Evangelical churches and ministries venture into innovative digital territory

Christian Ministries Embrace Technology for Digital Evangelism

In a gathering organised by the Evangelical Council of Madrid, Indigitous, and the Lausanne Movement, the focus was on the intersection of Christian values and the digital age. Aitor de la Cámara presented two new apps for prayer and biblical meditation, while Pastor Fran Quesada emphasised the need to reach young people "where they are", which involves the use of technology and social media.

The event, held both in person and via Zoom, showcased efforts by the Christian world to leverage technology for the expansion of the message of Jesus and the training of disciples. A key highlight was the presentation of a digital animation project from Argentina, Biper and his friends, which has millions of subscribers.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media is becoming increasingly prevalent in Christian ministries. One of the key ways these tools are used is in automating ministry tasks. AI tools can clip sermons for social media sharing or assist in creating study materials, events, and outreach aids, freeing ministry leaders to focus on spiritual leadership and mission strategy.

AI also enhances evangelism and discipleship through digital content. It supports graphic design, marketing, sermon research, and communication efforts, helping to tailor messages to diverse audiences and track church growth and engagement patterns. AI-powered sermon assistants and social media tools facilitate churches’ outreach beyond Sunday services, amplifying their digital footprint.

Language and translation assistance is another area where AI is being utilised. While AI translators help bridge language gaps, ministries emphasise the importance of human involvement for cultural and relational authenticity. AI is viewed as a powerful tool but not a substitute for missionaries learning local languages to faithfully contextualise the message.

Christian leaders are cautious about AI use in theological and pastoral tasks, emphasising the importance of being led by the Spirit rather than relying solely on AI-generated content. The goal is to use AI as a tool to augment rather than replace pastoral authority and spiritual formation.

Social media integration is another area where AI is being used. Ministries use AI-powered tools to optimise social media marketing, track engagement, and create content that fosters community and outreach. AI's ability to analyse data helps ministries understand what resonates with audiences and measure impact more effectively than traditional methods.

Despite the growing use of digital tools, there is a recognition that they still lack the warmth of a hug or a smile. Face-to-face meetings are still considered necessary. David Trujillo, pastor and head of the Canzion Institute in Spain, stressed the importance of using technological tools in the training of saints to fulfill the Great Commission.

The event also highlighted the importance of using technology wisely and not making it an additional burden. Daniel Gomez emphasised this point, while Ale Medina, another youth pastor in Madrid, believes that social media can be a tool for the extension of the kingdom, as long as it is used according to God's purpose.

At Evangelical Focus, there is a sustainability challenge ahead, and readers are invited to join those committed to the mission as part of the #OneMoreYearEF campaign. The event, which had around 50 participants in person and another 10 connected via Zoom, demonstrated the global reach of these efforts, with several participants from around the world connected to Indigitous.

Willem van de Poll from Alpha shared how the pandemic opened new opportunities for a project previously based on face-to-face meetings. Michael Oh, the CEO of the Lausanne Movement, emphasised the importance of "embracing digital" as a tool for good and mission expansion at a recent Lausanne global congress in Incheon, South Korea. Jorge Munoz explained the usefulness of a digital marketing strategy for promoting an event or project, while Andy Wickham from Pontea demonstrated how the podcast "El Cafetal" is helping people ask relevant questions about faith through social media.

In summary, Christian ministries are leveraging AI and social media to accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission by enhancing communication, automating routine tasks, expanding language and cultural reach, and engaging more people effectively online. This multifaceted approach aids in reaching more people with the gospel more effectively through digital means.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and social media are being used by Christian ministries to automate ministry tasks, enhance evangelism and discipleship through digital content, and optimize social media marketing, as Pastor Fran Quesada emphasized the need to reach young people on these platforms.
The integration of AI in Christian ministries has been instrumental in amplifying their digital footprint, whether through the automation of sermon clipping for social media sharing or the creation of outreach aids, as exemplified by the efforts demonstrating at the Evangelical Focus event.