When a group of global mission movements started spreading a model of 'families on mission', a key challenge was how to share real stories of families without showing their faces—especially in sensitive locations. Enter AI. With it came the ability to create animated characters and bring stories to life in hours, not weeks. The result was a delightful series of animations featuring talking pandas, giraffes, butterflies, and other whimsical characters. These imaginative tools helped communicate real mission stories in fun and creative ways. Out of this grew a remarkable idea—equipping leaders with many ways that AI can serve ministry needs in creative ways.

That idea became the Max7 AI Academy, a bold and collaborative initiative launched by global mission movements working in family, sport, children, generosity, and youth ministry. The Academy is an extension of the same vision that birthed Max7.org—an open-source platform started 18 years ago to share biblical and creative ministry resources freely with the global Church. Building on that legacy, the AI Academy equips grassroots leaders with accessible, free tools to create Bible-centered content in multiple languages and styles.

Human Creativity Meets Artificial Intelligence

At its core, the Academy affirms that creativity is a divine gift embedded within humanity, uniquely expressed by people made in God’s image. AI, therefore, is viewed not as a replacement but a powerful partner to human ingenuity and discernment.
"In many AI tasks, human involvement is essential," explains the Academy manual, emphasizing the importance of well-crafted prompts and responsible oversight. Indeed, one of the Academy’s foundational insights is that "you need MORE creativity to use AI effectively, not less." Participants learn to harness AI responsibly, channeling their God-given creativity into innovative ministry expressions.

Throughout the Academy, participants are reminded that the ability to ask thoughtful, biblically grounded questions (called prompts) is at the heart of successful AI use. Rather than seeing AI as a shortcut, they’re trained to treat it as a creative partner—helping brainstorm ideas, shape curriculum, enhance communication, and illustrate timeless truths in new and engaging ways.

Practical Tools, Transformative Impact

From the very start, the Academy has emphasized real-life application. AI isn't just theory—it's a set of tools leaders are already using in their ministries in powerful ways. For example, one participant created a 31-day children's prayer campaign using AI-generated images, while another developed Bible songs in English and Tajik to help children memorize Scripture. Others have crafted animated videos of Bible stories, illustrated parables using culturally relevant images, and translated teaching resources into multiple languages for local use. AI has been used to:
  

    •    Create coloring pages and Sunday school visuals
    •    Summarize exegetical notes for Bible translation teams
    •    Script and produce worship songs using tools like ChatGPT             and Suno
    •    Helping to dig into the Bible as part of preparing a sermon 
    •    Generate avatars and custom videos for storytelling and                   discipleship
    •    Translate devotionals and ministry content into local                         languages

In one particularly creative example, a participant used AI to create a dramatic animated short film of Noah’s time on the ark after the flood—a largely overlooked biblical moment—complete with original music. In another, AI Animation is used to create a comparison between the unchecked power of a Roman Emperor and that of Jesus, the servant King.

Cherise, from the Gen-G children’s generosity movement remarked, ““AI has reshaped how we approach the development of our resources, and the collaborative learning experience has unlocked new levels of creativity. We’re now doing things we once thought were out of reach.”

The Academy’s effectiveness is anchored in its practical, hands-on approach. Participants benefit from step-by-step tutorials, interactive Zoom sessions, and a thriving WhatsApp community. The comprehensive course content, carefully developed across nine modules, covers prompt writing, generative art, AI-driven video production, music creation, and critical theological and ethical considerations.

"We cover how to handle the Bible well with AI," notes the training manual. The emphasis is clear: AI can greatly enhance ministry—but leaders must learn effective prompting, ensuring biblical accuracy and cultural relevance. Participants created more than 360 innovative resources, including multilingual Bible translations, culturally resonant music, animated Bible stories, and visually impactful teaching aids.

One participant shared, "The AI Academy empowered me to use tools I had no idea how to use before. I love being on the front edge of this technology so we as the church can do a better job of discipling the next generation who seem to pick up on these things faster than us older folks."

A Global Community of Innovation

The AI Academy flourishes as a global community committed to collective learning and innovation. Over 900 leaders actively engage through WhatsApp groups, asking questions, sharing creative outputs, and providing mutual support. Regular Zoom calls and the Academy’s vibrant YouTube channel, attracting over 18,800 views, further enrich this dynamic community.

The Academy also prioritizes accessibility. All resources are designed with grassroots leaders in mind—whether in large cities or rural villages. Leaders without prior tech experience are welcomed and empowered, with step-by-step support and a growing bank of multilingual resources. "It’s like we’re building a global team of creative missionaries," one facilitator shared, "each bringing their unique gifts, culture, and biblical passion into this shared digital space."

“The AI Academy has been a blessing to the Spanish-speaking community of leaders in my area. I have been able to translate and teach two workshops in Spanish helping the leaders explore AI and join the academy,” a Latin leader, Damaris, wrote from Florida.

Leaders frequently testify to the transformative impact of the Academy. Many arrived with no prior AI experience and departed equipped with practical skills and newfound confidence to incorporate AI into their ministries. The Academy’s open-source ethos further ensures that knowledge and creativity freely flow, even into the remotest ministry contexts.

Navigating Challenges with Wisdom

The journey isn’t without hurdles. Participants often grapple with limited internet connectivity and restricted access to advanced AI tools, alongside balancing intensive training with ongoing ministry responsibilities.

The Academy also intentionally encourages theological discernment, contextual sensitivity, and critical thinking. Dedicated sections of the training manual tackle ethical risks—including algorithmic biases, misinformation, and spiritual pitfalls—protecting the integrity of ministry use of AI.

A strong theme throughout the Academy is that AI must never replace Spirit-led, relational ministry. As one participant wisely noted, "AI can help me prepare a sermon, but only the Holy Spirit can convict hearts." Human wisdom, community, and biblical grounding remain central.

We must retain agency.

Looking Forward: A Vision for Innovation in Mission

The AI Academy represents a hopeful and exciting vision for innovation in global mission, responsibly integrating technological advancements within a robust theological framework. The results are evident: leaders worldwide now craft culturally sensitive, biblically faithful, and creatively rich resources that effectively communicate the gospel message in diverse contexts.

Since the time that Jesus gave us the Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations—we have never had more tools available to help translate and communicate this good news to every tribe and language. The sports movement, one of the partners helping lead the AI Academy, has already harnessed AI to translate over 350 leadership training videos, expanding global reach faster than ever before. 

You are warmly invited to join in! The AI Academy continues as an active learning community, regularly digging into useful ways that AI can serve ministry purposes. The most recent Zoom call explored how AI can transform education and reshape how we understand learning—opening new creative possibilities for discipleship and teaching. Leaders are also experimenting with how AI can help create compelling Bible animations, develop interactive games, design coloring sheets, and more. Max7 is actively testing tools that will help generate Bible lessons and family resources tailored to specific age groups and cultural contexts. The best place to start is by visiting the YouTube channel and downloading the free manual from the Academy website.

As technology continues to advance, the AI Academy's approach—rooted in human creativity, scriptural wisdom, and global collaboration—offers a compelling model for the global Church. It invites us all to imagine, innovate, and faithfully fulfill the Great Commission in the digital age.

Learn more about the AI Academy and access resources at:


AI Academy YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com

@Max7AIAcademy
AI Academy Max7 Site: https://ai-academy.max7.org/