Polyphonic: Mission After Empire

Missio Nexus
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Hosted by Imer Santiago, Polyphonic: Mission After Empire is an eight-episode narrative podcast exploring the complex relationship between Christian mission and empire. Through candid conversations with historians, missiologists, practitioners, and everyday voices, the show traces inherited legacies, blind spots, and the tensions between faith, culture, and power. Music is more than background—it’s metaphor, glue, and sometimes the argument. Polyphonic invites listeners to hear many voices, each with its own melody, and to wrestle honestly with what it means to move forward in mission today.

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  1. vor 2 Tagen

    Different Amalgams

    About this episodeGlobalization doesnʼt just connect the world—it reshapesit. From a Puerto Rican Day Parade in Orlando to youth culture on the other side of the globe, Imer explores how identity is formed (and eroded) in an age of algorithms, pop music, and migration. 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? People featured in this episode    Imer Santiago —Host. Puerto Rican–American trumpeter, jazz musician, and worship leader based in St. Cloud, Florida. 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 Fuller Theological Seminary).    Brian Stanley — Historian of world Christianity and Christian missions. Professor at the University of Edinburgh; has written and edited multiple books on missions history.    Aaron Pierce — International mission leader with Steiger International, focused on mobilizing and equipping Christians to reach young people outside the church. Author of Not Beyond Reach.    Aaron Renn — Writer and consultant based in Indianapolis. Senior Fellow at American Reformer; previously a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a Managing Director at Accenture. Author of Life in the Negative World.    Harvey Kwiyani — Malawian theologian and missiologistknown for work on decolonizing mission and global/diaspora Christianity. Author of Decolonizing Mission.    Mark Matlock — Ordained minister and author focused onyouth discipleship and next-generation leadership. Founder of WisdomWorks and Senior Fellow at Barna. Co-author of Faith for Exiles (with David Kinnaman).    Greg Parsons— Missions leader associated with Frontier Ventures (formerly the U.S. Center for World Mission) and William Carey International University. Music Adeline Paik / Left In The Rain K-pop version) / courtesy of Epidemic Sound No Longer Music / Unknown live track / courtesy of Steiger Lars Eriksson / Stay True Instrumental Version) / courtesyof Epidemic Sound Out To The World / Axon Terminal / courtesy of Epidemic Sound Pawan Krishna / Dark to Light / courtesy of Epidemic Sound Credits Host: Imer Santiago Produced by: Arrival Creative Presented by: Missio Nexus

  2. 20. Juli

    Mixed Blessings

    About this episode Culture isnʼt a museum piece—it moves, mixes, and mutates.In this episode, Imer steps into the everyday texture of culture (and its fragility) with Bushman #1, then widens the lens with voices like Brian Stanley, Harvey Kwiyani, Neil Shenvi, and Mark Charles. From music and language to clothing and worship, the question keeps returning: when the gospel crosses borders, what gets honored, what gets lost, and whatʼs created in theaftermath? People featured in this episode    Imer Santiago — Host. Puerto Rican–American trumpeter, jazz musician, and worship leader based in St. Cloud, Florida. 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 Fuller Theological Seminary.    Brian Stanley — Historian of world Christianity and Christian missions. Professor at the University of Edinburgh; has writtenand edited multiple books on missions history.    Timothy “Bushman #1” Adebule — Owner of Three Masks, Inc. African goods shop near downtown Orlando) and a local cultural guide/educator featured in this episode.  Harvey Kwiyani — Malawian theologian and missiologistknown for work on decolonizing mission and global/diaspora Christianity. Author of Decolonizing Mission.    Neil Shenvi — Writer and speaker known for apologetics and engagement with questions of faith, philosophy, and culture.Holds a PhD in theoretical chemistry UC Berkeley) and studied at Princeton.    Mark Charles — Speaker, writer, and consultant on theintersections of race, culture, faith, and American history. Co-author of Unsettling Truths (with Soong-Chan Rah) on the legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. Music Fisk University Jubilee Quartet / Swing LowSweet Chariot / Public domain via archive.orgOut To The World / Theories / courtesy of Epidemic SoundPhilip Ayers / Riverwalk / courtesy of Epidemic SoundBokyung Kim / Gu Arirang Instrumental Version) / courtesyof Epidemic SoundDex 1200 / Saya Cair / courtesy of Epidemic SoundDark Native American Flute Solo / courtesy of EnvatoElementsCredits Host: Imer Santiago Produced by: Arrival Creative Presented by: Missio Nexus

