Faith, Hope, and Love

The Bible never promises that we’ll be spared from pain or suffering—but it does promise that God draws near to us in the midst of it. Director of the Gift of Blessing Trust, author, and speaker Kate Patterson has just released her latest book, Ashes to Crowns—a devotional companion shaped by her own story and the experiences of others who have walked through profound loss. She joined Lydia Bennett to share part of her testimony.

What are the signs of a toxic friendship? As Christians, is it ever ok to cut off a friend? Phil Knox joined Lydia to answer some of the hard questions we face when it comes to godly friendships including how we make the good ones stands the tests of time. Phil is evangelism and missiology senior specialist at the Evangelical Alliance and has written widely on friendship and relational evangelism. He gave Lydia lots of tips and tricks for fruitful and long-standing friendships.

David Harper, well‑known from BBC shows like Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Flog It, is also now an author. His new book, The God Conundrum, explores his surprising 11‑month dive into Christianity—sparked by a transformation he couldn’t ignore. He joined Lydia Bennett to share his remarkable testimony.

Is there a fail-safe way to ensure your kids grow up loving Jesus? Rachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, sat down with Mal Pope to share her story of coming to faith in Jesus and some top tips for discipling your children at home.

In Cape Town, Pastor Mark Simpson is seeing a wave of revival. What began in 2019 with a handful of young people in a small flat has grown into three thriving locations, with around 700 young adults gathering each Sunday. The church has seen many come to faith, including 28 baptisms at Camps Bay just weeks ago. He joined Mal Pope to share what God is doing among young people in Cape Town.

GLASBY (AKA Pete Glasby) is a Christian alternative/indie rock artist from Middlesbrough and winner of the UK Rock Song of the Year at the 2025 StepFWD Awards. He shared his story and some of his music with Mal Pope.

Scams cost the UK an estimated £10 billion every year. Yet, most of these crimes go unreported—often because victims feel ashamed or foolish. The criminals involved in these scams are highly sophisticated, making them hard to track and stop. Professor Keith, Founding Director of the National Centre for Cross-Disciplinary Social Work and a leading voice in safeguarding, joined Mal Pope to share vital insights on why scams are so prevalent and how to stop them.

Scripture is rich with wisdom, but sometimes its meaning feels distant or hard to grasp. So, is it possible to engage deeply with the Bible without losing sight of its original intent? Paul Coulter, the executive Director of Christianity in Society, joined Madeleine Kerzner to unpack this.

Emma Kirby and her husband, Jo, lost a baby— not once, but twice. The grief was overwhelming, and fear consumed Emma during her second pregnancy. But in the midst of the darkness, God spoke through Psalm 27, bringing peace and hope she thought she’d lost. Emma joined Madeleine Kerzner to share a bit of his story.

Blue Monday is just around the corner—the time when bills arrive, days feel darker, and motivation runs low. As Christians, we have a God who promises hope, peace, and life in all its fullness. So why do we still struggle? And more importantly, how can we experience the full life Jesus offers? Psychotherapist, counsellor, and lecturer at the London School of Theology, Dr Ike Odina, joined Lydia Bennett to unpack this.

Dr. Claire Gilbert knows this struggle well. An author, speaker, and mentor, Claire was diagnosed with myeloma—a cancer of the blood—at age 54 and has lived with it ever since. Her book Miles to Go Before I Sleep: Letters on Hope, Death and Learning to Live chronicles her journey through illness and faith. She joined Lydia Bennett to share how her faith sustained her through the diagnosis.

Ken and Mary Okoroafor are founders of the Humble Penny, a platform helping people to manage their money better and reach financial independence. Their latest book 'The Wealth Habit' helps people to build healthy financial habits that will last. Premier's Lydia Bennett spoke to them about how to break down the money taboo, how to do a finance MOT on yourself and how to avoid impulse buying!

Anwar Bourazza serves the commuters of Kent as a rail pastor offering care, conversation, a smile and a hot drink to anyone who needs it. Premier’s Carlton Baxter spoke with Anwar about his work and why a train could be the best place to share the Gospel.

Beatty Carmichael is a self-proclaimed health and addiction breakthrough expert and author of the Prayer of Freedom, a spiritually driven process that has helped people worldwide get breakthrough healing from mental illness, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and addiction symptoms. He joined Lydia Bennett to share more about this approach to praying for healing and how he found it in scripture.

Starting the year spiritually strong is important, and practices like prayer, reflection, and Scripture aren’t just rituals—they’re lifelines that keep us grounded when life feels uncertain. Amy Boucher Pye is a writer, speaker, and spiritual director who helps people deepen their relationship with God. She joined Carlton Baxter to discuss how we can begin the year rooted in faith.