The bestselling evangelical author Philip Yancey is coming to the UK this September for a tour with The Leprosy Mission. In this interview he talks about his writing process, reading habits and why he doesn’t own a smartphone. For Yancey, recent debates among Christians over the Trump presidency are a distraction from what really matters. “I believe our mission is to create pioneer settlements of the Kingdom of God,” he says. “We’re supposed to be presenting a united front that demonstrates to people the life that Jesus showed us is the best life for the world, and to attract them.”

For more information about Philip Yancey’s UK tour with the leprosy mission visit bit.ly/FearfullyandWonderfully

Long-time listeners of the Premier Christianity podcast will no doubt have fond memories of our former cultural commentator and all-round funny guy Martin Saunders. Well, he’s back this week with a brand new book The Man You’re Made To Be (SPCK). In this episode, Martin talks to Sam Hailes about banter, Twitter, mental health, Jesus, (not) watching women’s football and the Swedish method of Bible reading.

Matt Redman drops in to the Premier Christianity offices to chat about his involvement in Thy Kingdom Come, the Archbishop of Canterbury's call for Christians to pray for their friends to come to know Christ between Ascension and Pentecost. In his chat with Sam Hailes, the worship leader also reveals which worship leaders and preachers he's most inspired by, and explains the significance of making public declarations of praise in public places such as Times Square, New York City and Trafalgar Square, London. 

Click here to request a free sample copy of the latest print issue of Premier Christianity 

To find out more about Thy Kingdome Come visit thykingdomcome.global. To hear more from Matt Redman listen to the latest episode of Premier's YCW podcast.

The bewildered founder of 24-7 prayer, Pete Greig drops in for a chat with our editor Sam Hailes. The two discuss how to pray about Brexit, the wealth of different ways to pray and why Pete Greig believes revival has already begun in the United Kingdom. "Every single historical, theological and biblical marker - you can tick the box," he says. "We're seeing a massive increase in prayer - and that's always where revival begins, we're seeing extraordinary increase in Christian unity and almost anybody who plants a church now sees it grow. That wasn't the case a few years ago...Everywhere I go I'm meeting people who say people are responding to the gospel more than they used to..."

Read Pete Greig's article on 'How to Pray' in the latest issue of Premier Christianity magazine. Request your free copy here

When Jackie Hill Perry utters the words "I used to be a lesbian", she knows a backlash is coming. "When someone comes out saying: 'Hey, I used to be gay,' they are slaughtered, they are called bigoted," she says. In this interview, the author of Gay Girl Good God responds to her critics and shares the story of how God turned her life around. 

You can also read this interview in the latest issue of Premier Christianity. Subscribe for HALF PRICE at premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Christians know self-control is important. But why is it so difficult? How can we train ourselves to be more disciplined and form better habits? And what's the key to keeping those New Year's Resolutions? Drew Dyck delves into all these questions (and more) in his new book Your future self will thank you: Secrets to self-control from the Bible and brain science. In this interview with Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes, Drew unpacks the surprising results of his research and gives practical tips on how we can make 2019 our best year yet.

For a free sample copy of Premier Christianity magazine visit premierchristianity.com

For more on Drew, see his website drewdyck.com

A new documentary is exploring reconciliation in Northern Ireland from the perspective of Christians who lost loved ones during The Troubles. The Kickstarter-funded Guardians of the Flame film was inspired by Lord Rabbi Sacks' words: "Religion is like fire and like fire it warms, but it also burns. We are the guardians of the flame." In this episode Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes talks to the film's producer and presenter Jonny Clark about justice, forgiveness and the complicated role Christians have played in both conflict and peacemaking in Northern Ireland. 

For a free sample copy of Premier Christianity magazine visit premierchristianity.com

For more information about the film visit guardiansoftheflame.org

The son of the world's most famous evangelist, the late Billy Graham visited Blackpool last month and saw hundreds make commitments to Christ. Premier's head of news Marcus Jones was at Franklin Graham's Festival of Hope and shares his reflections not only on the event, but on his recent interviews with this somewhat controversial leader. Plus, as Elfed Godding finishes his 19 year stint heading up the Evangelical Alliance in Wales, we talk to him about the highs and lows of his ministry thus far and Liz Grier shares her open and honest perspective about pioneering a congregation for unchurched young people in Devon. 

Get 12 issues of the print mag for HALF PRICE, plus get entered into a prize draw to win £200 worth of new Christian books. Simply visit premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Beginning Unlimited: The Diary of a Church Plant by Liz Grier (Instant Apostle) is out now

Does the Bible teach predestination? How can we best reach out to our Muslim friends? Why does God seem so violent in the Old Testament?

These are just a few of the many questions hurled at three Christian speakers in a live Q&A during Refuel Festival in the Highlands of Scotland. Premier Christianity's Sam Hailes was there and recorded the hour-long conversation. Hear it in full on this special edition of the podcast.

For more on Andy Bannister visit andybannister.net. For Bruxy Cavey visit bruxy.com and for Fred Drummond visit eauk.org/scotland/meet-the-team.cfm

To find out more about Refuel Festival see refuelscotland.org.uk

Get a FREE copy of our latest issue of the print mag

View our special HALF PRICE subscription deal (limited offer)

On this week's show Rachel Held Evans introduces her new book on the Bible, responds to the claim she's "the most polarising woman in evangelicalism" and explains the strengths of writing as a layperson, rather than an academic. Rachel, who grew up in America's Bible Belt, believes Christians need to stop treating biblical interpretation as a "zero sum game where there are winners and losers", instead opting to view scripture as "a conversation starter". 

In the second part of today's show, our editor Sam Hailes takes a peek inside the oldest Methodist building in the world. The New Room in Bristol has recently been rennovated and now houses John Wesley's chapel as well as a museum and archive. 

Follow Rachel Held Evans on Twitter @rachelheldevans

For more on The New Room, visit newroombristol.org.uk

Get a FREE copy of our latest issue of the print mag