BBC Radio DJ Swarzy on gospel moments on air, costly obedience and living out loud for Jesus

The BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ encountered God while shoplifting – and hasn’t stopped talking about Him since. She speaks to Emma Fowle about seizing gospel moments in secular spaces, the cost of standing by her convictions and why she refuses to tone down her love for Jesus

Picture a gifted evangelist – the out-and-out, can’t-shut-up-about-Jesus type who shares Him at the bus stop and in the supermarket queue. Who comes to mind? Maybe a street preacher, the leader of a Christian ministry or someone employed by a church. You probably weren’t picturing a young BBC radio DJ with thousands of social media followers. 

Meeting Swarzy is a refreshing, discombobulating experience. For years it’s been assumed that banging on about your faith will likely prohibit you from progressing in secular workplaces. Surely, it’s easier to tone it down, become a bit quieter about your beliefs and keep your head down if you want to succeed? An hour with Swarzy Macaly has convinced me it’s time to revisit that theory…