The Profile

Andy Kind is best known for his work in the world of comedy. The award winning comedian has taken his stand-up shows to bars, clubs and churches across the country. But it seems that era might be drawing to a close. Explaining the reasons for his retirement from popular Christian summer festivals such as New Wine, Andy opens up about how he believes God is calling him to preach. This week's interview was conducted by Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes, who met Andy in an Eastbourne pub just hours before the comedian's stand up performance across the road at a local church. Andy would perform his stand up set that Saturday evening then preach the following morning. It's become a new pattern in his already eventful career which has seen Andy play thousands of gigs, write a number of books and even run a Christian conference centre. In opening up about past failures (and he isn't afraid to be honest, describing one project as "a big mistake"), Andy reflects on lessons learned, why Christian comedy doesn't have to be second rate and why he's "more relaxed" than ever. He even gives us an insight into what he calls his "gardening phase" and reveals the one word stand up comics can never say.  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 Andy on Twitter @andykindcomedy For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

The most prominent religious freedom defender for China, Bob Fu explains how he went from an atheist to being imprisoned for leading an underground church. After severe persecution for his Christian faith, Fu fled China to the United States and founded China Aid. The charity brings attention to China’s religious and human rights violations, while also providing legal help for Christians facing injustice. In this in depth interview, Fu shares harrowing stories of persecution demonstrating why the crackdown on Christians in the country is the worst it’s ever been. But he also shares testimonies of how the Church in China remains victorious as the Christian population continues to rapidly increase despite suppression. 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 Bob Fu on Twitter @BobFu4China For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

It's a double bill on this week's show! Claire Musters talks to the well known leadership coach and popular speaker Jo Saxton ahead of her appearance at New Wine this summer. Jo has Nigerian roots but grew up in London. She explains how she faced many battles against racist attitudes and negative stereotypes and now seeks to minister to women and “build their confidence so they can be unleashed”. In part two Sam Hailes talks to the musician and singer-songwriter Tom Read. Tom spent many years working for a church in Hong Kong. He now lives in Oxford and has released a new EP titled 'Lament'. In opening up about his own mental health struggles, Tom explains why he believes we need a diverse range of worship songs to sing in church. He also reveals how he's gone through a recent process of deconstructing his faith.  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  

A bumper edition of the show in which Justin Brierley speaks to four significant Christian leaders across science, theology, church and culture. Hugh Ross and Ken Samples join Justin at Unbelievable? The Conference 2018 on Sat 19 May. More info and tickets at www.premier.org.uk/justask 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  

  If you thought Jesus Culture was just a band then think again. It's actually a global movement with a mission to "awaken hearts to worship and demonstrate the love and power of God". In this in depth interview, the group's founder Banning Liebscher explains how Jesus Culture was birthed out of Bethel Church's youth group. When the worship band's cover of 'How He Loves' was (illegally!) uploaded to YouTube, their music suddenly went viral. Today, the band continue to release songs which impact the global Church and Banning laughs as he recalls often being mistaken for the soundguy. In sharing his message for the UK Church, he also explains why he's so optimistic about the future of Christianity in Europe. 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 Banning on Twitter @thebanning For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

As the daughter of Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz grew up in a devoutly Christian family. In this in depth interview, she tells Charmaine Noble-Mclean how her faith has grown and changed since the early days. Her late father once called her "the best preacher in the family", but Anne says she doesn't view herself as "exceptional" but aims to simply take life one day at a time.  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 Anne on Twitter @AGLotz For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

It's thanks to an "annoying Christian girl" who kept pestering Tim Chaddick to go to a Christian event that the now pastor is where he is. The teenager drove two hours to San Jose - a city the Los Angeles based Chaddick "hated" to see a Christian band he also "hated". But everything changed when the gospel was preached. "I was undone. I was weeping...I knew in that moment Christ had paid for all of my sins". In this in depth interview with Sam Hailes, Tim shares his testimony in full, explains why he's so committed to church planting and reflects on the differences and similarities between ministry in the USA and the 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 Tim on Twitter @timchaddick For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile

Christian pastor, teacher and scholar Dr John Andrews was enjoying what he describes as "a blessed life". The popular speaker and author was ministering across the world and pioneering churches in the UK. "You want to believe in God's blessing and prosperity and everything is going to be good," he says, adding "And we had a very blessed life." But in May 2015 everything "dramatically changed" when John's son was arrested and charged with a serious crime. In this in depth interview, John opens up about the worst moments in his family life and how God brought them through the other side. In talking about both the high points and low moments in his ministry John also answers questions about how Christians should engage with scripture, the unique challenges of pastoring small congregations and why there's a time to be honest and admit that God's plan doesn't make sense to us.  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 @drjohnandrews For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile    

Sam Hailes travels to the oldest Pentecostal church building in the world to meet the Christian musician, singer-songwriter and rabble-rouser Dave Griffiths. The former pastor has recently been through a process of deconstructing his faith and questioning previously long-held doctrines. The Bournemouth-based artist has emerged more certain than ever that God's love is real and with a greater sense of his own calling. In this in-depth and wide-ranging interview Dave also charts his musical journey, including how he formed the popular Christian bands BOSH and Chaos Curb Collaboration. He also opens up about his personal struggles related to mental health, theology and the UK Church.  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 Dave on Twitter @davegriff For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile  

Thousands listen to her upbeat talks every week. But TV preacher Joyce Meyer has plenty of critics too. Maria Rodrigues met her to find out who she is off-screen. 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 Joyce on Twitter @JoyceMeyer For more interviews with leading Christians visit premierchristianradio.com/theprofile