Global Missional AI

Global Missional AI

Join host Joshua Seale weekly as they explore the intersection of mission work and AI. Featuring exclusive interviews with innovators using artificial intelligence to expand global impact, this podcast brings you insights from the frontlines of the Missional AI community. Discover how AI is transforming outreach with thought-provoking conversations and practical applications. Where faith and technology converge to create new possibilities for mission work in the digital age.

  1. 3 OCT

    Season 1, Episode 15: From 25 Years to 5: How AI is Revolutionizing Bible Translation" Geof Morin

    How do you reduce a 50-year Bible translation project to just 5 years? In this episode of the Global Missional AI Podcast, host Joshua Seale sits down with Geof Morin, CEO of Biblica—a 216-year-old Bible ministry serving 6 billion people through over 100 translations. Geof shares how Biblica pioneered AI-assisted Bible translation four years ago and became a rallying point for ministry leaders through the Missional AI Conference. Discover how this technology is creating a multiplication effect across entire language groups by simultaneously accelerating:• Bible translation (from 25 years to 5)• Discipleship materials• Church resources• Community engagement Learn why Geof is "allergic to white papers" and how Biblica's action-first approach is breaking down barriers to reach the unreached. Plus, hear about the collaborative movement emerging in the Kingdom space and how ministries can leverage AI for maximum Kingdom impact. Key Topics:✓ The dramatic acceleration of Bible translation timelines✓ How AI language models serve multiple ministry purposes✓ The open-source Bible movement✓ Building collaborative networks for Kingdom technology✓ Practical steps for AI-curious ministries 🔗 Resources Mentioned:• Biblica: biblica.com• Missional AI: missional.ai Join us for this fascinating conversation about how one of the world's oldest Bible ministries is leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure no one waits too long for God's Word. #MissionalAI #BibleTranslation #AIforMissions #Biblica #ChurchTechnology #KingdomImpact #MinistryInnovation

    16 min
  2. 26 SEPT

    Season 1, Episode 14: David Kinnaman on Christianity's Surprising Surge and AI's Role in Faith

    After decades of documenting Christianity's decline in America, Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman brings unprecedented news: Christian commitment has surged from 52% to 66% in just four years, with 30 million more Americans now identifying as followers of Jesus.In this eye-opening conversation, Kinnaman reveals three shocking trends reshaping American faith: young people are leading this spiritual revival (not older adults), men are driving the growth more than women, and this is all happening in our most technologically saturated generation yet. The same young people turning to AI chatbots for therapeutic conversations are simultaneously experiencing a spiritual renaissance.We explore the paradox of faith and technology, examining why 30-40% of ChatGPT conversations are therapeutic in nature, how churches can avoid missing the AI wave like they did with the internet and social media, and what it means that algorithms may know us better than we know ourselves. Kinnaman also addresses the concerning trend of young women feeling increasingly disconnected from the church while young men are finding their place.This isn't just about adapting to technological change—it's about recognizing a fundamental shift in how faith, technology, and human connection interact. From the "masterpiece project" concept to reimagining discipleship for the digital age, this conversation offers both hope and practical wisdom for ministry leaders navigating our tech-saturated world.

    37 min
  3. 19 SEPT

    Season 1, Episode 13: Five Trends Shaping Faith in the Digital Age with David Kinnaman (Part 1)

    After decades of tracking declining faith in America, Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman brings unprecedented good news: Christian commitment is actually growing again, and young people are leading the charge. In this exclusive presentation from Missional AI 2025, Kinnaman reveals five critical trends reshaping faith in our technologically saturated world. The surprising findings include:Why Gen Z and millennials now equal or surpass older generations in their commitment to JesusHow 30-40% of AI conversations have become therapeutic in nature, with people turning to algorithms for spiritual guidanceThe shocking reality that 66% of Americans now say they've made a personal commitment to Christ—the highest level in yearsWhy men are outpacing women in faith growth for the first time in Barna's research historyKinnaman explores five key trends:AI Acceptance in Ministry - How churchgoers increasingly believe AI can handle spiritual counseling, sermon writing, and church administrationThe Loneliness Crisis - Why younger generations are struggling with isolation, anxiety, and digital challenges like unprecedented pornography exposureTechnology as Spiritual Counselor - How people are seeking emotional support and life guidance from ChatGPT and other AI systemsSpiritual Curiosity Explosion - Why Americans are more open than ever to supernatural beliefs, dreams, and spiritual experiencesThe Faith Comeback - Data showing Christian commitment rising after bottoming out post-pandemicThe solution? Churches must learn to "disciple the geeks"—the technically gifted individuals who can help bridge faith and technology. Drawing from biblical examples like Bezalel (the Tabernacle's designer-engineer) to Luke (the physician-researcher), Kinnaman argues that spiritual mentoring is key to reaching a generation that finds their best friend, counselor, and advisor in algorithms. This episode offers both hope and challenge for church leaders navigating an age where AI seems to know people better than they know themselves, yet the need for authentic spiritual community has never been greater. Part 1 of a special two-part series exclusive to the Global Missional AI Podcast.

