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PEP Talk

Solas

The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast aims to equip listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Each episode, our hosts chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip you to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with your friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus. A production of Solas (Centre for Public Christianity).

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S3 · E32
September 9 · 32 min
Not Just Conversion: The journey of evangelism
The Big 'Yes'. Conversion. Public declaration of faith. That's what evangelism is all about isn't it? That might be the destination, but the journey of faith is full of little 'yeses' and healthy 'maybes' as well. And sometimes, only God knows how important each step is for each individual. How can this perspective encourage us as we seek to share the gospel with those in our lives? Mark Greenwood is the Director of Evangelism for Elim Churches UK. He has been a full-time itinerant evangelist since 1988 and is an associate evangelist with J.John. He is a speaker, author, broadcaster and podcaster. His latest book is Big Yes, Little Yes, Healthy Maybe.
S3 · E31
August 26 · 33 min
Your Community, Your Questions
Many people are afraid to share their faith because they're worried about the questions they might encounter. But one church chose to turn the tables on that idea. They asked the people of Maidenhead what questions they had for God. After receiving 468 responses, they invited respected Christian thinkers to give their answers to the most popular topics on the Maidenhead’s Questions Podcast. Here to tell us about the project are Adam and Ian from St Mary's Church Maidenhead. Listen to the podcast at maidenheadsquestions.co.uk/ Adam Curtis is taller than the average doorframe, a Minister in Maidenhead, and co-host of Delight Podcast. He enjoys country walks, deep chats over cold pints and has recently got into gardening. Ian Miller is the other Associate Vicar at St Mary's Maidenhead. He practised as a barrister for 18 years before becoming a vicar. He is married to Tamsin, has four daughters and enjoys languages, running, history, woodwork and playing music.
S3 · E30
August 12 · 33 min
The Best Kept Secret: Disrupting School Ministry (with Sam McKee)
Sam is a youth worker who wanted to reach thousands of students across 11 schools in his area – within the schools themselves. Impossible? Maybe not when you tap into the "best-kept secret" network of scientists, researchers, and academics who profess Christ. By bringing credible, yet faith-grounded, professionals to speak at assemblies, Sam has created an incredible system for helping schools, getting faith conversations started, and helping young people hear a Christian witness right inside their school. Sam McKee is a research scientist in cancer genomics and DNA repair. Sam speaks regularly to both students and adults on biology, aspects of religion and science, and history/philosophy of science.He joined Aylesbury Youth For Christ as Director in early 2021. He has worked in youth work for 16 years full-time in a variety of roles, as well as spending 3 years in business. He gained a BSc in genetics at Cambridge University, a BA (Hons) in theology at Chester University followed by an MRes. He has a second master’s degree in molecular biology from Birkbeck and two qualifications in education. Sam lives in the Wycombe area with his wife Naomi and 3 daughters. If you're keen to find speakers for your school, reach out to Sam on LinkedIn or at sam-mckee.co.uk He mentions the Faraday Institute, The OCCA, Christians in Science and even Solas as sources for speakers.
S3 · E29
July 29 · 29 min
The Pavement Parish: Street Evangelism for Everyone (with Isaac Olaleye)
What if evangelism on the street, speaking to random strangers, wasn't the scariest thing ever? We are British, after all! PEP Talk is here to break down the barriers, exploring the role of prayer, the importance of community, the release of expectations and the joy of joining God's work in sharing Jesus on the streets of London. Isaac Olaleye works in tech and is also a musician with a heart for people and community. He leads and teaches the evangelism team at Jubilee Church in North London, helping equip believers for monthly street evangelism and outreach. He also serves as a youth leader and is passionate about seeing people live out mission within their everyday lives.
S3 · E28
July 15 · 26 min
Fact-checking Faith (with Derek McIntyre)
“Did Jesus really live, die, and rise from the dead? " Using ancient sources, historical records, and reasoned logic, Jesus the Evidence invites readers and listeners to explore the evidence and draw their own conclusions. Here on PEP Talk, we speak to the honest, no-nonsense Derek McIntyre about his own journey through the evidence and how he is bringing his findings to churches across the country. Derek McIntyre comes from a science/engineering background and was a resolute agnostic until his early 40's. He came to Christianity when he discovered the wealth of compelling evidence pointing to Jesus being the Son of God. He now shares this evidence with others through the Jesus: The Evidence website, presentation and booklet. Derek is also a Street Pastor in Glasgow and helps at Glasgow City Mission.
