Diocese of Nelson youth coordinator Rev Brad Wood has released a set of 80 Aotearoa-New Zealand inspired "conversation starter" cards that bring the benefits of visual language into youth ministry conversations on spiritual and mental health.

Rev Brad developed the cards using generative AI after he found that overseas produced cards failed to reflect the environments and cultures that made better sense to young people in these islands. 

"The aim of these new images was to create a more homegrown shared visual language for young people working in groups or one-to-one in spiritual direction where they are exploring emotions, experiences, and faith journeys." he said.

Brad has developed the new eighty-piece set of 'Formatio Cards,' drawing on his youth ministry  background in a Tikanga Pākehā context across Te Tau Ihu (the upper South Island).

To create the images, Brad used DAL-E 3, a generative AI software that produces images based on text inputs. He reports this process wasn't quite as easy as it sounds, and required a significant amount of trial and error, with final adjustments made in Photoshop to make sure the images represented each location, animal or experience well. 

The brilliantly-coloured woodblock print style 80-pack of "Formatio" cards comes with inspiration from the cultures and environments of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

"These cards are perfect for youth groups, classrooms, and one-on-one use, and support various activities, including debriefing, storytelling, team-building, and spiritual contemplation." said Brad.

Because Brad is keen for the cards to get out into youth ministry use around the Church, he has made a PDF version available as a downloadable file for free at www.formatio.co.nz, where you can also order the 80 durable preprinted cards for $40.00 a pack.