In this episode of the Digital Ministry Podcast, host Nick chats with Don Barger, Director of Innovation and MX Labs at IMB, about AI's growing role in ministry.

• Don’s Journey with AI: He shares his path into AI and how IMB is exploring its potential to support ministry innovation.

• AI for Ministry: From developers to new users, they discuss the range of engagement with AI tools and the importance of data security in ministry contexts.

• AI Projects: Don highlights his team’s work, including a secure global chatbot using the Llama 3.1 model and AI-driven ad campaigns.

• Managing AI Expectations: They cover the challenges of AI's rapid evolution, its impact on expectations, and the need for a strategic approach.

• Future Vision: They explore AI’s power to automate tasks and free up resources, allowing people to focus on what matters most.

Join us for a closer look into how AI is shaping the future of ministry!

Links for other sources or information mentioned

• IMB: https://www.imb.org/
• Prediction Guard: https://www.predictionguard.com/
• Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/
• Llama 3.1: https://ai.facebook.com/blog/llama-2-open-foundation-and-fine-tuned-chat-models/

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In this episode, Nick Runyon shares his thoughts on the use of AI in digital ministry and prayer. He discusses the rapid advancement of AI and the ethical concerns about it potentially becoming smarter than humans. He emphasizes the importance of human interaction in digital ministry and follow-up processes while acknowledging that AI can be useful in many other areas of ministry.

Nick recalls an instance where Justin Murff led a meeting with other leaders using an AI-generated prayer. The prayer received mixed reactions and sparked a discussion about the role of AI tools in ministry.

The episode delves into the debate over whether AI-generated prayers are appropriate or if they diminish the role of the Holy Spirit. The core question centers on whether the person leading the prayer is Spirit-led.

Join us as we explore this topic, returning to the Bible to examine the connection between God and humanity and the roles of humans in ministry and the Holy Spirit in prayer.

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In this episode, Justin Murff shares his journey from media to ministry, offering deep insights into the complexities of faith in the Middle East and the rise of digital churches. Justin highlights the unique challenges faced by new believers from Muslim backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive, safe online communities for spiritual growth.

We explore the transformative impact of COVID-19 on digital ministry and discuss how technology has become a powerful tool for outreach, especially in regions where traditional church gatherings are restricted. Justin also addresses the cultural and political divides that affect church attendance, explaining how digital platforms can bridge the gap and even inspire physical church planting.

Join us as we delve into the evolving landscape of digital churches, the crucial role of digital missionaries, and the potential for greater collaboration across church networks to support faith communities around the globe.

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