Media Impact International

What Media Impact International does

Media Impact International (MII) is a US-headquartered, Texas-based non-profit organization that operates a digital ministry training and content platform serving Christian media ministries, churches, mission agencies, and indigenous church networks globally. Founded by David Benware, the organization runs MII University, a Kajabi-hosted online training platform offering free digital ministry and audience engagement courses in English and Arabic, with over 1,300 individuals reported to have completed training. Its product surface also includes the Digital Ministry Mentor custom GPT on ChatGPT, a weekly Digital Ministry Podcast distributed across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Amazon Music, The Connected Church News video series, a Thought Leadership Blog, and published research reports covering India partnerships, media strategy, cyber security, and follow-up methodology. The organization serves over 300 indigenous ministry partners and operates 8 regional follow-up centers staffed by local believers across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and India, supporting 7+ languages including Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Indonesian, English, Urdu, and Hindi.

Underlying technology is centered on a freemium, product-led training platform built on Kajabi (MII University), a custom GPT wrapper on OpenAI's ChatGPT (Digital Ministry Mentor), and standard content distribution infrastructure (Squarespace CMS, YouTube, podcast networks). MII does not develop proprietary AI foundation models; instead it packages third-party AI capabilities — including ChatGPT, Claude CoWork, and Llama 3.1-based chatbots used by partners — for domain-specific ministry use cases such as digital evangelism, Bible translation acceleration, and trauma-informed support. Notable technical-adjacent initiatives include partner-developed AI-driven ad campaigns, a secure global chatbot (IMB), and trauma-informed AI tools (Trauma-Free World's TECO).

MII's business model is donation-funded non-profit operations, with all training and AI tools offered free to ministry partners and individuals. Revenue flows through charitable donations (GiveButter donation page) and ministry partner support; no fees, subscriptions, or premium tiers are disclosed. The go-to-market motion combines product-led growth (free self-serve training and AI tools), community-led expansion (300+ indigenous partner network), and event-driven engagement (the annual sold-out Impact AI Summit). Strategic partnerships with Saddleback Church, IMB, Biblica, Gloo, Visual Story Network, Strategic Resource Group, and Trauma-Free World function as both distribution channels and co-development partners, while leadership rests with founder David Benware and Chief Marketing Officer Nick Runyon.

Name

Media Impact International

Legal name

Media Impact International

Website

https://mii.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Media Impact International is a US-based non-profit that delivers free digital ministry training, AI-powered ministry tools, and indigenous-led follow-up services to over 300 Christian ministry partners across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education and Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPABAEAH

International Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasters

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/International Broadcasters (State/Public/Commercial)

SECONDARYMPABADAG

Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYMPABADAH

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYEDAIAGAA

Community Development & Social Impact Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Service Learning, Volunteering & Gap Year Programs

Keywords

• Digital ministry training
• Faith-based consulting
• Online ministry education
• Religious media services
• Ministry research reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Texas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Ministry Partnerships: MII operates as a non-profit organization relying on donations and faithful support from ministry partners to fund their global kingdom impact initiatives

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Media Impact International is a global non-profit that delivers digital ministry training, AI-enablement guidance, and follow-up services to churches, media ministries, and indigenous ministry partners across unreached regions. Its core offerings include the MII University online training platform, the Digital Ministry Mentor custom GPT, and the AI Fundamentals for Media Ministry course, all offered free of charge to ministries. Supplementary outputs include the Digital Ministry Podcast, The Connected Church News video series, and research reports on digital ministry strategy.

Product overview

Media Impact International (MII) operates a platform-plus-services model centered on MII University, its core online training platform delivering digital ministry education to over 1,300 individuals. The ecosystem includes a suite of content products: the Digital Ministry Podcast (weekly conversations with ministry tech leaders), The Connected Church News video series (weekly tech news highlights), and the Thought Leadership Blog. AI enablement features prominently through the free AI Fundamentals for Media Ministry course and the Digital Ministry Mentor custom GPT. Research reports and white papers on partnerships, media strategy, and cybersecurity complement the training offerings. MII serves over 300 indigenous ministry partners through online and in-person training, 8 regional follow-up centers, and community-focused content designed to help ministries maximize their digital reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MII University: Online media training platform offering courses in audience engagement and digital ministry, with over 1,300 individuals having completed training.
• The Digital Ministry Podcast
• The Connected Church News
• Impact AI Summit

