Open House Interviews with Dwayne Jeffries

An inspiring story of determination and defying the odds. 2011 X Factor runner up Andrew Wishart has been on the ride of a lifetime over the past year. He talks about chasing his dreams at the age of 40, inspiring the nation and imparting Christian values on his four children.

No child deserves to feel forgotten or alone, especially at Christmas. Charles Colson’s Angel Tree program provides prisoner’s children with love, care and gifts. Angel Tree state director Richard Feeney talks about spreading hope to children in need.

The simply stunning journey of Reverend Michael Carrion. As a five year old he was used as bait by his parents in a murder, but found salvation after being rescued by Charles Colson’s Prison Fellowship. Michael opens up about his past and talks about becoming an inspiring church and community leader in New York.

Our book reviewer Kara Martin talks about JK Rowling’s first book since her very successful Harry Potter series. She says The Casual Vacancy has darker themes than the Potter series, but we can all learn important things from it.

Social media guru Steve Kryger talks about how our future cities and lives are going to be radically rearranged by digital media. He says we'll be working on the go and from home more and car travel will decline.

We continue our series on obsessive-compulsive disorders with human condition guru Lyn Worsley. This week she further explores hoarding and talks about why people hoard. She says it’s much more than collecting things and says there are ways to get help.

Mentors can have a lasting impact on someone’s life as they walk, pray and encourage others. Jo-Anne Berthelsen has first-hand experience in spiritual mentoring and has written a book called Soul Friend. She talks about the influence and importance of having spiritual mentors.

We continue our series on conversion stories with author John Mulder. This week he talks about the compelling stories of U2's Bono, Fanny Crosby and Richard Baxter. He says it’s important to learn how different men and women come to know Christ.

The Syrian civil war continues to worsen but Dr Michael Bassous says we can help the situation from anywhere around the world. As the General Secretary of Bible Society in Lebanon, he is working to distribute God’s word in Syria and Iraq. Surprisingly, he’s an optimist about the region.

Church Times Deputy Editor Ed Thornton talks about the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby had an unconventional journey to the position after being an oil executive and then a bishop for less than a year. Ed talks about the job ahead of him and says he walks into some highly contentious issues.

There's been much talk about the royal commission into Catholic Church sexual abuse, but not much on how the Christian community feels about it. Simon Smart from the Centre for Public Christianity shares his thoughts on the issue and says the church might lose some buildings in the process but save its soul.

A tribute to the life and ministry of world famous evangelist John Chapman, who died at the age of 82. Former Anglican Church Evangelism Director David Mansfield reflects on John’s life and talks about the profound impact he had on the lives of many.

Pornography is one of the biggest issues of our time with the industry said to be worth 100 billion dollars. Former porn producer Donny Pauling opens up about what the industry is really like. He warns about the dangers of the industry and shares his own personal journey to finding God.

Our film critic Ben McEachen addresses the important issue of belief in his review of The Master. He says the film, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, highlights people’s need to believe in someone or something.

The release of Ian Thorpe’s autobiography has highlighted the importance of hard work and achievement. Our sports guru Jeremy Rolleston talks about living a life that counts and shares some of the success stories from his own book. He says it’s important we reach our potential.