“Did Jesus really live, die, and rise from the dead? " Using ancient sources, historical records, and reasoned logic, Jesus the Evidence [https://jesustheevidence.com/] invites readers and listeners to explore the evidence and draw their own conclusions. Here on PEP Talk, we speak to the honest, no-nonsense Derek McIntyre about his own journey through the evidence and how he is bringing his findings to churches across the country.

Derek McIntyre comes from a science/engineering background and was a resolute agnostic until his early 40's. He came to Christianity when he discovered the wealth of compelling evidence pointing to Jesus being the Son of God. He now shares this evidence with others through the Jesus: The Evidence [https://www.jesustheevidence.com/] website, presentation and booklet. Derek is also a Street Pastor in Glasgow and helps at Glasgow City Mission.

Fact-checking Faith (with Derek McIntyre)

Whether it's a young person encountering the first challenges to their childhood faith, or a curious person anonymously ordering a Bible online, it can be easy to be thrown off track by stories of slavery, animal sacrifice or other tricky topics found within the Bible. Or if we're in a position to speak about the Bible to others, what happens when we're asked a question about these potential pitfalls? Here on PEP Talk, we find out about a new book by Andrew Ollerton that takes the Bible on its own terms to help address the toughest topics. 

Andrew Ollerton is a theologian, pastor, author and presenter who makes complex ideas simple and relevant. Andrew lives in Wales and regularly speaks at conferences, festivals and churches and films video content on locations around the world. Andrew recently developed a new edition of The Bible Course with Bible Society and published a new book called God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics [https://www.andrewollerton.com/books/gods-book-an-honest-look-at-the-bibles-7-toughest-topics]. Andrew also works closely with the explorer Bear Grylls. They’ve published a Bible called the NIV for Young Explorers [https://www.andrewollerton.com/books/the-niv-bible-for-young-explorers], produced a TV series in Israel and Andrew recently helped Bear develop a brilliant new book called The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Tackling the Toughest Questions (with Andrew Ollerton)

God reveals Himself to humanity in two "books" - the Bible and Creation. We're used to using the Bible to explain the gospel, but is it possible to use the natural world to draw people to Christ? Andy Bannister and Simon Wenham explore this possibility with American biologist Xandra Grieme.

Xandra's book is Forty Answers From Nature: What We Can Learn about God, Life, and Ourselves by Studying the Natural World and her website is Biopologetics.com [https://www.biopologetics.com/]

Xandra Grieme is a speaker and author. Her scientific research began with studies in parasite behavior. She later worked in a human blood lab developing treatments for blood cancer until finally moving on to conservation of songbirds in New Zealand. Xandra also studied theology at OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, which inspired her to begin writing on the philosophy of science. Xandra has spent extended time living and researching abroad in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the UK. She is passionate about educating Christians on our role as stewards of God’s natural world. Xandra currently lives in Colorado where hikes through the Rocky Mountains are a constant reminder of God’s power and goodness.

Our World As Witness (with Xandra Grieme)

What does it really mean to live out your faith in the marketplace? In this episode of PEP Talk, Simon and Gavin sit down with Gideon Okoli for a powerful conversation about purpose, leadership, and influence beyond the church walls. Drawing inspiration from Biblical figures like Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, Gideon challenges the idea that spiritual impact only happens in a 'ministry setting' — arguing instead that God positions people strategically in business, government, and everyday work. If you’ve ever wondered how your faith and vocation connect, this episode will inspire you to rethink where and how you can share your faith.

Find our more about workplace evangelism at:
Transform Work UK [https://www.transformwork.net/]
The Business Connection (Scotland) [https://thebusinessconnection.org/]

Gideon Okoli is a project manager and marketing strategist passionate about helping brands grow with clarity and purpose. Through his work in advertising and media strategy, he helps businesses gain attention and build lasting influence in competitive markets. As a person of faith, Gideon is deeply interested in the intersection of faith, purpose, leadership, and the principles that guide meaningful impact in both business and life.

Marketplace Apostles (with Gideon Okoli)

Your church might have the best outreach programmes and top-notch facilities, or maybe its struggling to survive on a dying high street in a small market town. Either way, God surprises us with unexpected seekers, especially during this 'odd cultural moment', coming on unconventional journeys to faith. How can we be ready to participate in what God is doing, wherever He's placed us? Simon and Gavin speak with "Two Pastors in a Pub" podcaster Tom Wharin, this time on PEP Talk. 

Tom Wharin is the minister of Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church in South Gloucestershire.   He participates in various Baptists Together ministerial recognition (recruitment and training) groups and is passionate about mentoring and discipleship (of ministers and of Christians in general). He goes mountain biking whenever the opportunity arises and is one of the pastors in the Two Pastors in a Pub [https://www.cs-bc.org.uk/two-pastors-in-a-pub] podcast, with Matt Frost [https://www.solas-cpc.org/pep-talk-with-matt-frost/] and Karen Simson.  He is married to Jo and they have four young adult footballing kids.   

