The Mission Matters Podcast discusses the mission of God and the matters of the mission. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God’s people to be a part of His mission. It's hosted by Matthew Ellison, president of Sixteen:Fifteen, and Ted Esler, president of Missio Nexus.
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. In this episode of Mission Matters, Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler talk with leaders from Project Suma about the realities of trafficking and exploitation, the long road toward healing and restoration, and the vital role local churches can play in becoming safe, compassionate communities for vulnerable women. Hear how this ministry is building relationships in Bolivia’s red-light districts, helping women pursue a different future, and trusting God to bring freedom and transformation in some of the darkest places.
The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God’s people to be a part of His mission.
Links:
www.projectsuma.org
FB @projectsumabolivia
23 Sept 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? In this episode of The Mission Matters Podcast, Ted Esler talks with Irish church planter, researcher, and writer Jonny Pollock about the changing spiritual landscape of Ireland, rapid secularization, immigration and the growth of diaspora churches, and the challenges of cross-cultural missions in a post-Catholic context. Jonny also shares the story behind Glúnta, a mapping project identifying evangelical churches and communities with little or no local church presence, and explains how better research can encourage strategic church planting, collaboration, prayer, and sustainable ministry for generations to come.The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God’s people to be a part of His mission.Links:https://map.glunta.comChapters:00:00 Introduction00:49 Meet Jonny Pollock02:25 Jonny’s Journey to Church Planting in Ireland05:07 Ireland’s Rapid Shift to a Post-Catholic Culture06:43 Immigration and the Growth of Diaspora Churches08:15 Irish Language, Culture and Christian Faith09:35 The Story Behind the Gluinta Church Mapping Project11:39 Where Ireland’s Churches Are—and Aren’t14:42 Why Mapping Matters for Church Planting16:40 Planting Churches with Limited People and Resources19:02 Foreign Missionaries and the Challenge of Irish Culture21:24 How Outsiders Can Best Support Mission in Ireland24:01 Collaboration and Unity Among Irish Churches26:22 Prayer for Ireland, Pastors and the Next Generation29:27 Closing
9 Sept 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. In this episode, Perspectives president James Mason joins Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler to unpack why the course has had such lasting influence, what new Barna research reveals about its impact, and what’s changing in the newly released fifth edition of the Perspectives Reader. They also explore the challenge of deep formation in a soundbite culture, the growing role of the Majority World and multilingual communities, and why missions mobilization begins not with asking, “What should I do?” but with understanding what God is doing in the world.
The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God’s people to be a part of His mission.
Links:https://perspectives.orgIG: https://www.instagram.com/perspectivesusaFB: https://www.facebook.com/perspectivesusa
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Meet James Mason of Perspectives
02:20 What Is the Perspectives Course?
06:39 What Makes Perspectives Different?
11:04 The Global Impact of Perspectives
12:31 Is Perspectives Only for Missionaries?
14:02 What the Barna Research Revealed
21:18 Inside the New Fifth Edition
29:45 Can a 15-Week Course Survive a Soundbite Culture?
34:33 The Future of Perspectives
38:42 How to Get Involved
Who has been a guest on The Mission Matters
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jeff Lewis
Rich Griffith
Mark Matlock
Larrie Fraley
Bob Smith
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YouTube views
27,089
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
31
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
85
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