ACCRA / NAIROBI — On a warm Sunday evening, the chat section of a livestream on
YouTube fills with greetings from Accra, Lagos, and even Dubai. “Amen!” flashes across the
feed, punctuated by prayer emojis and fire icons. On screen, a young Ghanaian pastor delivers a
message not from a pulpit but from a smartphone on a tripod.
This is the new mission field — digital ministry — and it is transforming the way Africa’s
youth engage with faith. Ministries like Ghana’s IYES Movement, Nigeria’s Digital Harvest
Fellowship, and Kenya’s Youth Alive Online are leveraging social media to reach millions with
Bible teaching, worship, and discipleship.
Africa is the world’s youngest continent. According to the United Nations, roughly 60% of its
population is under the age of 25, and by 2050, the continent will account for one-third of
the global youth population (un.org).
This demographic is mobile-first. A 2024 GSMA Mobile Economy report found that in Sub-
Saharan Africa, over 490 million people subscribed to mobile services, with smartphone
adoption reaching 54% (gsma.com). For ministries, this creates unprecedented access — if they
can adapt to the digital environment.
Founded in 2011, the International Youth Empowerment Summit (IYES) began as an in-
person annual conference in Ghana. By 2023, its leadership had pivoted heavily to online
formats — running weekly Instagram Live devotionals, TikTok motivational reels, and a
YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers.
Their reach is global. IYES content regularly draws views from the Ghanaian diaspora in the
U.K., Canada, and the U.S. The ministry also organizes virtual prayer chains that span multiple
time zones.
“The mandate hasn’t changed — empower young people for kingdom work,” says Pastor Brian
Amoateng, founder of IYES. “What’s changed is the platform. If young people are on TikTok,
that’s where we’ll meet them.”
In Nairobi, Youth Alive Online operates more like a digital community hub than a traditional
church. Launched in 2022, it combines short-form faith videos, Discord-based Bible study
groups, and a mentorship program for young Christian content creators.
Founder Maryanne Wanjiru says the key is relevance. “We talk about faith, yes, but also mental
health, entrepreneurship, and dating. Faith is not separate from everyday life — and our content
reflects that.”
Moving online has offered ministries several advantages:
- Lower Costs — No need to rent large auditoriums for every meeting.
- Global Reach — Audiences can join from anywhere.
- 24/7 Presence — Content lives online for replay, enabling continuous discipleship.
- Engagement Analytics — Ministries can track viewer locations, watch times, and interaction patterns to tailor content.
For faith-based organizations with limited budgets, digital platforms provide a way to scale
influence without matching the infrastructure of megachurches.
However, the shift online is not without challenges. Content moderation on global platforms can
be unpredictable. Some ministries have had sermons removed for “violating community
standards” due to controversial topics, even when they complied with local laws.
Then there’s the issue of digital fatigue. “People can scroll past your message just like any other
video,” says Nigerian digital evangelist Tosin Adeyemi. “You have to work harder to capture
attention in the first three seconds.”
Cybersecurity is another concern. Several ministries have reported phishing attempts on their
social media accounts and fraudulent donation links set up by scammers.
The rise of digital ministries will take center stage at Faith Nexus 2025 — the first global
Christian creator summit in Africa, set for November in Cape Town. One of its keynote tracks,
“The Gospel in the Grid,” will focus on digital evangelism strategies, algorithm awareness, and
ethical AI use in ministry.
Organizers expect over 5,000 creators from 40+ countries, with sessions tailored to both
beginner ministries and established megachurch media teams.
“This isn’t about replacing church,” says Thabo Ndlovu, the event’s program director. “It’s
about expanding the walls of the church into every phone, every home, every heart that’s online.”
For ministries looking to enter or strengthen their online presence, experts recommend:
- Platform Matching — Use Instagram and TikTok for outreach, YouTube for teaching, and WhatsApp for community building.
- Cultural Relevance — Use local languages, music styles, and relatable stories to resonate deeply.
- Consistency — Post regularly to build trust and keep audiences engaged.
- Data Stewardship — Protect donor and member data with strong passwords and secure payment gateways.
- Collaborations — Partner with other creators and ministries to expand reach.
Kenyan content creator John Muriithi credits his digital discipleship group with helping him
quit substance abuse. “I joined an online prayer meeting at 2 a.m. because I couldn’t sleep. That
night changed my life,” he says.
In Ghana, Abena Owusu, a university student, discovered IYES through a viral Instagram reel.
“It was like they were speaking directly to me. Now I volunteer as a social media editor for the
ministry.”
For some, the term “digital revival” may sound like marketing hype. But when entire
communities are forming, lives are being changed, and the gospel is spreading across borders
without anyone boarding a plane, it feels more like the fulfillment of an ancient commission
through modern means.
Pastor Amoateng puts it simply: “Jesus told us to go into all the world. The internet is part of
that world now.”
