The Profile

Premier Christianity magazine

Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences.

The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God.

Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership.

The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.

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20 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes20

Newest first

Thursday · 25 min
The most successful female Gospel artist of all time CeCe Winans on making counter-cultural choices
With 18 Grammy Awards and decades of ministry behind her, CeCe Winans remains a living example of a life surrendered to God through the gifts He gives us. Winans grew up as one of ten children in Detroit, straight into a household saturated with gospel music. Her parents raised their family in the Pentecostal tradition, and church was the foundation of everything, including the music that would define her life. Winans first found fame singing alongside her brother BeBe as the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans before launching a solo career that would make her best-selling and one of the most-awarded female gospel artists in history. Her 1998 album Everlasting Love showcased her talents and songs like Alabaster Box and Goodness of God have become worship staples in churches worldwide. In the course of her career she has sold 27 million records worldwide, is an inaugural inductee in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville. The now 61-year-old says she considers her music to be her ministry though she has spoken openly about stepping back from it at points to focus on things such as co-founding a church alongside her husband, Alvin. Today, CeCe and Alvin co-pastor Nashville Life Church, where their son serves as lead pastor. In this episode of The Profile she talks to deputy editor of Premier Christianity magazine Emma Fowle about musical life as ministry, her hopes for the next generation and prioritising her marriage over her work. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
Wednesday · 25 min
Tribute to Andy Peck, presenter of the Leadership Show
Long-time presenter of The Leadership Show Andy Peck has died aged 64 following a short battle with cancer. Andy spent over three decades encouraging and equipping Christian leaders through presenting Leadership special editions of this podcast, as well as wider broadcasting for Premier Christian Radio and writing for Premier Christianity magazine. In this special episode, we air a previous interview with Andy about his own faith journey, and hear tributes from his colleagues.
July 23 · 51 min
KXC's Pete Hughes on why the 'heavy rain' of revival is on the way
Pete Hughes is the founding and senior pastor of King's Cross Church (KXC), an Anglican church he planted in central London in 2010. Back then, the zone 1 destination was a grimy, transitional area on the brink of massive transformation. The vision behind the plant, in Hughes's own words, was "to recklessly give themselves away to God, each other and the people of King's Cross and beyond." Without a permanent building, KXC began by renting space for Sunday gatherings while meeting midweek in homes and pubs around the area. But it paid off. Over more than a decade, Hughes grew the church from that small core group into a larger community, with a strong emphasis on worship, prayer and mission in what he has described as one of the most secularised parts of the West. Now he's got a vision for something else. It's what he calls the 'heavy rain' of revival. A reference to Elijah in 1 Kings 18, and he is looking expectantly for the first signs of spiritual awakening, even when the immediate evidence seems small. In this episode of The Profile he speaks to Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes about the growth of KXC, what it feels like to have the keys to his neighbour's church and his thoughts on Gen Z's search for God. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
July 16 · 1 hr
Fusion's Luke Smith: students are the "biggest mission opportunity since the Billy Graham rallies in the 1950s"
Luke Smith the national leader of the Fusion Movement, a Christian student mission, has spent his life calling students to follow Jesus. His own journey began at university in the 1990s. Since then Luke has walked alongside students through the transformative journey from "nervous fresher to confident graduate" - convinced that the university years are formative for the whole of a person's life. At the heart of his ministry is a deep conviction: that the local church, not a parachurch movement alone, is best placed to reach students with The Gospel, disciple them well, and send them out as missionaries to their own generation. Now serving as National Team Leader for England and Wales, Luke leads Fusion Movement's work of equipping local churches to reach students across the country. He's convinced that students carry extraordinary potential for the Kingdom, and believes it's the biggest missionary opportunity that the UK has had since Billy Graham came in the 1950s. In this episode of The Profile he speaks to Premier Christianity magazine editor Sam Hailes about how 'being an idiot for Jesus' helped him overcome issues with the Church, what drew him to student mission and what comes after surviving cancer. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
July 9 · 29 min
From Britain's Got Talent to Holy Island: Ashley Banjo's walk with God
