Inspirational Breakfast with Esther Higham

Rebekah Brettle from Houses of Light joins Esther to show you a simple, powerful way to share your faith with your entire neighbourhood this Christmas.

Critics are saying that the Bible Society's Quiet Revival report makes “giddy, unsubstantiated claims” that don’t match the latest attendance figures from the Church of England. So have we become excited about something that doesn’t really exist? Esther Higham spoke to Dr Rob Barwood-Symons, co-author of the study, to get a deeper look at how the research was conducted, what it’s really telling us, and why the critics may have muddled their maths.

When lockdown boredom set in, Rev David Sims casually launched a TikTok account — but it’s since exploded into a vital extension of his ministry. He told Esther Higham how that simple impulse has led to giving away thousands of Bibles and even hosting full Sunday services armed with nothing more than his phone, a guitar, and the Word.

A Texan megachurch has sparked debate after launching a programme to train Christians for public office, leading to the question of whether it is ok to develop leaders for the public sphere with such a clear potential bias. Esther brought this question to Philippa Taylor and Fiona Stewart, who are both involved in Christian leader development programmes in the UK.

Author Michele Guinness joins Esther Higham to unpack the truth behind her husband's family affairs and her frustration at the Netflix drama skirting over their Christian heritage.

Author and composer Richard Storry made history last week as the oldest-ever winner of Big Brother. Sitting down with Esther Higham, he looks back on his “extraordinary victory", opening up about house tensions, dealing with sleep deprivation, and how God kept dropping scriptures into his mind for others.

Christmas carols – worship or just a festive sing-along? Esther Higham and special guest presenter Keith Getty are joined by hymnwriter and conductor Noël Tredinnick to share their favourite carols and explore their evangelistic potential.

Hymn-writer Keith Getty, joined by church leader and Orchard Women’s Conference co-founder Rachel Hughes, speak to Esther Higham about a new study suggesting raising daughters is more stressful, whether Christian parents should encourage their children to talk back, and how their own kids inspire them.

Did you know that all around the country, teams of Christians are layering up, pulling on high-vis, and heading out into city centres to chat with partygoers, pray with people, and help those who’ve had too much to drink get home safely? Street Angels celebrate their 20th anniversary this week. Founder Paul Blakey MBE joined Esther Higham to reflect on two decades of ministry.

A leaked US-backed peace proposal emerged over the weekend, appearing to favour Russia heavily, yet peace talks are moving ahead. President Zelensky says there is still work to be done, but believes the White House is “hearing him.” But is this part of God’s plan? Retired Major General Tim Cross and Professor John Heathershaw joined Esther to discuss whether Ukraine should compromise for the sake of peace.

A new report suggests more young people are turning to church for mental health support. Priest and mental health advocate Will Van Der Hart, along with Kintsugi Hope CEO Ellie Gage, joined Esther Higham to discuss whether the church can truly meet these needs or risk falling short.

In the Bible, names are significant. We're often told the meaning of a person’s name, and God often gives new names to reveal identity and purpose. Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter, and angels instructed Mary and Joseph on what they should call the coming Messiah. So how should Christian parents approach choosing a name for their child today? Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha, mother of six, joined Esther Higham to share her thoughts and the spiritual significance behind her children's names.

Have you ever filled a Pick N Mix bag at the cinema with every colour and flavour you could grab? A recent survey suggests that nearly 40% of Gen Z and young Millennials are taking the same approach to faith, mixing and matching beliefs to suit their own taste. To explore this growing trend, Esther Higham is joined by author and speaker Reverend Dr Ian Paul to discuss what’s driving this shift and how the whole Gospel can connect with younger generations.

Megachurch vs. small congregation—does size really make a difference? Greg Laurie argues that criticising large churches is “like being against restaurants with long lines". But is bigger always better? And how do we recognise genuine spiritual fruit in churches of any size? David Lloyd, Leader of The Garden Church Network, joins Esther Higham to explore what true growth would look like in each context.

Nearly 1 million people in the UK are living with dementia, but how does this condition impact their faith and spiritual life? Author and chaplain Rev Ben Boland shares moving stories with Esther Higham, revealing how God’s imprint on a person’s life can endure, even as memory fades and the mind deteriorates.