CTS Church Technology

SCHEDULE & SESSIONS

26 Aug - Why This Matters Now

Leading the Church in the Age of AI - Keith Odom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future conversation—it is reshaping how people search for truth, make decisions, build relationships, and engage with faith today. The question is no longer whether AI will impact the Church, but whether the Church will be prepared to lead in this new reality.

This opening keynote provides the strategic foundation for the entire Summit. Pastor Keith L. Odom explores the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities AI presents for ministry, addressing the theological, ethical, and leadership questions every pastor must confront. From digital discernment and deepfakes to emerging AI capabilities that will transform ministry over the next three years, attendees will gain a practical framework for leading with wisdom rather than fear.

Rather than focusing solely on technology, this session challenges leaders to think biblically, strategically, and proactively about the future of ministry. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of why this moment matters, the leadership conversations that cannot wait, and the first practical steps every church should take to faithfully navigate the Age of AI.

Leading Change Without Losing Your Church (How to Move Your Ministry Forward When Everyone Isn’t Ready) - Quacy Smith

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Leading change in the Church is rarely about the technology—it is about leading people through uncertainty with wisdom, patience, and vision. As ministry leaders navigate rapid cultural and technological shifts, they often face resistance from those who are comfortable with the familiar. This session equips pastors and senior leaders with practical strategies for introducing meaningful change without creating unnecessary division. Participants will learn how to build trust, communicate vision effectively, overcome resistance, create organizational buy-in, and lead their congregation confidently into the future while preserving the unity and mission of the Church.

Leading Through Digital Transformation (The Executive Playbook for Pastors) - Keith Odom

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Digital transformation is no longer an IT initiative—it is a leadership responsibility. As technology continues to reshape how people connect, communicate, learn, and worship, pastors must lead with intentionality rather than simply react to change. This session provides a practical executive playbook for navigating digital transformation in the local church. Participants will learn how to evaluate ministry priorities, align technology with vision, build the right leadership culture, make strategic investment decisions, and implement sustainable digital initiatives that strengthen discipleship, improve operations, and expand ministry impact without compromising the Church’s mission.

Why Digital? - Ruben Sukers

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

This presentation aims to equip churches to use digital platforms as a powerful tool for evangelism. It explains why the digital world presents a unique opportunity to fulfil the Great Commission by building online communities, reaching people at scale, targeting specific audiences, and communicating more effectively.

AI for Africa: Innovation, Access & the Future of Human Flourishing - Dr Shikoh Gitau

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Africa has a unique opportunity to become more than a consumer of artificial intelligence—it can help shape how AI is developed and applied to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This session explores how AI is transforming education, healthcare, agriculture, finance, ministry, and economic development across the continent while addressing the critical issues of access, ethics, digital inclusion, and responsible innovation. Participants will gain insight into Africa’s emerging role in the global AI landscape and discover how faith leaders can champion innovation that promotes human flourishing, empowers communities, and advances both societal and Kingdom impact.

SCHEDULE & SESSIONS

27 Aug - What Leaders Must Build Now

Building an AI-Ready Church Culture - Dr Shikoh Gitau

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Technology adoption is rarely a tool problem; it is usually a culture problem. This keynote explores what it means to prepare a church not simply to use AI tools, but to develop the mindset, literacy, and leadership readiness necessary to engage artificial intelligence responsibly. Special attention will be given to how churches can cultivate trust, prepare teams, reduce resistance to innovation, and help leaders understand Africa’s opportunity to shape the AI conversation rather than simply inherit it.

Social Media That Actually Reaches People - Ruben Sukers

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Many churches are posting consistently yet seeing little measurable impact. This session explores how ministries can communicate more effectively across today’s dominant platforms by understanding audience behavior, content relevance, platform strengths, and digital trust. Leaders will learn practical strategies for improving reach, engagement, and ministry visibility—especially in a mobile-first environment where social media often becomes the first point of connection.

Digital Strategies for Reaching Digital Natives - Dennis Nginya's

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Today’s generation lives, learns, builds relationships, and explores faith in a digital-first world. Reaching digital natives requires more than simply having a social media presence—it demands a thoughtful strategy that meets people where they are while leading them toward authentic community and spiritual growth. This session explores practical approaches for engaging younger generations through digital platforms, online content, mobile experiences, and emerging technologies. Participants will learn how to create meaningful digital touchpoints, build trust in online spaces, and develop strategies that move people from passive online engagement to active discipleship and life-changing connection with the local church.

Faith, Innovation & the Future of Africa (Fireside Chat, Pastor Odom (Moderator), Dr Shikoh Gitau, Dennis Nginya, Ruben Sukers)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Africa stands at a critical moment where faith, innovation, economic change, and technological advancement are converging. This fireside conversation brings together voices from ministry, technology, and leadership to explore how the African Church can help shape the future rather than simply respond to it. The discussion will focus on opportunity, responsibility, and the role faith communities must play in leading thoughtful innovation across the continent.

From Vision to Execution (Why Most Church Strategies Fail—and How to Build One That Doesn’t) - Quacy Smith

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Many churches have compelling vision statements but struggle to translate them into consistent, measurable action. The gap between vision and execution often results in stalled initiatives, frustrated leaders, and missed opportunities for ministry impact. This session provides a practical framework for turning vision into reality by establishing clear priorities, creating accountability, aligning teams, and building systems that drive execution. Participants will learn how to develop actionable ministry strategies, overcome common implementation barriers, and lead with the discipline and intentionality required to achieve lasting, Kingdom-focused results.

SCHEDULE & SESSIONS

28 Aug - What Must Happen Next

Building Systems Before Growth Demands It - Dennis Nginya

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Many ministries struggle not because vision is absent, but because systems are weak. This session addresses why churches must build strong operational, communication, and administrative systems before growth exposes their limitations. Leaders will examine how governance, digital infrastructure, workflows, and decision-making systems create sustainable ministry capacity and prepare churches to serve effectively in a rapidly changing world.

The First 90 Days After CTS: Seven Decisions Every Pastor Needs to Make Before the End of the Year - Keith Odom

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Inspiration without implementation produces little lasting change. The weeks immediately following a leadership conference often determine whether new ideas become transformational realities or simply remain good intentions. This closing session provides pastors with a practical 90-day action plan designed to help them move from learning to execution. Participants will identify the seven strategic decisions every church leader should make before the end of the year, prioritize initiatives that will have the greatest ministry impact, and leave with a clear roadmap for leading their church confidently into the future.

Your Church’s Next Five Moves: A Practical Blueprint for Leading the Future - Keith Odom

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

The future of ministry will not be determined by the churches that simply respond to change, but by the leaders who prepare for it. As technology, culture, and congregational expectations continue to evolve, pastors must make intentional decisions that position their churches for long-term health and impact. This closing session provides a practical blueprint for identifying the five strategic moves every church should prioritize to remain effective, relevant, and mission-focused. Participants will leave with a clear framework for strengthening leadership, embracing innovation wisely, building resilient ministry systems, and confidently leading their church into the future God is calling them to create.

Church & Technology Summit Johannesburg

August 26-28, 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

About cts Johannesburg

Advancing Ministry Through Innovation

Who Should Attend

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Change Bible Church