Ashley Banjo, is best known as the dance troupe leader of the hugely successful group Diversity who first captured the nation's hearts on the talent show Britain's Got Talent in 2009. They famously beat off favourite Susan Boyle for the crown and all when he was just 21. Banjo was raised in Essex, the son of a former heavyweight boxer and a dance teacher and began dancing at age five. It was a passion that was nurtured by his parents. He was raised with some exposure to Christianity and he has spoken candidly about drifting from it before rediscovering a deep, personal faith during the isolation and uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. That season of reflection led him back to The Church and to a renewed relationship with God, one he has since described as central to how he navigates fame, family, and purpose. His faith took on public dimension in 2026 when he joined BBC Two's Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island, walking alongside people of differing beliefs, including an atheist, a Muslim, and a non-practising Jew, along ancient routes tied to Celtic Christian saints, through Whitby Abbey, Durham Cathedral, and finally Lindisfarne. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Inspirational Breakfast's Esther Higham about his walk with God and the things he learned on the pilgrimage. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
July 8 · 26 min
Leadership Special James Poole: ‘Leading a charity people want to work for’
Andy Peck chats with the executive director of Wycliffe Bible Translators which featured in the Sunday Times best places to work survey last year. Why was this charity able to achieve such good results? They explore why they believe they are able to get so much right and how this might translate into your working environment. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
July 3 · 57 min
Content creators Jay Painter and Lewis Rebaudo: Atheist to Christian in just 12 weeks?
Jay Painter and Lewis are digital creators who have captured global online attention by documenting a unique, real-time journey through faith. It's a compelling premise: Jay, is a Christian and felt a strong conviction to invite his best friend, Lewis very much an atheist, to attend an Alpha course. What began as a personal invitation transformed into a social media docuseries where they can now been seen on TikTok and Instagram documenting the entire multi-week process. Each episode captures Lewis’s raw, unfiltered reactions to core Christian theology, moving from initial scepticism to deep, heartfelt reflections on life, meaning, and the supernatural. The pair avoid aggressive debates and manage to resonate with millions due to the genuine respect, vulnerability, and deep-seated friendship. In this episode of The Profile they talk to Deputy Editor of Christianity Magazine Emma Fowle about pushing their friendship through big questions, Jay's own testimony and journey to Christ and the personal journey the Alpha course has taken Lewis on. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
July 1 · 26 min
Leadership Special Pete Carter: ‘Leading a cultural mindset shift’
Andy Peck chats with the co-founder of Eastgate Church, Gravesend about setting a biblically based cultural shift in a church in the UK and the Netherlands where he helps lead a team part-time. They talk about the importance of demolishing the strongholds that can grip the thinking of a congregation and how to set a new course that enables communities to flourish under God. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
June 25 · 49 min
Christian author and publisher Lauren Windle on why books need to give answers
British journalist Lauren Windle has had quite a faith journey. After years of cocaine and alcohol addiction, she got sober 12 years ago and went on to study neuroscience and addiction studies grounding her recovery in faith and academic rigor. Windle has built a career as a journalist for outlets including Vogue, Marie Claire, HuffPost, MailOnline and Woman Alive often writing about faith, dating, addiction and womanhood from a Christian perspective. She is the author of several books including: Notes on Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church, Notes on Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men and Drawing as Prayer. Each of which blend candid personal testimony with practical theology for younger Christians navigating modern life. In her latest iteration she has stepped into the role of Commissioning Editor for the leading Christian publishing house SPCK. In today's edition of The Profile she talks to Woman Alive editor Jemimah Wright about the business of books; what publishers are looking for in new pitches and talks about the roster of new authors on their books. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
June 24 · 26 min
Leadership Special Dave Bookless: ‘Leading people to care for creation’
Andy Peck talks with the co-founder of A Rocha UK and now Head of Theology, A Rocha International. What led him to be concerned for the environment? Why found a charity? Has the UK church ‘got the message’ several decades later? How different is leading in the UK and Internationally? How might church leaders today get involved? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
June 18 · 48 min
Less Waste Laura - her call to Christians to reject consumerism and put the planet first
Laura Anderson, known to hundreds of thousands of followers as Less Waste Laura is one of Scotland's most passionate voices in the fight against plastic pollution. Raised in Newton Mearns, Scotland, with a lifelong love of the outdoors, her environmental awakening came on a New Year's Day walk when she discovered plastic waste strewn across a white sandy beach on the east coast of Scotland. Inspired by the BBC's Blue Planet II, she made a resolution to live more sustainably and began documenting that journey online. Anderson went on to study Geography and Environmental Science. She became a Christian at university, a time when she actively thought about what her faith meant to her. She has spoken about how she came to see The Bible as the foundation for her campaigning, recognising that Christians are called to be stewards of God's creation. She is a Tearfund ambassador, and has partnered with organisations ranging from local independent businesses to global brands. Among her most celebrated achievements is her campaign to ban single-use disposable vapes which resulted in a UK-wide ban that came into force last year. She was awarded Scottish Influencer of the Year 2024/25 in recognition of her work. In this edition of The Profile Laura talks to Deputy Editor of Premier Christianity magazine Emma Fowle about her desire for people to live less consumerist lives, how climate awareness is directly tied up with her notion of being chosen by God and her current 'battle' with single-use plastic communion cups. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
