
Advertise on podcast: Ministry At Scale
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100 episodes
Language
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Chad Williams - Five QExplicit
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Date created
2021/02/23
Latest episode
2026/06/25
Average duration
32 min.
Release period
29 days
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The Ministry at Scale Podcast brings you the latest trends, interviews with experts and practical tips to help your ministry multiply it's impact. Brought to you by Five Q a digital agency with a kingdom impact. If you want to know how to grow your ministry in the digital space this podcast is for you.
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#103 - How Ministries Are Using AI Effectively| Nathan Chappell
2026/06/25
Most nonprofits are using AI — but only 7% are seeing real strategic benefit from it. Nathan Chappell, Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and founder of Fundraising AI, has spent years studying what separates the organizations that thrive with AI from those that stall. In this episode, he shares the six-step framework drawn from the 2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report — and it's more practical than you might expect.
Key Takeaways
The 7% aren't spending more — they're doing things differently. Out of 346 nonprofits surveyed in Virtuous's 2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report, 92% are using AI, but only 7% are seeing major strategic benefit. The difference comes down to six specific, disciplined steps — none of which require a large budget.
AI governance isn't a legal document — it's a values document. Nathan makes the case that a lightweight, one-page governance policy is the foundation on which everything else is built. It doesn't constrain your team — it actually frees them to experiment with confidence, knowing where the guardrails are.
The human-first framework isn't optional for ministries. Nathan draws a sharp distinction between the "AI first" posture of the private sector (like Shopify) and why that model doesn't work for mission-driven organizations operating in the currency of trust and generosity. Humanity must always be greater than utility.
"Human at the helm" replaces "human in the loop." As agentic AI moves autonomously by design, the traditional idea of human review at every step is no longer realistic. Nathan reframes accountability: someone must always be at the helm — responsible for what the AI is doing, even if they aren't approving each action.
The biggest mistake leaders are making right now? Treating AI as a line-item tool expense rather than a horizontal enabling layer that reshapes how the entire organization operates. Nathan draws a compelling parallel to the early days of the internet — and where that thinking eventually leads.
The AI Olympics experiment at Virtuous. Nathan shares how Virtuous challenged every single employee — not just the engineering team — to build an agentic workflow that would meaningfully improve their job or a customer's. The results? The top submission came from the podcast and marketing team, who automated a full day's worth of post-production work. The lesson: transformation often comes from the most unexpected places.
As AI accelerates, the church's moment is coming. As everything becomes faster and more synthetic, Nathan believes people will increasingly ask the deepest human questions — Who am I? Why am I here? What happens when I die? He sees this as a profound opportunity for the church to be exactly what it was built to be: a community rooted in truth.
Ready to Move from Experimenting to Thriving?
If your ministry is still in the "experimenting with tools" phase of AI, this conversation is your permission — and your roadmap — to go further. Nathan's framework is practical, proven, and built for organizations that lead with mission, not margin. Listen to the full episode and start asking what it would look like to move from experimentation to transformation.
RESOURCES
Nathan Chappell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/
Nathan's Books:
- The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity's Greatest Challenges
- Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good
Nathan's Website: https://nathanchappell.com/
Virtuous: virtuous.org — Nathan serves as Chief AI Officer
Fundraising AI: https://fundraising.ai/
2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report: Published by Virtuous — includes a downloadable AI governance policy template — https://virtuous.org/blog/2026-nonprofit-ai-adoption-report/
#102 - Better Text Marketing With AI | Aaron Dolton
2026/06/19
What if the content your ministry already has — sitting untouched on a shelf — could reach more people, deepen engagement, and activate brand-new donors, all through a channel with a 98% open rate?
In this DMC 2026 session, Aaron Dolton of Powered by Text shares a real-world case study with Jack Graham's PowerPoint Ministries that proves ministry-first strategy doesn't just honor the mission — it funds it.
Key Takeaways
"Money follows mission" is more than a ministry philosophy — it's a proven fundraising strategy. PowerPoint Ministries built their entire SMS strategy on a 90/10 rule: 90% ministry content, 10% fundraising. The results speak for themselves.
Text has an open rate of approximately 98% compared to 20% for email. Aaron unpacks why SMS is one of the most underleveraged channels in ministry today and how delivering existing content through text dramatically changes engagement numbers.
Repurposing content you already have is a game-changer for under-resourced teams. PowerPoint Ministries had 30 years of devotional content on the shelf. Powered by Text helped them repackage it for daily SMS delivery — no new content creation required.
