PEP Talk
110 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago -The Persuasive Evangelism Podcast equips listeners to share their faith more effectively in a sceptical world. Andy Bannister (Solas) and Kristi Mair (Oak Hill College) chat to a guest who has a great story, a useful resource, or some other expertise that helps equip listeners to talk persuasively, winsomely, and engagingly with their friends, colleagues and neighbours about Jesus.
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Episodes
With Roger Carswell
April 17, 2024 07:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBSteve Osmond and Kristi Mair are delighted to chat with a living legend of the British church, Roger Carswell. Roger reflects on over 40 years of sharing the gospel in different ways, with his trademark warmth and wisdom. HIs insights on the changing world, the consistent gospel, Christian literature and the heart of gospel preaching are so encouraging. Roger Carswell is a travelling evangelist and author. He leads evangelistic church and university missions as well as speaking at Christian...
With Matthew Mittelberg
April 03, 2024 06:00 - 21 minutes - 30 MBIf you know the life-changing experience of tasting traditional Japanese ramen, you know it is something you want everyone to experience. Is it the same with our Christian experience? Today on PEP Talk, Andy and Kristi speak with our ramen-loving guest about the roles of enthusiasm and duty in our evangelistic life. Matthew Mittelberg is an experienced Christian teacher and apologist, serving as Director of Content at Apologetics Inc. He has spoken to thousands at universities, churches, co...
With Rachel Jordan-Wolf
March 20, 2024 07:00 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBAfter the Covid pandemic, we've all had enough of statistics! But sometimes they can reveal amazing surprises about things we take for granted. Today Gavin Matthews learns more about the fascinating "Talking Jesus" report, which tells us so much about the nuances of faith in the UK and the untapped opportunities for sharing Jesus today. Find out more about the Talking Jesus research here and watch a summary on YouTube here. The Talking Jesus course for churches is here. Dr Rachel Jordan-...
With Belle Tindall
March 06, 2024 06:30 - 21 minutes - 30 MBWhere does our desire for the supernatural fit in the modern world? With a society built on rationality and technology, do we still have longings for a connection with something transcendent? Steve Osmond sits down with Belle Tindall to identify areas in our friends' lives where we can show how the gospel story meets those longings. Dr Belle Tindall is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Uns...
With Hannah Steele
February 21, 2024 06:20 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBSteve Osmond fills in as host this week on PEP Talk and gets the chance to speak with an expert on mission and evangelism in postmodern culture. Hannah Steele is an academic and author whose passion is to see churches and groups of Christians grow together to become more missional and evangelistic. The Revd Dr Hannah Steele is Director of St Mellitus College, London and Tutor and Lecturer in Missiology. As well as Living His Story, she is author of New World, New Church? (SCM Press, 2017). ...
With Matt Frost
February 07, 2024 06:02 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBToday on PEP Talk we chat with a church pastor about how sharing the gospel is a natural part of both his church work and personal relationships. With a particular emphasis on the essential role of prayer, Matt talks with Gavin Matthews about the formal and informal elements that make up a vibrant evangelistic lifestyle. Our Guest After 14 years as senior pastor of City Gates Church in central London, Matt Frost moved to Cirencester in July 2009 to become pastor at Cirencester Baptist Chur...
With Kevin Elliott
January 26, 2024 14:15 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBToday's guest can relate amazing stories of adventurous missions in remote areas experiencing miracles and dramatic conversions. But even if that is not what most of us experience, we can still take from it practical lessons about prayer, following the Spirit's leading and hospitality in our day-to-day lives at home. Kevin Elliot is chair of trustees for the Christian charity Mission Macedonia. He makes regular mission trips to North Macedonia, and has also worked alongside churches in East...
With Nathan Rittenhouse
January 10, 2024 15:32 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBOne of the most effective methods for sharing the gospel is through personal conversations. But in our modern world, many of us struggle with 'personal' and 'conversation' for a variety of reasons. Today on PEP Talk we discuss the issues and struggles we have with conversation, personal connection and empathy in an age of digital distraction and polarised public discourse. For further reading, books mentioned in this episode include Disruptive Witness by Alan Noble and Reclaiming Conversati...
With Sir Brian Souter
December 27, 2023 06:06 - 21 minutes - 29.1 MBToday we hear from an incredibly successful businessman and philanthropist and discover his heart for the gospel. Starting with the influence of his mother, he explains how his relationship with Christ has shaped his life, his giving, his ministry and his own personal evangelism. Sir Brian Souter grew up on a council estate in Perth, Scotland. He and his sister built the Stagecoach company into one of Britain's largest bus companies in the 1990's, moving into other transport and internatio...
