Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:02 — 30.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Youtube Music | More
Rev. Dr. Justin Lester is a deep and broad thinker and practitioner who is engaging with AI in his church context in cutting edge ways. He pastors Friendship Vallejo Church, located in the heart of Vallejo, California, and he teaches in a variety of academic and church settings. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss Rev. Dr. Justin Lester’s own personal faith journey and his approach to integrating AI into the life of his congregation. We consider opportunities for AI use in church and the equalizing potential of the technology, and discuss the ways that AI can help educate and unleash creativity within congregations.
Meet the Speakers:
Host: Daniel Heck is an AI ethicist at The Understanding Group. He has a rich background in non-profit leadership, including roles in the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and immigrant and refugee ministry. His work focuses on integrating secular social theories and theological insights into ethical AI frameworks for organizations in diverse contexts. Heck holds bachelor’s degrees in Natural Resources Management and Policy and German from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Theological Studies in Bible and Practical Theology from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He is currently finalizing a second Master’s Degree in Public Theology, and preparing for PhD work in support of his ongoing work in Biblical studies, AI ethics and theoethics.
Dr. Justin Lester is a Co-Mentor for the Doctorate of Ministry Program at United Theological Seminary, an Adjunct Professor at American Baptist College, and the Pastor at Friendship Baptist Church in California. Lester holds a D.Min. from Boston University, M.Div. from Vanderbilt University, and an M.A. from Marquette University.
Views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of AI and Faith or any of its leadership.
Production: Pablo Salmones and Penny Yuen
Host: Daniel Heck
Guest: Justin Lester
Editing: Isabelle Braconnot
Music from #UppbeatLicense code: 1ZHLF7FMCNHU39
Listen to more episodes here.
