PEP Talk

Steve Osmond and Kristi Mair are delighted to chat with a living legend of the British church, Roger Carswell. Roger reflects on over 40 years of sharing the gospel in different ways, with his trademark warmth and wisdom. HIs insights on the changing world, the consistent gospel, Christian literature and the heart of gospel preaching are so encouraging. Roger Carswell is a travelling evangelist and author. He leads evangelistic church and university missions as well as speaking at Christian conferences. He has written a number of books including 'And some evangelists' [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781781915196/and-some-evangelists-paperback] and 'Where is God in a messed-up world?' [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781913278762/where-is-god-in-a-messed-up-world-paperback] and publishes numerous gospel tracts and booklets. He is married to Dot, has four children and lives in North Yorkshire

If you know the life-changing experience of tasting traditional Japanese ramen, you know it is something you want everyone to experience. Is it the same with our Christian experience? Today on PEP Talk, Andy and Kristi speak with our ramen-loving guest about the roles of enthusiasm and duty in our evangelistic life. Matthew Mittelberg is an experienced Christian teacher and apologist, serving as Director of Content at Apologetics Inc [https://apologetics.org/]. He has spoken to thousands at universities, churches, conferences and youth events in both the US and the UK and his talks have been seen online hundreds of thousands of times. Matthew completed his MA in Philosophy of Religion at Palm Beach Atlantic University, received his BA from Grand Canyon University, and a certificate in theology from Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University. Find Matthew on YouTube here [https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewVMitt].

After the Covid pandemic, we've all had enough of statistics! But sometimes they can reveal amazing surprises about things we take for granted. Today Gavin Matthews learns more about the fascinating "Talking Jesus" report, which tells us so much about the nuances of faith in the UK and the untapped opportunities for sharing Jesus today.  Find out more about the Talking Jesus research here [http://talkingjesus.org/] and watch  a summary on YouTube here [https://youtu.be/EPCVjYEdshw?si=dEyaTgpyAHuxJl1K]. The Talking Jesus course for churches is here [https://talkingjesus.org/course]. Dr Rachel Jordan-Wolf is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus and has worked for various churches and mission agencies in places such as London and Amsterdam. She's involved in a church plant in London and is a adjunct lecturer in mission in the UK. She holds a PhD in Church History, focussing on women in mission in early 20th Century Britain. She has been an advisor for the Church of England on mission. Rachel is the Executive Director of Hope Together [https://www.hopetogether.org.uk/] - a ministry which works with local churches to share the gospel of Jesus. She also loves chocolate!

Where does our desire for the supernatural fit in the modern world? With a society built on rationality and technology, do we still have longings for a connection with something transcendent? Steve Osmond sits down with Belle Tindall to identify areas in our friends' lives where we can show how the gospel story meets those longings. Dr Belle Tindall is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Unseen [https://www.seenandunseen.com/]. She is also a columnist for Premier's Woman Alive magazine and co-host of Re-Enchanting [https://www.seenandunseen.com/podcast], a podcast that ponders whether our disenchanted world can be re-enchanted with the wonder and mystery of the Christian story.

Steve Osmond fills in as host this week on PEP Talk and gets the chance to speak with an expert on mission and evangelism in postmodern culture. Hannah Steele is an academic and author whose passion is to see churches and groups of Christians grow together to become more missional and evangelistic. The Revd Dr Hannah Steele is Director of St Mellitus College, London and Tutor and Lecturer in Missiology. As well as Living His Story, [https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/easter-and-lent-books/lent-books-for-individuals/living-his-story/] she is author of New World, New Church? [https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/the-church/new-world-new-church/] (SCM Press, 2017). Alongside her academic work, Hannah has spent time engaged in mission and evangelism among students in central London as a staff worker with UCCF.  She is married with three sons and loves watching football, baking and traveling. Pre-order her next book here: Living His Story Together, [https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/spiritual-growth/mission/living-his-story-together-being-a-community-of-missionary-disciples/] due out 20 June 2024.

