Episodes

  • Season 6: Episode 5 - The Persecuted Church

    Season 6: Episode 5 - The Persecuted Church
    Jul 31 2026
    Episode 5 THE PERSECUTED CHURCH Chris from Open Doors joins Matt Pitts today to look at how we can support our brothers and sisters in Christ facing persecution today. Through their conversation, theylook at the Open Doors World Watch List, the particular issues facing sub-Saharan Africa and the different types of persecution that believers might experience. Finally, Chris shares some ways in which Christians can pray for those in our global church family who are suffering today. with Chris, Open Doors Chris works for Open Doors, a charity which supports persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries and raises awareness and encourages prayer for the persecuted church in the UK. Chris represents Open Doors within Scotland as their Church Relations Manager, as well as leading a church in Paisley. Arise Africa campaign link: www.opendoorsuk.org/act/arise-africa/africa-petition "It's just this idea of the resilience and the creativity, the ways that the persecuted church find to share their faith and also to worship the Lord, even under incredible persecution" Chris, Open Doors Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, General Director, Echoes International, and Chris, Church Relations Manager, Scotland, Open Doors SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Open Doors @opendoorsuk Instagram: @echoesinternational; Open Doors @opendoorsuk YouTube: @echoesinternational; Open Doors @opendoorsuk PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk YouTube: www.youtube.com/echoesinternational KEYWORDS: Mission, Mission partners, Gospel, Christian, Brethren, Believers, Prayer, Faith, Bible, Peoples, Nations, Christianity, World, Persecution, Suffering, Persecuted Church, Pressure, Violence, Discrimination, Advocacy, Religious Persecution, Discriminate, Courage, Secret, Arrested, Imprisoned; Prison
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    34 mins
  • Season 6: Episode 4- Training Bible Teachers

    Season 6: Episode 4- Training Bible Teachers
    Jul 28 2026
    This week, we're focusing on a vital and perhaps underemphasised area of mission, the importance of training Bible teachers and preachers in a cross-cultural context. Peter Mead brings his experiences of training to bear as we discuss what makes good Biblical teaching and how that plays out across different countries and cultures, as people faithfully share God's Word. with Peter Mead, Trinity Church, Chippenham Peter Mead is the director of Cor Deo, a ministry training programme in Chippenham, England, a lecturer for Union School of Theology and the author of a number of books and resources. He is also part of the leadership team of Trinity Chippenham, a church Peter helped to plant back in 2014, and he and his wife Melanie and family are supported by our sister mission agency CMML in America. "The opportunity to preach is a privilege. The opportunity to get a group of preachers in a room and to train them, that's just a multiplication thing that excites me" - Peter Mead Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, General Director, Echoes International and Peter Mead, Trinity Church, Chippenham TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; @ pouredout; @cordeo Instagram: @echoesinternational; @peter.mead PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational; Peter Mead, @pouredout Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk https://www.cordeo.org.uk/ https://biblicalpreaching.net/ https://pouredout.org/ KEYWORDS: Mission; Mission partners; Gospel; Christian; Brethren; Believers; Prayer; Missionaries; Bible; Biblical Teaching; Teaching; Training; Preachers; Preaching; God's Word; Preach; Teach; Faithful; Faithfulness; Cross-cultural
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    36 mins
  • Season 6: Episode 3- Answering Our Atheist Friends

    Season 6: Episode 3- Answering Our Atheist Friends
    Jul 21 2026
    We're turning to another key issue today, as we explore the worldview of atheism with Solas director Andy Bannister. Matthew and Andy chat about the New Atheist movement and what atheism looks like around the world. Andy suggests ways in which Christians can be prepared to engage with atheist friends, sharing the hope we have in Christ. with Andy Bannister, Director, Solas Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas and is an evangelist, speaker, writer, and broadcaster, co-hosting the Solas podcast PEP talk. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths and none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. "Because so often if you are talking on people on a Monday, someone is going to say, 'How was your weekend?'. Often, we talk about everything other than church. Well, talk about everything else – and then talk about church!" – Andy Bannister, Solas Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, General Director, Echoes International and Andy Bannister, Director, Solas TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Andy Bannister @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc Instagram: @echoesinternational; Andy Banniser @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Gospel; Christian; Atheist; Atheism; New Atheist Movement; Evangelism; Faith; Jesus; Dialogue; Questions; Bible; Prayer; Church
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    32 mins
  • Season 6: Episode 2 - Digital Evangelism

    Season 6: Episode 2 - Digital Evangelism
    Jul 15 2026
    This The Same Commission podcast episode turns our focus onto digital content creation and the opportunities this offers us in evangelism. We think about how the gospel can be shared in an increasingly connected, online world, and what that means for mission today, particularly to hard-to-reach places and people in the world. Andy shares ways in which we can share the Gospel online effectively. with Andy Bannister, Director, Solas Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas and is an evangelist, speaker, writer, and broadcaster, co-hosting the Solas podcast PEP talk. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths and none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. "Digital stuff does a lot of things really well, it can convey information very well, but we're wired for relationship and the Gospel is relational" – Andy Bannister, Solas Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, General Director, Echoes International and Andy Bannister, Director, Solas TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Andy Bannister @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc Instagram: @echoesinternational; Andy Banniser @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Missionaries; Gospel; Christian; Evangelism; Faith; Jesus; cross-cultural; Bible; online; connections; internet; digital; connection; websites; social media; sensitive countries; hard-to-reach; closed countries; content creation; content.
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    32 mins
  • Season 6: Episode 1 - Reaching Our Muslim Neighbours

