Pastor Colin Smith speaking on the Bible as a living seed
Pastor Colin Smith is a familiar voice to Premier Christian Radio listeners as he presents Open the Bible which can be heard every weekday evening at 7.30pm.
As listeners will know from his accent he's originally from Scotland but for the last two decades has been the senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Illinois.
He grew up in a Christian home and came to faith independently quite early in life announcing that at aged 12 he was going to be a pastor. Aged just 22 he did just that at church in Enfield where he presided for 16 years.
The move to American happened after a holiday where he had been given a guest spot to preach and had thought he was just passing through. But the church was undergoing a transition and, impressed with his style, asked him to come over as the permanent pastor.
Smith has a deep love for Scripture believing it to be not just the word of God but the very work of God likening it to a living seed which can renew our spirits.
He has recently announced he'll be stepping down from Orchard to focus on his work with Open the Bible which in addition to Premier is broadcast on over 650 radio stations and reaches millions of listeners worldwide.
On this episode of The Profile he speaks to Premier Christianity Magazine Editor Sam Hailes about his upbringing, how he prepares to deliver a sermon and why Scripture should speak for itself.
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.
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53:05
Leadership Special Marg Mowczko: ‘Leading and preaching as a woman’
Andy Peck talks with the theologian and blogger about her journey into Bible teaching from a church that didn’t believe women should. What were her key steps in the journey? How does she interpret tricky passages and what does she say to women in churches that take a different approach?
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
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29:24
The Daily Mail's Quentin Letts on churchgoing and writing political satire
Quentin Letts is a British Journalist and political sketch writer best known for his satirical portraits of Westminster politics. Over the course of his career he's written for most major national newspapers, including the Daily Mail, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph since Tony Blair became Prime Minister.
Growing up, his parents ran a prep school and his father gave services in the school chapel. Church was always a big part of Sunday and he always enjoyed singing hymns calling himself as "an enthusiastic but imprecise singer."
'Churchgoer' rather than a Christian is what Letts feels most comfortable being described as though he believes Christianity is a force for good and that more Britons would be happier if more went to Church now.
As well as a satirist he's also a published author and his new novel Nunc! is set in 1st century Jerusalem where he creates a backstory for the prophet Simeon whose Nunc Dimittis became one of the great canticles of Christendom.
In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his public school upbringing, his take on faith as well as his thoughts on politics, climate change and Brexit.
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.
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59:34
Pioneer's Billy Kennedy on the highs and lows of church leadership
Billy Kennedy is the International Leader of the Pioneer Network. He was the Senior Leader at New Community Church in Southampton for 20 years from 2002 to 2022 and in 2014 was appointed one of the six Presidents of Churches Together in England.
Kennedy was instrumental in forging partnerships particularly between the Pioneer Network and other denominations, including the Methodist Church. In his latest book, Generations, Generations, Generation: The Story of a Church and a Movement, he looks back at his ministry at that time.
Kennedy grew up in Scotland and Northern Ireland and his father was a Baptist minister. He admits that traditional forms of Church at the time he was young weren't reaching him.
At community church in Southampton he encountered the Holy Spirit powerfully and moved from a job in retail to working at the Church going onto be influential in the growing House Church and Youth movements that were taking shape at the time.
The House church movement initially took off in the 1980's. Kennedy, along with other figures such as Terry Virgo's Newfrontiers and Ichthus Christian Fellowship with Roger Forster were key in forming larger groups that eventually planted churches.
In this episode of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity's Editor Sam Hailes about his life in ministry during that period and the bumps in the road he's faced and how God helped him navigate them.
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.
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58:57
Leadership Special Ash Barker: ‘Ministry to the Urban Poor’
Andy Peck talks with the author of ‘No Wastelands: How to grow seedbeds of Shalom in your neighbourhood’ about his journey from Melbourne, Australia to Winson Green, Birmingham, via Bangkok Thailand
What is Seedbeds? How might we minister to the urban poor and raise up leaders equipped to do so? How has Ash stayed resilient amidst setbacks? How might we learn more about urban poor ministry?
The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Check out the latest offers at premierchristianity.com
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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