Today on PEP Talk we chat with a church pastor about how sharing the gospel is a natural part of both his church work and personal relationships. With a particular emphasis on the essential role of prayer, Matt talks with Gavin Matthews about the formal and informal elements that make up a vibrant evangelistic lifestyle. Our Guest After 14 years as senior pastor of City Gates Church in central London, Matt Frost moved to Cirencester in July 2009 to become pastor at Cirencester Baptist Church [https://www.cirencester-baptist.org/].  Matt loves playing cricket for North Cerney CC, praying for the sick, supporting Liverpool, sharing the good news of Jesus with all kinds of people, listening to jazz-funk, bringing change, watching films of all kinds and chatting with God. You can follow Matt on Twitter here. [https://twitter.com/#!/MattFrostie] His podcast "Two Pastors in a Pub" is available from Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xNDE5ODUwLnJzcw] or Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/two-pastors-in-a-pub/id1536943159].

Today's guest can relate amazing stories of adventurous missions in remote areas experiencing miracles and dramatic conversions. But even if that is not what most of us experience, we can still take from it practical lessons about prayer, following the Spirit's leading and hospitality in our day-to-day lives at home. Kevin Elliot is chair of trustees for the Christian charity Mission Macedonia [http://www.missionmacedonia.com/]. He makes regular mission trips to North Macedonia, and has also worked alongside churches in East Africa. With 30 years' experience in Christian youth work and church-based outreach in the UK, Kevin also has an on-line ministry, 'allaboutjesus.info [http://www.allaboutjesus.info/]', teaching the four gospels through video talks. Kevin's first book, See Miracles [http://www.mmpublish.org/], was published in November 2023.

One of the most effective methods for sharing the gospel is through personal conversations. But in our modern world, many of us struggle with 'personal' and 'conversation' for a variety of reasons. Today on PEP Talk we discuss the issues and struggles we have with conversation, personal connection and empathy in an age of digital distraction and polarised public discourse. For further reading, books mentioned in this episode include Disruptive Witness [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disruptive-Witness-Speaking-Truth-Distracted/dp/083084483X/] by Alan Noble and Reclaiming Conversation [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reclaiming-Conversation-Power-Talk-Digital/dp/B015GCSRNS/] by Sherry Turkle. Our Guest Nathan Rittenhouse is a speaker, preacher and podcaster. After double-majoring in Physics and Philosophy, Nathan studied theology and pastoral studies in several institutions and holds an M.Div from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Nathan has been preaching and speaking in the field of Christian apologetics at churches, campuses, and conferences for the last 8 years. He is the Co-Founder of Thinking Out Loud [https://toltogether.com/]. Nathan, his wife Erin, and their four children enjoy the great outdoors and are grateful for the wisdom, support, and opportunities to serve and grow in their local church.

Today we hear from an incredibly successful businessman and philanthropist and discover his heart for the gospel. Starting with the influence of his mother, he explains how his relationship with Christ has shaped his life, his giving, his ministry and his own personal evangelism. Sir Brian Souter grew up on a council estate in Perth, Scotland. He and his sister built the Stagecoach  company into one of Britain's largest bus companies in the 1990's, moving into other transport and international ventures.  He set up the Souter Charitable Trust with his wife Lady Elizabeth in 1992. Since 2006 the Trust has awarded more than 15,000 grants totalling over £100 million (including support for Solas). He received a knighthood in 2011 for his contributions to transport and the voluntary sector. Still resident in Perth, Sir Brian has four grown up children and five grandchildren.

In this episode we chat with a church planter and football chaplain working in the heart of Edinburgh. Be inspired by his approach to multiplying churches by sharing life and faith with individuals in a busy and cosmopolitan city.  Derek Lamont has been a pastor for 33 years, 22 of them in the centre of Edinburgh, with the Free Church of Scotland. His current church, St Columba's, has planted four new churches in different communities of the city. He will be leaving St C's in January to re-plant a Gospel church at the foot of Leith Walk.  Derek is married to Catriona with four grown-up kids - two of whom live in America, the other two are married and work for churches in Edinburgh.

Andy and Kristi sit down with the newest member of the Solas team to discuss his passion for evangelism. Having arrived in Scotland recently from South Africa, Steve Osmond reflects on the opportunities, surprises and challenges we have here. Kristi is also interested in Steve's background in zoology and how that has informed his conversations with atheists. Steve Osmond hails from South Africa, where he earned his MSc in Zoology from the University of Johannesburg, specialising in ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment. Along with his passion for the natural world, he also has a love for theology: exploring the connections between faith and reason, and how Christianity makes sense of the world. He has been involved in pastoral ministry and creating training programmes for discipleship in theology and apologetics. Steve holds a MA in Apologetics & Theology from Southern Evangelical Seminary. He now lives in Perth, Scotland with his wife Robin and two young daughters.