June 17 · 27 min
Leadership Special Iona Ledwidge: ‘Leading young people back into employment’
Andy Peck chats with the chief executive of Spear about her work helping young people back into employment. They look at the challenging stats suggesting one million aged 16-24 are not in training, education or employment in the UK. They look at Spear’s highly successful programme that coaches young people in Centres dotted around the country. What do they do and what is the secret to their success? How can coaching serve leaders as a tool to encourage and empower others? Young people find out more at https://www.spear.org.uk/spear-programme/ Check out the Speak conference for church leaders https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-spear-conference-tickets-1984055848452The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
June 11 · 51 min
Professor John Lennox: The world's foremost Christian apologist on his remarkable life story
In this week's edition of the Profile we celebrate Professor John Lennox, one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of Christian faith and modern science. Born in Northern Ireland in 1943, he was raised in a family of deep faith and went on to earn doctorates from both Cambridge and Oxford universities, specialising in mathematics and the philosophy of science. He served for many years as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, where he remains Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. Lennox is a gifted mathematician, philosopher, and apologist who has authored more than a dozen books exploring the relationship between science, reason, and Christian belief. Works such as God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?, Gunning for God, and 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity have found audiences far beyond the academy. He is perhaps best known internationally for his public debates with prominent atheists including Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, in which he made the case with wit and warmth that science and Scripture are not enemies but allies. As President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, he has lectured in universities and churches across more than sixty countries. During the Cold War he made repeated visits numerous communist countries behind the Iron Curtain sharing Bibles and his faith meeting believers living under atheist regimes, details of whch are included in his 2026 autobiography, My Story. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity editor Sam Hailes about his extraordinary life sharing The Gospel with people of wildly different backgrounds and the privilege it has been. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
June 10 · 26 min
Leadership Special Rev Jo Trickey: ‘Leading in home, church and charity’
Andy Peck chats with the Learning and Partnership Development lead for the Gregory Centre for Church multiplication about her call to serve in the church, as a mum and as one keen to see the church engage in culture. Do we still have a sacred-secular divide and how easy is it combining running a home of small children with work in a charity? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
June 4 · 1 hr 3 min
Bible Course host Dr Andrew Ollerton on making sense of scripture in a confused age
The theologian Andrew Ollerton is probably best known for presenting Christian theology in an accessible and engaging way and his work as a pastor and author centres on making the Bible accessible to modern audiences without sacrificing intellectual rigour. He grew up in a Christian home where The Bible was 'part of the furniture' but when he hit his teens, he pushed back, sometimes, like Peter, publicly, despite having a father who worked at the nearby church. But from around eighteen he began to show a renewed interest in Christ's teaching, going on to study Geography then moving onto Theology, and completing a PhD in Historical Theology. Despite his academic credentials, Ollerton has intentionally focused on communicating theology in clear and practical ways for churches and the general public and his most significant contribution to this is “The Bible Course” an eight-session guide to the whole story of Scripture, developed in partnership with Bible Society. Ollerton has also written several books aimed at making The Bible understandable to modern audiences, including The Bible: A Story That Makes Sense of Life, Romans: A Letter That Makes Sense of Life, and God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics. In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity magazine editor Sam Hailes about making Scripture as clear as you can and how companionship is transformational when it comes to understanding it. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
June 3 · 27 min
Leadership Special Jonas Kurlberg: ‘Leading in a digital world’
Andy Peck chats with one of the editors of The Oxford Handbook of Digital Theology about how we lead differently when we are conscious of the changes in technology that are transforming our world. What does this mean for our discipleship? Is AI an enemy to be aware of or a tool to embrace? How might we engage with The Global Network for Digital Theology conference coming up soon? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
May 28 · 53 min
Rich Johnson - Leading New Wine England and the challenges of keeping things fresh
