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.
The Mission Matters
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4.8(16 reviews)
85 episodes
Updated Monthly
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48
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality31
Social0
YouTube76
Engagement85
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/1/2020
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48
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality31
Social0
YouTube76
Engagement85
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Recent Episodes
July 22, 2026
Barnabas: The Overlooked Missions Leader
<p>What can churches and missions leaders learn from <strong>Barnabas</strong> in today's rapidly changing global missions landscape?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the <strong>Mission Matters Podcast</strong>, hosts Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with <strong>Josh Irby</strong>, author of The Barnabas Factor: How Cross-Cultural Partnership Amplifies Global Mission, to explore the future of missions in a world where the gospel is moving <strong>from everywhere to everywhere</strong>. Josh shares insights from interviews with 60 global mission leaders and explains why Barnabas may be a more relevant model for modern missions partnership than we realize.</p><p>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.</p><p>00:00 Introduction</p><p>01:01 Meet Josh Irby & The Barnabas Factor</p><p>03:38 Why Barnabas Matters for Missions Today</p><p>06:06 The Shift to “From Everywhere to Everywhere” Missions</p><p>08:22 When Western Churches Become Discouragers Instead of Encouragers</p><p>12:42 Money, Methods, Materials, and Meetings</p><p>13:05 The Challenge of Money in Global Partnerships</p><p>17:31 Capacity Building vs. Dependency</p><p>19:47 Making Yourself Dispensable as a Leader</p><p>25:24 Barnabas, Paul, and Being Called Out</p><p>29:50 Josh's Biggest Leadership Reversal</p><p>33:15 Faithful Farmers, Not Spiritual Engineers</p><p>35:37 Final Thoughts & The Barnabas Factor</p><p>𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨Book: The Barnabas Factorhttps://www.amazon.com/Barnabas-Factor-Crosscultural-Partnership-Amplifies/dp/1514015765</p>
July 8, 2026
Can Women Lead in Missions? With Michelle Atwell
<p>Women make up the majority of the global missionary workforce, yet their voices and leadership experiences are often overlooked in conversations about missions. </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of The Mission Matters Podcast (with hosts Ted Esler and Matthew Ellison), SEND U.S. CEO Michelle Atwell shares her personal journey into missions leadership, the unique challenges women face in mobilization and church-planting organizations, and the vital contributions women bring to advancing the Great Commission. From cross-cultural ministry among unreached peoples to leadership development, collaboration, and discipleship, Michelle offers practical wisdom for aspiring missionaries and leaders while reminding listeners that God has always used women to help build His Church and expand His Kingdom.</p><p>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.</p><p>Links:</p><p><a href="https://send.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://send.org</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>00:00</strong> Video Introduction<br><strong>00:39</strong> Introduction: Michelle Atwell and SEND International<br><strong>03:00 </strong>What SEND International Does and Why It Exists<br><strong>04:43</strong> Women in Missions: Unique Leadership Challenges<br><strong>06:03</strong> Why Many Women Hesitate to Step Into Leadership<br><strong>10:40</strong> Navigating Theology, Leadership, and Gender Expectations<br><strong>13:03</strong> The Unique Strengths Women Bring to Global Missions<br><strong>16:43</strong> How Missions Organizations Are Supporting Women Better<br><strong>18:27</strong> Vulnerability and Trust in Leadership<br><strong>22:04</strong> Building Your Personal Leadership Board<br><strong>25:32</strong> How Men Can Champion Women in Missions<br><strong>26:40</strong> Advice for Young Women Exploring a Missionary Calling<br><strong>29:55</strong> Why God Continues to Use Women in Missions<br><strong>30:44</strong> Final Thoughts</p>
June 24, 2026
Vulnerable Mission: The Radical Shift Missions Needs Today
<p>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.” </p><p>Drawing from decades of ministry experience in East Africa, he argues that missionaries often maintain power through the English language and financial resources, unintentionally creating barriers to authentic relationships and contextualized ministry. Instead, he advocates for missionaries to operate using local languages and local resources whenever possible, allowing deeper trust, humility, and genuine partnership to develop. <br>The conversation explores how language, money, and cultural assumptions shape ministry effectiveness around the world. Through stories from Bosnia, India, and Africa, the discussion highlights the difference between ministry done from positions of control versus ministry rooted in dependence, listening, and long-term relational presence. Harries also challenges mission agencies to create space for missionaries willing to embrace slower, more vulnerable approaches that prioritize contextual understanding over visible metrics of success. <br>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.<br>𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬<br>00:00 – Intro<br>00:40 – Introducing Jim Harries and Vulnerable Mission<br>01:58 – What Is Vulnerable Mission?<br>03:15 – How English and Money Create Power Dynamics<br>07:22 – Why Language and Resources are Tied Together<br>08:01 – Should Missionaries Stop Funding Local Ministry?<br>10:03 – The Biblical Case for Vulnerable Mission<br>12:16 – Lifestyle, Simplicity, and Living Among the People<br>14:12 – Vulnerable Mission as True Contextualization<br>15:45 – How to Train Missionaries for Cross-Cultural Ministry<br>18:50 – Why Some Missionaries Resist Vulnerable Mission<br>20:42 – What Sending Agencies Should Do Differently<br>25:40 – The Hidden Cost of Generosity in Missions<br>27:17 – Resources for Learning More About Vulnerable Mission<br>𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒<br>• Vulnerable Mission website: vulnerablemission.org<br>• Book - 𝙑𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨<br><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vulnerable-Mission-Practitioners-Challenging-Guide-Cross-cultural/dp/B0F8J9Z5ZN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Vulnerable-Mission-Practitioners-Challenging-Guide-Cross-cultural/dp/B0F8J9Z5ZN</a></p>
85 total episodes available
Recent guests on The Mission Matters
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Jeff Lewis
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Matthew Ellison
Guest
Rich Griffith
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Mark Matlock
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Larrie Fraley
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Bob Smith
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Ted Esler
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JD Payne
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Scott Brawner
Guest
Jeannie Marie
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RW Lewis
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Dave Matthews
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- What is The Mission Matters?
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This podcast updates monthly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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