Listen through to the end for a special 20% off discount code from 10ofThose.com [https://uk.10ofthose.com/partners/solas?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=solas]! When it comes to sharing our faith, we are blessed with a wealth of books and writings available from articulate Christians defending and presenting the gospel. Today on PEP Talk we have a great testimony from someone whose reading quest helped immensely in moving him from atheism to Christ. He now works for a Christian book distributor and gives us some great recommendations for books and evangelistic tracts we might find helpful. Adam White became a Christian in 2020 after reading book after book on the evidence for Christianity. He now travels around Scotland recommending books that point people to Jesus in his role with 10ofthose.com [https://uk.10ofthose.com/partners/solas?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=solas], the Christian book ministry. Adam loves reading and has a keen interest in apologetics, spending his free time giving seminars on how to talk to atheists and engaging people in 1-2-1 evangelism. Adam's Tract Recommendations: Christmas tracts by Roger Carswell Peace on Earth? [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781915705020/peace-on-earth-tract] Love at Christmas [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781914966125/love-at-christmas-tract] Whiter Than Snow [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781912373505/whiter-than-snow-tract] Titantic (A night to remember) [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781906173388/titanic-a-night-to-remember-tract-tract] Last on God's List [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781915705464/last-on-gods-list-tract] The Scariest Stories Are the True Ones [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781915705501/the-scariest-stories-are-the-true-ones] - Halloween tract  Book Recommendations: The Case for Christ [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9780310350033/the-case-for-christ-paperback] by Lee Strobel Mere Christianity [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9780007461219/mere-christianity-paperback] and The Problem of Pain [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9780007461264/the-problem-of-pain-paperback] by C.S. Lewis Strange New World [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781433579301/strange-new-world-paperback] by Carl Trueman Can Science Explain Everything? [https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781784984113/can-science-explain-everything-paperback] by John Lennox Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

There has been a surprising rebirth in belief in God in some quarters formerly dominated by the "New Atheism" of Richard Dawkins and Stephen Fry. It seems to have disappointed many who were left without answers to their purpose or meaning in life. How is the Christian story gaining traction, and how can we show that it is both meaningful and true? Andy and Gavin are joined by Justin Brierley to discuss his observations from his latest book "The Surprising Rebirth of God [https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/]". Justin Brierley is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. He has worked in radio, podcast and video for over two decades. Until April 2023 he was Theology & Apologetics Editor for Premier Christian Radio, and hosted the Unbelievable? radio show and podcast as well as the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Justin was also editor of Premier Christianity magazine from 2014-2018, for which he continues to contribute articles. Justin's first book 'Unbelievable? Why, after ten years of talking with atheists, I'm still a Christian' [https://justinbrierley.com/unbelievable-book/] (SPCK) was published in 2017. Justin is married to Lucy, a church minister in Surrey, and they have four children. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

Everyone knows about the "culture wars" and some champion following Jesus as being "counter-cultural". What precisely is the relationship between the Christian faith and human culture? Reflecting well on that relationship and our own place in it can lead to some great insights into how we live out and share our faith. Helping us do that on PEP Talk today is a minister and academic with experience on both sides of the Atlantic. Rev Dr Anna Robbins is President of Acadia Divinity College [https://acadiadiv.ca/staff/anna-robbins/] in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has served several churches as an ordained minister of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Near the end of her doctoral studies in Wales (PhD 2001), she was appointed to the faculty of the London School of Theology in the UK where she served for 12 years. In London, she was theological consultant to organisations including Theos, Christians in Politics, Tearfund, and the Evangelical Alliance. She returned to Nova Scotia in 2012, where she lives with her husband and son. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

How are the arts effective in sharing the gospel? What are the issues in reaching young adults for Christ? And what does it mean to be pastoral in evangelism? These are just some of the questions covered in a wide-ranging PEP Talk discussion today with Andy Bannister, Gavin Matthews and our guest Callom Harkrader from Southampton. Callom Hardraker is currently the Young Adult Pastor at Above Bar Church [https://www.abovebarchurch.org.uk/staff-and-team] in Southampton, where he has been on the staff team since 2015. Originally from the USA, he has apologetics training from The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Callom also serves on the steering group for The Mark Drama [https://themarkdrama.com/], an innovative theatre tool for learning the gospel story. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

