On August 28, 2025, RIC organized a training session for leaders from different faiths and denominations, focusing on the value of AI, how it can be used productively, and the potential risks it poses. The aim was to equip them with the knowledge to guide their congregationsâ€"particularly the youthâ€"towards the responsible use of the technology.
RIC Chairperson and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Dr. Laurent Mbanda, noted that AI can play a supportive role in evangelism by assisting with research, helping to prepare and refine sermons, and enhancing learning.
'Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used today. It has an influence on churches, and people cannot simply ignore it because it is very useful. It is also beginning to change the way we live and work.' he said.
'It is a tool for learning, for research, and for providing accurate information. But we must also acknowledge that it can be misusedâ€"spreading harmful content, misleading youth, or providing false information. That is why we must understand both its benefits and its dangers, because we cannot run away from it,' he added
Dr. Mbanda urged religious leaders to familiarize themselves with AI so they can help their followers use it wisely: 'You can use AI to research the Bible and to prepare ways of teaching the Word of God, but we also need to apply our own discernment.'
He stressed that as technology continues to advance, churches should embrace it and use it responsibly. He pointed out that many churches now share sermons and messages on platforms such as YouTube, X, and Instagram, allowing them to reach wider audiences in a short time.
Julie Kandema, Deputy President of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR), said faith leaders are ready to strengthen the use of AI in their work, confident that it will make evangelism easier.
'The whole world is moving toward AI, and religious institutions must also understand it. Many church leaders often dismiss such innovations as unnecessary, but AI also carries benefits. Learning about it helps us know how to use it properly in evangelism,' she noted.
She added that AI could also be applied in writing and composing songs for choirs, as well as in preparing different teaching materials.
Technology expert Dr. Mwangi Chege also reminded participants that AI can be highly beneficial if used well, but warned that it can also be misusedâ€"for instance, to discredit preachers through fabricated stories and false narratives. He encouraged churches to understand both the opportunities and risks of AI.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/religious-leaders-introduced-to-the-use-of-ai-in-evangelism
