The Profile

Paul S Williams is CEO of Bible Society, which for 200 years has sought to bring the Bible alive to every man, woman and child. 

He shares how he was dramatically brought back to faith as a student at Oxford University before going on to work in financial analysis in the UK.

He has held research and teaching positions in Canada on the theology of the marketplace and leadership.

His latest book is ‘Exiles on Mission: How Christians can thrive in a post-Christian world’. 

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/9781587434358/ 

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It’s a double bill of The Profile podcast this week. Rachel Matthews is in conversation with bestselling author and founder of Messengers International, Lisa Bevere. In part two Claire Musters interviews Rev Anthony Thompson who lost his wife in the Charleston Church massacre five years ago.

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Dr Rowan Williams is hoping to move back to Wales. “I don’t know exactly when it will be possible” he tells Catherine Larner, “but I still hope to be back by late autumn. I’m waiting to see what lies ahead, but I’m not looking to fill the diary. I’m hoping there may be an opportunity to loosen up and unclutter slightly...I can dream!” To return to Wales would bring things back full circle. It’s where he grew up and where, as a bishop, spent the happiest years of his life. A poet, a theologian and the former Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–12), Dr Williams has been the Master of Magdalene College Cambridge for much of the past decade, inhabiting a vast 1960s red-brick property on the edge of the city centre. Life is busy with numerous responsibilities but it’s stimulating and sociable and follows a rhythm of life, he says. Each day incorporates morning and evening prayer, a time of silence, meetings, work and time with family and friends or colleagues. In this wide-ranging interview, Dr Williams opens up about past mistakes, comments on the frenetic pace of life facing many, and explains how the Rule of St Benedict can help us.

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Nigel Ipinson-Fleming is a Gospel artist, keyboard player and music producer with a history playing in bands such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and The Stone Roses.

First broadcast in 2016, in this interview he chats with Muyiwa Olarewaju about his life, music and journey of faith.

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In this week’s show, Rachel Matthews meets the five time world record holding Paralympian Stef Reid. In this in depth interview, Stef talks about the accident which changed her life and how her perspective on what it means to be a Christian has matured over time.  

Read her story in full here

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It’s a double bill of The Profile podcast this week. Premier’s John Pantry is in conversation with the much loved Christian singer-songwriter Marilyn Baker, while our head of news sits down with the former Finish deputy Prime Minister (and larger than life character) Timo Soini.

The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. [premierchristianity.com/subscribe] Subscribe now for only £4.95/month

It's not often that you put indie-rock star and third-generation church leader in the same sentence, but there's nothing kosher about the way Kings Kaleidoscope's Chad Gardner works, not, at least when it comes to creating worship music. In a desperate search for 'realness' in faith and following deep personal reflection on his battle with his mental health, Seattle-based front-man Chad (and his band of friends) released their fifth studio album, Zeal - a controversial mixtape of hip-hop beats, head-swinging guitar riffs and an 'f bomb-ing' prayer that ultimately encapsulates the honest ups and down of one man rediscovering child-like faith.

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David Bennett’s testimony doesn’t fit into any neat categories. His story of going from an atheist gay rights activist to born again evangelical Christian is far from straightforward. It involves a homophobic attack, prophetic words and searching for meaning in the New Age movement. Elements of his story will shock his fellow members of the LGBT community, not least his decision to lead a celibate lifestyle and “give up” his sexuality. But David’s message is also deeply challenging to Christians, not least his views on what ‘Church as family’ really means, and his willingness to still identify as LGBT. All of this means, that in the conversations which have followed the release of his autobiography A War of Loves, David has learned to follow the advice of eminent theologian Tom Wright and “have tea with his enemies”.  

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Recorded at the very beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, Rhidian Brook speaks to Premier Christianity’s Sam Hailes about Godbothering – Rhidian’s new book which collates some of his best musings as first broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Thought For The Day. The author and broadcaster explains his dramatic conversion, how his faith has matured over time and recalls an awkward moment which involved him preaching on public transport.

The Profile is brought to you in association with Premier Christianity magazine. Subscribe now for only £4.95/month

Read the full story in Premier Christianity magazine.