Matt Cook joins Kenny Jahng on the Church Tech Today Podcast

We’re excited to share that our President, Matt Cook, was recently featured on the Church Tech Today Podcast hosted by Kenny Jahng — one of the leading voices in digital ministry and AI innovation for churches. The conversation dove into how Aberdeen’s real-time AI captioning and translation tools are making worship services more accessible, inclusive, and effective for everyone in the pews.

Watch the full episode

Read the article on ChurchTechToday.com: Church Tech Today Podcast Feature with Matt Cook

Why This Conversation Matters Now

The conversation wasn’t just about cool tech — it was about mission. AI is opening the door for churches to reach people who’ve been sitting quietly in their pews, unable to fully engage — whether due to hearing loss, language barriers, or generational differences in media consumption.

As Kenny noted, "Most churches are barely scratching the surface of what's possible." But with the right tools, accessibility can be seamless, affordable, and incredibly impactful.

Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. AI Makes Accessibility Affordable for Every Church

Matt shared how Aberdeen has taken technology once reserved for large, media-savvy churches — and made it accessible for congregations of all sizes. Even 100-member churches are now using AI captioning and translation to serve ESL communities and individuals with hearing loss.

“We’ve had churches start this just to help one deaf member, and suddenly realize there are more people quietly struggling to engage — and they begin reaching new audiences they never expected.”
— Matt Cook, Aberdeen

2. Captions Aren’t Just for the Hearing Impaired

More than 70% of Gen Z and over 50% of Millennials now watch content with captions on. It’s not an accessibility issue — it’s an engagement issue.

Captions help with focus, retention, and accessibility for everyone — not just those with hearing impairments.

“Captions help us absorb more. They’ve become part of how the next generation engages with content, including sermons.”
— Kenny Jahng

3. Live, In-Person Captions Are Easier Than Ever

Churches don’t need expensive gear or complex workflows. Aberdeen’s AI captioning and translation system works right from the audio feed churches already have. Viewers can scan a QR code and get real-time captions or listen to a voice dub in their preferred language — right on their phone.

“Setup takes just minutes. Most churches already have everything they need.”
— Matt Cook

4. Voice Dubbing in 60+ Languages

Beyond just captions, Aberdeen offers AI voice dubbing — allowing attendees to hear the sermon in real time in their own language, with natural inflection and clarity. This opens the door to multi-generational families, immigrant communities, and global reach without needing separate services.

A Tool for Growth, Not Just Accommodation

Kenny brought up an important shift in thinking: Captioning and translation aren't just for “accommodation” — they’re tools for growth and connection.

Whether it’s helping Gen Z absorb more of the message, allowing a Spanish-speaking grandmother to understand her grandson’s baptism, or making someone with hearing loss feel seen and included — accessibility is kingdom work.

Try It with Your Own Content

As Matt shared on the podcast, Aberdeen offers churches a free trial month and will even demonstrate the technology using the church’s own sermon video.

• Real-time captions
• Mobile access via QR code
• Translation and voice dubs in 60+ languages
• Seamless setup using your existing equipment

Ready to See It in Action?

Curious how it would work for your services? We’re now offering personalized live demos using your actual content so you can see how real-time captions and multilingual translations would look during your own worship services.

• Get guidance tailored to your tech setup
• Experience the interface with familiar voices and formats
• Evaluate translation quality in real-time

Schedule your one-on-one demo now using our calendar link below.