The Profile

Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences. The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God. Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.

  1. 18/12/2025

    Britain's Got Talent's Allan Finnegan on comedy and Christianity

    Allan Finnegan's stint on Britain's Got Talent in 2020 made him known to millions. The Baptist minister turned stand up comedian, who wears his dog collar in stage and draws on his experience as a minster, impressed all the judges, including Simon Cowell who gave him a standing ovation. Finnegan made it to the semi-finals but his journey there was unorthodox. He grew up in Bootle in the 70s, a poor area of Liverpool where 'he knew no different' and went into work in construction. It was only when he began dating a girl that he was encouraged to go to church, realised people there really did believe what they were saying, and got the bug. He became a Baptist minister himself, then feeling a similar call to comedy began doing gigs in the Liverpool circuit, eventually having his talent acknowledged by the judges audiences of BGT. More recently Finnegan's been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer which ultimately has spread to liver. In his new book I Didn't Ask for Any of This he draws on his unique faith journey amid the realisation that the tumour is now incurable. In this episode of The Profile he speaks to Premier Next Gen's Gareth Crispin about what led him to Christ, how 'bad' he felt he was at his first role as a minister, why one-person-one-mic is still as relevant as it's ever been and how cancer helped him re-evaluate his faith. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    53 min
  2. 11/12/2025

    Archbishop of Melbourne Ric Thorpe: "It's slightly overwhelming but God is going ahead of us."

    The new Archbishop of Melbourne Ric Thorpe is no stranger to change. He's an accomplished church planter and until very recently served as the Bishop of Islington. But even with that experience, he still admits that moving with his wife over 10,000 across the world is both exciting and daunting. Thorpe grew up going to church and as a schoolboy attended a boarding school where chapel was mandatory. It was only when he reached university that he encountered the Christian Union made some lifelong friends and had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus for the first time that set him off on a deeper relationship with God. After university he put a promising career with Unilever on hold to work at a Christian bookstore at Holy Trinity Brompton in London for 2 hours a week, eventually becoming ordained and later rising to bishop. His passion and experience for church planting gave him a name following a successful church plant from HTB to St Paul's Church in Shadwell which combined with an openness to listen to different traditions, particularly around prayer. Now, in his new role he is the first bishop to be installed as the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne in Australia in nearly 70 years. In this episode of the Profile he speaks to Premier Radio's David Senior, himself a Church of England priest, about his Christian walk and how we need to be bolder in talking about the hope that Jesus brings, as he insists, "don't let the costs stop you." The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    52 min
  3. 04/12/2025

    Sports journalist Charlie Webster on her near death, faith and life after abuse

    The British broadcaster, journalist, and campaigner Charlie Webster has known her fair share of trauma. As a child in Sheffield she was abused by her stepfather and watched her mother be the victim of domestic abuse. Later as a young teen she was groomed and abused again by her running coach. She speaks openly about her experiences and its effect on her and campaigns for greater scrutiny on the issue calling for greater understanding around women's mental health and trauma. Fortunately her interest in sports never waivered and Webster became a journalist initially working as a TV presenter for Real Madrid going on to work for ESPN, Sky Sports, Channel 4 and British Eurosport covering boxing, cycling, athletics and ice hockey among other sports. In 2016, she became critically ill with malaria after a 3,000-mile charity cycle from London to Rio and was told she might die. She credits the help of a nurse who found the Church she had connected with in the UK before she left and God's purpose for her along with people's prayers for her recovery from around the world. In this interview with Emma Fowle, Associate Editor of Premier Christianity magazine, Webster talks openly about the trauma that made her, the battles she faced in a sexist world of sports journalism and how she's happy to speak out for those who cannot speak. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity Magazine, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Through our publication, you’ll access thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary. Take advantage of our special offer - just £6 for 3 issues plus full digital access to our website and back issues. Enrich your faith journey and subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    54 min
4.4
out of 5
85 Ratings

About

Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences. The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God. Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.

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