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How does God guide an insurance salesman, self-confessed worrier and part time radio commentator to start what would become one of the largest Christian radio stations in the world?
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\nDo join us on the first of three conversations with Peter Kerridge, CEO of what has become Premier Christian Communications, Europe's largest Christian multimedia group. It works with a wide range of Christian churches and organisations across the UK through radio, Internet, video and magazine platforms. Its mission is to help the UK by enabling people to put their faith at the heart of daily life and to bring Christ to their communities.
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\nIt is an impressive vision, but what is even more impressive is how over 25 years that vision has been implemented and brought to life.
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\nPeter's leadership has been a pivotal factor in getting the vision off the ground to become reality and then to grow and develop in a sustainable way over more than two decades.
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\nAs the UK's largest Christian media organisation its reach is significant. In 2019 (before the impact of COVID which will have dramatically increased even these figures), there have been:
\n- over 8 million website visits per year
\n- 6.6 million YouTube video views in 2018
\n- over 1.5 million tune into Premier Christian radio programmes every week
\n- over 1.2 million calls are received each year into Premier Lifeline, the National Christian Helpline
\n- 560,000 copies of Christianity magazine, Voice of Hope and Premier Hope and Premier Youth and Children's Work were published in 2019.
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\n2020 has been a challenging year for us all, but it is also remarkable as the 25th year anniversary of Premier Christian Radio.
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\nPeter is married to Karen, has two sons and enjoys reading, following Newcastle United football club and sleeping!
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\nOn this podcast we delve into Peter's life including:
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\n \tComing to faith as a 7 year old boy
\n \tLearning about being a football commentator
\n \tWorking as an insurance salesmen and night club DJ
\n \tResisting the call to full time Christian work, but also experiencing the clear guidance of God
\n \tGoing to Oxford University to study theology and training for the baptist ministry
\n \tBecoming associate minister at Avenue Baptist Church in Southend-on-Sea while at the same time doing freelance presenting at Essex Radio Station
\n \tPeter's ongoing fascination with radio programmes as a way of bringing spiritual truth and encouragement to others.
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\nWe also explore Peter's growing vision for a Christian radio station at a time in the mid 1980s when the mainstream media was beginning to sideline and ignore religious programming. This was at a time when there were only four main TV stations and as many as 16 million people watched religious programmes. Peter discusses:
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\n \tCampaigning during 1989 for the law to change to allow a Christian radio station
\n \tThe lonely journey this was with very few within the church having a vision for the potential
\n \tHow when a proposed change in the law was debated it was opposed by every bishop in the House of Lords
\n \tThe 1990 Broadcasting Act allowing specialist radio and TV licenses for niche areas, including pornography
\n \tThe launch of Christian radio in 1995 with no money, no church leadership support, no clear management structure and no identifiable presenters
\n \tA very different form of technology to contend with at the time and Premier being given the worst frequency and lowest reach of any radio station
\n \tTo keep tuned to the radio station at the time you would need to keep changing the medium wave channel as you drove around the M25 that circles London!
\n \tKeeping the business sustainable over 25 years with every year presenting financial challenges.