Title:

AI, Tech, and Following Christ: Zach Perry

Episode Summary:

Zach Perry is a software engineer at Oracle who helps build the massive data centers powering today’s AI boom — and he’s also the husband of GCC’s own Avery Perry. In this episode, we get technical for a bit, unpacking what cloud computing and AI actually are and why data centers need so much power and water, before shifting into something deeper: what it looks like to follow Jesus in a highly secular, results-driven industry. Zach shares his own story of feeling called into tech, and how he tries to represent Christ to coworkers from around the world who may have never heard the gospel. Whether you’re raising a future computer scientist or just wondering how faith fits into a life shaped by AI, this conversation offers real, grounded perspective.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Understand what cloud computing actually is and why companies like Oracle are racing to build massive data centers
• Discover how AI has reshaped the daily work of software engineers, shifting them from writers of code to managers of it
• Hear Zach’s honest take on the ethics of AI, including questions about job displacement and human value
• Learn how quietly doing excellent work opens doors to share Christ that words alone never could
• See what it looks like to be a light among coworkers from unreached people groups without ever leaving the U.S.
• Get practical encouragement for parents or students wondering if a kid might be wired for a career in tech
• Walk through Zach’s own story of calling, from four high schools in three years to landing at Oracle

Key Quotes:

“A Christian cobbler makes great shoes. Not bad shoes with crosses on them.” — Zach Perry

“Aren’t we supposed to be Christlike and living as he lived, dying to ourselves daily as he also died?” — Zach Perry

“Throughout that journey it was the constant prayer of, Lord, I don’t know where you’re putting me, but wherever you send me, there I will go.” — Zach Perry

“Just make beautiful things. Regardless of what you’re making, just make beautiful things.” — Zach Perry

Ways to Get Involved / Resources Mentioned:

• Freecodecamp.org — mentioned as a starting point for students or parents curious about learning to code

About the Guest:

Zach Perry is a software and infrastructure engineer at Oracle, where he works on scale manufacturing for the GPU racks that power data centers supporting today’s AI industry. He studied computer science at Haverford College and grew up in a Christian home. Zach is married to Avery Perry, GCC’s assistant communications director, and the two are currently moving back to Pennsylvania from Seattle.

About the Know and Follow Podcast:

The Know and Follow podcast is a production of Grace Community Church of Willow Street, located at 212 Peach Bottom Road in Willow Street, Pennsylvania. Join us for weekend services on Saturdays at 6 PM, Sundays at 8 AM, 9:15 AM, and 11 AM. Learn more at gccws.net.