Products and services

• MII University Free online training platform delivering video courses in audience engagement and digital ministry for ministry leaders and individuals globally; available in English and Arabic.
• Digital Ministry Mentor Custom GPT-based AI chatbot on ChatGPT that mentors and guides ministry teams on digital ministry best practices and AI adoption.
• AI Fundamentals for Media Ministry Free training course introducing AI concepts and tools for media ministry applications, designed to help ministry teams understand and adopt AI effectively.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,179,017 Unique Responders to digital evangelism
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered featured, core and minor.

• Visual Story NetworkfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual Story Network is a community of believers using media, story and innovative technology to make disciples of the nations. Their initiative Mission Media U provides practical training for busy people engaged in ministry, with each course being 5 weeks long, taught by experts with missional hearts, and limited to 22 students.
• Saddleback ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaddleback Church, led by Jay Kranda (Innovative Tech Pastor), collaborates with MII on AI in ministry initiatives. Jay Kranda has been a featured speaker at MII's Impact AI Summit and contributes to the Digital Ministry Podcast.
• IMB (International Mission Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMII partners with IMB, whose Director of Innovation Don Barger has appeared on the podcast discussing AI projects including a secure global chatbot using Llama 3.1 and AI-driven ad campaigns.
• BiblicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoshua Seale from Biblica (copyright holder of NIV Bible) collaborates with MII on AI for Bible translation and engagement, discussing how AI accelerates Bible translation timelines.
• GloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBryce Runyon, Chief of Staff at Gloo, has appeared on the podcast discussing technology and AI tools bridging to help build church teams for follow-up and support.
• Trauma-Free WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRob Hall, President of Trauma-Free World, appeared on the podcast discussing TECO, an AI-powered trauma-informed care tool developed for foster parents, teachers, and ministry volunteers.
• Strategic Resource GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustin Murff from Strategic Resource Group has appeared on the podcast discussing digital ministry in the Middle East and the rise of digital churches.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• YouVersion (Life.Church): YouVersion is the world's most-installed Bible app with hundreds of millions of users, offering digital content and plans for faith audiences. Comparable digital ministry platform with overlapping target audience and content/training offerings.
• Jesus Film Project: Jesus Film Project produces and distributes Jesus-focused film and digital media globally in hundreds of languages. Comparable as an international faith-based media organization with digital evangelism reach and multilingual infrastructure.
• Wycliffe Global Alliance: Wycliffe Global Alliance is a worldwide movement focused on Bible translation and language engagement. Comparable in mission scope, indigenous partner network model, and use of technology to advance Scripture access.
• International Mission Board (IMB): IMB is one of the largest global mission agencies, deploying missionaries and developing digital tools for cross-cultural ministry. Comparable in mission reach and increasingly in AI-for-mission work; current MII partner via MX Labs.
• Faith Comes By Hearing: Faith Comes By Hearing distributes Scripture in audio formats globally and trains local ministry partners. Comparable in indigenous partner training model and digital Scripture engagement work.

Direct peers

• Gloo: Gloo is a technology platform serving churches and faith-based organizations with engagement, AI, and community-building tools. Direct overlap with MII on AI-for-ministry tooling and church audience reach; also a current MII partner.
• Biblica: Biblica is the copyright holder of the NIV Bible and runs Bible translation and Scripture engagement initiatives globally. Comparable to MII's media-for-ministry mission and current partner; both work on engaging faith audiences through digital channels.
• BibleProject: BibleProject produces animated Bible videos, podcasts, and study resources used by churches globally. Comparable in producing high-quality faith media content and training resources for church and ministry use.
• Visual Story Network: Visual Story Network is a community equipping believers to use media, story, and technology for disciple-making. Closely comparable in mission and target audience with MII; also a current MII partner via Mission Media U.

Others

• Saddleback Church: Saddleback Church is a large US megachurch actively integrating AI tools into ministry and digital outreach. Comparable as a customer and thought-leadership partner for AI-in-ministry rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@miiglobal
• Instagraminstagram.com/globalmii/?g=5
• Facebookfacebook.com/MediaImpactInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/media-impact-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Media Impact International