Season 1, Episode 4 - Silicon Valley to Church - AI's Impact on Ministry Strategy w/ Gareth Russell
Global Missional AI
<p><em>Guest: Gareth Russell, CEO of Jersey Road</em></p>
<p>In this compelling episode of the Global Missional AI podcast, host Joshua Seale sits down with Gareth Russell, CEO of Jersey Road, a communications agency specializing in helping Christian organizations navigate reputational management in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.</p>
<p><strong>The AI Content Reality</strong>: Discover the striking statistic that 61% of AI-generated content about organizational trust and values comes directly from editorial sources - meaning what ministries publish today directly feeds the large language models people increasingly turn to for information about their organizations.</p>
<p><strong>Organizations Scrambling in the Dark</strong>: Russell reveals how most Christian organizations know AI is embedded in their work but lack clear policies or strategies for engagement, creating both opportunities and risks in this new landscape.</p>
<p><strong>Surprising Spiritual Trends</strong>: Explore fascinating demographic shifts many ministries are missing, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>2 million more people attending church in the UK over the last six years</li>
<li>Growing spiritual revival among younger generations and men</li>
<li>Christianity becoming "the new religion" in Silicon Valley after being previously "outlawed"</li>
<li>66% of Americans expressing personal commitment to Jesus</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Strategic Communication in the AI Age</strong>: Learn why crisis communication, thought leadership, and authentic storytelling have never been more critical, and how organizations can tune their communications for AI platforms while maintaining authenticity.</p>
<p><strong>Values-Driven Decision Making</strong>: Russell emphasizes that organizational values should serve as filters for strategic decisions, including which AI platforms to engage with and how to approach technology adoption.</p>
<p>This episode offers practical insights for ministry leaders wondering how to steward AI technology responsibly while reaching audiences in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're just beginning to think about AI strategy or looking to refine your approach, this conversation provides essential guidance for navigating faith and technology in 2025.</p>
<p><em>Don't miss the upcoming Global Missional AI London event on July 17 - learn more at missional.ai</em></p>
<p>Key Highlights:</p>