The results were remarkable. After launching a daily devotional text series, PowerPoint Ministries saw their monthly video views jump from approximately 4,000 to nearly 70,000 — driven solely by a change in delivery channel. Additionally, their average donation via text rose from approximately $80 to approximately $202, and they activated 89 brand-new first-time donors.
Their subscriber file grew 27% organically. Without any paid acquisition, the file grew from 60,000 to 76,000 contacts — driven by subscribers sharing devotional content with others.
AI-powered sentiment analysis is helping ministries respond to their audiences with greater care and stewardship. Powered by Text is using AI to surface prayer requests, flag urgent responses (including crisis situations), and cleanse subscriber lists — ensuring every dollar spent on outreach is stewarded wisely.
Teaching your audience to text — especially older donors — is worth the effort. Aaron shares how a simple video tutorial for PowerPoint Ministries' "Last Seven Words from the Cross" Easter campaign helped even first-time texters engage with confidence.
Your Content Is Already Written — Are You Sending It?
If your ministry is sitting on years of great content while struggling to reach and retain donors, this episode will show you a better way forward. Aaron's session is a practical, data-grounded reminder that when you lead with mission, the resources follow. Listen now and start thinking differently about the channels you already have access to.
RESOURCES
Connect with Aaron — https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarondolton/
Aaron Dolton — Powered by Text
PowerPoint Ministries — jackgraham.org
Text WISDOM to 59789 to experience a sample monthly devotional series
Five Q Launch AI — Ready to turn AI experimentation into real ministry impact? Learn more at fiveq.com/launch
#101 - 115,000 Beliefs Tracked | Matthew Ward
2026/06/19
Most Christians know that they believe — but far fewer can clearly articulate why. Matt Ward, founder and CEO of BeliefTrack, built a free web-based platform to change that — and what started as a personal faith inventory has grown into a powerful discipleship and leadership vetting tool for churches. In this episode of Ministry at Scale, Chad Williams sits down with Matt to explore how a simple question — "What do I actually believe?" — became a tool that has tracked over 115,000 individual Christian beliefs.
Key Takeaways
A personal faith journey sparked a ministry-sized tool. Nearly 10 years ago, Matt began wrestling with his own beliefs as a young adult — not what he was taught, but what he could confidently own. That process of honest self-reflection became the foundation for BeliefTrack's nearly 300 theological questions, spanning beginner to advanced doctrine.
The confidence rating is one of BeliefTrack's most disarming features. Rather than simply asking "do you believe this?", users rate their confidence on a scale from 1 to 10. It's a simple mechanism that creates honest self-awareness — and opens the door to deeper study, better conversations, and more confident outreach.
BeliefTrack has nearly 800 registered users and has tracked approximately 115,000–116,000 individual Christian beliefs — a number Matt says far exceeded his expectations, driven by people's genuine hunger to go deeper with their theology.
Churches are using BeliefTrack as a leadership vetting and discipleship tool. The recommended church rollout starts with the pastor crafting their core beliefs, then having leadership go through the same process — creating a transparent, side-by-side comparison that surfaces theological alignment and gaps before someone steps into a teaching role.
The platform reveals a surprising reality: congregations aren't as theologically aligned as pastors assume. Matt's experience with users from across denominations shows that even within a single church, meaningful doctrinal diversity exists — particularly on topics like eschatology and inerrancy. BeliefTrack helps pastors see those gaps clearly and respond with targeted discipleship rather than assumptions.
AI played a supporting role in refining the platform's questions. As a software engineer, Matt used AI tools to help audit his question bank for unintentional bias — ensuring that users are genuinely guided toward reflection rather than nudged toward a predetermined answer.
BeliefTrack is free — and Matt wants to keep it that way for small churches. Church accounts are available now, and the long-term vision is for small churches to always have free access to the platform as a discipleship resource.
Does Your Church Know What It Believes?
If you've ever wished you had a window into what your congregation actually believes — or if you're a ministry leader wanting to equip your people with tools for deeper theological engagement — this episode is for you. BeliefTrack is the kind of simple, mission-aligned tool that could transform the way your church approaches discipleship. Listen now, then head over to BeliefTrack.com to set up your church account and see it for yourself.
RESOURCES
Connect with Matthew — [email protected]
Matthew Ward, Founder and CEO — BeliefTrack
BeliefTrack YouTube Channel — https://www.youtube.com/@BeliefTrack
Book Recommendation: Living on Target — a discipleship book Matt's church is currently using; focuses on prioritizing relationship with Christ, family, church, and the world.
