Why are Business Professionals Key to 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. Luke shares his personal journey—from short-term trips to Haiti, to teaching theology there, and ultimately leading Crossworld’s efforts to mobilize professionals across all vocations. Their model embraces the reality that access to unreached people is increasingly limited to those who enter as legitimate professionals. Crossworld equips believers as disciple-makers embedded in local contexts, with the goal of multiplying churches through authentic, relationship-driven ministry.The conversation addresses common misconceptions about marketplace missions, including criticisms that such workers aren't planting churches or making meaningful spiritual impact. Luke counters these concerns with compelling stories. He emphasizes that disciple-making and church formation must be linked, whether through traditional missions or business-as-mission (BAM) models. The episode ends with a call to church leaders: many of the best potential missionaries are already in your pews, waiting to be mobilized.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.https://crossworld.org/about/meet-our-team