If we tell people the fact that Jesus is real and can change your life, they can nod and say "That's great for you, but not for me." But when we tell a story of the amazing impact God has in extraordinary circumstances, it can become absolutely compelling! Simon and Gavin speak today with the host of Compelled, a story-driven podcast seeking to communicate incredible stories of lives transformed by the gospel.

Paul Hastings lives with his wife and four children near Austin, Texas, and attends Redemption Hill Church. As an entrepreneur, he's consulted extensively in the film, marketing and political arenas and is the Host of the Compelled Podcast [https://click.compelledpodcast.com/l/903c48c789993c799dcca7c95b6425885f4b07d2?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcompelledpodcast.com%2F&u=1577531]. His work has been featured by Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, Christianity Today, World Magazine, American Family Association, and The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of the brand new book, Compelled, a collection of real-life stories about sin, surrender, and the Savior who changes everything.

Compelled By Stories (with Paul Hastings)

Becci Greenfield 

Who did you turn to when you had big questions, even doubts, about the Christian faith? Were there individuals or groups in your church that let you explore your questions without shame or dismissal? Today on PEP Talk we discuss creating "Big Questions" small group discussions within a church setting. They could be a key ministry to help your church family too!

Becci Greenfield works in financial services but has also studied postgraduate theology specialising in the Old Testament. She developed a "Big Questions" [https://renewal.church/hub/big-questions/] ministry in her local church and is active on Instagram @thinkingfaithfully [https://www.instagram.com/thinkingfaithfully]. She lives in Coventry with her husband and 18 month old son.

Big Questions In Small Groups (with Becci Greenfield)

The Bible Society has published a fascinating report called The Quiet Revival [https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival] - analysing extensive survey results on generational attitudes to the Bible, church, and Christianity. In this conversation with one of the report co-authors, we press into the sources of encouragement and the challenges for the future of Christianity in the UK.

Dr Rob Barward-Symmons is Senior Research and Impact Manager at the British and Foreign Bible Society, Head of Research at Theos Think Tank, and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Christianity at St John's College, Durham.

Our Survey Says... A Quiet Revival?

In this episode, Simon and Kristi chat with young YouTuber and podcaster Lydia to learn how she connects with Gen Z. Whether it's delving into mental health issues, or interviewing Christian authors, her young faith is a huge motivation for her. Sharing her faith and personal life can be daunting, but authenticity is an incredibly attractive quality in a world of online superficiality. 

Lydia Houghton studied Broadcast Journalism at Salford University. She now works as a Journalist for Evangelicals Now and is a Ministry Trainee at Wheelock Heath Baptist Church. If she isn't writing, she's most likely reading, and enjoys sharing book reviews on her YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@lydiahoughton/videos].

Vlogging for Jesus (with Lydia Houghton)

In the mid 2010's, New Atheism was busy producing best-selling books and plastering adverts on the sides of buses. Its loud scepticism is not as popular these days, but many of its arguments live on. What has changed and how can we respond a decade later? Andy Bannister explores this in his revised and expanded book, The Atheist Who Didn't Exist, for a 10th anniversary edition. He speaks to Gavin Matthews and Simon Wenham about what's new what's interesting about the state of atheism today.

Get a free copy of the book when you sign up to support Solas for just £4 a month. https://solas-cpc.org/book-offer/

The Atheist Who Didn't Exist (with Andy Bannister)

Why do personal stories have the power to move us?

In this episode, Brooke Kehl, of Eastern European Mission, explores why testimonies can be such a compelling witness to others. Hear how God is transforming lives, and how you can play your part in reaching those around you. Could a focus on mirroring Christ be the first step to unlocking new and surprising opportunities to share your faith? How might our own stories inspire and impact others, as part of God’s grand plan to reach the lost?

Storytelling That Reflects Christ (with Brooke Kehl)

“Many [Christians] know what they believe, but they just think ‘I can’t share that in the workplace. I can’t share that in a friendship. I don’t want to get into a fight… But if you listen to people talking on the street, or in the workplace, most people aren’t afraid to share their opinions.”

In a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain, many are searching for purpose and meaning. At the same time, Christians often feel that they are on the ‘back foot’, when it comes to how the church is viewed by wider society. In this episode of PEP Talk, Dr Paul Coulter calls us to step forward with confidence, offering a transforming vision of an identity rooted in Christ. By engaging with contemporary culture, he shares how we can meet the challenges of today with a bold faith that provides meaning, identity and hope – and how we can share that message with those around us.

Our Guest: Paul Coulter's day job is as Head of Ministry Operations for Living Leadership [https://www.livingleadership.org], which seeks to support Christian leaders and their families to live in Christ joyfully and serve Him faithfully. Paul has worked as a medical doctor, a cross-cultural pastor and a lecturer in practical theology. He continues to teach ethics and other subjects in theological colleges.  Paul holds primary degrees in medical genetics and medicine, an MA and PhD in theology, and a post-graduate certificate in higher education teaching. Paul lives in Lisburn with his wife, Gar-Ling, and their two children.  In his spare time he enjoys cycling, walking and reading historical novels. 

Centre for Christianity in Society: www.christianityinsociety.org [http://www.christianityinsociety.org/]

Personal website: www.paulcoulter.net [http://www.paulcoulter.net/]

Faith on the Front Foot: Connecting with contemporary culture

“Why don’t we write a prayer guide for people who aren’t religious and who don’t do church?”

If you could inspire people across the country to pray, what would be the result? In this episode, we hear from David Hill, who runs a ministry that is doing just that. For many this has led to unexpected and profound experiences of God – moments of revelation and transformation. How have so many people found a deeper connection to God in this way? Tune in as we explore the ways in which the power of prayer is breaking down barriers and leading to extraordinary spiritual breakthroughs. Could a simple invitation to pray be the first step for someone near you to experience God?

Try praying yourself at trypraying.org [https://trypraying.org/] or find campaign resources at do.trypraying.org [https://do.trypraying.org/]

What happens when non-religious people try praying?

Gavin and Kristi hear from Chris McBurney about how students in Ireland are responding to the gospel in different ways across very different contexts in the north and south of the island. Reflecting on the rise in spirituality, coupled with muddied worldviews, the beating heart of evangelism for young people still seems to remain rooted in authentic relationships. As leader of Christian Unions Ireland, Chris shares his passion for this type of ministry.

Chris McBurney is the Director for Christian Unions Ireland [https://cui.ie/]. He lives in Comber with this wife Katie and two girls, Orla and Ava. Having become a Christian at university in Canterbury, he’s spent the last 10 years working in student ministry both in England and across the island of Ireland.

With Chris McBurney

Today's PEP Talk comes from a former Muslim who encountered Jesus in a powerful way. He gives us important reminders of the cost that can come from following Jesus - losing family, job and country. Whilst his journey to faith is full of passion and joy, it is also a great reminder to appreciate our freedoms and blessings in the West. How can we then use these freedoms to reach Muslims and support those who convert, often at great personal cost?

John Ghanim is a passionate Christian influencer, evangelist, and full-time missionary. After leaving Islam in 2014 and spending three years as an agnostic, his life was transformed at the end of 2017 when he encountered Jesus. Called to be an evangelist, John now dedicates his life to sharing Christ with all nations. With a background in business administration from his time in Yemen, he uses his experience and unwavering faith to inspire and equip believers worldwide. Follow him on social media here [https://linktr.ee/johnghanim].

With John Ghanim

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.