In a bold and innovative move, the Youth Ministries department of the Southern Asia Division (SUD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has announced the launch of “The Great Controversy: Awakened”, a groundbreaking AI-driven animated feature film that brings the narrative of God’s redemptive plan to life for a new generation.

Under the leadership of Dr. Edison Samraj, SUD Youth Ministries director, and coordinated by Gaurav Joseph Zachariah, a young Adventist professional with expertise in technology and faith-based media, this project represents a pioneering effort to harness artificial intelligence in service of mission and evangelism, they said.

The Full Story of Redemption – From Eden to the Earth Made New

Far more than a single-story adaptation, "The Great Controversy: Awakened" draws inspiration from the entire Conflict of the Ages series by Adventist writer and pioneer Ellen G. White. This five-volume set traces the controversy between Christ and Satan across the span of human history. The books include the Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, The Desire of Ages, The Acts of the Apostles, and The Great Controversy.

This project weaves these narratives into a unified story, designed to awaken spiritual curiosity and deepen faith among young people today.

A Youth-Led, Technology-Empowered Mission

“We believe the youth of this generation are not just consumers of media – they are creators of culture,” said Samraj. “This film is being made for the youth of today, by the youth of today, using tools they understand and embrace.”

By leveraging cutting-edge AI platforms, the project eliminates traditional barriers to film production: no studios, no actors, no massive crews. Instead, a small, team of young Adventists will use tools like Squibler, LivingWriter, Boords, Runway, Pika, Kling AI, ElevenLabs, Murf AI, AIVA, and Beatoven to script, design, animate, voice, score, and edit a full-length animated feature – all from within the global Adventist community.

A Call to Every Young Adventist Worldwide

Leaders of the SUD Youth Ministries department extend an urgent invitation to every Seventh-day Adventist youth and young adult around the world to rise up and join this end-time media crusade.

"We are not looking for perfection. We are not looking for Hollywood credentials," they said. "We are looking for hearts on fire for Jesus, hands willing to learn, and souls surrendered to the mission of proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages in the digital age."

According to project leaders, the film will be a "beacon of truth in the darkness of these last days – a visual proclamation of the everlasting gospel that will reach millions who may never enter a church."

Project leaders said the production is recruiting Adventist volunteers in three areas: script writing, AI-assisted visual development, and post-production editing, to support the film’s research, animation pipeline, and final assembly.

While prior experience is welcomed, organizers noted that role-specific training on the project’s tools will be provided. Recruitment is being coordinated by SUD Youth Ministries, with remote and global participation welcome and expected from multiple countries.

This article was provided by the Southern Asia Division.