Library

Podcast episodes

Past episodes from the Missio Nexus podcasts. Page 2 of 7 · 153 in all.

Kingdom Partnership for The Tarahumara

The episode explores what Ted calls “third party partnerships,” a Kingdom model where ministries unite not for their own benefit but for the sake of a third party, illustrated through a deep collaboration to reach the Tarahumara people of northern Mexico.

Global Strategies
14 Jan 2026

The Mission Matters Year in Review

Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler close out the year on The Mission Matters podcast by reflecting on key missions trends in 2025 and their most-listened episodes.

Special Topics
10 Dec 2025

Building a Church-Led Strategy for International Students

On this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler talk with Ryan Finke, CEO of International Friendships, Inc. about why international student ministry is one of the most open doors in global missions and how local churches can step into it with simple hospitality and friendship.

Global StrategiesMobilization
26 Nov 2025

Deconstruction in Missions with Ted Esler

Ted Esler (President of Missio Nexus) defines ‘deconstruction’ as ideas and practices that dilute a Great-Commission focus on discipling the nations.

Global Strategies
12 Nov 2025

The Current of the Holy Spirit: Unity Fueling Global Mission in Roanoke

Matthew Ellison and co-host Ted Esler welcome guests Megan Gahima (Missions Director, Parkway Church on the Mountain, Roanoke, VA) and Joel Wagner (Senior Pastor, Colonial Baptist Church, Blue Ridge, VA).

Global StrategiesMobilization
22 Oct 2025

From Generosity to Stewardship: Inside Excellence in Giving

Matthew and Ted sit down with Al Mueller, President and Founder of Excellence in Giving (EIG), to explore what makes Kingdom philanthropy effective.

Finance Admin and Legal
8 Oct 2025

Why Business Professionals Are Key to Global Missions Today

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler speak with Luke Perkins, President of Crossworld, about the vital role marketplace professionals play in global missions.

Global StrategiesMobilization
24 Sep 2025

Ending Bible Poverty: A New Vision for Discipleship in Africa

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler welcome Dr. Matthew Elliott, President of Oasis International and publisher of the Africa Study Bible.

Global StrategiesTraining
10 Sep 2025

Church-Centric Missions vs. Agencies: Lessons from the Frontlines

This episode of The Mission Matters podcast features a conversation between Ted Esler, Matthew Ellison, and guest Steve Leston, focusing on the topic of “church-centric missions.”

Global StrategiesMobilization
27 Aug 2025

The Sending Shepherd: Pastors and The Great Commission

In this episode of The Mission Matters podcast, Ted Esler welcomes guests Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters from Sixteen:Fifteen to discuss their new book, The Sending Shepherd: Leading Churches to Disciple All Nations.

Mobilization
13 Aug 2025

Equipping Africa’s Pastors: Non-Formal Theological Training

In this episode of The Mission Matters podcast, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler speak with Dr. Lawrence Oseje, a Kenyan pastor, theologian, and leader of Destiny Impact Mission International.

Global StrategiesTraining
23 Jul 2025

Beyond Sponsorship: Empowering Families for Lasting Transformation

In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler welcome Mark Luckey, Executive Director of Every Child Ministries (ECM), to discuss how the face of missions in Africa is changing.

Global Strategies
9 Jul 2025

Beyond Sponsorship: Empowering Families for Lasting Transformation

In this episode of the Mission Matters podcast, Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler welcome Mark Luckey, Executive Director of Every Child Ministries (ECM), to discuss how the face of missions in Africa is changing.

Global Strategies
9 Jul 2025

God’s Heart for the Nations: A 30-Year Legacy of Mobilizing the Church

In this episode of The Mission Matters Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with veteran missions mobilizer Jeff Lewis to explore the deep connection between biblical disciple-making and global missions. Jeff also shares about the newly-released 30th anniversary edition of God’s Heart for the…

Mobilization
25 Jun 2025

God’s Heart for the Nations: A 30-Year Legacy of Mobilizing the Church

In this episode of The Mission Matters Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with veteran missions mobilizer Jeff Lewis to explore the deep connection between biblical disciple-making and global missions. Jeff also shares about the newly-released 30th anniversary edition of God’s Heart for the…

Mobilization
25 Jun 2025

When the Bible Speaks Their Language: Visual Scripture for the Unreached

The global church is growing exponentially, but traditional training models are inadequate and inaccessible to emerging leaders.

Global StrategiesMarketing and Communications
11 Jun 2025

Where Seminaries Cant Reach: Training Global Church Leaders

The global church is growing exponentially, but traditional training models are inadequate and inaccessible to emerging leaders.

Global StrategiesTraining
28 May 2025

Conversational Bridges: Kevin King on Evangelism for Regular People

Many people going to the missions field have little exposure to actually sharing the gospel and need significant training. Why?

Global StrategiesTraining
14 May 2025

Missions and Evangelism: An Essential Pairing

Is it possible to ‘do missions’ without ever sharing the Gospel?

Global Strategies
23 Apr 2025

Evangelism and Missions: An Essential Pairing

Is it possible to ‘do missions’ without ever sharing the Gospel?

Global Strategies
23 Apr 2025

Faith For The Curious & Urbana ’25

How are American Christians thinking about engaging non-Christians in the United States? According to recent Barna research there are 60 to 80 million Americans who don’t fit the paradigm that a lot of Christians have about those outside of the church.

Mobilization
9 Apr 2025

Rediscovering Missions: One Church’s Journey

What were the pivotal moments in his journey of rediscovering missions, and where does the church stand now?

Executive LeadershipMobilization
27 Mar 2025

Pooling Resources, Expanding Reach – a missions giving circle

What happens when a group of ministry- and mission-minded men decide that they want more than a social gathering and want to change the world?

Finance Admin and Legal
12 Mar 2025

Immigration and Asylum: Compassion in the Crisis

Guest Steve Moore gives his take on the current immigration crisis with Ted Esler in this episode of The Mission Matters.

Global StrategiesSpecial Topics
26 Feb 2025