NewsNuggets Page 14

Hugh Davis – Lincoln, Nebraska … In an episode of 3ABN Today, Wintley Phipps, international singer, songwriter, and currently pastor of the  Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Palm Bay, Florida, introduced a groundbreaking new tool, GospelTruth.Ai, designed to assist Christians in their study of the Bible and sermon preparation.

This artificial intelligence (AI) application is specifically trained to provide biblically accurate responses and generate complete sermons, distinguishing it from mainstream AI models like ChatGPT, which, as Phipps noted, often reflect a mix of secular and religious perspectives.

The Problem with Traditional AI

Phipps expressed concerns about conventional AI models, which he likened to the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” He pointed out that these models pull information from both secular and religious sources, leading to responses that may not always align with biblical teachings. When discussing theological topics such as the Sabbath, he found that mainstream AI often presented conflicting or non-biblical viewpoints, requiring extensive back-and-forth to align the response with Scripture.

A Biblical Approach to AI

To address this challenge, Phipps and his team developed GospelTruth.Ai, an AI system trained exclusively on vetted biblical resources, including the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and trusted theological materials. Unlike general AI tools that “skim” information and often provide repetitive answers, GospelTruth.Ai employs a proprietary linguistic search algorithm that deeply mines Scripture and related texts, producing fresh, in-depth perspectives each time a user requests information.

Key Features of GospelTruth.AI

1. Biblically Sound Responses – The AI has been trained to ensure that every response aligns with Scripture and trusted theological sources.
2. Full Sermon Generation – Rather than simple Q&A responses, the tool generates complete sermons and teachings on any biblical topic.
3. Deep Theological Research – Utilizing a unique algorithm, the AI “mines” biblical texts rather than skimming, ensuring deeper insights.
4. Multilingual Capabilities – Users can generate sermons and teachings in multiple languages, making it accessible worldwide.
5. Efficient Sermon Preparation – With traditional sermon preparation often requiring 30–40 hours of study, GospelTruth.Ai  allows pastors to reclaim time for prayer, family, and other ministerial duties.
6. Export and Sharing Options – Sermons can be easily copied, exported, or shared for immediate use.

A Game-Changer for Pastors and Laypeople

During the demonstration, Phipps showcased how quickly the AI tool generates well-structured sermons. He emphasized that this tool is not just for pastors but also for laypeople who wish to study and understand Scripture more deeply. By simply entering a topic such as “gospel and salvation” or “trials,” users receive a full, well-researched sermon in seconds.

Phipps likened GospelTruth.Ai  to the research assistants used by historical preachers like Charles Spurgeon, who had teams of young ministers gathering information for him. With AI, this process is now automated and instantaneous, allowing for thorough, efficient, and theologically sound sermon preparation.

Addressing the Crisis in Christian Churches

A key motivation behind this tool is the declining church attendance across denominations. According to recent research, regular church attendance among members of the Seventh-day Adventist church has dropped from 67% in 2014 to just 15% in 2024. He pointed out that the primary reason people attend church is the quality of the sermon, not necessarily the music or technology used in worship services. GospelTruth.Ai  aims to equip pastors with the ability to deliver well-researched, inspiring messages that can help draw people back to church.

Phipps sees GospelTruth.Ai  as a divine tool to support a new generation of preachers and teachers. Whether for pastors preparing weekly sermons or laypeople seeking to deepen their biblical understanding, this AI-driven resource offers a powerful, reliable way to engage with God’s Word. As Phipps concluded, “I pray that God will use this to inspire a new generation of preachers and teachers.”

For the full interview, visit this link.

—Curated by ChatGPT and edited by Hugh Davis, Mid-America Union Conference Communication associate director. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK Adventist News March 3, 2025, article. Photos supplied.

Fred Hardinge – Montrose, Colorado … A monthly community health outreach program titled Health Bites: Simple Steps to Wellness launched February 25 at the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado. Over 20 people attended the first session, and the program will focus on good food, fellowship, and health facts.

This opening session commenced with a brief Bible lesson on the topic of health and prayer. Attendees were given fellowship time to get acquainted with other people at their tables while enjoying a simple meal of selected soups and crackers.

The meal was followed by short cooking demonstrations on how to prepare the soups. The evening concluded with a presentation by a registered health professional and an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Montrose Church’s Health Ministries Committee, led by Dr. Fred Hardinge, who is also an elder at the church, has planned a regular schedule of high-impact, low-intensity programs for most months in the coming years. “This deliberate approach reinforces the sustainability of our ministry within the community,” Harding remarked.