With Derek Lamont
December 06, 2023 06:06 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MBIn this episode we chat with a church planter and football chaplain working in the heart of Edinburgh. Be inspired by his approach to multiplying churches by sharing life and faith with individuals in a busy and cosmopolitan city. Derek Lamont has been a pastor for 33 years, 22 of them in the centre of Edinburgh, with the Free Church of Scotland. His current church, St Columba's, has planted four new churches in different communities of the city. He will be leaving St C's in January to re-...
With Steve Osmond
November 22, 2023 06:00 - 20 minutes - 28.9 MBAndy and Kristi sit down with the newest member of the Solas team to discuss his passion for evangelism. Having arrived in Scotland recently from South Africa, Steve Osmond reflects on the opportunities, surprises and challenges we have here. Kristi is also interested in Steve’s background in zoology and how that has informed his conversations with atheists. Steve Osmond hails from South Africa, where he earned his MSc in Zoology from the University of Johannesburg, specialising in ecotoxic...
With Adam White
October 25, 2023 06:00 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MBListen through to the end for a special 20% off discount code from 10ofThose.com! When it comes to sharing our faith, we are blessed with a wealth of books and writings available from articulate Christians defending and presenting the gospel. Today on PEP Talk we have a great testimony from someone whose reading quest helped immensely in moving him from atheism to Christ. He now works for a Christian book distributor and gives us some great recommendations for books and evangelistic tracts ...
With Anna Robbins
August 30, 2023 06:00 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MBEveryone knows about the "culture wars" and some champion following Jesus as being "counter-cultural". What precisely is the relationship between the Christian faith and human culture? Reflecting well on that relationship and our own place in it can lead to some great insights into how we live out and share our faith. Helping us do that on PEP Talk today is a minister and academic with experience on both sides of the Atlantic. Rev Dr Anna Robbins is President of Acadia Divinity College in ...
With Callom Hardraker
August 16, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 30 MBHow are the arts effective in sharing the gospel? What are the issues in reaching young adults for Christ? And what does it mean to be pastoral in evangelism? These are just some of the questions covered in a wide-ranging PEP Talk discussion today with Andy Bannister, Gavin Matthews and our guest Callom Harkrader from Southampton. Callom Hardraker is currently the Young Adult Pastor at Above Bar Church in Southampton, where he has been on the staff team since 2015. Originally from the USA, ...
With Callom Harkrader
August 16, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBHow are the arts effective in sharing the gospel? What are the issues in reaching young adults for Christ? And what does it mean to be pastoral in evangelism? These are just some of the questions covered in a wide-ranging PEP Talk discussion today with Andy Bannister, Gavin Matthews and our guest Callom Harkrader from Southampton. Callom Hardraker is currently the Young Adult Pastor at Above Bar Church in Southampton, where he has been on the staff team since 2015. Originally from the USA, ...
With Rowena Cross
August 02, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBSometimes on PEP Talk, you just need a pep talk! Our guest today is full of passion, experience and enthusiasm for sharing Jesus that will get you excited to do the same. Have a listen to her amazing stories of how God does unexpected works when we just say yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Rowena Cross experienced a dramatic conversion to Christ, along with her husband, when they were in their thirties. While he went on to become a Vicar, she has been a passionate evangelist, working...
With Jason Lane
June 21, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBToday on PEP Talk we hear from a ministry leader helping to train, equip and release other missional leaders across Europe and Central Asia. Although his earliest experience was one of rejection and lack of support, today he has some amazing insight into what coming alongside gospel workers looks like. The lessons learned can help us no matter what our context for sharing Christ is today. Jason Lane founded Innovista, aged 26, to equip leaders and teams to change their communities with the ...
With Mark Mittelberg
June 07, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBWhen most of us think of an "evangelist", it's usually a heroic example like Billy Graham or else a bit of an oddball operating on the fringe of our church. We don't see ourselves as Billy and we don't want others to think we're the oddballs, so we shy away from evangelism altogether. Our guest on PEP Talk today wants us to realise that different types of evangelism can match our unique personality and gifts. It's a liberating idea that means we rely on other members of the Christian body as...
With Sean McDowell
May 24, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBThis week on PEP Talk, Andy chats with US author and speaker Sean McDowell about reaching students and young people with the gospel. What themes pervade the lives of young people on both sides of the Atlantic? From science to identity to the goodness of God, Sean provides insight into how we can equip our children and young people to respond well to these questions. Sean McDowell is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University i...