Rich Johnson wears two hats quite comfortably. On the one hand he's an archetypal parish vicar working out of a parish in Worcestershire, and, on the other, he is the leader of New Wine England a non-denominational charity supporting Christian leaders in their everyday work. Johnson grew up in Manchester and moved abroad with his family where he was educated in Belgium and Hamburg. He went on to study Geography at Cambridge and through a college chaplain was introduced to Jesus. He describes his conversion as 'intellectual' with the Holy Spirit coming in later and he realised quite quickly that he wanted to become a vicar. He now ministers at the 'dreamy church' of All Saints in Worcester which he took over in 2009, a place for and by families. Stewardship of New Wine came later. The organisation has made a name for itself primarily through its summer festival in Bath - a hit for those who like loud worship and family focussed seminars. "What is new wine?" he answers, "it's about renewal." In his latest book Holy, Healthy Humble he invites the reader to a smaller more authentic vision of Christian leadership in a world saturated with look-at-me celebrity and explores the idea of what the Lord is doing in the Church right now. In this edition of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his happy but non-Christian upbringing, how everyone needs therapy and how to keep new wine 'new.' The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
May 27 · 28 min
Leadership Special Chloe Lynch: ‘Leading people through friendship'’
Andy Peck chats with the author of ‘The Glorious Risk: Freeing the Church from managerialism and the martyr complex’. The lecturer in practical theology at London School of Theology explores why having friends in the local church, may not be just vital for a church leader but a key way of leading. How has she come to this view, and what happens when the pathway is painful? The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
May 23 · 54 min
Theologian Joel Muddamalle on identifying spiritual warfare
How do you know whether you are being whispered to by the evil one? Spiritual warfare and the unseen battle for our soul has always fascinated theologian Dr. Joel Muddamalle. He was brought up in a strong Christian household in India and says his grandparents were arguably the strongest influences on his life. As missionaries, he saw first hand how hard you had to work to reach people in marginalised rural communities and the level of joy when you did: "there was a passion for the ministry." Later his parent moved to America, with him becoming a "Chicago kid, through and through." He went on to study theology, completing his PhD in the subject of St Paul's household language in Ephesians and how it referred to the Old Testament. Spiritual warfare is a topic that has always interested him and in this interview Muddamalle takes a deep theological dive into how the enemy seeks to trick us. His latest work: The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers is about just that. As well as his life as an author, Muddamalle also works with Proverbs 31 Ministries, a non-denominational, non-profit Christian organization women's ministry. In this interview with Premier Christianity magazine editor Sam Hailes, Muddamalle talks about the negative influence of celebrity culture in social media, how the devil likes to trick us and the impact his missionary grandparents had on his understanding of The Gospel. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.
May 21 · 1 hr 1 min
Makoto and Haejiin Fujimura the artist and lawyer on the relationship between beauty and justice
Husband and wife Makoto and Haejiin Fujimura are a couple who have blended their two passions and found a deep connection between them. Makoto is a Christian artist born in the US to Japanese parents. His scientist father instilled in him a deep appreciation for beauty and creativity from childhood and after spending his formative years in Japan, he later began to pursue traditional Japanese painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. Fujimura encountered Christ in his late twenties. The poems of William Blake became instrumental in his conversion, helping him reconcile his newfound Christian faith with his artistic expression. Today, Fujimura is recognised as one of the most significant contemporary Christian artists, creating stunning abstract works while advocating for the role of beauty and art in culture, faith, and renewal. Haejin Shim Fujimura is a Lawyer and Justice Advocate who was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States during her teenage years. She pursued a career in law, bringing her Christian faith into her professional calling. Today, she is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience and the founder and managing partner of Shim & Associates, P.C., a firm founded on the vision of cultural renewal within the legal industry. Her Christian conviction animates her work as a human trafficking advocate. She is the co-founder and CEO of Embers International, a global NGO dedicated to protecting, restoring, and empowering victims of injustice. She also serves as the NYC Area Leader of International Justice Mission, the world's largest anti-slavery organization. Together with her husband Makoto, their joint missional work is around the transformative movement of beauty and justice, exploring how Christian principles of justice and redemption apply across every sector of society which has resulted in their latest book: Beauty and Justice: Creating a Life of Abundance and Courage. In this edition of The Profile they talk to Deputy Editor of Premier Christianity magazine Emma Fowle about how their professions have informed their practice of restoration, justice and beauty, how it is not the job of the Christian to 'end' evil and the impact of being a 9/11 survivor. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.