He continued, “The name and logo we chose reflect that wellness results from many simple steps toward good health. The green leaf symbolizes growth and vibrancy, while the circle suggests a wholistic approach encompassing the whole man: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.”

Please contact the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church for more information on the program.

—Fred Hardinge, DrPH and registered dietician, is the director of Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church Health Ministries Committee. Photos supplied.

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently wrapped up its inspiring FOCUS Week culminating with a vibrant Culture Celebration and Parade, February 24-28. FOCUS Week, which stands for “Focus On Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice,” is a biannual tradition at MHA, designed to deepen students’ faith through daily chapel services and engaging messages about Christ’s love and sacrifice.

This year, MHA was honored to welcome Miguel Tello as the guest speaker. Tello is an experienced educator, mentor, and certified mental health coach with over 20 years of experience. His journey includes serving as a missionary in Bolivia for 11.5 years where he directed a children’s home and cofounded another children’s home and boarding academy in the jungle.

Today, he and his wife, Tara, run PM Orchards, a ministry dedicated to helping young adults transition into adulthood, strengthen academic skills, secure college scholarships, and break cycles of trauma.

With a heart for education and mental health, Tello delivered daily chapel messages for each of MHA’s school levels, sharing powerful personal stories of God’s faithfulness and practical ways to “Abide in Christ.” His messages deeply resonated with students, including MHA junior student Logen, who shared, “This was one of my favorite FOCUS Weeks. I really appreciated how Mr. Tello shared the struggles he faced, yet he always reflected on how much God continued to bring positives into his life.”

The week concluded with MHA’s Culture Celebration and Parade, where students proudly represented their cultural heritage through traditional attire and colorful flags. The gym was alive with energy as classrooms marched in, displaying the diverse backgrounds that make up the MHA community.

A special missionary spotlight was shared by Gabi DuBose, wife of MHA fifth-grade teacher Jason DuBose, who talked about her experiences as a student missionary in Palau, followed by an inspiring message from Tello about how Christ answers prayers—even in the most unexpected ways.

To top off the morning, students and guests enjoyed a selection of bite-sized foods from around the world. Cindy Roldan, MHA’s director of Student Services, who coordinated the event, reflected on its impact, saying, “It was so much fun seeing our students proudly representing their heritage. Though we come from different backgrounds, this celebration reminded us that we are all One in Christ.”

MHA hopes to expand the Cultural Celebration and Parade into a larger community-wide event, inviting even more families and friends to take part in this meaningful tradition. Roldan concluded, “As MHA looks to the future, traditions like FOCUS Week and the Cultural Celebration will allow MHA to continue to foster a learning environment where faith, heritage, and community come together, shaping and inspiriting the next generation.”

—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.

Jose Briones – Denver, Colorado … In the latest episode of the Living Generously podcast series, Roger Hernandez, Southern Union Conference Ministerial and Evangelism director, dives into the heart of evangelism, offering practical and inspiring insights for Seventh-day Adventists in North America. Grounded in the North American Division Pentecost 2025 initiative, the discussion emphasizes evangelism as an essential, everyday practice for meeting the needs of communities and staying relevant.

Hernandez paints a vivid picture of evangelism, describing it as “one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” He encourages churches to weave evangelism into every aspect of their activities—beyond isolated events—whether it’s through youth programs like Pathfinders or ministries for men and women. Using relatable metaphors, such as the process of courting, he simplifies evangelism as building relationships that naturally lead to declarations of faith.

Challenging misconceptions, Hernandez advises churches to focus on positivity and celebrate small wins rather than dwelling on participation gaps. He highlights the diversity of evangelistic methods, urging individuals to embrace their unique talents—whether it’s teaching Bible studies or something as personal as baking a cake—to contribute to a shared mission.

The podcast also spotlights personal connections, stressing the power of visitation and the need to rebuild trust within church communities. Hernandez emphasizes collaboration among church leaders and proposes tools like a sermon calendar to ensure consistent teaching across multiple congregations.

Prophecy is another key theme, described as a source of assurance in an uncertain world. Hernandez calls for courage, curiosity, compassion, and Christ-centeredness in evangelistic efforts, encouraging listeners to embrace risks and engage in a lifestyle of sharing their faith.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a motivational call, challenging Christians to embed evangelism into their daily lives and reflect its principles in every interaction.

CLICK HERE to listen to the full episode, and CLICK HERE to see the full list of previous and future series episodes. To listen to the full podcasts on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo by Alicia Steels of Unsplash.