With Jon and Penny Thorp
May 10, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBSometimes you just need a bit of enthusiasm to get out there and do it! Today on PEP Talk, Andy chats with a couple engaged in old-fashioned street evangelism and tract distribution. Having seen God work through these in their own lives, Jon and Penny encourage their church family to be actively speaking to others at work, in the community and on the High Street. Jon & Penny Thorp met through their work driving buses in West London. Penny was saved through an addiction recovery program an...
With Sam Allberry
April 26, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBKristi and Andy chat with pastor and author Sam Allberry about the primacy of Jesus in our gospel conversations. Sam offers his thoughts on evangelism with LGBT friends, the balance of truth and narrative, and the importance of deep Christian community. Sam Allberry is a pastor based at Immanuel Nashville and Fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He is the author of a number of books, including Is God Anti-Gay? and 7 Myths about Singleness. Find out more at samallberry.com ...
With Kiri Jane Erb
April 12, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBThis week on PEP Talk, Andy and Kristi chat with Kiri from British Columbia. She shares her story of conversion from a non-Christian household and journey through different cultural landscapes ministering to young people. An emphasis on discipleship shows how the gospel touches our deepest longings, sufferings and hopes. Having Co-Lead Soul Edge Ministries (Canada) for over 12 years, Kiri Jane Erb has had the privilege of investing into hundreds of young Christian leaders, equipping them fo...
With Ros Loaker
March 29, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MBToday on PEP Talk we're all about workplace ministry. The opportunities, resources and support are extensive for Christians who want to connect with other believers in their places of employment. And stories of the creative ways employees find to share their faith at work are surprising and encouraging. Download the Starting A Christian Workplace Group booklet from the Transform Work UK website. In Scotland, have a look at the Thrive Scotland website. Ros Loaker is the CEO of Transform W...
With Stephen McQuoid
March 15, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.4 MBLooking at the state of the church in the UK today, it can be quite discouraging. Although there are areas of growth and dynamism, there can be quite challenging situations in rural areas or even cities with disconnected communities. What are some effective strategies for sharing the gospel and developing healthy churches in these "spiritual deserts"? Stephen McQuoid spent the first twelve years of his life in Ethiopia where his parents were missionaries. He then lived in Ireland where he ...
With Tom Heasman
March 01, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBIn today's PEP Talk, Andy chats with a church pastor with a passion for evangelism through the local church. What are the challenges for developing a culture of evangelism, whether your church is rooted locally or a "commuter" congregation? What is pre-evangelism? And how can pastors "lower the bar" on evangelism so that everyone feels confident to do it? Tom Heasman currently serves as Co-Pastor at Widcombe Baptist Church, in Bath, having moved there recently from a church in SW London. H...
With Andrew Bunt
February 15, 2023 06:00 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MBIn today's culture, sexuality and gender are the embodiment of happiness, fulfilment and our sense of self. It's no surprise that especially young people can find a God-centred view of sex to be oppressive, unfair or even hateful. No wonder Christians can find this area such a stumbling block to presenting the gospel. How can we help our friends and family discover a deeper and more satisfying view of Christ, His calling and our identity in Him? Andrew Bunt is a writer and speaker who stud...
Uninvented with Mike D'Virgilio
February 01, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBHave you ever heard someone dismiss the Bible "because it's just a fairy tale"? Or maybe that it was basically invented by the early Church to peddle their religious fiction? But if either of those were true, would the Bible be what it is today? Today's guest on PEP Talk introduces us to the myriad reasons why the Bible would be impossible to invent. Mike D'Virgilio's latest book is Uninvented: Why The Bible Could Not Be Made Up, and The Evidence That Proves It. He has a B.S. in Communicati...
With Richard Shumack
January 18, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.6 MBIf you have friends, colleagues or neighbours from Muslim backgrounds, this episode is for you! There are incredible opportunities in our own diverse society to interact with followers of Islam. What are some of the best ways to introduce them to Jesus? Andy and Kristi have a guest from Australia with some helpful advice. Richard Shumack is a philosopher of religion who is fascinated by how and why people hold their religious beliefs. He is the Director of the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the ...
With Naomi Brehm
January 04, 2023 06:00 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MBSolas is often involved helping Christian Union groups at universities across the UK, as they put on evangelistic events and missions. It is a privilege to answer questions from students and help them think through aspects of the gospel message. Today we're joined by someone involved full-time in student ministry, to hear about the questions, opportunities and priorities found in the student world. Naomi Brehm is a UCCF Staff Worker in the North East of England, supporting the Christian Uni...
