Impact of AI on Missions: What 10 Years in Ghana Taught Me

I remember sitting under a mango tree in a small village outside Kumasi, Ghana, trying to explain the Gospel of John to a group of men who spoke primarily Twi. My Twi was good enough for greetings and basic conversation, but explaining theological concepts? That was a different story. I pulled out my KJV Bible, and they had a Twi translation, but the gap in understanding was still wide. In that moment, the impact of AI on missions felt like a distant dream, something from a sci-fi movie, not a reality for us on the ground. We were just trying to get through the day.

Yet, the world moves on, and technology with it. What felt like science fiction then is showing up in our daily work now, even in places like Ghana. We’re seeing changes. Sometimes they are slow, sometimes they come on fast. We have to learn to adapt.

New Tools for an Ancient Task: The Impact of AI on Missions

For centuries, missionaries have used the best tools available to spread the Gospel. Paul used Roman roads. Luther used the printing press. Modern missionaries use airplanes, radios, and the internet. Every new invention has changed how we do things, sometimes in big ways. AI is just the newest tool in a long line.

When I think about the early days of our church planting in Ghana, communication was always a hurdle. Not just language, but getting information, coordinating with other ministries, even just sending a simple letter home. Now, with a smartphone, you can connect to almost anywhere. AI takes that connectivity further. It’s not about replacing the missionary; it’s about giving them better equipment.

We’re not talking about robots preaching sermons, y’all. We’re talking about practical applications that can speed up the work and help us be more effective. Think about the sheer volume of information out there, or the need to translate God’s Word into languages that still don’t have it. These are areas where the impact of AI on missions is starting to be felt.

Bridging Language Gaps and Reaching Further

One of the biggest struggles on the mission field is language. My wife Laura and I have spent years learning Twi, and we’re still always learning. You never truly master a language, especially when you’re trying to communicate the deep truths of the Bible. There are nuances, cultural idioms, and just plain old difficult words.

AI translation tools are far from perfect, but they are getting better. Imagine being able to quickly draft a Bible study lesson in English and have a decent first pass in a local language, ready for a native speaker to refine. That saves hours. It means more time for discipleship, for visiting, for prayer. It means we can reach people faster with the Word of God.

AI can also help with literacy. Many people we work with are oral learners. They learn through stories and songs. AI can help create audio Bibles, dramatic readings, and even simple animated stories in local languages, making the Gospel accessible to those who can’t read. The Lord commanded us, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). How can we teach all nations if they can’t understand us? AI can be a bridge.

Furthermore, consider the unreached people groups. Many of these groups live in remote areas, and some have never had the Gospel presented in their heart language. AI tools can analyze linguistic data, identify dialect variations, and even assist in developing new orthographies for unwritten languages. This isn’t just theory; it’s happening. According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, there are still over 1,800 languages that do not have a full Bible translation, representing millions of people.

“As of October 2023, there were still 1,894 languages with no Scripture translated, representing 128.5 million people who do not have the Bible in their heart language.”
Wycliffe Bible Translators

This statistic shows the immense task still before us. AI won’t do the translation itself, but it can accelerate the process, making it possible for dedicated Bible translators to work more efficiently and accurately. That’s a huge impact of AI on missions right there.

The Human Element Remains King

Now, let’s be clear about something. AI is a tool. It’s not a replacement for a missionary. It can’t pray with a grieving family. It can’t sit with a new convert and patiently explain the plan of salvation. It can’t build the relationships that are the bedrock of true ministry. In Ghana, relationships run everything. You can have the best technology in the world, but if you don’t have trust and friendship, you’ll get nowhere.

I remember trying to get a new well pump installed in one village. I had all the paperwork, all the right parts. But nothing moved until I had shared a meal with the chief, talked about his family, and spent time just being present. Systems don’t run things in Africa; relationships do. AI can’t share a meal. It can’t hold a hand. It can’t cry with someone.

The Holy Spirit works through people. He uses surrendered hearts and willing hands. AI might help us deliver the message, but it’s the Holy Spirit who convicts. It’s the human missionary who disciples. We must never forget that. The impact of AI on missions should always be seen through the lens of human enablement, not human replacement.

Our call is to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). That takes a human voice, a human heart, and the power of God. The greatest impact of AI will be in freeing us up to do more of that face-to-face, heart-to-heart work.

Equipping the Next Generation of Missionaries

One of the quiet benefits of AI is how it can help with the administrative load. Missionaries spend a lot of time on things that aren’t direct evangelism: writing prayer letters, managing finances, coordinating travel, researching new areas. These are all necessary tasks, but they take time away from the core mission.

Imagine AI assisting with drafting those monthly prayer letters, summarizing field reports, or even managing schedules. It could free up hours every week. Those hours could be spent visiting homes, discipling new believers, or preparing sermons. My wife Laura spends a lot of time on these kinds of tasks, and anything that can help her streamline that work means more time for the people we serve.

For those considering missions, AI can be a powerful training tool. Language learning apps powered by AI can offer personalized instruction. Virtual reality simulations could provide cultural immersion before ever stepping foot on the field. This doesn’t replace real-world experience, but it can help prepare future missionaries more effectively. If you’re looking for more insight into mission life, you might enjoy my book, That’s My Goat!, which shares some of our adventures.

The impact of AI on missions will also be felt in resource creation. Think about generating culturally relevant illustrations for Bible stories, or creating educational materials for children’s ministries. AI can assist designers and content creators, making high-quality resources more accessible and affordable, especially for smaller ministries with limited budgets. This means more resources for the local churches we plant in Ghana, helping them grow and mature.

Navigating the Future with Faith

Of course, any new technology brings its own set of challenges and ethical questions. We need to be wise and discerning. The potential for misuse, for spreading misinformation, or for creating dependencies is real. We must always filter new tools through the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

But fear should not stop us from using what God has allowed man to discover. The printing press was once a new, potentially disruptive technology. Radio and television brought their own concerns. Yet, God used them mightily for His glory. We believe He will do the same with AI.

The core message of the Gospel does not change. The need for salvation through Jesus Christ remains the same. The command to go and make disciples is still in effect. The impact of AI on missions will largely be determined by how faithfully and wisely God’s people choose to employ it. We must be anchored in the truth of scripture: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). We walk by faith in Him, not by sight of the latest tech.

So, as we see these changes unfold, we continue to pray, to study, and to seek God’s will for our work in Ghana. We believe that God is sovereign over all technology, and He can use anything for His purposes. Our job is to stay faithful, to be available, and to be willing to learn the new ways He opens up for us to reach a lost world. To stay current with our observations and lessons from the field, I encourage you to check out our blog where we share regular updates.

The mission field is not for the faint of heart, but it is certainly for the faithful. The tools may change, but the calling remains. Let’s embrace the opportunities AI presents, always with wisdom, always with discernment, and always with our eyes fixed on Christ. God is still on the throne, and He still desires for all men to be saved. We just need to find the best ways to tell them.

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