February 10, 2026

Redeeming the Time: Technology with Purpose in the Classroom | Doug Lay | Ep. 168

32 minutes

“AI can help with efficiency, but it cannot replace the teacher.” - Doug Lay

Technology isn’t slowing down… and neither is the pressure educators feel to “keep up.” In this episode, Jenny Copeland sits down with Doug Lay, administrator at Victory Christian School (Sylva, NC) and a former software architect/systems engineer with decades in IT. Doug brings a steady, Scripture-shaped perspective to a fast-moving world, reminding us that tools should serve the mission, not replace it.

You’ll hear Doug’s path from pastoral ministry and Christian school leadership to a self-taught career in programming. Plus practical wisdom for navigating AI, student attention, screen time, and engagement without losing what matters most: the transforming power of teacher-student relationships.

Practical Takeaways for Christian Educators:

Use tech with purpose: evaluate it through mission, worldview, and real classroom need

Keep videos short: even good content loses students if attention is stretched too long

Don’t outsource your passion: AI can support prep, but it can’t replace teacher presence

Protect relationships: the hallway, car line, gym, and classroom moments matter deeply

Redeem time wisely: automate “informing” tasks so you can invest more in “transforming” ones

“Fifteen minutes of real, personal engagement can matter more than a whole week of distracted learning.” - Doug Lay

“The most important thing that happens in a school is the interaction between a teacher and a student.” - Doug Lay

Resources Mentioned:

BJU Press Trove (digital teaching tools/resources): https://www.bjupress.com/technology/trove

ChatGPT / AI tools (used for lesson-plan pacing support)

The Exchange Conference: https://www.bjupress.com/exchange

About Our Guest:

Doug Lay currently serves as the administrator at Victory Christian School in Sylva, NC. Doug has theology degree and a degree in pastoral theology. In addition to his work in Christian education, Doug has also taught in 2 Bible institutes, helped to start a church and has been a pastor. He still continues to teach once or twice a year in a Bible Institute in southern India training men and women who are starting church in southern India. Doug also has extensive experience in the area of technology. In late 1982, he went to Manhattan, KS to serve as assistant pastor and principal of the church’s private Christian school. During this period, he purchased his first personal computer. He developed a fascination with technology and became a self-taught computer programmer. After leaving Kansas and moving his family to Virginia he started a career in software development. He spent 32 years in the IT business as a computer programmer, Systems Engineer, and Software Architect. He retired from Lockheed Martin in October of 2020 after having spent 16 years with them as a Senior Systems Engineer doing systems architecture and design.