S3 · E27
July 1 · 24 min
Tackling the Toughest Questions (with Andrew Ollerton)
Whether it's a young person encountering the first challenges to their childhood faith, or a curious person anonymously ordering a Bible online, it can be easy to be thrown off track by stories of slavery, animal sacrifice or other tricky topics found within the Bible. Or if we're in a position to speak about the Bible to others, what happens when we're asked a question about these potential pitfalls? Here on PEP Talk, we find out about a new book by Andrew Ollerton that takes the Bible on its own terms to help address the toughest topics. Andrew Ollerton is a theologian, pastor, author and presenter who makes complex ideas simple and relevant. Andrew lives in Wales and regularly speaks at conferences, festivals and churches and films video content on locations around the world. Andrew recently developed a new edition of The Bible Course with Bible Society and published a new book called God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics. Andrew also works closely with the explorer Bear Grylls. They’ve published a Bible called the NIV for Young Explorers, produced a TV series in Israel and Andrew recently helped Bear develop a brilliant new book called The Greatest Story Ever Told.
S3 · E26
June 17 · 25 min
Our World As Witness (with Xandra Grieme)
God reveals Himself to humanity in two "books" - the Bible and Creation. We're used to using the Bible to explain the gospel, but is it possible to use the natural world to draw people to Christ? Andy Bannister and Simon Wenham explore this possibility with American biologist Xandra Grieme. Xandra's book is Forty Answers From Nature: What We Can Learn about God, Life, and Ourselves by Studying the Natural World and her website is Biopologetics.com Xandra Grieme is a speaker and author. Her scientific research began with studies in parasite behavior. She later worked in a human blood lab developing treatments for blood cancer until finally moving on to conservation of songbirds in New Zealand. Xandra also studied theology at OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, which inspired her to begin writing on the philosophy of science. Xandra has spent extended time living and researching abroad in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the UK. She is passionate about educating Christians on our role as stewards of God’s natural world. Xandra currently lives in Colorado where hikes through the Rocky Mountains are a constant reminder of God’s power and goodness.
S3 · E25
June 3 · 26 min
Marketplace Apostles (with Gideon Okoli)
What does it really mean to live out your faith in the marketplace? In this episode of PEP Talk, Simon and Gavin sit down with Gideon Okoli for a powerful conversation about purpose, leadership, and influence beyond the church walls. Drawing inspiration from Biblical figures like Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, Gideon challenges the idea that spiritual impact only happens in a 'ministry setting' — arguing instead that God positions people strategically in business, government, and everyday work. If you’ve ever wondered how your faith and vocation connect, this episode will inspire you to rethink where and how you can share your faith. Find our more about workplace evangelism at: Transform Work UK The Business Connection (Scotland) Gideon Okoli is a project manager and marketing strategist passionate about helping brands grow with clarity and purpose. Through his work in advertising and media strategy, he helps businesses gain attention and build lasting influence in competitive markets. As a person of faith, Gideon is deeply interested in the intersection of faith, purpose, leadership, and the principles that guide meaningful impact in both business and life.
S3 · E24
May 20 · 29 min
Unexpected Seekers (with Tom Wharin)
Your church might have the best outreach programmes and top-notch facilities, or maybe its struggling to survive on a dying high street in a small market town. Either way, God surprises us with unexpected seekers, especially during this 'odd cultural moment', coming on unconventional journeys to faith. How can we be ready to participate in what God is doing, wherever He's placed us? Simon and Gavin speak with "Two Pastors in a Pub" podcaster Tom Wharin, this time on PEP Talk. Tom Wharin is the minister of Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church in South Gloucestershire. He participates in various Baptists Together ministerial recognition (recruitment and training) groups and is passionate about mentoring and discipleship (of ministers and of Christians in general). He goes mountain biking whenever the opportunity arises and is one of the pastors in the Two Pastors in a Pub podcast, with Matt Frost and Karen Simson. He is married to Jo and they have four young adult footballing kids.
S3 · E23
May 6 · 29 min
Addressing a Crisis of Confidence
What is it that holds you back from sharing the Gospel? For most of us, it boils down to a lack of confidence. We don't have confidence in our knowledge to field difficult questions, we don't have confidence that we won't get 'cancelled' and we might even lack confidence in our own faith itself. So you're not alone! That's why Solas runs 'Confident Christianity' training across the UK to help churches regain their confidence in evangelism. Gavin Matthews and Steve Osmond explain how it works and who it helps. To find out how Confident Christianity can help your church, visit the Solas website here. Gavin Matthews is Solas’s Assistant Director (Scotland) and does a wide variety of work for the organisation. He speaks for Solas in churches and at conferences, co-ordinates the website, writes articles and other Solas communications and presents webinars and podcasts. He also loves networking for Solas and speaking with church leaders about our work. Gavin has been married to Elaine since 1996 and they have three adult children. He has been a member of Perth Baptist Church since 1999. Steve Osmond is a full-time speaker and writer for Solas, focussing primarily on Scotland. He is enthusiastic about evangelism and regularly speaks at universities around the country on the big questions of life and the truth of Christianity from a range of perspectives. He also spends much of his time working with churches and other Christian groups, both to grow their faith and equip them to share their faith in Jesus persuasively.
