Dr Matthew Porter admits he may not be a greatest or even the most natural Evangelist himself but says his own passion for sharing The Gospel tends to override that. It must be this quality that has lead him to his current position as Champion Lead Bishop in Mission and Discipleship in the Church of England.

Porter is also Bishop of Bolton and serves as one of three Anglican bishops within Greater Manchester bringing over 30 years of ministry experience with spells serving as Honorary Chaplain to both Queen Elizabeth II and Charles III.

He grew up in a Christian Methodist household and says he heard the voice of God quite early on, much like Samuel, also learning that prayer was powerful- it could do things. The call to ministry came at university and with a move over from his Methodist childhood to the Anglican Church.

Bishop Porter is also the author of number of books including The Art Of Journalling and the A-Z of Prayer, providing practical guides on some of the key elements of faith.

In this interview he talks to David Senior, a Church of England vicar himself in the Diocese of Guildford, about his early life and coming to faith, his love of journaling and how sharing faith and evangelism is simply speaking about the joy that exists within you.

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Released on 27 Nov 2025