With Inonge Siluka
December 28, 2022 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MBFrom a cross-cultural guest, today's episode picks up two different strands to sharing faith. First, how do we respond to those who reject their experience of church, even those who have suffered spiritual abuse? As well, what can the contrast between "Christian" and "secular" cultures teach us about conversations centred on Jesus? In both areas, it can be tricky to unpack the individual's experience from the true gospel. Inonge Siluka grew up in Zambia and moved to Scotland with her family...
With Dan Paterson
December 07, 2022 06:00 - 21 minutes - 29.7 MBToday's guest reflects on a traumatic childhood event and how it shaped his pursuit of God. These kind of experiences can cause many to wrestle with the love or the hiddenness of God. How can we journey with others to find a God of purpose and hope? Dan Paterson is the founder of Questioning Christianity, an Australian ministry helping you connect the Christian story to life’s deepest questions. He has experience as a pastor, lecturer, and public speaker, having studied Theology and Apologe...
With Tim Beougher
November 23, 2022 06:00 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBFear. Lack of knowledge. Busyness. These are some of the top reasons given when Christians are asked why they don't share their faith. How do we address these issues within the church? Today's guest has years of experience teaching seminary students, and shares how he prepares them for a life of confidence in sharing the gospel. Tim Beougher (pronounced Boo – ker) has served as the Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Associate Dean of the Billy Graham School at the Southern Baptist The...
With Andy and Kristi
November 09, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this guest-free episode, Andy and Kristi reflect on the many questions they've heard in discussions of faith over the years. Traditional apologetic questions about the rationality of faith, once so prominent in the era of Richard Dawkins, have largely been replaced by questions of desirability, longing and meaning. How has this impacted the approach we make in listening to and responding to sceptics and seekers we encounter at work, school or in our families? Support the show
With Mark Greene
October 26, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBWith the recent death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, her life of service and character has been honoured and spoken about throughout society. Her Christian faith was the source of those qualities, admired by everyone from prime ministers to hairdressers. What a great time to show our friends or colleagues that these qualities of servant leadership they respect and value are modelled on Christ's own Kingly service. Ex-New York Adman, formerly London School of Theology vice-Principal, Mar...
With Clare Williams
October 12, 2022 05:00 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBThe Church Behaving Badly can be an insurmountable obstacle for many people in coming to faith in Jesus. In the case of religious justification for racism and slavery, this issue impacts whole communities and ethnic groups. How can we de-bunk the concept of "the white man's religion" when speaking to our friends in black communities? Andy and Kristi speak with Clare Williams on PEP Talk to unpack this obstacle to evangelism. Clare Williams is the founder of Get Real, a Christian apologetics...
With John MacKinnon
September 28, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBHave you put a "no" in the mouth of a non-Christian friend before you've even invited them to investigate the Bible? Isn't it surprising how people we know well react once they're given an opportunity to speak about Christ? Today on PEP Talk we chat about some great resources helping Christians walk through the Bible with their enquiring friends - why not invite yours? John MacKinnon is based in East Kilbride, Scotland, where he served as the Lead Pastor of Calderwood Baptist Church for mor...
With Natasha Moore
September 14, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MBAll the way from Australia, today Andy speaks with Natasha Moore on PEP Talk. Both there and here in the UK, there are similar needs to speak into our changing cultures, whilst retaining the winsomeness and grace that remains attractive whether we have a public platform or a private conversation. Natasha Moore is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. She has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Cambridge and is the author of For the Love of God: How t...
With Graham Alder
August 31, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBHere at Solas we love hearing about how Christians are living out their faith and sharing it creatively in all kinds of contexts. Today we hear from a policeman about the particular challenges and opportunities he finds in his line of work. Graham Alder is a Police Sergeant and Christian Police Association Scotland Branch Leader & Trustee. He has over 18 years Police service in a variety of roles and locations. Blessed with a wonderful wife and children, a keen musician and late comer to ...
With Mary Jo Sharp Again
August 17, 2022 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBToday we welcome back a previous guest on the podcast to discuss Gen Z, deconstruction and the role of apologetics in the church today. Mary Jo Sharp also introduces Darkroom, a new, free resource for young people and youth leaders to address the issues Gen Z cares about in terms they understand. Clare Williams also joins the podcast as our guest co-host for this episode. A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian cu...
With Sarah Irving-Stonebraker
August 03, 2022 06:00 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MBWe have recently heard more stories of Christians "deconstructing" their faith before eventually leaving it. But today we speak with an academic and historian about how her atheism was "deconstructed" when she discovered its true implications for morality, value and equality. She goes on to show how hospitality and relationship can be radical evangelistic tools in the context of our secular individualised culture. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker is an Australian-based academic, focusing on the h...