Sometimes on PEP Talk, you just need a pep talk! Our guest today is full of passion, experience and enthusiasm for sharing Jesus that will get you excited to do the same. Have a listen to her amazing stories of how God does unexpected works when we just say yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Rowena Cross experienced a dramatic conversion to Christ, along with her husband, when they were in their thirties. While he went on to become a Vicar, she has been a passionate evangelist, working alongside him sharing the gospel in all kinds of ways - street-work, door-to-door, Alpha and organising large-scale evangelistic events. She has recently released a book, which is daringly entitled, "Be Bold Stop Faffing About and Crack On For Jesus [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bold-Faffing-About-Crack-Jesus/dp/1399927221/ref=sr_1_1?crid=323X68JGCM0ER&keywords=Rowena+Cross&qid=1686755167&s=digital-text&sprefix=rowena+cross%2Cdigital-text%2C136&sr=1-1-catcorr]" Also check out "Mission Shaped Grace [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XBXWV2R/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2]"  by John McGinley, which was significant in mobilising her church in evangelism.  Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

Equality, compassion, consent, enlightenment, science, freedom and progress. Beliefs that are the air we breathe [https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-air-we-breathe] as a society and values that most people hold dear. In that sense, nearly everyone we meet is already a believer! But only one Person makes real sense of these beliefs, and it's our privilege to introduce Him to them. Andy and Kristi are here to chat with Glen Scrivener this week on PEP Talk. Glen Scrivener is an ordained minister and the Director of Speak Life [https://speaklife.org.uk/], an organisation that exists to share the love of Jesus through creative communication. An author, speaker and media presenter, his latest project is The Air We Breathe [https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-air-we-breathe]. He has also authored The Gift [https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/products/thegift], 321, The Story of God, the World and You [https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/products/321b] and Long Story Short: The Bible in 12 Phrases [https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/products/longstory]. Glen is married to Emma and they have two children. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

Gavin Matthews fills in as host this week, so Andy can swap chairs for an interview about his latest book, How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot [https://www.solas-cpc.org/how-to-talk-about-jesus-without-looking-like-an-idiot/]. From "crunchy Christians" to comedy footnotes to Master Question-Asker, Gavin finds out what to expect from Andy's book-length version of his highly popular seminar. Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas and is a highly in-demand speaker, writer, and broadcaster. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths and none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. His previous books include Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? [https://www.solas-cpc.org/dmacwtsg/] and The Atheist Who Didn't Exist [https://www.andybannister.net/the-atheist-who-didnt-exist-now-available-for-pre-order/]. He also hosts two podcasts, PEP Talk [https://www.solas-cpc.org/category/podcast/pep-talk/] and Pod of the Gaps [https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast] and presents the Short Answers [http://solas-cpc.org/shortanswers/] video series for Solas. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

Today on PEP Talk we hear from a ministry leader helping to train, equip and release other missional leaders across Europe and Central Asia. Although his earliest experience was one of rejection and lack of support, today he has some amazing insight into what coming alongside gospel workers looks like. The lessons learned can help us no matter what our context for sharing Christ is today. Jason Lane founded Innovista [https://www.innovista.org], aged 26, to equip leaders and teams to change their communities with the hope of Jesus. He holds an MDiv in Theology and Leadership from Bethel Seminary having graduated in Business Management. The practical, experiential and insightful training experiences developed by Jason and his team have been translated into ten languages and deployed in more than twenty countries. In his free time Jason enjoys windsurfing (badly) and good coffee. He lives with his wife Rachel, daughter and dog in Oxford, UK. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]

When most of us think of an "evangelist", it's usually a heroic example like Billy Graham or else a bit of an oddball operating on the fringe of our church. We don't see ourselves as Billy and we don't want others to think we're the oddballs, so we shy away from evangelism altogether. Our guest on PEP Talk today wants us to realise that different types of evangelism can match our unique personality and gifts. It's a liberating idea that means we rely on other members of the Christian body as we support each other in reaching out with the gospel. Mark Mittelberg is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the Executive Director of the Lee Strobel Center [https://strobelcenter.com] for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University. Mark recently released his all-new book and training course, Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others [https://contagiousfaithbook.com] He also wrote the leadership-oriented book, Becoming a Contagious Church, which presents an innovative blueprint for church-based evangelism, as well as several books on apologetics. He lives with his wife Heidi near Denver, Colorado. Support the show [https://www.solas-cpc.org/podcast-book-offer/]