Smarter ministry outreach: From the pool to perplexity

Let me tell you something I learned from my son.

Camden loves swimming. Like loves it. And one day, while he was splashing up a storm on one side of the pool, I had to teach him a lesson: “Son, you can’t splash that hard without expecting it to hit somebody else.”

That’s how water works — one movement creates ripples.

That’s also how ministry works.

Whether it’s the way we give, follow up, or preach — everything we do in ministry creates ripples. One tool. One decision. One conversation. Ripples.

And that’s exactly what Jesus was talking about in Acts 1:8. You remember it — “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

That wasn’t just a statement on geography. That was a strategy for influence. 
Jesus gave us the original ministry marketing plan: start close, ripple out.

Here’s how I break it down:

Jerusalem = your inner circle (your members, your volunteers)

Judea = your community (your city, your partnerships)

Samaria = your uncomfortable spaces (the people you usually overlook or avoid)

Ends of the Earth = your digital and global reach (social, streaming, search)

And just like a splash in one corner of the pool, when ministry is intentional, it reaches beyond the walls. Jesus wasn’t just giving geography; He was describing how influence flows. Once you’ve reached your inner circle, the ripples carry you into every corner—digitally and personally.

Why smart outreach requires smart tools

Now let me talk to the leaders.

You and I both know that outreach isn’t just about fliers and fish fries anymore. It’s about finding people where they are — physically, emotionally, and digitally. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a Kingdom tool. Church outreach used to be flyers, bulletin inserts, phone trees. Today, people live online, on TikTok, Reddit, neighborhood forums, city–council livestreams. To meet them where they are, we need tools that meet them there too.

Artificial intelligence isn’t about hype or replacing the gospel. It’s about advancing the gospel by clearing roadblocks. You don’t need a team of consultants or a huge budget—just a few well-chosen AI tools that give you deep, real-time insight into your community’s needs and questions.

 The frontier church mindset

Based on the Microsoft Work Trend Index and their suggestion that Businesses need to be Frontier Firms, I believe the church must become a frontier church—where AI works alongside you instead of you trying to just use AI as another gadget. If we don’t integrate wisely, the tools end up driving us, instead of us driving them. But when we lead with purpose, AI becomes a Kingdom ally.

I’m not saying AI replaces the gospel.

I am saying AI can remove unnecessary roadblocks to it.

Instead of guessing where people are hurting, AI helps you know.

Instead of spending hours researching, AI can do it in minutes.

And no, this doesn’t mean hiring five consultants and blowing your whole missions budget. It means using tools that are already available to you.

Let me give you a Tool, a Prompt, and a Challenge — the TPC method to smarter ministry.

TOOL: Perplexity.ai

This is my go-to. Think of it like ChatGPT with a research degree. It scans social media, Reddit, YouTube, news outlets, government databases, AND scholarly sources — all in one search.

Need to know what’s actually affecting your community? 
Want to know what people are really saying about church, faith, or Jesus?  Instead of 10 focus groups and a research firm, it’s 10 minutes and a clear query.

Perplexity can tell you.

PROMPT:

Here’s a prompt you can drop into Perplexity or any AI research tool:

“What are the top 3 socioeconomic or spiritual challenges in [INSERT YOUR CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD], and which local nonprofits or initiatives are actively addressing them? Provide stats, trends, and 3-5 partnership suggestions for a church-led outreach.”

Why this matters:
 This helps your church target your outreach with precision. Not just to where the need is loudest — but to where your presence will matter most.

CHALLENGE: Automate one ministry system this month

I’m challenging you — pastor to pastor — to automate one system in your ministry.

• It could be guest follow-up.
• It could be sermon email recaps.
• It could be social media outreach or digital connection cards.

Just automate one.

Here’s why:
 Burnout is not a badge of honor.

And it’s not always spiritual. Sometimes it’s systemic.

Sometimes we’re burning out because we’re still using 1999 workflows in 2025.

The Kingdom doesn’t need you burned out.

The Kingdom needs you aligned and sustainable.

 Let me say this plainly:

AI is not the answer. Jesus is.

But AI can help clear the path to Him.

Just like Jesus used boats, scrolls, and sandals, we can use data, platforms, and prompts.

So whether your “Jerusalem” is Vallejo, East Oakland, North Philly, or a corner in the country — may your ripples reach far.

Go from Judea to Samaria to the uttermost.

God bless you, and don’t apologize for being effective.