S3 · E22
April 22 · 29 min
Whose Messiah?: Evangelism to Jewish People (with Aaron Eime)
Here in the UK, we might encounter Jewish people that range from secular atheists to highly religious. But Christians can be reluctant to engage in gospel conversation for fear of political pitfalls or cultural offence. How can we navigate the issues we might encounter when sharing the message of Jesus with his original ethnic group? In this episode of PEP Talk, we find some great encouragement and wisdom around evangelism to Jewish people. Rev. Aaron Eime serves as the UK General Director for CMJ, The Church’s Ministry among Jewish People. Aaron studied in the master’s program at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with a focus on early Jewish and Christian Interpretation of the Bible. He also studied psychology and sociology at Queensland University in Australia. Aaron is a dedicated Bible teacher exploring the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith. He reads Aramaic and ancient Greek and is fluent in German and Hebrew. He has taught internationally, including in Europe, North America, Hong Kong and China. He is married with three children, both he and his wife were born in Australia.
S3 · E21
April 8 · 26 min
A Better Love: Sexual Identity and Sharing Christ (with Adam Curtis)
'A Better Love’ is a new book from Living Out that features a range of people who experience same sex attraction, talking about their experience of encountering God. Today’s guest is one of the contributors, who helps us think through the issues of community, discipleship, acceptance and confusion that we may navigate when sharing our faith with the LGBT+ community. Adam Curtis is a Curate in Sidcup and oversees evangelism at his church. He loves reading the Bible with non-Christians and Christians alike. He studied his BA in theology at Cardiff University and his MA at Oak Hill College. He is taller than the average door post and enjoys playing the ukulele.
S3 · E20
March 25 · 30 min
The Good, The True, The Beautiful: Apologetics for Evangelism (with Peter S Williams)
Research indicates that many people will first consider whether Christianity is something good, before they consider whether or not it is true. But for both these questions, the discipline of philosophy informs how we think about them. Can a stuffy old academic discipline really help much with modern spiritual questions? Steve Osmond and Simon Wenham learn more about what philosophy and apologetics brings to evangelism. Peter S Williams is a Christian philosopher and apologist based in Southampton, England, He is an “Adjunct Professor in Communication and Worldviews” at NLA University College, in Kristiansand, Norway. Peter’s books include: Stepping Stones to Christianity: Reflections on Intelligent Design, Natural Theology, and the Historical Jesus (Wipf and Stock, 2025), A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom (Wipf & Stock, 2019), and A Sceptic’s Guide to Atheism (Paternoster, 2009).
S3 · E19
March 11 · 31 min
Student Mission in 3-D (with Matt Lillicrap)
In the first few weeks every year, Christian Unions across the country put in a concerted effort to reach their campuses - with around 85 'events weeks' happening recently. For many young people, their time at university is a formative and energetic experience, and it is a great opportunity for students to reach their friends for Christ. UCCF is helping them do this through 3"D" ministry: Delighting in Jesus more deeply, Displaying Him more fully and Declaring Him more boldy. UCCF leader Matt Lillicrap explains more to Gavin and Simon on this week's PEP Talk. Matt Lillicrap studied Medicine in Newcastle and qualified in 2006. Until 2013 he worked as a junior doctor, alongside a stint as a staff worker for Christian Medical Fellowship. From 2013-2017 he studied theology for pastoral ministry at Oak Hill College in London, then served local churches in Cambridge for seven years. He is now CEO of Universities & Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), guiding Christian Unions across England, Scotland and Wales. Matt is married to Anika who is a pastoral counsellor.
S3 · E18
February 25 · 27 min
Music For Mission (with Greg de Blieck)
Have you ever wondered why music moves us? It transcends culture, yet is an important part of most cultures. Today on PEP Talk, we reflect on how the gift of music speaks to us about God's character. That makes it an excellent medium for communicating God's truth not only within the church, but also with the culture around us. Greg de Blieck is a Glasgow-based musician and hymn writer. He serves as a Worship Leader at his local church and is involved with the New Scottish Hymns music ministry.