Online Resource: Gavin Ortlund / Truth Unites YouTube channel — accessible theological discussions on a wide range of topics
Five Q Launch AI — Ready to turn AI experimentation into real ministry impact? Learn more at fiveq.com/launch
#100 - Solving Problems With AI Innovation| Don Barger
2026/06/12
What does a hotel key card have to do with 400,000 people hearing the gospel? Don Barger, Director of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at the International Mission Board (IMB), shares the unexpected story of how one small, tangible idea helped one of the world's largest missions organizations go from AI skepticism to full-scale adoption — in just a few years.
Key Takeaways
Easy wins change everything. The IMB's first AI pilots were deliberately small — translation of internal communications, a digital responder, and donor processing — and those quick wins gave skeptics something real to believe in before any large-scale rollout began.
A few hundred NFC cards sparked 25,000 chatbot conversations. Don distributed programmed NFC cards at a single event, and within days, 25,000 people had tapped in and engaged with the IMB's AI chatbot — a result that came from one simple, low-cost idea.
FaithBot was built for triage — and became a global evangelism tool. Originally designed to protect digital responders from high-volume, low-quality traffic, FaithBot now has over 400,000 users worldwide across multiple languages, spreading largely through organic, word-of-mouth sharing.
Leadership sponsorship is the non-negotiable. Don invested significant time early on helping the IMB's President and EVP understand AI deeply enough to champion it. The entire senior leadership team completed an MIT Sloan course on AI business applications — and their buy-in made everything else possible.
Your AI belief statement must come before your AI tools. The IMB established clear ethical guardrails before building anything, including a firm line: AI will not provide soul care. Defining what you won't do with AI is just as important as knowing what you will.
Yesterday's skeptics make tomorrow's best advocates. Some of the IMB's loudest AI champions today were among the most resistant voices a year ago. Making innovation accessible and irresistible is what turns doubters into champions.
Ready to Move from "Should We?" to "Here's How We Start?"
If your ministry is still stuck in the "should we?" conversation around AI, this episode will help you move to "here's how we start." Don's framework is practical, proven, and deeply mission-focused — and it's exactly the kind of real-world perspective ministry leaders need right now. Listen to the full episode and then ask yourself: what's your hotel key card moment?
Resources
Don Barger — Director of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, International Mission Board (IMB)
FaithBot — AI evangelism chatbot: https://chat.faithbot.io/
Don Barger's Substack — AI, Innovation, and Faith: donbarger.com
International Mission Board (IMB): imb.org
Digital Ministry Conference 2026: digitalministryconference.com
Launch AI by Five Q — Ready to move from AI experimentation to measurable ministry impact? Learn more at fiveq.com/launch
#99 - Why 95% of AI Projects Fail | Gregory Richardson
2026/06/05
95% of AI projects are failing — and your ministry can't afford to be part of that statistic. Gregory Richardson, founder of Six Levers Consulting and a 35-year veteran of cybersecurity and technology leadership, brings a rare combination of deep tech expertise and unashamed Christian faith to one of the most important conversations in ministry today. This episode will challenge the way you think about AI, risk, and what it means to be a faithful steward of technology.
Key Takeaways
Gregory has sat in the boardrooms of companies like Blackberry and McAfee, served ministries like Global Media Outreach, and spent decades wrestling with what it looks like to be a faithful Christian in the middle of a secular tech world. In this conversation, he brings that hard-won wisdom directly to ministry leaders navigating the pressure to adopt AI responsibly. Here's what stood out most:
95% of AI projects fail — and the reason may surprise you. Gregory references a study conducted in partnership with the MIT Media Lab (confirmed Q4 of the previous year) showing the vast majority of AI initiatives collapse not because of bad tools, but because of poor strategy, misaligned leadership, and a lack of governance before deployment.
Christians belong in the tech space — on purpose. Gregory shares vulnerably about spending decades feeling torn between his corporate identity and his Christian calling, only to discover that his presence in secular tech environments may have been the only "on-ramp to Jesus" many of his colleagues ever encountered.
AI governance isn't optional — it's stewardship. Gregory walks through why ministries and organizations must establish AI policies before they begin experimenting with tools, drawing on his background as a former CISO to explain the cybersecurity and ethical risks that come with ungoverned AI adoption.
Your team is your biggest AI risk and your greatest AI asset. The conversation digs into how staff behavior, shadow AI usage, and a lack of training create real vulnerabilities — and how intentional, human-first implementation changes everything.