With Andy Moore
July 20, 2022 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBAndy Moore joins us this week to bring us insights from his unique background spanning full-time evangelism and corporate finance. Looking at the shifts happening in big business and the personal lives of his financial colleagues, how can we respond to the questions of purpose, moral responsibility and meaning that dominate these worlds? Andy Moore is a Director and Entrepreneur with experience across Corporate, Private Equity, Charitable and start-up sectors. Andy leads an Angel-investment...
With Carl Porter
July 06, 2022 05:00 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBAndy's just moved house and discovered a new neighbour sharing the gospel on his street! They meet up in a local cafe to discuss evangelism, spiritual MOTs, church planting and encouraging others to share their love of Christ. Eavesdrop on their conversation in this unique episode of PEP Talk. Carl Porter is married to Sarah and has two daughters. Carl became a Christian in 2014 and since then has been passionate about personal evangelism and trying to help others grow in their own evangeli...
With Jackie Whyte
June 22, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBToday on PEP Talk, Andy and Kristi speak with a chaplain working in a hospice setting. Here, mortality is a daily reality, as are experiences of suffering. What is it like to talk with folks and share the hope of Christ in such an environment? Although most of us aren't in that position, many of us will go through the process of dying with loved ones, and our guest Jackie helps us think through how to approach it. Jackie Whyte serves as the Chaplain working at Northern Ireland Hospice and C...
With J John
June 08, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBPray. Care. Share. Such a simple approach, but one that J. John has been employing for over four decades of ministry. He shares with us about how he first became a Christian at college, and how he carries his passion and enthusiasm for the gospel with him today. Listen now for more memorable insights and encouragement for you to pray, care and share! J. John (Revd Canon) has been an evangelist for four decades. He has spoken in towns, cities and universities in 69 countries. A minister, spe...
With Matt Chapman
May 25, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MBGet ready for some real inspiration from today's guest! After years of keeping his faith quiet, he's found incredible liberty and opportunity to share Jesus within his workplace - a modern and sprawling local council. Many would say it's an environment pushing "inclusion and diversity" policies that sideline Christians, but Matt explains the incredible openings this gives for the real message of the gospel. Matt Chapman is the Training and Development Group Manger for the fire service at O...
With Mike D'Virgilio
April 27, 2022 06:00 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MBWe often speak on PEP Talk about sharing our faith with "friends, colleagues and family". Speaking of family, how do we share our faith with our children? Is that even evangelism? Or is it something we just assume will happen? Today Andy speaks with a self-described "regular guy" who thinks Christian parents can be intentional and persuasive (without guilt or pressure!) in the way they share God's truth with their kids. Mike D'Virgilio has a B.S. in Communication from Arizona State Univer...
With Paul Woolley
April 13, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBIn our western cultures, the way we present the gospel and the way it is embodied appears to be anything but "good news". It's worrying, disappointing, even life-diminishing news! But in a world of pandemics and Putin, how can we hold out real, authentic good news to our friends who are so desperate for it? Andy and Kristi explore this question with Paul Woolley this time on PEP Talk. Paul Woolley joined the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity as CEO in January 2021, having been D...
With David Hutchings
March 30, 2022 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBApart from toddlers, teenagers probably ask the most questions about difficult subjects! Spare a thought, then, for Christians teaching adolescents in our schools. What can we learn about how to handle faith-questions in such an environment, where a mis-step can land you in hot water so easily? Today we hear from a science teacher about using questions like "Do you believe in aliens?" to encourage gospel conversations. David Hutchings is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and physics teac...
With Tracy Cotterell
March 16, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBJesus didn't spend his life in church, he ministered in the real world. How can we think about life with Jesus as an adventure in the real world, not just someone we meet in church? Today's guest Tracy Cotterell speaks to Andy and (filling in for Kristi) Gavin from Solas. She encourages us to identify our primary role as God's child, participating in the Father's business to reach the world. Tracy Cotterell is a former advertising planning director and served the London Institute for Conte...
With Mitch and Amanda
March 02, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MBToday on PEP Talk we hear from an inspiring couple in evangelistic ministry together. Andy and Kristi cover all sorts of ground with them, from experiences in street evangelism, the gospel opportunities across Ireland, to the joy of working together. Mitch and Amanda have been married for 22 years and together they lead Crown Jesus Ministries in Ireland. Their passion for evangelism drives the ministry to fulfil its vision; to see the people of Ireland Crown Jesus Lord of their lives. They...