    Season 6: Episode 1 - Reaching Our Muslim Neighbours
    Jul 7 2026
    In today's episode of The Same Commission, Matthew meets Andy Bannister from Solas, as they consider what it means to reach our Muslim neighbours with the gospel. Andy encourages us to seize prayerful opportunities to engage with Muslim people and communities living nearby. with Andy Bannister, Director, Solas Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas and is an evangelist, speaker, writer, and broadcaster, co-hosting the Solas podcast PEP talk. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths and none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. "When you bump into the Muslim living next door to you, they are a human being, made in God's image, they are there, you have an opportunity to share Christ with them" – Andy Bannister, Solas Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, General Director, Echoes International and Andy Bannister, Director, Solas TAG ON SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational; Andy Bannister @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc Instagram: @echoesinternational; Andy Banniser @andygbannister; Solas @solascpc PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: Mission; Missionaries; Gospel; Christian; Muslim; Evangelism; Faith; Jesus; Islam; United Kingdom; cross-cultural; Prayer; Dialogue; Mosques; Churches; Communities; Bible
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    32 mins
  • Brought To Bolivia

    Brought To Bolivia
    Dec 10 2025
    The Same Commission Echoes International podcast Season 5 Episode 9 BROUGHT TO BOLIVIA with Helen, mission partner, Bolivia "We know that it is in the deep trials in our lives that God does wonderful things. I said "Andrew, go ahead, I'm going to Bolivia, I'll go", and within two weeks, I was on the plane to Bolivia." In the last episode of season five of The Same Commission, mission partner Helen Ponce, who has been serving in Bolivia for over 48 years, takes a trip down memory lane with Echoes International directors Matthew and Mark. Helen shares how she became a believer, about the journey she took to serving in Bolivia and about the people she has worked with, particularly in her prison ministry. She highlights the both the joy and the cost of becoming a mission partner years ago, at a time when travel and communication wasn't as easy as it might seem today. 🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today. Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, Echoes International General Director and Mark Wood, Echoes International Operations Director, with Helen, mission partner, Bolivia SOCIAL: Facebook: @echoesinternational Instagram: @echoesinternational; PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905 Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5 SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #SouthAmerica #Bolivia #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #prayer #church #believer #prisons #ministry #salvation #trust #commendation #serving
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    40 mins
  • Impact in Italy

    Impact in Italy
    Dec 3 2025

    The Same Commission
    Echoes International podcast

    Season 5
    Episode 8

    IMPACT IN ITALY

    with Alec, mission partner, Italy

    "As soon as I got to Naples, it was the strangest thing, I just felt a call of the Lord upon my life to preach the gospel to these people and I just felt a real affinity with the people and a love for these people."

    From socialist revolutionary to a follower of Jesus, mission partner Alec Catchpole, serving now in Italy, shares with Echoes International's team, Matt and Lesley, his journey to faith and then to mission in Italy. Alec considers the surprising ways in which the Lord works in our lives, and the unlikely partnerships in the gospel that have happened along the way.

    🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today.

    Podcast participants: Matthew Pitts, Echoes International General Director and Lesley de Blieck, Echoes International Communications Manager, with Alec, mission partner, Italy

    SOCIAL:
    Facebook: @echoesinternational @Chiesa Evangelica Pozzuoli - Fiume di Vita

    Instagram: @echoesinternational; @chiesaevangelicapozzuoli

    YouTube: ⁨@fiumedivita1997⁩

    PODCAST INFO:
    Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905
    Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5

    SOCIAL:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational
    Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk

    KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #Europe #Italy #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #prayer #church #believer #youthwork #Naples #partnerships

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    40 mins
  • Travelling to Thailand

    Travelling to Thailand
    Nov 26 2025

    The Same Commission
    Echoes International podcast

    Season 5
    Episode 7

    TRAVELLING TO THAILAND

    with Adam, mission partner, Thailand

    "Working in the place that we do and working with the people that we do, we really need God's wisdom. Often ministries like this and the way that the politics works in Asia it can change overnight. With these changes that can come quite quickly, we need to ask God for wisdom."

    In this Season Five of The Same Commission, we're focusing on how people are called to cross-cultural mission. Today, mission partner Adam chats to Jim and Matt about how he became a mission partner and the journey that he took to get there. Listen back to how Adam became a Christian, who has encouraged him along the way, the challenges of serving in Thailand and the awkward road to marriage for Adam and his wife Nu Nu!

    🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations on mission issues today.

    Podcast participants: Jim Armstrong and Matthew Pitts, Echoes International Directors, with Adam, mission partner, Thailand

    SOCIAL:
     Facebook: @echoesinternational
    Instagram: @echoesinternational

    PODCAST INFO:
    Podcast website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk/commission
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-same-commission/id1735900905
    Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/be7b52bc-c722-41d2-a211-2cd958f6b7eb/the-same-commission
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LlwFSwHrVeYrJlhfcvJy2?si=b78369ad3f5945e5

    SOCIAL:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoesinternational/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoesinternational
    Website: www.echoesinternational.org.uk

    KEYWORDS: #faith #mission #Asia #serving #missionary #missionaries #Christian #Gospel #prayer #Myanmar #Thailand #Burma #refugees #school #church #teaching #discipleship #crosscultural #marriage
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    47 mins