  3. 13. Juli

    Man Has Dominated Man to His Harm

    About this episode To understand where missions is going, we have to dealhonestly with where itʼs 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. Itʼs 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. 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 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 theintersections 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 writtenand edited multiple books on missions history.  Harvey Kwiyani — Malawian theologian and missiologistknown for work on decolonizing mission and global/diaspora Christianity. Author of Decolonizing Mission.    Mark Matlock — Ordained minister and author focused onyouth 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

  4. 6. Juli

    Donut Shop Conversations

    About this episode Host Imer Santiago joins Ted Esler, the president of Missio Nexus, at a local donut shop to set the stage for a series of conversations on mission and empire. They begin the search for real voices, real tensions, and the grey area between hero worship and horror stories. Imer hears the unfiltered opinions of the locals and talks with an early mentor, revealing why this story is as personal as it is historical. People featured in this episode Imer⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Santia⁠⁠g⁠⁠o⁠⁠ – Host. Puerto Rican–American trumpeter, jazz musician, and worship leader based in St. Cloud, Florida. 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 Fuller Theological Seminary).Jose “Nano” Torres — Musician and longtime worship leader and friend of host Imer Santiago. Has served on worship teams since the 1970s and plays multiple instruments (including drums, guitar, and bass).Music Vendla / Green T / courtesy of ⁠⁠Epidemic⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sound⁠ Harry Edvino / Hotel Lalo / courtesy of ⁠⁠Epidemic⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sound⁠ Out To The World / Adaptation / courtesy of Epidemic⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sound⁠ Additional music by ⁠⁠Imer⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Santia⁠⁠g⁠⁠o⁠ Credits Host: Imer⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Santia⁠⁠g⁠⁠o⁠ Produced by: Arrival Creative Presented by: Missio Nexus

  5. Staffel 1 – Trailer

    Polyphonic Teaser

    Polyphonic: Mission After Empire is an 8-episode narrative podcast hosted by Imer Santiago and produced by Missio Nexus. If you've ever wondered whether "mission" and "empire" can be untangled—or if we've been pretending it's simpler than it is—this show is for you. Imer brings his experience as a musician and teacher into conversations with historians, missiologists, practitioners, and everyday voices-tracing what we inherited, what we missed, and what we might need to admit before we can move forward. Music isn't background here—it's the glue, the metaphor, and sometimes the argument. This isn't a definitive answer guide, because we probably won't get all the answers before Heaven. It's a place to start listening-polyphonic in the truest sense: many voices, each with its own melody, heard together. Host Imer Santiago is a Puerto Rican-American trumpeter, jazz musician, and worship leader. He's from Lorain, Ohio, and now lives in St. Cloud, Florida. He studied Jazz at Ohio State University and earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies in New Orleans. He serves as Director of Bands at St. Cloud Middle School and performs and leads worship throughout the year.

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Hosted by Imer Santiago, Polyphonic: Mission After Empire is an eight-episode narrative podcast exploring the complex relationship between Christian mission and empire. Through candid conversations with historians, missiologists, practitioners, and everyday voices, the show traces inherited legacies, blind spots, and the tensions between faith, culture, and power. Music is more than background—it’s metaphor, glue, and sometimes the argument. Polyphonic invites listeners to hear many voices, each with its own melody, and to wrestle honestly with what it means to move forward in mission today.

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