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From The Plain Truth magazine

  1. 18. FEB.

    Plain Talking – Episode 27

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this episode, we begin with the newly released World Watch List 2026 from Open Doors — a ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the greatest persecution. I speak with Jim from Open Doors, who explains why North Korea once again tops the list – a country where even private expressions of faith can be treated as political crimes. He also reflects on the continuing challenges in Syria, including violence, church attacks and the forced closure of Christian schools. Our focus then turns to Iran, currently ranked number 10 in the list. Despite its lower position, recent months have seen a sharp rise in arrests and prosecutions of Christians. One Iranian believer shares her personal story with me, describing the consequences her family faced after her father left Islam to follow Christ — including his imprisonment, mistreatment and ongoing pressure from the authorities. The podcast concludes with our regular contributor Brother David Jardine, who brings his customary warmth and insight to us. From reflections on England and Australia’s Test cricket rivalry, to thoughts on artificial intelligence and even the reported conversion of Clint Eastwood, he gently reminds us that beyond headlines and human achievement, true hope and lasting purpose are found in Christ.

    1 Min.

  2. 27. JAN.

    Plain Talking – Episode 26

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this latest podcast, I chat with Brother David Jardine who has recently published a new book, ‘Healing Words’. ‘My book is 150 pages and is a practical book’, says Brother David. ‘It tells people how to pray, types of things we should include in prayer and how to do it.’ David says the ministry of healing section in his new book also gives practical advice for those receiving prayer and for those praying for other people. ‘This is a book that will help people if they want to learn to pray.’ he says. We then go to South Wales and hear from the Revd Owen Griffiths, Minister for the South East Wales Pastorate of the Presbyterian Church. Twelve months ago, he launched Gobaith Clothing, a project based in South Wales (and established by the Presbyterian Church of Wales) that seeks to eliminate and tackle clothing poverty in their local communities. Pre-loved clothing items are repurposed and distributed to support individuals and families that are struggling financially in the current climate. You can find out more at https://gobaithclothing.org Finally, we hear again from Brother David Jardine – this time by way of an epilogue, inspired by one of New York’s most famous preachers. *Please note, this Podcast was recorded and produced before Christmas.

    33 Min.

  3. 17.09.2025

    Plain Talking – Episode 25

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this latest podcast, I raise the question: How does God interact with the world? To answer it, we hear from Professor David Wilkinson who is a British Methodist minister, theologian, astrophysicist and academic. Professor Wilkinson is Director of ‘Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science’ at St John’s College, which is part of Durham University. He is a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4, and published his latest book in May 2025, entitled How Does God Act in the World? In this discussion, David considers whether God is simply a creator who then goes on holiday and leaves the universe to develop, or is God the one who is embodied in Jesus, the God of signs and wonders, death and resurrection? And what does this mean for signs and wonders today, in the life of individuals and local churches? I found this to be a really stimulating interview. I hope you do too. Following Professor Wilkinson, our regular – and much-loved – podcast contributor and writer for The Plain Truth magazine, Brother David Jardine, reminds us of one of Northern Ireland’s most famous sporting sons – former professional boxer and World Featherweight Champion in 1985 – Barry McGuigan, as part of his discussion on ‘God’s answer to anxiety, anger and fear.’ BOTH PODCAST SUBJECTS ARE FEATURED ARTICLES INSIDE OUR LATEST 32-PAGE BUMPER ISSUE OF THE PLAIN TRUTH MAGAZINE. DON’T MISS IT!

    25 Min.

  4. 17.05.2025

    Plain Talking – Episode 24

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this latest podcast we learn about the dire humanitarian crisis facing the people of Myanmar following the recent earthquake which killed more than 3,800 people. We hear an extended interview from Ruth (her name and voice have been changed for security reasons) who works with Open Doors in Myanmar, informing us about believers being killed and churches indiscriminately attacked. More Christians than ever are facing persecution under the oppressive regime in states such as Chin, Kayah and Kachin, and in areas with significant Christian minorities, such as Sagaing Division, Yangon. Some are forced to flee to the jungle where they are often deprived of access to food and health care. Government forces have continued to disproportionately attack Christian villages and churches. They have also killed Christian aid workers and pastors, often in aerial attacks. Following the discussion with Ruth, we hear from our regular Plain Talking contributor Brother David Jardine who presents a seasonal epilogue for us and shares stories of Christian faith in action from those who put Jesus at the centre of their lives.