Faith and technology aren't competing callings — they're complementary ones. Gregory's framework of "Six Levers" offers a practical lens for leaders navigating how to steward AI in a way that honors mission, protects people, and advances the Kingdom.
Deep Bible literacy matters more than ever in an AI age. Gregory delivers a powerful challenge around discernment, theological grounding, and the danger of applying Scripture out of context — drawing a direct line between how we read the Bible and how we evaluate the promises AI vendors make.
Community is a competitive advantage. Gregory describes "The Table," a free monthly gathering he hosts for business and ministry leaders to share what's working, what's failing, and how to move forward — together.
Ready to Stop Experimenting and Start Multiplying?
If your ministry is feeling the pressure to "do something with AI" but isn't sure where to start, this episode is your roadmap. Gregory's experience spans Fortune 500 companies, global ministries, and educational institutions — and his perspective will give you both the clarity and the confidence to move forward wisely. Don't miss this one. Listen to the full episode now.
Resources
Six Levers Consulting — sixleversconsulting.com
Gregory Richardson (Personal Site) — gregoryrichardson.ai
Connect with Gregory on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorypkrichardson/
Harvard Business Review Article (with link to MIP Report) — https://hbr.org/2025/08/beware-the-ai-experimentation-trap
Lord of Spirits Podcast — Referenced by Gregory as a resource for Christians who want to develop deeper Bible literacy and hermeneutical understanding. https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/
Launch AI by Five Q — Ready to move from AI experimentation to measurable ministry impact? Learn more at fiveq.com/launch
#98 - From Siloed Data to 25% Donor Growth | Nathan Hill
2026/06/04
Your ministry is stretched thin, your data is scattered across disconnected tools, and your donor acquisition budget may be reaching the wrong people. In this session from the Digital Ministry Conference, Nathan Hill of AVID walks through a real-world case study showing how Bible League Canada decreased their cost to acquire a new donor by 20% — and grew new donors by 25% — by unifying their tech stack and adding AI-powered automation.
Key Takeaways
New donors are worth far more than year one. Based on data from 43 ministries representing approximately $1.4 billion in annual revenue, the average first-year donor gives $81 — but that number jumps to $214 in year two and $322 in year three and beyond.
Siloed data is silently costing you. Most ministries rely on their CRM as their primary donor data source, but critical giving history, engagement data, and transaction records live in disconnected tools — leading to stale prospecting lists and wasted ad spend.
A unified tech stack changes everything. Bible League Canada brought all of their donor data under one roof using AVID as their fundraising operating system, enabling a more complete "golden record" of their donors — and dramatically improving the accuracy of their lookalike audience targeting on Meta.
Automation is the multiplier. It's not enough to unify data once — the speed at which audiences are refreshed directly impacts how effective your acquisition campaigns are. Nathan explains how automated suppression (removing existing donors from acquisition targeting) alone eliminates significant waste.
The long-term kingdom impact is the real number. A sample organization Nathan shared was on pace for $7.4 million in donor revenue this year. By investing in an acquisition growth strategy, their three-year revenue outlook jumped from $7.1 million to $10.5 million — a 47% increase over three years.
AVID vs. an Enterprise CRM. Nathan noted that when compared to one of the most sophisticated marketing CRMs available for this use case, AVID led to a 143% increase in donor acquisition by comparison.
If you're ready to stop wasting acquisition budget on the wrong audiences and start building a donor pipeline that compounds over time, this episode is your starting point. Nathan breaks down a practical, proven framework that any ministry fundraising team can begin applying today — no massive tech overhaul required.
Resources
Nathan Hill – Vice President of Marketing, AVID | avidai.com
Connect With Nathan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-peter-hill/
Bible League Canada Case Study – Referenced throughout the session | https://bibleleague.ca/
AVID Fundraising Scorecard – Predictive analytics tool | https://avidai.com/components/scorecard/
Digital Ministry Conference – digitalministryconference.com
Five Q | Launch AI – https://aiofferings.fiveq.com/
#97 - Jake Carlson: AI Evangelism in Action — 140,000 Gospel Conversations a Month
2026/06/02
What if your ministry could share the gospel with someone in a closed country at 2 a.m. — in their heart language — without a single missionary present? Jake Carlson, founder of The Apologist Project, is already doing it. In this session from the Digital Ministry Conference 2026, Jake shares how conversational AI is becoming a force multiplier for the Great Commission — and why the parable of the talents applies directly to how your ministry approaches this technology.
