The Profile

Jay Lowder was seconds away from ending his life when an unexpected interruption, followed by a dramatic revelation of Jesus’ love for him, changed everything. He tells Sam Hailes the full story.    The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity. Subscribe from $1/month at premierchristianity.com

The Profile podcast is changing! In the coming weeks, we'll be bringing you bonus interviews on the subject of leadership, in order to help you use your influence for God's purposes. Premier's resident leadership expert interviewer Andy Peck has been having conversations with preachers and pastors for the past 17 years. You'll be hearing some the best of his interviews right here on The Profile po...

How did a former stand-up comedian, referee and Argos manager become the vicar of St Matthew's the Apostle, Burnley? In this in-depth interview Fr Alex Frost speaks to Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes about his call to ordained ministry, the challenges of working in an area where poverty and addiction are commonplace, why he struggles to read his own book and his passion for inclusion within the...

As Nicky Gumbel retires from leading the UK's largest Anglican church, Megan Cornwell sits down with his successor, Archie Coates, to discuss the new direction of the 3,000-strong evangelical community of HTB. In this exclusive interview, Rev Coates explains his position on LGBT issues and reveals the painful past experiences that have shaped and influenced his walk with God. The Profile is brough...

Michael Youssef doesn’t pull his punches. Within minutes of his conversation with Premier Christian Radio's Esther Higham, the 73-year-old preacher was holding forth on “the woke movement”, warning that Black Lives Matter was “Marxist” at heart, “based on a lie” and wanted to destabilise Western democracies. Dr Youssef has strong political views. But he’s much better known for his theological stan...

"Christianity isn't about rules, it's about a relationship." It's a common phrase said by many Christians, but it isn't true. That's according to Bible teacher Jen Wilkin. In this in depth interview with Premier Christianity 's Sam Hailes, which was recorded on location at The Village Church (Dallas, Texas) Jen reveals the deeply personal reason behind her passion for Bible literacy among women. S...

In her student days, Cole Arthur Riley was an atheist eagerly searching for peace, in what she now smilingly describes as a "grand search for ultimate truth". Reflecting back, she thinks that journey turned out to be a mask to placate her own discomfort with mystery. In this in-depth interview with  Premier Christianity 's Sam Hailes, the author of the critically acclaimed book  This Here Flesh  a...

The British entrepreneur and founder of Vitae London is our guest on The Profile podcast this week. William Adoasi sits down with Sam Hailes to explain how profits from the sale of every watch funds a school uniform for a child in sub-Saharan Africa. Given that he has been mentored by Richard Branson, the company has generated £1.1m of revenue and celebrities such as Paloma Faith and Emeli Sandé h...

In this special episode, Tim Bechervaise catches up with the Australian church leader and cultural critic, Mark Sayers. Mark is the author of  A Non Anxious Presence  and a leading Christian commentator on world events.    Read Mark Sayers' cover story on finding peace in the age of anxiety in Premier Christianity magazine   You can also read this interview at premierchristianity.com

Speaking ahead of the release of his Channel 4 documentary on grief, the Rev Richard Coles talks about losing his partner David, and how that bereavement effected his faith. In this special edition of the podcast, Richard also shares his view on the Lambeth Conference, and the ongoing discussions and disagreements in the Anglican Communion on LGBT issues.   You can also read this interview at prem...

He may be retiring from leading the largest Anglican Church in England, but Nicky Gumbel has huge plans ahead of him. In this interview with Premier Christianity's Emma Fowle, Nicky reveals what's next... You can also read this interview in the latest issue of Premier Christianity. Receive the next 3 print issues for just £5. Visit premierchristianity.com/subscribe

John Sutherland joined the Metropolitan Police in 1992, having dreamed of being a police officer since his teens. Rising quickly through the ranks, he experienced all that is extraordinary about a life in blue: saving lives, finding the lost, comforting the broken and helping to take dangerous people off the streets. But for every case with a happy ending, there were others that ended in desperate...

