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Is it the dawn of an utopian age? Or will humans be relegated to the Matrix? It certainly seems that recent developments in artificial intelligence will bring profound changes to our world. But right now, profound questions are there to be asked. How can we show that the Christian message gives the best answers, and use AI as a platform for the gospel? Andy Bannister and Simon Wenham chat with Australian author Stephen Driscoll about God, AI and humans. Stephen Driscoll wrote Made In Our Image: God, Artificial Intelligence and You (2024 Matthias Media). He studied at Moore College, the University of Sydney and the University of NSW. Stephen serves with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Canberra, where he disciples Christian students and shares the gospel with nonbelievers. He is married to Lauren and they have two young children.

Many Christians will be familiar with the practice of praying for and visiting those from their own church who might be sick in hospital. But the role of the hospital (or hospice) chaplain can allow for ministry to all kinds of people. What are the challenges, joys, and opportunities experienced in this unique role? This time on PEP Talk, we hear from a hospital chaplain who himself spent eight months in hospital after a car crash which left him permanently paraplegic. Kelvin Burke is the author of "Lake of Tears", a compelling book with a unique application of God’s partaking in the face of suffering. Kelvin is an Anglican minister and Healthcare Chaplain. After his time as Priest-in-charge at St Andrew’s Wakefield Kelvin was called to Minister in Healthcare Chaplaincy, starting out as Honorary Chaplain at Wakefield Hospice and then Pinderfields Hospital where he had been an inpatient for nine months in 1979/80 following a Road Traffic Accident which left him paraplegic.  He was appointed Chaplain at Leeds Teaching Hospital during which time he studied for and attained a Masters in Theology at Cardiff University. In 2010 he moved with his wife Jennie and three teenage daughters (Chloé, Katie and Ellie) to the Isle of Wight, and after a short time as Chaplain at Mountbatten Hospice and St Mary’s Hospital, he was appointed Senior Chaplain of Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

What happens when Christians truly embrace reaching out to the 'least of these' right here in the UK? Those marginalised even by mainstream society - sex workers on the streets of our cities. While we don't think of it as 'evangelism,' surely being 'the hands and feet of Jesus' is a concrete way of sharing the gospel? It's certainly a challenging one! Find out about how Embrace is ministering to those selling sex on the streets of Birmingham and Coventry. Kaeli Murphy is the Project Manager for Embrace in Birmingham and began in post in June 2023 as the services were expanded from Coventry. She has been volunteering and working with Embrace for 6 years alongside working for a community centre as a Youth Worker, and has a Masters in Youth Work and Community Development. Kaeli lives in Birmingham with her husband and leads the youth work at her church. She loves spending time with people, hosting, music and DIY (or anything creative!)

“When people realise that their questions about faith aren’t brand new in the last two minutes, but have been asked thousands of times with really good answers - that would be how history and apologetics meet.” Gavin and Simon (the resident Solas history buffs) hear about an amazing project to bring the history of Christianity to the world - via animation on YouTube! Check out the results at christianstory.com  Oliver Dürr and Daniel Kim are co-founders of Christian Story.

Following in the footsteps of Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Donald Trump, today's PEP Talk guest runs a social media platform. It may be a bit smaller than X or Facebook, but it's purpose is much narrower and nobler. As Christians grapple with what it means to live out their faith online, the team at Grow Faith has built a platform just for them. Simon Wenham finds out more... Richard Matthews is co-founder and COO of Grow Faith, which produces the Grow app.

Here on PEP Talk, we often think about how each of us can share our faith, perhaps on our own or with our local church. But what about the big picture - the REALLY big picture? On a global scale, in this century, what is happening as Christians everywhere seek to fulfil the Great Commission? Today Simon and Gavin speak with the director of the "State of the Great Commission" report from the Lausanne Movement. You can access the full report here: https://lausanne.org/report Matthew Niermann has served the Lausanne Movement since 2010 in a variety of roles including research and operations. He is currently serving as the director of the State of the Great Commission Report for Lausanne 4. In addition, he serves as a dean and professor of architectural design at California Baptist University, where his research partially focuses on the relationship between creativity and Christian witness.

Youth for Christ has recently produced an incredible two-part report on the recent growth of spirituality amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha. What can we learn about the experiences of young people, their desires and interests, and their new paths to finding Jesus? Steve Osmond and Simon Wenham chat with the report author and youth worker, Laura Hancock. Get access to the full report here - https://yfc.co.uk/z-a-growing-spirituality/ Laura Hancock is Senior Lead of Ministry and Research at Youth for Christ, and is also part of the Limitless youth ministry team. She loves volunteering with the church’s youth group, leading a small group and helping people think through how we creatively communicate Jesus to the next generation. She lives in Halesowen with her husband Andy and her two kids where they all attend Lifecentral Church. She loves reading, running, shopping, hanging out with her dog, and never says no to an offer of pick and mix!