Key Takeaways
AI can meet seekers where they are — geographically, linguistically, and spiritually. Over two-thirds of the world's population is online, and The Apologist Project's conversational AI is available in 192 languages, covering approximately 99% of the globe — including the ability to embed small language models onto devices that can be brought into closed countries.
People open up to AI in ways they often won't with other humans. Jake explains that without fear of judgment or being tracked, seekers — especially those in restricted regions — are far more willing to ask honest spiritual questions through an AI interface than in person.
Biblically grounded content is what makes the difference. The Apologist Project doesn't just use any AI model — it curates a trusted library of ministry content (including partnerships with Got Questions Ministries and Ligonier Ministries) to ensure every response is anchored in biblical truth, no matter what the user asks.
Contextualization is built in. Jake describes a version of their chatbot specifically designed for Muslim seekers, which draws on Quranic verses alongside biblical truth to meet users at their starting point and gently guide them toward Jesus.
AI can identify where a seeker is spiritually — and respond accordingly. The platform uses AI to evaluate conversations against frameworks like the Engel Scale to expose the right next step — whether that's a resource, a follow-up contact, or a crisis hotline for sensitive conversations.
Real traction, real impact. The Apologist Project is currently processing approximately 140,000 prompts per month — that's someone using their conversational AI every 20 seconds of every day — and growth is accelerating, especially in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Turkey.
Handoff to the human community remains the goal. Jake is clear that AI isn't the destination — it removes intellectual barriers and then passes the seeker on to a ministry on the ground, an online missionary, or other digital discipleship resources to continue the journey.
AI is here — and ministries that choose to steward it wisely are already seeing Kingdom fruit. Whether you're just beginning to explore how AI could support your outreach strategy or you're ready to integrate a biblically grounded conversational tool into your digital ministry, this session will both challenge and equip you. Don't just take notes — take the next step. Watch the full session now and reach out to The Apologist Project if your ministry is ready to partner.
Resources
The Apologist Project: apologistproject.org
Connect with Jake Carlson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakecarlsonded/
GotQuestions Chatbot (partner): gotquestions.chat
Ligonier Ministries (partner): ligonier.org
Full session on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7R7R-JAcG0&t=4s
Digital Ministry Conference: digitalministryconference.com
Five Q Launch AI: https://aiofferings.fiveq.com/
#96 - Saved for Good Works: How Toby Weiss Built a Tech Career in Service of the Kingdom
2026/05/01
Most ministries don't have a technology problem — they have a strategy problem. Toby Weiss, Co-Founder and CEO of Rooted Software, spent 14 years as the Global CIO of Jews for Jesus before launching a company with one purpose: helping ministries stop patch-working technology together and start wielding it strategically. In this episode, Toby shares what he's learned across hundreds of ministry engagements — and why the hardest part of a CRM rollout has nothing to do with software.
Key TakeawaysThe "hodgepodge" trap is real — and costly. Ministries often solve technology problems one at a time, leading to a patchwork of disconnected systems. Toby explains why reaching a point of strategic maturity — typically around $1–2M in annual revenue — is when organizations need to step back and make deliberate, integrated technology decisions.
Outsourced IT is often smarter than in-house. For ministries with fewer than 150 staff, Toby makes a compelling case that outsourced IT delivers broader expertise, greater availability, and lower cost than hiring internally — often cutting IT expenses by 50% or more while actually increasing service levels.
Not all CRMs are created equal — and the wrong fit is expensive. Toby walks through key decision variables:
Is the vendor primarily serving nonprofits or faith-based organizations?Do you need an off-the-shelf solution like Virtuous, or a more customizable platform like SiteStacker?Is best-of-breed or all-in-one the right fit for your organization's workflow?
Data migrations are harder than they look. With well over 100 migrations completed, Toby explains why moving from one CRM to another isn't a simple export/import — it involves complex field mapping, business process changes, merge/purge logic, and multiple QA cycles. Treating it seriously from the start saves enormous pain.
People and process beat technology every time. During a multi-country CRM rollout at Jews for Jesus spanning 11–12 countries, Toby learned that the technology decisions took six months. Getting people across cultures, languages, and compliance requirements (including GDPR) on board? That took 12 years.
Calling and business strategy aren't mutually exclusive. Rooted Software was founded with the mission statement "We exist to help followers of Jesus leverage technology effectively." Toby shares how that conviction — rooted in Ephesians 2:10 — shaped every decision from the company's name to who they serve.