Ex soldier Eric Maddox pioneered an interrogation technique which led to the capture of one of the world's most wanted men. But if it wasn't for hearing the voice of God, he never would have joined the military. The Profile is brought to you in association with the UK's leading Christian magazine. Subscribe to Premier Christianity now for only £4.95/month at  premierchristianity.com/subscribe /

In this exclusive interview, the British-Nigerian novelist opens up about her unexpected conviction for money laundering, and explains how the love and support of her church family helped keep her faith alive while her husband was in prison   Hope and Glory  by Jendella Benson is out now  You can also read this interview in Premier Christianity magazine   Subscribe and receive 3 issues for just £5...

The daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaks to Megan Cornwell about apartheid, the legacy of her famous father and how her gay marriage led to a break with South Africa’s Anglican Church.    You can also read this interview in Premier Christianity magazine . Subscribe to the UK's leading Christian magazine in print and online for just £4.95/month.  http://premierchristianity.com/subscr...

Natasha Hemmings has spent her career smashing stereotypes. Can you be a Christian and a Miss England star? Can you be a classically trained vocalist who makes pop music? The answer, it seems, is 'of course!'. Speaking to Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes, Natasha shares her testimony, which includes her never-before-told story of encountering "a warm glow" in her bedroom, which she knew to be the...

Nia-Cerise Conteh was living a life of pleasure and idol worship before an encounter with the Holy Spirit in her kitchen changed the trajectory of her life. In this episode of The Profile Nia-Cerise tells Premier Christianity's Megan Cornwell how God has been using her story to bring thousands of non-believers to a knowledge of Christ.  The Profile is brought to you in association with the UK's le...

As London Community Gospel Choir celebrates its 40th birthday, their founder explains why he’s still intent on making music for the masses. Rev Bazil Meade MBE is no ordinary septuagenarian. The 71-year-old co-founder of Europe’s leading gospel choir has played in front of some of the highest profile international audiences, and continues to perform with extraordinary energy, exuberance and flair....

The beheading of 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians in Libya by Islamic State in 2015 brought worldwide attention to a Church that has endured persecution throughout its 2,000- year history. The first Coptic (the word means ‘Egyptian’) Orthodox Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, said he forgave the killers, and in the same year was awarded an OBE for his work as an advocate for religious freedo...

Franklin Graham is in good spirits when he meets Premier's head of news Marcus Jones in London's Hyde Park Corner. He's excited to be visiting Speaker's Corner, the place where many evangelists have preached and debated over the years. Many there have faced fierce opposition because of the message they preached, something Graham himself can sympathise with. The US based evangelist, whose father wa...

Ordained Baptist minister Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana grew up in Nigeria in a polygamous family. In this interview with Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes he explains more about his 'tough' family background and the story of how he came to the UK to work as a reverse missionary. Israel also speaks about his role at the Evangelical Alliance, and why we need to keep talking about race within the...

Shermara Fletcher might be the Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations at Churches Together in England, but she's also learned to appreciate - and even embrace - other Christian traditions. In this interview with  Premier Christianity 's Sam Hailes, Shermara explains how Anglo-Catholic spirituality is nourishing her right now. She also opens up about her experie...

Ahead of his UK debut at Big Church Day Out, the trailblazing worship leader (Bethel Music, Maverick City) and fashion model (Tommy Hilfiger) talks to us about breaking boundaries, hearing from God and why he’s ‘traumatised’ by the thought of being a Christian celebrity.    You can also  read this interview  on premierchristianity.com.  Subscribe now for just £1

Dami Okeke sits down with the popular singer and Gospel artist Mandisa to hear about her journey to faith. Mandisa first shot to fame after appearing on American Idol. Her new book is  Out of the Dark: My journey through the shadows to find God's love   The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity. Subscribe to the UK's leading Christian magazine from just  £1

When Rhys Stephenson joined  Strictly Come Dancing , most people over the age of twelve would have been forgiven for not knowing who the CBBC presenter was (the 28-year-old has spent the majority of his professional life interacting with a puppet dog called Hacker!) But the prime time BBC One show has propelled the presenter to new heights, and in this conversation with Premier Christianity's Emma...