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Podcast episodes

Past episodes from the Missio Nexus podcasts. Page 1 of 7 · 155 in all.

Bringing Exploited Women to Freedom: Project Suma’s Ministry in Bolivia

In Bolivia, women caught in sexual exploitation often face layers of poverty, abuse, manipulation, and limited opportunity but Project Suma is walking alongside them with compassion, practical support, and the hope of Christ.

Church Mission LeadersGlobal Strategies
7 Oct 2026

Mapping the Gospel Gaps: Church Planting in Ireland

What does church planting look like in one of the least-reached English-speaking countries in the world?

MobilizationTraining
23 Sep 2026

At 50, How Perspectives is Shaping the Global Missions Movement

For more than 50 years, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement has helped Christians see the Bible and their own lives through the lens of God’s global mission.

MobilizationTraining
9 Sep 2026

From Church Growth to Gospel Saturation: Author Todd Wilson

What happens when church growth becomes more about bigger buildings, larger budgets, and better programs than making disciples who make disciples?

Mobilization
26 Aug 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo with episode 8: Sinking Down title.

Episode 8: Sinking Down

With voices like Greg Parsons, Sarah Breuel, and Brian Stanley, the series looks ahead—asking whether the missions movement can change without losing its soul, and whether we can learn to become bridges in a world that keeps shifting under our feet.

Global Strategies
24 Aug 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo with episode 7 title and sound wave graphic.

Episode 7: Practical Splinters

With questions raised by voices like Mekdes Haddis, Greg Parsons, and Harvey Kwiyani, this episode challenges easy answers and asks what “all hands on deck” could look like without repeating old patterns.

Global Strategies
17 Aug 2026

Why Oral Bible Translation Is Changing Global Missions Forever

What happens when people hear the Bible in their own heart language for the very first time?

Marketing and CommunicationsGlobal Strategies
12 Aug 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo with Episode 6: Anti-Babylon Ethos title.

Episode 6: Anti-Babylon Ethos

With voices like Aaron Pierce and Aaron Renn, the episode asks a pressing question for modern missions: are we meant to protect cultures—or learn how to serve faithfully inside the mixing bowl?

Global Strategies
10 Aug 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire podcast episode 5 cover art.

Episode 5: And These Must Harmonize

With voices like Aaron Pierce and Aaron Renn, the episode asks a pressing question for modern missions: are we meant to protect cultures—or learn how to serve faithfully inside the mixing bowl?

Global Strategies
3 Aug 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo for Episode 4: Different Amalgams.

Episode 4: Different Amalgams

With voices like Aaron Pierce and Aaron Renn, the episode asks a pressing question for modern missions: are we meant to protect cultures—or learn how to serve faithfully inside the mixing bowl?

Global Strategies
27 Jul 2026

Barnabas: The Overlooked Missions Leader

What can churches and missions leaders learn from Barnabas in today’s rapidly changing global missions landscape?

Executive LeadershipGlobal Strategies
22 Jul 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo for Missio Nexus Episode 3: Mixed Blessings.

Episode 3: Mixed Blessings

Imer begins the search for real voices, real tensions, and the grey area between hero worship and horror stories. He hears the unfiltered opinions of the locals and talks with an early mentor, revealing why this story is as personal as it is historical.

Global Strategies
20 Jul 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire podcast episode 2 cover art.

Episode 2: Man Has Dominated Man to His Harm

Imer follows the thread of memory and history, exploring the entanglement of church and empire, the Doctrine of Discovery, and the uneasy question of whether “mission” has always carried a shadow.

Global Strategies
13 Jul 2026

Can Women Lead in Missions? With Michelle Atwell

Women make up the majority of the global missionary workforce, yet their voices and leadership experiences are often overlooked in conversations about missions.

Human ResourcesExecutive Leadership
8 Jul 2026
Polyphonic Mission After Empire logo with episode title and sound wave graphic.

Episode 1: Donut Shop Conversations

Imer begins the search for real voices, real tensions, and the grey area between hero worship and horror stories. He hears the unfiltered opinions of the locals and talks with an early mentor, revealing why this story is as personal as it is historical.

Global Strategies
6 Jul 2026

Vulnerable Mission: The Radical Shift Missions Needs Today

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast with hosts Ted Esler and Matthew Ellison, guest Jim Harries challenges traditional Western missions models through the concept of “vulnerable mission.”

Global Strategies
24 Jun 2026

The Future of Missions and Gen Z Faith with Mark Matlock

Why are so many Gen Z students turning to tarot cards, crystals, mindfulness, and alternative spirituality while walking away from the church? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mark Matlock, Executive Director of Urbana and Senior Fellow at Barna Group, unpacks what younger generations are really searching for…

Mobilization
10 Jun 2026

Can You Be Jewish and Follow Jesus? A Powerful Conversation with Aaron Abramson

Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with Aaron Abramson, CEO of Jews for Jesus, to explore the organization’s mission of reaching Jewish people with the gospel while honoring their cultural and historical identity.

Global Strategies
27 May 2026

Sexual Sin in Missions: A Better Way Forward for Agencies

In this episode of the The Mission Matters Podcast, Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with Dennis Martin (of One Challenge’s Sexual Wholeness Initiative) to address a largely unspoken issue in global missions: sexual sin/brokenness.

Human ResourcesPeople Care and Development
13 May 2026

What Is Missio Dei? Understanding God’s Mission with Ed Stetzer

Matthew and Ted’s conversation with Dr. Ed Stetzer explores the meaning and history of missio Dei (the idea that mission originates from God, not the church).

Global Strategies
22 Apr 2026

Are Western Missionaries Still Needed? A Global Missions Perspective

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Sarah Breuel shares her experience as a Brazilian missionary serving in Rome and leading a university student movement across Europe.

Global Strategies
8 Apr 2026

Iran’s Underground Church: Growth, Persecution, and Hope

What is really happening inside Iran right now, and how should the Church respond?

Global Strategies
25 Mar 2026

Is God Calling Me? New Research on Missionary Motivation

In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Ted and Matthew talk to Dave Jacob from Gospel Mobilization and Katy White from GoCorp.

Mobilization
11 Mar 2026

Addressing Sexual Brokenness in the Church and on the Mission Field

Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler welcome Michele Okimura, founder of Explicit Movement, to discuss sexual integrity as a critical and often overlooked issue in global missions.

People Care and Development
25 Feb 2026