Ministry can happen on and off the clock. Outside of Rooted, Toby co-founded Hope 680, a nonprofit that goes out twice a month across six cities in the San Francisco Bay Area to share the gospel with the unhoused. His story of a homeless man in London randomly opening a Bible to Luke 12:28 is one you won't want to skip.
If your ministry's technology feels more like duct tape than a strategic asset, this conversation is for you. Toby offers a free consultation and brings zero pressure — just real expertise and a genuine heart to serve. Listen to the full episode, then visit rooted.software to schedule time with Toby directly.
Resources
Connect with Toby & Rooted Software
Email: [email protected] & Scheduling: rooted.softwareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-weiss/
Hope 680 Ministry
hope680.org
Books Mentioned
Addiction and the Local Church by Andy Constable & Mez McConnellThe Heart of Addiction by Mark E. ShawThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Other Resources
Virtuous CRMSiteStackerThe Addiction ConnectionLaunchAI by Five QFive Q
#95 - Faithfully Leading in Big Tech with Rich Robison
2026/03/27
What does it look like to carry your faith into one of the most skeptical environments on earth—and actually lead a movement there? Rich Robison is an Engineering Manager at a major big tech company, and he didn't choose to work there. God closed every other door until he finally listened. In this episode, Rich shares what happens when you fully surrender your career to God—and how the mission field might be closer than you think.
Key TakeawaysGod's leading doesn't always look like a clear path forward. Rich spent six months resisting a door that God kept holding open, slamming his face into the doors he wanted to walk through until he was ready to listen.Joining a Christian group at work on day one was an act of faith. Hitting "join" made his faith publicly visible across the company—a small decision that carried real professional risk and set the tone for everything that followed.Rich now leads a global Christian group spanning five continents, organizing Bible studies, holiday events with household-name speakers, and leadership development—all on a volunteer basis alongside demanding day jobs.The shift from engineer to people leader came from a deep sense of responsibility for others. Rich describes his leadership role as more shepherd than manager—caring about the whole person, not just their output.Being a Christian in big tech means your witness is always on. Rich reflects on the Gandhi quote—that people are drawn to Christ or pushed away based on how believers actually behave—and how that shapes the way he shows up every day.Ministry in the workplace starts with prayer and submission, not a strategy. Rich challenges listeners to stop trying to engineer a plan and instead invite the Spirit to lead, starting with small, faithful steps like a weekly lunch Bible study.Your everyday life is already your mission field. Whether or not you work for a ministry, you are in ministry—and the people around you are watching how you live it out.
If you've ever felt like your career and your faith exist in two separate worlds, this conversation will challenge that divide. Rich Robison's story is a reminder that God is at work in every boardroom, every Slack channel, and every leadership decision—and that the most strategic thing you can do is surrender first. Don't miss this episode.
ResourcesBEMA Podcast – A Scripture-focused podcast that goes deep on theology and biblical context, with communities worldwide for group discussion. bemadiscipleship.comLaunch AI by Five Q – AI adoption for ministries built on a human-first framework. Learn more at fiveq.com/launch
#94 - Faith and AI with Yvonne Carlson
2026/03/19
In this episode of Ministry at Scale, host Chad Williams interviews Yvonne Carlson, the Chief Technology Officer at Global Media Outreach (GMO) and co-director of the Missional AI Conference. Together, they explore the intersection of technology, faith, and the transformative potential of AI in ministry.
Key Takeaways
Yvonne’s Journey: From childhood curiosity in her father's garage to becoming a CTO, Yvonne discusses how her passion for technology and missions led her to GMO.
The GMO AI Strategy: Yvonne emphasizes starting with vision and mission over technical questions, detailing how GMO developed an AI task force and a white paper to guide their approach.
Human-First AI Policy: The conversation dives into GMO's foundational commitments, which include biblical alignment, transparency, and keeping a "human in the loop" to enhance—not replace—human ministry.
Practical AI Use Cases: Yvonne shares real-world examples of AI in action, from data analysis and finance to grant writing and personalizing outreach, illustrating how it frees up missionaries for deeper discipleship.
Security & Ethics: A critical look at the risks of AI, including data privacy (PII) and the importance of using secure, private AI environments rather than free, public tools.
The Future of Missional AI: An invitation to the Missional AI Conference in San Jose, featuring experts like Dr. John Lennox and Pat Gelsinger, to discuss the theological and practical implications of AI.
Be sure to listen to the full episode.
