.org/

On the first part of today's show, Alex Williams meets Petr Jasek, a Christian worker who spent 450 days in prison in Sudan for offences including spying and inciting violence against the state. Petr always denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was in Sudan to document persecution against Christians there. Ostracised by other prisoners, he was beaten and found himself sharing a cell with Islamic State fighters. Wrangling by diplomats from numerous countries eventually secured his release last year. In this interview, Petr talks about life in prison and how his faith brought him through his harrowing ordeal. In part two of The Profile, Sam Hailes sits down with Lois Tverberg, author of new book Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus. Lois shares her story of growing up in a Lutheran family, becoming a scientist and later discovering how studying the Hebraic background and context to the Bible can make the scriptures come alive in a fresh way. Lois speaks passionately about her life's work and shares a number of insights which will help Christians understand Christ's words in the New Testament. She also shares openly about the need to avoid dangerous excesses which can sometimes be found within the Jewish Roots movement.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

Sir Colin Humphreys was knighted in 2010 for his services to science. The Cambridge scientist tells Justin Brierley about his Christian faith, how he reconciles science and faith and his intriguing work looking at the scientific explanations for Old Testament events including the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus and the sun ‘standing still’ in Joshua. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

The pastor who conducted the wedding ceremony of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian dropped into the Premier studios just after speaking at the Alpha leadership conference at the Royal Albert Hall. In this in depth interview Rich Wilkerson Jr, who pastors VOUS church in Miami, Florida shares his testimony and introduces his new book Friend of Sinners: Why Jesus cares more about relationship than perfection. He also opens up about his friendship with Kanye West and comments on the need for Christians to follow Jesus and be full of grace and truth. In responding to accusations that he's sugarcoating the gospel, Rich is clear: "Yeah I am! If the medicine gets in, the medicine gets in. I'm going to do whatever I can! That's called being a good fisherman. Last time I checked Jesus said 'I'll make you fishers of men'. What is fishing? You're putting bait on a hook!" Read this interview in Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow Rich on Twitter @richwilkersonjr For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile    

John Lawson lived a life of crime that resulted in a prison sentence. He still thought of himself as a good person until a passage in Ezekiel changed his life forever. Sam Hailes here's the full story on this special podcast-only episode of the show.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow John on Twitter @ifwicked For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

Keith Getty, Co-writer of 'In Christ Alone', talks about his upbringing, musical background, and the challenges of songwriting. He emphasizes the impact of his songs on the global church. The interview also delves into his family life, involvement with charity, and future plans.

It's a double-bill this week as Sam Hailes sits down with David Kinnaman and Ron Matsen. David Kinnaman is a bestselling author and president of Barna - a research company working with churches and Christian organisations. According to David's research, many people's perception of Christianity is negative, with believers often being viewed as 'extremists' by wider culture. Although he believes the dominant culture, both in the US and UK could be described as 'spiritual Babylon', David is upbeat and explains why he's hopeful about the future of the Church. Ron Matsen is the CEO of Koinonia House (K-house) a Christian ministry founded by Chuck Missler - a much loved Bible teacher who passed away earlier this year. Ron discusses much of Chuck's teaching and legacy (including his occasional focus on aliens and the paranormal!) and explains what the next steps will be for the ministry of K House. He also shares some of his own story of attending Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa during the height of the Jesus People movement and later pastoring a small church in Portsmouth, UK. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow David on Twitter @davidkinnaman Follow K-house on Twitter @koinoniahouse For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

Although he grew up in a Christian family, Graham Tomlin hasn't always believed in God. His teenage rebellion was a little unusual. "It wasn't sex, drugs and rock and roll," he says, "it was reading Nietzsche!" In time and through the help of Christian friends who stuck by him, he came to see the version of Christianity he'd rejected was "a childish" one. Now he's the President of the UK's largest 'vicar factory' St Mellitus, a host of the popular Christian podcast GodPod and the Bishop of Kensington. What draws these things together? His calling to explain how the Christian faith makes sense of life. Speaking one year on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, Bishop Graham also reflects on how the churches he oversees sprang into action in the hours following the fire. He also urges the media to be "responsible" as the one year anniversary draws near, pointing out how many local people are still distressed by the events of 14 June 2017.  The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow Bishop Graham on Twitter @gtomlin For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

Lucy Peppiatt is Principal of Westminster Theological Centre. She talk to Justin Brierley about how she came to faith, being a charismatic and a theologian and her extensive work uncovering the real meaning of what Paul wrote about women and worship in 1 Corinthians. The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. For a free sample copy of the print issue visit premierchristianity.com/freesample Follow Lucy on Twitter @lucepeppiatt For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile