Podcast episodes
Past episodes from the Missio Nexus podcasts. Page 1 of 7 · 153 in all.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
Barnabas: The Overlooked Missions Leader
What can churches and missions leaders learn from Barnabas in today’s rapidly changing global missions landscape?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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…
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.
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.
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).
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.
Iran’s Underground Church: Growth, Persecution, and Hope
What is really happening inside Iran right now, and how should the Church respond?
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.
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.
The Unknown Missionary: Gospel Advance Through Nameless Faithfulness
Ted Esler and Matthew Ellison revisit the story of John Chau, seven years after his death on North Sentinel Island, through a conversation with Mary Ho, International Director of All Nations.
Missiology Translated : The Why and How For Mission Pastors
In this episode of The Mission Matters, Matthew and Ted are joined by Bradley Bell, Executive Director of Upstream Equipping, to discuss Bradley and Ted’s newly released book, Missiology for Mission Pastors.