    28 min
  4. 15 SEPT

    Season 1, Episode 12: Leading in the Age of AI - Biblical Principles for Innovation

    Episode Description What happens when faith meets cutting-edge technology? In this compelling conversation, Dr. Michael Arena shares insights from his remarkable journey—from studying AI at MIT's Media Lab 10 years before it hit mainstream consciousness, to leading talent acquisition at Amazon Web Services, to now revolutionizing business education at Biola University. As Dean of the Crowell School of Business, Michael faces a crucial challenge: How do we educate future leaders when AI is fundamentally reshaping the nature of work? His answer is groundbreaking—an adaptive MBA program that harnesses generative AI for personalized learning while doubling down on uniquely human skills like emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and critical judgment. The Future of Education: Why traditional models are failing and how AI can personalize learningAmazon's "Two Pizza Team" Concept: Inside secrets of high-performing teams and organizational dynamicsSpeed vs. Stability: Balancing innovation velocity with organizational stability in the AI ageLeadership Principles for AI: Why clear principles become even more critical as technology acceleratesBiblical AI Framework: Developing seven core principles for faith-based organizations implementing AIHuman Dignity in Technology: Protecting what makes us uniquely created in God's image"If you're not preparing them to be technologists, you're ill-equipping them for a future that's going to mandate exactly that." - Michael Arena Michael also shares Jeff Bezos's counterintuitive response to improving communication: "I don't think I want us to communicate more efficiently. I think I want us to communicate less." This episode is essential listening for anyone grappling with AI's role in ministry and faith-based organizations. Learn how to harness AI's potential to "reach the world in ways we couldn't even begin to imagine" while protecting the fundamental truth that we are "human beings created in God's image." Key Topics Explored:Standout Insights:For Ministry Leaders:

    27 min
  5. 1 SEPT

    Season 1, Episode 11: Digital Bible Engagement Summit Conversation

    Global Missional AI PodcastSeason 1, Episode 11: "Digital Bible Engagement Summit" In this episode, recorded live from Switzerland, host Joshua Seale brings together three leading voices in AI and faith to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and biblical engagement. Featured Guests: Éric Célérier (France) - Creator of Hello Bible and developer of open-source AI tools for the global churchJames Poulter (JP) - AI strategist and ethics expert who has advised ministries worldwide on ethical AI implementationJohn Dyer - Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, author of "People of the Screen," and software developerKey Discussion Points: The Current AI Landscape: JP provides an overview of recent developments including GPT-5's multimodal capabilities, Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro models, and the emergence of procedurally generated virtual worlds, explaining why VR adoption may finally accelerate due to AI reducing development complexity. Faith-Aligned AI Development: Éric shares groundbreaking research from his collaboration with Glue on benchmarking existing LLMs for faith and spirituality metrics. He reveals how their fine-tuned model improved from 55 to 75 on the 100-point scale by training on real conversations from Hello Bible rather than just feeding theological content. Biblical Engagement in the Digital Age: Drawing on his research for "People of the Screen," John explores the opportunities and risks of AI-mediated scripture engagement, examining the shift from "Bible first, event later" to "AI first" approaches where people bring their issues to AI systems that then point them toward biblical wisdom. Ethical Boundaries: The panel discusses critical boundaries in AI development for faith contexts, including Éric's firm stance against creating Jesus avatars and the importance of maintaining clear distinctions between AI assistance and divine communication. European Perspective: Reflecting on the recent Missional AI London gathering of 160 leaders from 25 countries, the guests discuss how European approaches to AI in ministry differ from US contexts and the growing need for both technologists working in faith contexts and believers working in tech companies. Theological Implications: John frames the broader question of what it means to be human in an age of AI, exploring themes around the image of God, human relationships, and building technology worthy of God's kingdom. This episode offers a balanced perspective on leveraging AI for biblical engagement while maintaining theological integrity and addressing the complex ethical considerations that emerge at the intersection of faith and advanced technology. Episode Length: 35:17 Recorded: September 1, 2025 Location: Switzerland

    35 min
  6. 28 AUG

    Season 1 Episode 10 - The Future of Work in the Age of AI: From FOMO to Full-Stack Ministry

    James Poulter, Head of Innovation and AI at House 337 and former LEGO executive, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace and what it means for faith-based organizations. In this compelling talk from the Global Missional AI London event, Poulter examines the tension between AI adoption excitement (FOMO) and job displacement fears (FIRO - Fear of AI Obsolescence).Drawing from his diverse career journey—from dry cleaning to tech entrepreneurship—Poulter traces how work has become increasingly specialized over the past three decades, only to face potential "de-specialization" as AI capabilities expand. He discusses OpenAI's five-phase roadmap toward artificial general intelligence, the emergence of "vibe coding" and full-stack working, and predictions that AI could accomplish month-long tasks in hours by the late 2020s.The episode tackles crucial questions for ministry leaders: How do we prepare young people for careers when entry-level administrative work may disappear? What skills will remain uniquely human? How can faith communities model ethical AI integration while maintaining their stewardship responsibilities?Poulter concludes with practical insights on developing the core skill of the AI era—the ability to clearly describe and orchestrate work—while offering hope grounded in Romans 8, reminding listeners that the church should have the best answers to these technological challenges.This episode is part of a special series featuring talks from the Global Missional AI London summit, exploring how faith intersects with emerging technology.

    28 min

About

Join host Joshua Seale weekly as they explore the intersection of mission work and AI. Featuring exclusive interviews with innovators using artificial intelligence to expand global impact, this podcast brings you insights from the frontlines of the Missional AI community. Discover how AI is transforming outreach with thought-provoking conversations and practical applications. Where faith and technology converge to create new possibilities for mission work in the digital age.

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