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By Annonciata Byukusenge
The Rwanda Interfaith Council (RIC) has demonstrated to religious leaders how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to enhance evangelism and reach more people.
On August 28, 2025, RIC trained church and faith leaders on the benefits of AI, how it can be effectively applied, and the risks associated with it so they can, in turn, equip their congregations, particularly the youth, with the right knowledge.
Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Chairperson of RIC and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, explained that AI can be applied in various ways, including conducting research, preparing sermons, refining teaching materials, and more.
He said, “Artificial Intelligence is now widely used; it has become part of our lives and has entered the church as well. People should not dismiss or ignore it because it is extremely useful. It is already transforming our way of working and even our daily lives.”
He continued: “It is a learning and research tool that provides valuable information. However, it can also be misused to mislead young people, spreading false information, and negatively influencing society. That’s why we need to understand it properly, recognize both its advantages and risks, and use it responsibly because there’s no way to escape its presence.”
Dr. Mbanda emphasized that religious leaders should fully understand AI so that they can guide their followers on its proper use.
“You can use it to conduct Bible research or to prepare lessons for teaching God’s word, but we must also apply our own wisdom to evaluate and filter what it provides,” he said.
He added that as technology continues to advance, churches should embrace and use it effectively. For example, many churches are already sharing sermons and teachings on social media platforms such as YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram, allowing messages to reach wider audiences within a short time.
Julie Kandema, Deputy Leader of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR), said that as church leaders, they are ready to integrate AI into their work and believe it will make evangelism more efficient.
She explained: “The whole world is moving toward AI, and churches should not be left behind. Many religious leaders tend to dismiss such innovations, seeing them as foreign or negative, yet they also carry great benefits. Learning about AI helps us understand how it can be used in evangelism positively and constructively.”
She also noted that AI could support the creation of songs for church choirs, assist in sermon writing, and help prepare various educational materials.
Technology expert Dr. Mwangi Chege showed church leaders how AI can be applied positively but also reminded them of its dangers. He warned that AI can be misused to discredit preachers through fabricated stories or manipulated content.
He urged churches to be aware of both the advantages and the risks, so they can harness AI responsibly in their ministry.
