Is this new loneliness campaign showing churches how it's done? A friendship evangelist responds
Playback speed
For all our talk of community, friendship and loneliness can be surprisingly difficult to navigate in church. That's why an initiative called Empty Chairs is attracting attention, encouraging people to offer an empty seat to someone on their own. But should hospitality feel like a new idea to Christians? Evangelist, missiologist and author of 'The Best of Friends', Phil Knox, joined Esther Higham to share whether Christians should learn from this, or if we've been doing it all along!
Released on 15 Jun 2026
Coming up next
The hidden crime of cuckooing: Could it be happening on your street?
Cuckooing is when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person, often pretending to be a friend before using the property for criminal activity. More than 1,500 incidents were reported to police in London between May 2025 and April 2026. Would you know if someone on your street was being cuckooed? Esther was joined by some experts to explain how churches and communities can spot the signs and protect those most at risk.
How new research on marriage is reaffirming what Christians have been saying all along..
New research from Dr Harry Benson and the Marriage Foundation suggested the benefits of marriage had been underestimated by governments and policymakers for decades, not only for couples, but for society as a whole. Esther spoke to Dr Benson about whether Christians should make a stronger case for marriage while remaining sensitive to those who are single or divorced.
