The Profile

The head of 24-7 Prayer USA, Tyler Staton’s love affair with talking to God started when his youth leader challenged him to prayer walk his school every single morning for the whole of his summer holidays. Not only did find that he enjoyed God’s company, by the end of the year, half his classmates had been saved! In this interview, he chats to Emma Fowle about spiritual hunger, his latest book and why a church should be known for the character of its congregation, not the stature of its leaders.

Tyler is the author of Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools (Hodder & Stoughton)

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/

The Profile podcast is now bringing you a bonus interview every week! Premier's resident leadership expert interviewer Andy Peck has been having conversations with preachers and pastors for the past 17 years. You'll now be able to hear some of the best of his interviews. This week Andy meets the Northern Irish church leader, speaker and author of Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples, Rick Hill. 

The Profile podcast is now bringing you a bonus interview every week! Premier's resident leadership expert interviewer Andy Peck has been having conversations with preachers and pastors for the past 17 years. You'll now be able to hear some of the best of his interviews. This week Andy meets TV presenter, and author of A Good Friend, Gemma Hunt. 

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 podcast. First up is the "bewildered founder" of 24-7 prayer, Pete Greig. 

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 Church of England. Fr Alex featured in a BBC documentary entitled 'The cost of Covid' which shone a spotlight on deprivation in the town. But today, Fr Alex says "no one cares" and is angry that despite widespread media coverage of the serious challenges facing Burnley, many politicians continue to appear disinterested. What's the answer to the problems he's witnessing? "You'd perhaps not be surprised to hear a Christian minister say this, but...the Gospel of Jesus Christ" he says. 

Fr Alex Frost is the author of Our Daily Bread (Harper Collins) which is published on 27 October. 

The Profile is sponsored by Premier Christianity magazine. Receive our special Queen tribute edition, plus the next 5 print issues for just £9.99. Visit premierchristianity.com/subscribe

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 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/

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 stances. His fervent gospel preaching and unequivocal style has won him large audiences all over the globe. While some ministers might avoid preaching on controversial topics, Youssef positively embraces them. In this interview Dr Yousef speaks about how he keeps himself spiritually fit, why false teaching makes him weep and comments on what he'd like his legacy to be.

This interview was first published in Premier Christianity, the UK's leading Christian magazine. US listeners can subscribe from $1/month. See premierchristianity.com/subscribe

Dr Youssef's organisation Leading the Way is celebrating 20 years of ministry in the UK next month. See here for more details

"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. She also explains why she's never had a typical "quiet time", comments on the best way church leaders can handle the 'deconstruction' movement and unpacks some of the teaching contained in her popular books. 

The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine. Get the next 3 issues for just £5 premierchristianity.com/subscribe

For more on Jen Wilkin, visit jenwilkin.net