Resources:
Missional.aiYvonne’s LinkedInPractical AI Podcast
#93 - Blending AI with AU: Pathway to Victory’s Secret Formula for Engaging Hispanics
2025/06/02
Featuring Kendell Stellfox, Executive Director of Partnerships with Kerux Group
Recorded live at the Digital Ministry Conference 2025.
In this insightful session from the 2025 Digital Ministry Conference, Kendell Stellfox—Executive Director of Partnerships at The Kerux Group—challenges ministry leaders to stop and consider not just what content they produce, but who it's for and how it’s received. As demographic shifts redefine our cultural landscape, Kendell unpacks the critical need to contextualize ministry content in a way that meaningfully connects with emerging audiences—especially the growing Latino population in the U.S.
Rather than simply translating English sermons or content into Spanish and calling it outreach, Kendell presents a compelling case for heart-level connection—grounded in empathy, strategy, and cultural understanding. He shares the journey of Pathway to Victory as a model: a ministry that thoughtfully reimagined its messaging for the Latino audience and experienced exponential reach and impact.
For digital marketers, pastors, and ministry leaders, this session is packed with valuable insights:
Why demographic shifts demand new strategies for engagementThe pitfalls of relying solely on AI for content creationHow to contextualize your message to resonate with multicultural audiencesA real-world success story of Pathway to Victory's Latino outreach
Tune in to hear how your ministry can multiply its kingdom impact by blending the speed and scale of AI with a deep understanding of audience culture—and walk away with a framework for reaching the next generation with relevance and compassion.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
Learn more about Pathway to VictoryLearn more about The Kerux GroupText “Kerux Group” to 777007 to receive slides and explore partnership opportunities
Connect with Kendell Stellfox:
LinkedIn: Kendell Stellfox
#92 - 5 Ways to Repurpose Your Content with AI
2025/05/30
Featuring Kenny Jahng, Founder of AI for Church Leaders
Recorded live at the Digital Ministry Conference 2025.
In this practical and fast-paced session from the 2025 Digital Ministry Conference, Kenny Jahng—AI educator and founder of AI for Church Leaders—demystifies artificial intelligence for ministry teams by showing how it can help multiply content without multiplying effort. With real-world examples and contagious energy, Kenny shares five proven ways ministries can repurpose existing content using today's AI tools—making what you already have go further and work harder across platforms.
Using his MIX framework (Modular, Interactive, Cross-Channel), Kenny challenges content creators to think beyond one-time posts and start building scalable systems. You’ll discover how AI can take sermons, webinars, and PDFs and turn them into podcasts, social media carousels, email courses, and more—with minimal time and budget.
For digital marketers, pastors, and ministry leaders, this session is packed with valuable insights:
How to use Google NotebookLM to create podcast-style conversations from static contentWays to turn long-form video into snackable clips using tools like SermonShotsHow to generate AI-powered email courses from just a slide deckStrategies for transforming key quotes into visual content—at scale, using Canva and CSVsWhy now is the time to train your own “AI doppelgänger” for personalizing ministry content
Tune in to this episode for a whirlwind tour through today’s most practical AI tools and leave with a renewed vision of how to extend your message without overextending your team. If you're overwhelmed by AI, this session will replace that fear with inspiration and give you a concrete starting point.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
Google NotebookLM – Create podcast-like conversations from documentsSermonShots – AI video tool for generating sermon clipsCanva Bulk Create – Automate social graphics with CSVsAiForChurchLeaders.com – Kenny’s training site and workshop hub
Connect with Kenny Jahng:
LinkedIn: Kenny Jahng
#91 - Using AI Chat for Ministry
2025/05/29
Featuring Chase Cappo, Director of Enterprise AI Division, and Brianne Shaw, Senior Product Marketing Manager, with Gloo AI
Recorded live at the Digital Ministry Conference 2025.
In this inspiring and practical session from the 2025 Digital Ministry Conference, Brianne Shaw and Chase Cappo from Gloo AI unpack the remarkable ways ministries are already using conversational AI to deepen engagement, spark gospel conversations, and meet people in their moment of need. Framed around three key questions—Is AI good or bad? What can it do? And how can my ministry use it?—this session moves quickly from theory to testimony.
You’ll hear powerful praise reports from ministries like Hope with God, KCBI, Answers in Genesis, and One Community Church—each showing how AI chat tools are driving real kingdom impact. From tens of thousands of gospel-centered interactions to smarter resource recommendations and emotionally attuned fundraising strategies, this isn’t a conversation about the future—it’s happening now.
