Join us for Iliff’s Pulpit+ Exchange Series, an inspiring series of in-person and virtual gatherings where clergy, lay leaders, activists, scholars, ministers, journalists, and community organizers come together to wrestle with the most pressing questions of our time. Together, we’ll explore powerful stories of hope, healing, and action—each rooted in a shared vision of justice and liberation.

Mr Jesus: Faith in the Age of AI

What is real in the age of artificial intelligence (AI)? How does our faith inform what is real, and who ultimately gets to decide our reality? Join us for a special screening of the short film Mr Jesus, followed by discussion and Q&A exploring profoundly human questions about faith, purpose, and our individual and collective use of technology. About the film: Mr Jesus is a sharp, satirical film about a down-on-his-luck actor who wakes up one morning to discover that his image has been stolen to make a GenAI Jesus, and now everyone believes he’s the Second Coming.

Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi is associate dean of non-degree programs and associate professor of leadership and formation at Iliff School of Theology. She is a collaborator on the Mr Jesus film project, helping to create a discussion guide for congregations and religious organizations to use in hosting screenings. Through Kristina’s involvement, Iliff School of Theology is also a partner in this endeavor. To learn more about Mr Jesus and how to host a screening, visit the film’s website

SPECIAL GUEST: Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark,  the #1 crowdfunding platform in the world for storytellers on a mission to make entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected, and essential. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold storytellers raise over $86M, and the count is growing.  Emily is dedicated to making the resources for creators to build independent, sustainable careers free and accessible, co-creating the Crowdfunding Playbook and The Distribution Playbook.

She has produced films, VR, shorts and series that have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, Tribeca and more. She produced RATIFIED, a feature documentary about the 100+ year struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment, which premiered on Independent Lens on October 20, 2025, and her new film MR JESUS is now hitting festivals. Both were crowdfunded. She is also the co-founder of tech justice collective (m)otherboard, which nurtures the social practices of connection, community, and governance that restore human agency, dignity, and care.

Details:

Monday, October 26

5:00 – 5:45 PM (MST): Light meal and connection

5:45 PM: Lecture begins, followed by Q&A and deep discussion

Location: In-person at Iliff or online via livestream. Unable to attend in person? Register to receive the livestream link.