There have been several indications recently that Christianity is on the rise in Britain, particularly in younger demographics. But why and how are people coming to faith? The Finding Jesus report examines those questions. The answers give us encouragement and challenges as we see the different journeys people take to find Jesus. Phil Knox is an evangelist and missiologist at the Evangelical Alliance. He is passionate about making Jesus known and the power of friendship. He loves learning and has degrees in law and mission and evangelism. Phil is married to Dani and they have two sons, Caleb and Jos. He is an avid runner, enthusiastic waterskier and once broke the world record for the longest five-a-side football match. He is also an award winning performance poet and author of Story Bearer and The Best of Friends.

If we tell people the fact that Jesus is real and can change your life, they can nod and say "That's great for you, but not for me." But when we tell a story of the amazing impact God has in extraordinary circumstances, it can become absolutely compelling! Simon and Gavin speak today with the host of Compelled, a story-driven podcast seeking to communicate incredible stories of lives transformed by the gospel. Paul Hastings lives with his wife and four children near Austin, Texas, and attends Redemption Hill Church. As an entrepreneur, he's consulted extensively in the film, marketing and political arenas and is the Host of the Compelled Podcast. His work has been featured by Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, Christianity Today, World Magazine, American Family Association, and The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of the brand new book, Compelled, a collection of real-life stories about sin, surrender, and the Savior who changes everything.

Becci Greenfield  Who did you turn to when you had big questions, even doubts, about the Christian faith? Were there individuals or groups in your church that let you explore your questions without shame or dismissal? Today on PEP Talk we discuss creating "Big Questions" small group discussions within a church setting. They could be a key ministry to help your church family too! Becci Greenfield works in financial services but has also studied postgraduate theology specialising in the Old Testament. She developed a "Big Questions" ministry in her local church and is active on Instagram @thinkingfaithfully. She lives in Coventry with her husband and 18 month old son.

The Bible Society has published a fascinating report called The Quiet Revival - analysing extensive survey results on generational attitudes to the Bible, church, and Christianity. In this conversation with one of the report co-authors, we press into the sources of encouragement and the challenges for the future of Christianity in the UK. Dr Rob Barward-Symmons is Senior Research and Impact Manager at the British and Foreign Bible Society, Head of Research at Theos Think Tank, and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Christianity at St John's College, Durham.

In this episode, Simon and Kristi chat with young YouTuber and podcaster Lydia to learn how she connects with Gen Z. Whether it's delving into mental health issues, or interviewing Christian authors, her young faith is a huge motivation for her. Sharing her faith and personal life can be daunting, but authenticity is an incredibly attractive quality in a world of online superficiality.  Lydia Houghton studied Broadcast Journalism at Salford University. She now works as a Journalist for Evangelicals Now and is a Ministry Trainee at Wheelock Heath Baptist Church. If she isn't writing, she's most likely reading, and enjoys sharing book reviews on her YouTube channel.

In the mid 2010's, New Atheism was busy producing best-selling books and plastering adverts on the sides of buses. Its loud scepticism is not as popular these days, but many of its arguments live on. What has changed and how can we respond a decade later? Andy Bannister explores this in his revised and expanded book, The Atheist Who Didn't Exist, for a 10th anniversary edition. He speaks to Gavin Matthews and Simon Wenham about what's new what's interesting about the state of atheism today. Get a free copy of the book when you sign up to support Solas for just £4 a month. https://solas-cpc.org/book-offer/

Why do personal stories have the power to move us? In this episode, Brooke Kehl, of Eastern European Mission, explores why testimonies can be such a compelling witness to others. Hear how God is transforming lives, and how you can play your part in reaching those around you. Could a focus on mirroring Christ be the first step to unlocking new and surprising opportunities to share your faith? How might our own stories inspire and impact others, as part of God’s grand plan to reach the lost?

“Many [Christians] know what they believe, but they just think ‘I can’t share that in the workplace. I can’t share that in a friendship. I don’t want to get into a fight… But if you listen to people talking on the street, or in the workplace, most people aren’t afraid to share their opinions.” In a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain, many are searching for purpose and meaning. At the same time, Christians often feel that they are on the ‘back foot’, when it comes to how the church is viewed by wider society. In this episode of PEP Talk, Dr Paul Coulter calls us to step forward with confidence, offering a transforming vision of an identity rooted in Christ. By engaging with contemporary culture, he shares how we can meet the challenges of today with a bold faith that provides meaning, identity and hope – and how we can share that message with those around us. Our Guest: Paul Coulter's day job is as Head of Ministry Operations for Living Leadership, which seeks to support Christian leaders and their families to live in Christ joyfully and serve Him faithfully. Paul has worked as a medical doctor, a cross-cultural pastor and a lecturer in practical theology. He continues to teach ethics and other subjects in theological colleges.  Paul holds primary degrees in medical genetics and medicine, an MA and PhD in theology, and a post-graduate certificate in higher education teaching. Paul lives in Lisburn with his wife, Gar-Ling, and their two children.  In his spare time he enjoys cycling, walking and reading historical novels.  Centre for Christianity in Society: www.christianityinsociety.org Personal website: www.paulcoulter.net