For digital marketers, pastors, and ministry leaders, this session is packed with valuable insights:
Why AI chat is more effective than search bars at starting deep, gospel-centered conversationsHow ministries are using AI to surface real-time needs like anxiety, spiritual doubt, and assurance of salvation—and respond with timely resourcesCreative applications like student outreach through QR codes and real-time sermon video integrationsHow AI chat reveals hidden data trends to shape content, donor appeals, and resource creation
Don’t miss this podcast if you’re exploring how AI fits into your ministry. You’ll walk away with fresh vision, tested strategies, and encouragement to step into innovation with integrity—anchored in Scripture, human flourishing, and the Great Commission.
Resources Mentioned:
Hope with God AI AssistantKCBI Radio – Listener-Supported Christian StationAnswers in Genesis AI AssistantOne Community ChurchGloo AI Ministry Tools
Connect with Gloo AI Speakers:
LinkedIn: Brianne ShawLinkedIn: Chase Cappo
#90 - How to get a 360 View of Your Audience
2025/05/28
Featuring Josh Kashorek, Five Q
Recorded live at the Digital Ministry Conference 2025.
In this insightful session from the 2025 Digital Ministry Conference, Josh Kashorek—Director of Marketing at Five Q—invites ministry marketers into the world of unified data strategy. Using the analogy of a puzzle, Josh challenges ministries to think beyond their CRMs and instead explore how disconnected data across platforms is limiting their ability to truly understand audience behavior.
With humor, clarity, and deep experience in performance marketing, Josh shares how many ministries are sitting on a goldmine of underutilized insights. Drawing from a case study analyzing over 225 million data points across 3,000 tables, he uncovers surprising behavioral trends—such as how those who download multiple lead magnets are exponentially more likely to give, purchase, and engage in discipleship activities.
For ministry marketers, this session offers rich takeaways:
Why your CRM is just one piece of the audience puzzleHow to identify highly engaged users—and why that matters for retention and givingThe importance of asking the right strategic questions before building your data infrastructurePractical steps to break down data silos and start seeing your audience more clearly
If your ministry team is wrestling with fragmented data, unclear user journeys, or missed opportunities for deeper engagement, this podcast is for you. Josh doesn’t just highlight the challenges—he offers a roadmap forward. Whether you're just beginning to think about audience insights or you're ready to build predictive models, you'll walk away with practical steps to unify your data and multiply your impact.
Resources Mentioned in The Episode:Five QMinistry Impact PlatformContent Marketing Institute 2024 Benchmarks
Connect With Josh Kashorek:
LinkedIn: Josh Kashorek
#89 - Biblical Framework for Understanding and Using Artificial Intelligence
2025/05/27
Featuring John Dyer, Dallas Theological Seminary
Recorded live at the Digital Ministry Conference 2025.
In a thought-provoking keynote from the 2025 Digital Ministry Conference, John Dyer—programmer, theologian, and Vice President at Dallas Theological Seminary—explores the complex intersection of faith, humanity, and artificial intelligence. Far from another tech how-to session, this talk lays a deeply biblical foundation for how Christian leaders can approach AI not with fear or naïveté, but with wisdom, humility, and theological clarity.
Dyer walks ministry leaders through a full biblical framework—from creation to redemption—to challenge the common myth that technology is morally neutral. Instead, he argues, every tool we use shapes not only what we do, but who we become. Whether you’re building marketing automations, experimenting with generative AI, or just trying to keep pace with rapid innovation, Dyer invites you to pause and ask: What kind of people and communities are we forming through this technology?
For digital marketers, pastors, and ministry technologists, this session is packed with valuable insights:
Why technology is not neutral—and what that means for ministry teams using AIHow the image of God shapes our understanding of creativity, responsibility, and ethical boundariesInstances where using AI enhances your mission—and when it might hinder spiritual depth or formationHow to lead your ministry into digital innovation without losing its soul
Tune in to this podcast for a theologically rich perspective on artificial intelligence, and walk away with a deeper conviction: our tools may be powerful, but it is God who transforms hearts. Let’s steward innovation with care, clarity, and a vision rooted in the gospel.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
BestCommentaries.com – Dyer's commentary review tool used by over half a million pastors annuallyY’all Version Bible – A translation project reflecting second-person plural in ScriptureWorship.AI (Archive) – Early generative AI project from 2017Center for AI Safety – Resources on existential and ethical risks of AIPraxis Labs Redemptive Tech Framework – A gospel-centered framework for technology developmentGloo.AI – Ministry tech support organization with AI use guidance
Connect with John Dyer:
LinkedIn: John DyerWebsite: j.hn
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