Discover how technology is changing the Church forever

Essie Nantambi

Daily Morning Devotions

This speech was delivered by David Wataba, National Director of Life Ministry Uganda, during the 5th Clergy Appreciation and Awards Dinner held on 20 November 2025 at Imperial Royale Hotel. In his address, he reflects on the changing landscape of ministry, the kind of reflection that does not shout, but makes a room sit still for a moment.

Wataba spoke about a world where ministry now shares space with screens, where congregations pray with one hand on a Bible and the other hovering over a notification. He did not rush through it. He simply held up the reality of our time, a ministry that still carries the old weight, but now walks on new ground.

In a hall full of clergy and people who have given their lives to shepherding others, he reminded them that the calling hasn’t changed. The context has. And he did it the way a man speaks after watching seasons change, storms come and go, and the Church learn to find its footing again.

Here is his speech, shared as he gave it; an invitation to pause, to look around, and to consider where God is asking the Church to stand in this digital moment.

Introduction

Our dear Guest of Honour, the Rt. Hon. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, the Clergy present, and fellow believers in Christ, warm greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

It is a profound joy that I join you tonight as you honor men and women who have served the Lord faithfully. Your calling is sacred, and your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Even as we celebrate, we must also face an important reality: our calling as shepherds has not changed, but the context in which we minister has changed dramatically. We are living in a digital, audio-visual era, of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the era of the Internet of Things. We need to understand the times, 1 Chron. 12:32.

Body

1. The New Ministry Reality After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption. Church buildings closed, gatherings were suspended, and for long seasons we could not meet physically. The impact was spiritual, emotional, and financial. Yet God used this disruption to usher in a season of innovation. Churches that seldom used digital tools moved online. Services streamed on television, Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube became spiritual lifelines. Pastors shared devotionals, visited members digitally, and sustained fellowship remotely. What was once considered “unspiritual”—online worship—became a necessary channel of grace.

2. Digital Ministry Is Part of God’s Pattern in History

The people of God have always used the tools of their time:

  • The early Church preached in synagogues, marketplaces, and through letters (Acts 17:16–34).
  • God used advanced technology of the time—tablets of stone—to deliver the Ten Commandments.
  • The printing press accelerated the spread of Scripture.

In every generation, God’s unchanging Word has moved through changing platforms. Today, that platform is digital.

3. The Digital Generation: A Mission Field We Cannot Ignore

Uganda is a young nation—and young people live online.

Global statistics:

  • 5+ billion internet users and a similar number of active social media users
  • People spend over 6 hours online daily

Uganda’s digital landscape:

  • 13.3 million internet users (27% of the population)
  • Growth of 1.2 million in one year
  • 2.6 million active social media users
  • 33.34 million cellphone connections (67.7%)
  • Average time online: 7 hours per day
  • Social media use: 2.5 hours per day

The digital space is now fully integrated with everyday life. This is not a threat to the Church—it is a mission field. As one bishop said: “If the Church stays offline, we will preach to fewer people each year.” And another Christian leader said; “The missionary of the future will be hi-tech and hi-touch.” I want to propose to you that the future is here and now.

Digital ministry does not replace Hebrews 10:25; it extends pastoral presence where people now live.

4. The Call: Go Where People Are

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18–20). Today, people are gathered physically—and digitally. Paul said he became “all things to all people” to save some (1 Cor. 9:22–23). Digital ministry is part of this incarnational presence.

5. LIFE Ministry Uganda: Digital Mission in Action

Our digital vision is simple: To make Jesus and His mission accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Before the pandemic, God impressed upon us the urgency to go digital. We trained staff and disciples, and when the lockdown was instituted, we were ready and that preparation bore great fruit.

Hope 2020 Campaign Results (in 3 months):

  • 20+ million Ugandans exposed to the gospel
  • 2,196 decisions for Christ
  • 1,329 disciples
  • 139 trained

Tools we continue to use:

  • The Jesus Film Project (800+ videos, 2,200+ languages)
  • The Next Steps Journey (a digital discipleship pathway)
  • The Who Sees You Campaign (identity and purpose conversations for youth)
  • A trained team of Digital Missionaries who pray with, counsel, and disciple every respondent online
  • Godtools, Every Student.com (ESCOM), etc

We now have a complete ecosystem for evangelism and discipleship in the digital environment.

6. Addressing Clergy Concerns

Many ask:

  • Will digital tools weaken sacramental life?
  • Will people forsake physical worship?

These concerns are valid. But digital ministry is not a replacement for incarnational ministry—it is an extension of it. Paul longed to see believers physically (Rom. 1:11), yet he discipled them powerfully through letters.

We embrace digital ministry because:

  • God became flesh and entered our world (John 1:14)
  • The Great Commission sends us into all the world (Mark 16:15)
  • Technology is a gift to be stewarded (James 1:17)

7. Practical Ways Clergy Can Use Digital Tools

Clergy can strengthen their ministry by:

  • Reinforcing sermons online throughout the week (Deut. 6:6–7)
  • Sharing short devotionals
  • Offering pastoral presence remotely (Col. 2:5)
  • Training leaders digitally
  • Redeeming online spaces where grace abounds

Conclusion

My prayer for the future Church in Uganda is a Church where:

  • Priests preach powerfully on Sunday and shepherd relevantly through the week
  • Discipleship deepens because Scripture is accessible daily
  • Young people find Christ because the Church is present in their world
  • The gospel becomes available to anyone, anytime, anywhere

What LIFE Ministry Uganda Offers

We stand ready to partner with dioceses, parishes, and clergy through:

  • Training in digital evangelism and discipleship
  • Tools for online outreach and engagement
  • Practical resources like the Jesus Film, Next Steps Journey, and digital missionary coaching
  • Support in developing effective digital ministry strategies
  • Collaboration to reach the youth of Uganda (in Church and Schools/Universities) with the gospel
  • Contact the Digital Strategy Team Leader, Edith Ninsiima, 0702 084124/0784 764026

Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes…the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35).

Today, those fields include the digital world. May we enter them with wisdom, courage, and the compassion of Christ.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you. To God be the glory, Amen.