S3 · E17
February 11 · 28 min
Playing the Long Game (with Mark Fleming)
Many sporting clubs are the largest social group in any given local community. Do the local churches view them as rivals, or mission fields? Today, more clubs are recognising the competitive benefits of caring emotionally and spiritually for their athletes, opening up huge opportunities for Christian ministry. Here on PEP Talk, sport enthusiasts Gavin Matthews and Simon Wenham learn more about the the area of sports chaplaincy. Mark Fleming has been chaplain to Partick Thistle Football Club since 1989. He now serves as National Director for Scotland at Sports Chaplaincy UK, where he recruits, trains, and mentors chaplains across the nation. He has provided in-house mental health awareness training at a range of football clubs and sporting governing bodies such as the English Football Association, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby Union and the Camanachd Association. He has written a book on his experiences titled "Confessions of a Football Chaplain" available here.
S3 · E16
January 28 · 28 min
Evangelism in the Age of AI (with Stephen Driscoll)
Is it the dawn of an utopian age? Or will humans be relegated to the Matrix? It certainly seems that recent developments in artificial intelligence will bring profound changes to our world. But right now, profound questions are there to be asked. How can we show that the Christian message gives the best answers, and use AI as a platform for the gospel? Andy Bannister and Simon Wenham chat with Australian author Stephen Driscoll about God, AI and humans. Stephen Driscoll wrote Made In Our Image: God, Artificial Intelligence and You (2024 Matthias Media). He studied at Moore College, the University of Sydney and the University of NSW. Stephen serves with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Canberra, where he disciples Christian students and shares the gospel with nonbelievers. He is married to Lauren and they have two young children.
S3 · E15
January 14 · 28 min
Witnessing on the Ward (with Kelvin Burke)
Many Christians will be familiar with the practice of praying for and visiting those from their own church who might be sick in hospital. But the role of the hospital (or hospice) chaplain can allow for ministry to all kinds of people. What are the challenges, joys, and opportunities experienced in this unique role? This time on PEP Talk, we hear from a hospital chaplain who himself spent eight months in hospital after a car crash which left him permanently paraplegic. Kelvin Burke is the author of "Lake of Tears", a compelling book with a unique application of God’s partaking in the face of suffering. Kelvin is an Anglican minister and Healthcare Chaplain. After his time as Priest-in-charge at St Andrew’s Wakefield Kelvin was called to Minister in Healthcare Chaplaincy, starting out as Honorary Chaplain at Wakefield Hospice and then Pinderfields Hospital where he had been an inpatient for nine months in 1979/80 following a Road Traffic Accident which left him paraplegic. He was appointed Chaplain at Leeds Teaching Hospital during which time he studied for and attained a Masters in Theology at Cardiff University. In 2010 he moved with his wife Jennie and three teenage daughters (Chloé, Katie and Ellie) to the Isle of Wight, and after a short time as Chaplain at Mountbatten Hospice and St Mary’s Hospital, he was appointed Senior Chaplain of Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
S3 · E14
Dec 17, 2025 · 28 min
Embracing the Marginalised (with Kaeli Murphy)
What happens when Christians truly embrace reaching out to the 'least of these' right here in the UK? Those marginalised even by mainstream society - sex workers on the streets of our cities. While we don't think of it as 'evangelism,' surely being 'the hands and feet of Jesus' is a concrete way of sharing the gospel? It's certainly a challenging one! Find out about how Embrace is ministering to those selling sex on the streets of Birmingham and Coventry. Kaeli Murphy is the Project Manager for Embrace in Birmingham and began in post in June 2023 as the services were expanded from Coventry. She has been volunteering and working with Embrace for 6 years alongside working for a community centre as a Youth Worker, and has a Masters in Youth Work and Community Development. Kaeli lives in Birmingham with her husband and leads the youth work at her church. She loves spending time with people, hosting, music and DIY (or anything creative!)
S3 · E13
Dec 3, 2025 · 32 min
2,000 Years on YouTube (with Oliver Dürr and Daniel Kim)
“When people realise that their questions about faith aren’t brand new in the last two minutes, but have been asked thousands of times with really good answers - that would be how history and apologetics meet.” Gavin and Simon (the resident Solas history buffs) hear about an amazing project to bring the history of Christianity to the world - via animation on YouTube! Check out the results at christianstory.com Oliver Dürr and Daniel Kim are co-founders of Christian Story.

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