Unexpected Seekers (with Tom Wharin)

What is it that holds you back from sharing the Gospel? For most of us, it boils down to a lack of confidence. We don't have confidence in our knowledge to field difficult questions, we don't have confidence that we won't get 'cancelled' and we might even lack confidence in our own faith itself. So you're not alone! That's why Solas runs 'Confident Christianity' training across the UK to help churches regain their confidence in evangelism. Gavin Matthews and Steve Osmond explain how it works and who it helps.

To find out how Confident Christianity can help your church, visit the Solas website here [https://www.solas-cpc.org/conference-partnerships/].

Gavin Matthews is Solas’s Assistant Director (Scotland) and does a wide variety of work for the organisation. He speaks for Solas in churches and at conferences, co-ordinates the website, writes articles and other Solas communications and presents webinars and podcasts. He also loves networking for Solas and speaking with church leaders about our work. Gavin has been married to Elaine since 1996 and they have three adult children. He has been a member of Perth Baptist Church since 1999.

Steve Osmond is a full-time speaker and writer for Solas, focussing primarily on Scotland. He is enthusiastic about evangelism and regularly speaks at universities around the country on the big questions of life and the truth of Christianity from a range of perspectives. He also spends much of his time working with churches and other Christian groups, both to grow their faith and equip them to share their faith in Jesus persuasively.

Addressing a Crisis of Confidence

Here in the UK, we might encounter Jewish people that range from secular atheists to highly religious. But Christians can be reluctant to engage in gospel conversation for fear of political pitfalls or cultural offence. How can we navigate the issues we might encounter when sharing the message of Jesus with his original ethnic group? In this episode of PEP Talk, we find some great encouragement and wisdom around evangelism to Jewish people.

Rev. Aaron Eime serves as the UK General Director for CMJ, The Church’s Ministry among Jewish People [https://cmj.org.uk/]. Aaron studied in the master’s program at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with a focus on early Jewish and Christian Interpretation of the Bible. He also studied psychology and sociology at Queensland University in Australia. Aaron is a dedicated Bible teacher exploring the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith. He reads Aramaic and ancient Greek and is fluent in German and Hebrew. He has taught internationally, including in Europe, North America, Hong Kong and China. He is married with three children, both he and his wife were born in Australia.

Whose Messiah?: Evangelism to Jewish People (with Aaron Eime)

'A Better Love’ is a new book from Living Out [https://livingout.org] that features a range of people who experience same sex attraction, talking about their experience of encountering God. Today’s guest is one of the contributors, who helps us think through the issues of community, discipleship, acceptance and confusion that we may navigate when sharing our faith with the LGBT+ community.

Adam Curtis is a Curate in Sidcup and oversees evangelism at his church. He loves reading the Bible with non-Christians and Christians alike. He studied his BA in theology at Cardiff University and his MA at Oak Hill College. He is taller than the average door post and enjoys playing the ukulele. 

A Better Love: Sexual Identity and Sharing Christ (with Adam Curtis)

Research indicates that many people will first consider whether Christianity is something good, before they consider whether or not it is true. But for both these questions, the discipline of philosophy informs how we think about them. Can a stuffy old academic discipline really help much with modern spiritual questions? Steve Osmond and Simon Wenham learn more about what philosophy and apologetics brings to evangelism.

Peter S Williams is a Christian philosopher and apologist based in Southampton, England, He is an “Adjunct Professor in Communication and Worldviews” at NLA University College, in Kristiansand, Norway. Peter’s books include: Stepping Stones to Christianity: Reflections on Intelligent Design, Natural Theology, and the Historical Jesus [https://www.peterswilliams.com/publications/books/stepping-stones-to-christianity-reflections-on-intelligent-design-natural-theology-and-the-historical-jesus/] (Wipf and Stock, 2025), A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom [https://www.peterswilliams.com/publications/books/a-faithful-guide-to-philosophy/] (Wipf & Stock, 2019), and A Sceptic’s Guide to Atheism [https://www.peterswilliams.com/publications/books/a-sceptics-guide-to-atheism/] (Paternoster, 2009).

The Good, The True, The Beautiful: Apologetics for Evangelism (with Peter S Williams)

In the first few weeks every year, Christian Unions across the country put in a concerted effort to reach their campuses - with around 85 'events weeks' happening recently.  For many young people, their time at university is a formative and energetic experience, and it is a great opportunity for students to reach their friends for Christ. UCCF is helping them do this through 3"D" ministry: Delighting in Jesus more deeply, Displaying Him more fully and Declaring Him more boldy. UCCF leader Matt Lillicrap explains more to Gavin and Simon on this week's PEP Talk.

Matt Lillicrap studied Medicine in Newcastle and qualified in 2006. Until 2013 he worked as a junior doctor, alongside a stint as a staff worker for Christian Medical Fellowship. From 2013-2017 he studied theology for pastoral ministry at Oak Hill College in London, then served local churches in Cambridge for seven years. He is now CEO of Universities & Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), guiding Christian Unions across England, Scotland and Wales. Matt is married to Anika who is a pastoral counsellor. 

Student Mission in 3-D (with Matt Lillicrap)

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.

Andy Bannister

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