Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
BULAWAYO is set to become a spiritual and intellectual centre of Africa in September when church leaders and delegations from 36 countries converge on the city for a major Pan-African Church conference expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of its kind ever hosted in Zimbabwe.
The landmark conference, running from September 21 to 26, will bring together church leaders from across the continent under the Council of Churches in Africa and the Pan African Religious Leaders Assembly, with Government ministers from the participating countries also expected to attend.
The gathering comes at a time when churches across Africa are increasingly grappling with the impact of rapid technological advancement, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as one of the continent’s most powerful tools for transforming communities and improving lives.
Bishop Rocky Moyo, president of the Council of Churches in Africa and the Pan African Religious Leaders Assembly, said the conference would provide a rare platform for African churches to come together, share ideas and explore practical ways of using the power of technology to address challenges facing communities.
He said the participation of 36 nations demonstrated the growing importance of the gathering and Zimbabwe’s position as a host of major continental events.
“This is going to be one of the biggest gatherings of churches that Zimbabwe has ever hosted. We are expecting 36 nations to come together here in Bulawayo,” said Bishop Moyo.
He said ministers from the respective countries were also expected to attend, further elevating the conference into a major continental engagement bringing together religious and political leadership.
Bishop Moyo, said at the heart of the conference will be the question of how the Church can harness artificial intelligence to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
He said discussions are expected to go beyond the traditional understanding of AI and examine how churches can use emerging technologies in areas such as education, healthcare, evangelism, administration, youth empowerment, economic development and community outreach.
Bishop Moyo said the Church could no longer afford to remain on the sidelines as the world entered an increasingly digital era.
He said religious institutions had a responsibility to understand new technologies and use them responsibly to improve the welfare of their congregants and communities.
The conference is therefore expected to create a platform for African church leaders to interrogate both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, including ethical considerations surrounding its use.
Bishop Moyo said with Africa’s youthful population increasingly connected to digital platforms, church leaders are expected to explore how technology can be used to reach young people, strengthen mentorship programmes and provide new opportunities for learning, skills development and entrepreneurship.
He said the Bulawayo conference is also expected to shine the spotlight on the role of faith-based organisations in supporting Africa’s development agenda.
“Churches remain key players in the provision of social services across the continent, particularly in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation and humanitarian assistance,” said Bishop Moyo
He sais said bringing together leaders from 36 countries would allow churches to develop stronger networks and partnerships while sharing experiences on how faith-based organisations could respond to emerging social and economic challenges.
He said conference is expected to inject colour and activity into Bulawayo, with the arrival of international delegations likely to provide a major boost to the city’s tourism, hospitality and business sectors.
“It will also place Zimbabwe firmly on the continental religious calendar, offering the country an opportunity to showcase its hospitality while positioning Bulawayo as a capable host of major international gatherings,” he said.
