Are you a Christian working in tech — a developer, designer, entrepreneur, or product manager — wondering how your skills fit into God's bigger picture? FaithTech is the largest global community connecting Christ-followers in the tech industry, active in 50+ cities across 20 countries on six continents.^1
Founded in 2016 by James Kelly with 35 people at a coffee shop in Waterloo, Ontario, FaithTech grew out of a simple question: Is there anyone else like me — passionate about Jesus and technology?^2 Kelly, who holds both a Master of Divinity and a Bachelor of Commerce, brought a rare blend of church planting experience and startup savvy to the mission. Today, FaithTech's about page publicly displays a dedicated team of fifteen staff — including regional directors spanning North America, MENA, Asia-Pacific, and Brazil, plus an AI Theologian on staff — alongside a board that includes the CEO of SkipTheDishes and the CTO of Global Media Outreach, and an advisory council with leaders from Meta, Nulogy, and the Asia Leadership Development Network.^3
What makes FaithTech distinctive is their conviction that there is a uniquely redemptive way to build technology — rooted in Scripture, shaped by community, and oriented toward the flourishing of others. Their FaithTech Playbook lays out this framework through a 4D cycle (Discover, Discern, Develop, Demonstrate), guiding teams through a biblically based design and development methodology.^4 Through FaithTech Create, volunteer teams tackle real-world challenges: past projects include building the Faith Network app in Chennai, an anti-trafficking initiative in Vancouver, an aviation charity app (MAF) in Waterloo, a Christian mentoring platform (Savok) in Bangkok, and the SHAREBIBLES app in Waterloo.^5 The Create program runs in both short-form (hackathons and sprints) and long-form expressions — such as Create8 in Kuala Lumpur, an eight-week structured program with the goal of launching a finished product.^5
FaithTech now produces a podcast featuring conversations with leaders like John Dyer (author of From the Garden to the City), Terry Storch (co-founder of YouVersion), Kutter Callaway, and Luke Dooley (CEO of Ocean Programs), exploring topics from redemptive technology to AI ethics and entrepreneurship.^6 The organization also publishes Missional Tech Trends — in-depth research reports on emerging technologies including quantum computing, robotics, drones, blockchain, AI world models, and mapping & tracking technologies, each explored through a biblical lens.^1
In September 2026, FaithTech will host Awaken 2026 — its first-ever global gathering in 10 years, at the historic Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds in Monterey, California. The invite-only retreat will bring together 300–400 builders, founders, and visionaries for three days of prayer, worship, and strategic discernment about the church's prophetic voice in the next decade of technology, with registration open via Luma.^7 Other signature events include BUILD, FaithTech London's annual hackathon in partnership with Kingdom Code,^8 and Story Nights — evening gatherings that have already been held in 20+ cities across six continents in 2026, where tech leaders share stories of faith, purpose, and impact.^8 A new Glocal Hackathon format launched in Toronto in July 2026, bringing the global FaithTech network into a single city for a three-day build.^8
In February 2026, FaithTech partnered with Strategic Resource Group for an Integration Sprint in Silicon Valley, bringing together missionaries, technologists, and funders to build an AI-assisted trauma-healing tool for the MENA region — following Jesus's pattern of meeting people in their suffering first.^9 At the Missional AI 2026 Global conference, James Kelly delivered a talk titled "Pray Before You Prompt: Building AI Differently," a prophetic call to builders.^14
FaithTech's work has been covered by The New York Times, Wired Magazine, Christianity Today, and The Times (London), which profiled James Kelly in a major March 2026 feature on AI workers turning to faith.^10
Why People Love It"Many people who work in tech feel very isolated and alone. There's a lot of disconnection, especially for Christians who struggle to live out their faith in this industry." — James Kelly, Founder^11
"Faith communities like FaithTech exist because there is a significant 'white space' unaddressed by most churches and workplaces. They naturally transform digital and workplace environments into spaces where people can encounter Jesus." — CV Global^12
Notable- Present in 50+ cities across 20 countries on six continents worldwide (53 physical city communities plus 5 online regional communities)^1
- Featured in The New York Times, Wired, Christianity Today, and The Times (London)^10
- Board includes Paul Burns (CEO of SkipTheDishes), Yvonne Carlson (CTO of Global Media Outreach), Cary Brown (Moriah Group), Paul Thompson (Paul Thompson Ltd.), and Jason Yuen (Co-Founder, Nulogy)^3
- Advisory Council includes Andrew Pottenger (Engineering Manager at Meta), Marc Krejci (Managing Director, Pathfinder Foundry; Global Advisory Chair), Baolerhu Ligden (Founder/ED, Asia Leadership Development Network), Bob Lipps (Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence), and Christy C (Founder, Original Design Co)^3
- Awaken 2026 — first global gathering in 10 years, September 24–26 at Asilomar, Monterey CA; registration open via Luma^7
- BUILD 2026 — annual London hackathon, October 9–10 at Plexal^8
- Story Nights — expanding event format, held in 20+ cities across six continents in 2026^8
- Glocal Hackathon — new three-day format (Toronto, July 2026)^8
- Create8 — eight-week structured Create program (Kuala Lumpur) with product-launch goal^5
- Partnered with Strategic Resource Group for MENA Integration Sprint (Feb 2026)^9
- Partnered with Kingdom Code for the annual BUILD hackathon in London^13
- Has an AI Theologian on staff (Dr. K) integrating biblical theology with emerging technology^3
- FaithTech Podcast featuring conversations on technology, faith, and culture^6
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the US and registered charity in Canada^11
