Off Grid Christianity
Off Grid Christianity is a podcast for Christians who feel disconnected from Church...whether they attend one or not! Hosted by Martin Purnell, former 'Drivetime' presenter on the UK's first FM Christian Radio station, 'Cross Rhythms City', in Stoke-on-Trent. Martin also pioneered the legendary lunchtime discussion programme 'The Soapbox' on national Christian radio station 'UCB'. In recent years, Martin took a step back from direct involvement in broadcasting to focus on family life in his adopted home of Northern Ireland. However, throughout that time, the concept behind OGC has been developing on the 'back burner' and we're excited to bring that to fruition, through this regular podcast.
Access Radio
Show overview
Off Grid Christianity has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 192 episodes. That works out to roughly 190 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 56 min and 1h 4m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-GB-language Religion & Spirituality show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 6 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Access Radio.
From the publisher
Off Grid Christianity is a podcast for Christians who feel disconnected from Church...whether they attend one or not! Hosted by Martin Purnell, former 'Drivetime' presenter on the UK's first FM Christian Radio station, 'Cross Rhythms City', in Stoke-on-Trent. Martin also pioneered the legendary lunchtime discussion programme 'The Soapbox' on national Christian radio station 'UCB'. In recent years, Martin took a step back from direct involvement in broadcasting to focus on family life in his adopted home of Northern Ireland. However, throughout that time, the concept behind OGC has been developing on the 'back burner' and we're excited to bring that to fruition, through this regular podcast.
Latest Episodes
View all 192 episodesOff Grid Christianity – Episode 172 – Special Podcast – Abortion, A Guide Through The Facts.
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 171 – David Oliver
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 170 – Alan West
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 169 – Colin Saunders
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 168 – Easter Special Week Two – Psalm 23 And Its Relevance To Easter
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 167 – Easter Special Week One- Preston Sharpe
As it is Easter, I am repeating last year’s special podcast as it is so good! Preston is the founder and curator of The Art Of Preaching website and The Resurrection People podcast. He is the rector at Sacrament Church, Nashville. Preston has an amazing gift in explaining by sharing in a down to earth, […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 166 – David McCauley
Today’s guest wrote a recently published book with the great title You Don’t Know Sheep: An Unconventional Field Guide For Today’s Faith Leaders. Why did David write this book and what did he learn from studying sheep? Where did he study the sheep? The answer might well surprise you! If the book cover alone doesn’t […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 165 – Sam Ward
Sam is the UK CEO of The Message Trust. He was previously their Director of Ministry for 6 years. As you will hear, Sam is passionate about urban mission. How do you go about this in daily life? What is The Message Trust? Sam was also the Eden network director. What is Eden Network? Why […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 164 – Helen Fernandes
Helen started her adult working life in the east end of London as a youth work intern in 2009. Helen then went to university and eventually became a maths teacher. She taught at an Oasis Academy in London. Eventually Helen became pastor at Royal Docks church as well as being the CEO of West Silvertown […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 163 – David and Jill Hines
David and Jill are pioneer mission leaders in South Belfast, Northern Ireland. The husband and wife team have been commissioned by the Methodist church to pioneer a culturally relevant mission. Their base is a Methodist church that has plenty of history but without a congregation. The church building could easily have been sold as it […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 162 – Special Podcast – Forgiveness And How To Forgive.
With Sara Hall. Sara diagnoses and treats mental health disorders and is based in a Christian counselling centre in Oklahoma, USA. In episode 149, Sara discussed the sexual abuse she suffered, when aged 13, by an adult woman. Then there was the subsequent aftermath for her from the unsupportive family. In episode 149, forgiveness was […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 161 – Chip Kendall
Chip is more than just a singer, songwriter, communicator and evangelist. Originally from USA, he is now firmly based in Manchester, UK. I first met our guest in the last century! Chip was in the Bandwithnoname. A great name and a very hard working one as well. Chip then became a presenter for God TV. […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 160 – Dave Pope
Today’s special guest has been such a big influence on me, so you can blame him! Dave founded the Saltmine Trust and later Flame Trust. He also helped found Spring Harvest. Together with a couple of other pioneers, Ian Coffey and Doug Barnett, they launched the very influential Dirty Hands tour in the mid 80s. […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 159 – The Tribute to Peter Meadows
Peter sadly passed away in January 2026 aged 84. Peter is rightly held in high esteem within the UK Christian media having founded or co-founded Buzz (later Premier Christianity Magazine), Spring Harvest and Premier Radio. He has also mentored and helped countless number of people when in his retirement years including me. For those who […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 158 – Andy Kind
Wow! Comedian or should I say Promedian (preacher and Comedian) Andy shares all about his life to date. Andy is so honest. Do not expect a laugh a minute podcast as we go so deep, deeper than many previous guests have done about his thoughts on evangelicism today. He is also very honest, I know […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 157 – Special Podcast. Faith And What That Means To You = RISK
With Anji Barker If you have listened to many previous OGC podcasts, you would have picked up on me spelling faith as RISK. But what does this actually mean? Why is faith a risk? What does it mean for an individual to risk something as a Christian? Why? What examples are there in the Bible? […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 156 – Dr Mark Houghton
Until 2014, Mark was a GP in Sheffield, UK. He is a published author and his latest is about the true story of a Royal Navy surgeon in WW2 who saved the lives of 2 Admirals. It is meticulously researched and must have been a labour of love considering the subject was his dad. How […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 155 – Nathan Driscoll
Nathan is a published author of 5 books. A recently retired social worker and teacher, our guest is also a philosopher. His recently released boo is called Viviana – A Story Of Faith, Peril And Triumph. Why did he write this book based in the early 4th century? Why did Nathan want to include the […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 154 – Rev Steve Chalke
He is the author of several books, a national TV and radio presenter and a Guinness World Record holder. He can be called an activist and has pioneered a model of community development. He has set up housing projects to accommodate homeless young people and has gained many plaudits for his Oasis Academies which deliver […]
Off Grid Christianity – Episode 153 – Mini Episode!
This episode could also be called a deleted scene from our Christmas podcast! Please listen to the introduction for context. As a wise man from Orkney once said, “Just be who you are with integrity.” You might agree or disagree but what is shared is well worth a listen. A brand new podcast will be […]