To understand where missions is going, we have to deal honestly with where it's been. Imer follows the thread of memory and history with voices like Mark Charles, Brian Stanley, and Harvey Kwiyani—exploring the entanglement of church and empire, the Doctrine of Discovery, and the uneasy question of whether "mission" has always carried a shadow. It's an episode about blind spots—and what it takes to reveal them.

People featured in this episode

Imer Santiago — Host. Puerto Rican–American trumpeter, jazz musician, and worship leader based in St. Cloud, Florida.

Ted Esler — President/CEO of Missio Nexus (since 2015). Former church planter in Sarajevo, Bosnia; previously held leadership roles with Pioneers. Author of The Innovation Crisis; holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Sarah Breuel — Christian leader originally from Brazil and based in Rome. Founder/director of Revive Europe; has served with IFES and the Lausanne Movement.

Mark Charles — Speaker, writer, and consultant on the intersections of race, culture, faith, and American history. Co-author of Unsettling Truths (with Soong-Chan Rah) on the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.

Brian Stanley — Historian of world Christianity and Christian missions. Professor at the University of Edinburgh; has written and edited multiple books on missions history.

Harvey Kwiyani — Malawian theologian and missiologist known for work on decolonizing mission and global/diaspora Christianity. Author of Decolonizing Mission.

Mark Matlock — Ordained minister and author focused on youth discipleship and next-generation leadership. Founder of WisdomWorks and Senior Fellow at Barna. Co-author of Faith for Exiles (with David Kinnaman).

Music

• El Equipo del Norte / A Melodia Cortejada / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
• Tellsonic / Desert Wind / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
• National Anthem Worx / National Anthem United Kingdom / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
• Christopher Moe Ditlevsen / Lumina / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
• Calvary Choir; Choir Boys of St. Andrew's Church, N.Y. / Onward Christian Soldiers / Public domain via archive.org
• Dex 1200 / In a Quiet Room / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Credits

Host: Imer Santiago

Produced by: Arrival Creative

Presented by: Missio Nexus