    18 Sek.

  5. 22.02.2025

    Plain Talking – Episode 23

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this latest podcast we hear from Lead Pastor Dave Clague who, with his wife Gail, founded the Bethania Church and Prayer House in Cardiff just over ten years ago. Their vision is to both gather for prayer and support gatherings of prayer in the City of Cardiff and beyond. Gethin caught up with Dave who gives an insight into their work, including building relationships with the local community especially through school chaplaincy. We then turn our attention to The Right Rev Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington, USA. Rev Budde made the headlines after she angered President Donald Trump with her sermon at the National Cathedral prayer service during Trump’s inauguration in January. She referenced Trump’s belief that he was ‘saved by God from assassination’ by urging him to show mercy towards LGBTQ+ and migrant communities. The president condemned her talk as ‘nasty’. The sermon is read by Clare Cooper. And finally, this podcast features not just one, but two epilogues from our regular contributor Brother David Jardine. First, Brother David encourages us to pray for Donald Trump so that he can be a ‘good President’. He then goes on to talk about the importance of ‘good service’ – and how Jesus came to serve all humankind.

    26 Sek.

  6. 22.10.2024

    Plain Talking – Episode 22

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this latest podcast we hear about the disturbing situation in Mali, a country in West Africa. Pastor Charles Yabaga Diarra tells how Christians there have been given an ultimatum by terrorists – either help in their fight against the country’s military power and pay them a Zakat tax (an Islamic tithe) or leave their homes and communities. I then talk about a medieval pilgrimage route opened in South Wales, stretching from Llandaff Cathedral on the outskirts of Cardiff to the Shrine of our Lady in Penrhys located in the Rhondda Valley. Rev’d David Lloyd (Dyfrig Lloyd), a Priest and Welsh Language Officer from The Church in Wales gives us more information about its history. *You can read more about this topic by subscribing to our free Plain Truth magazine where I discuss my spiritual journey in Wales, or go directly to my article by clicking this link: To be a Pilgrim. Finally, regular contributor Brother David Jardine gives us the background of James Hudson Taylor, a remarkable British Baptist Christian missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission (now OMF International). It is said that no other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the Apostle Paul created a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor. Brother David tells us why.

    21 Sek.

  7. 27.07.2024

    Plain Talking – Episode 21

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. We begin the podcast by hearing about a performing arts group called Ny Ako from Scripture Union Madagascar who have been touring Europe and Wales during the summer months. Miara Rabearisoa, Mission Enabler from the Presbyterian Church of Wales, tells of Ny Ako’s deep Christian connection with Wales that all started way back in 1818 by two Welsh missionaries. Then, we learn about how Christians living in Port Talbot are preparing for the likely closure of the UK’s largest steel works – and the profound social impact it will have. Gethin talks with Margaret Jones, a resident of the town, Andrew Saunders, the mission worker on the Sandfields Estate and his wife Tina Saunders, Manager of the local Baby Bank and Clothes Bank about the impact of up to 3,000 job losses at Tata Steel. Finally, Brother David Jardine tells the story behind one of the most widely sung hymns in the world – ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus.’ He talks about its composer Joseph Scriven from Northern Ireland, who thought a poem he wrote for his dying mother would bring some spiritual comfort in her last days. Scriven’s life was full of hardships and trials, but, as Brother David points out, his hymn written 150 years ago is still relevant for Christians in every age and generation.

    20 Min.

  8. 19.04.2024

    Plain Talking – Episode 20

    Welcome to the latest Plain Talking podcast, with me, Gethin Russell-Jones. In this special Podcast edition, we’re focusing on the troubling situation in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed as Israeli troops conduct their war against Hamas. I speak with Colin Chapman, author of the ground-breaking book Whose Promised Land? which explores the troubled history of Israel and Palestine – and of the Jewish settlement in the region. Colin acknowledges the religious roots of the feelings on both sides and considers what could end the current situation in Gaza. After this extended interview, our regular contributor and co-founder of Divine Healing Ministries (www.divinehealingministries.org), Brother David Jardine, explains what divine healing is. ‘Sometimes God does a miracle instantaneously’, states Brother David, ‘but today people are often healed gradually over a period of time. Through prayer, we can expect to find peace, strength and healing, and at least an improvement in our condition.’ By way of example, he takes us to an extraordinary encounter in a Methodist Church, located on Belfast’s Shankill Road.

    24 Min.
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