By Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey, Senior Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York

For generations, the Black church has stood strong in our communities through every historical change this country has experienced. During the civil rights movement and in recent times, faith leaders have helped uplift Black sanctuaries to register voters, keep food pantries open for people in need, and sit with families in hospital rooms in their most desperate moments. When our people faced new trials, they could always look to our faith leaders and the church to lean in to help us be included in these transformative changes.

Artificial intelligence is the latest revolutionary change to impact our society, and much like other transformations before us, underserved communities often get left behind.

I was recently featured in a report entitled “Faith, Community & AI” and it found that people send ChatGPT more than 70 million messages a week about religion. Nearly 22 million involve studying sacred texts, and 16 million ask about religious practices and holy days. Our members make up part of those numbers. They bring questions of faith to these tools every day.

Pastors have noticed, and according to a September 2025 Lifeway Research survey of 1,003 Protestant pastors, 42 percent said they use or experiment with AI in ministry. I count myself among them.

I write my sermons by hand, through prayer and study. When I finish a draft, I ask ChatGPT this question: “Where might this sermon become unclear or difficult to follow for someone early in their walk of faith?” It shows me gaps in my preparation, like where I incorrectly assumed everyone would know the context of who the Pharisees were. Then, change comes from my own pen, not the robot. The tool helps me reach the person in the back pew while the message still comes from me.

If I could have my wish, our whole community would take a similar posture. We must use these tools, understand them, and most importantly be present to help shape them if we want to be included in the coming change.

I implore my fellow faith leaders to use these tools. Start now and use them with wisdom. We count on each and every one of you to make sure our communities help write the next chapter of this story. This rapid change is not as unfamiliar as it may sound. My first understanding of AI came from using a calculator for the first time in grade school. We did not call it AI, but it was a tool that helped me work through mathematical equations hours more efficiently.

It starts with training; there is no involvement without understanding. Free AI trainings have begun in our churches and community centers across the nation. Every faith leader should sign up and, when possible, encourage members of your congregations to join you. By learning how to use AI, we can better understand what it can do, make up our own minds about its impact, and have a say in how it shapes our communities.”

Next, we must be at the tables where the builders of these tools make decisions. Presence is the first step toward understanding, and that gap is only bridged through a coordinated effort. How can any tool serve a community well if that community is not part of the conversation? Our traditions, needs, and concerns must be accounted for, and Black faith leaders are already making that happen. OpenAI’s recent Faith report states plainly that AI should never become an arbiter of religious truth. I fully intend to hold the company to its word, and the most effective way I can do that is from inside.

I will close with this––we must diligently protect what only the church can give. A believer in Seoul, Korea quoted in the report warned, “if you pour every struggle into a private chat, your pastor and your friends may never learn you need help.” A chatbot will not sit with a grieving family or pray with you at two in the morning. As we adopt this technology, it is up to us to ensure it keeps people connected to each other and to their church.

Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey is senior pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York.

Thank you, St. Louis! ❤️

To everyone who came out and celebrated with The St. Louis American at the 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala at St. Louis Union Station, thank you for making the night unforgettable.

We celebrated excellence, education, community and the people helping shape the future of St. Louis. Your support continues a legacy that has honored educators and students for nearly four decades.

We appreciate every honoree, sponsor, supporter and guest who helped make Salute 39 special.

#Salute39 #STLAmerican #StLouis #ExcellenceInEducation #BlackExcellence

‘I’m here to stand up for democracy’ says Kenneth Petty at the ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ protest on the Tamm Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri, Saturday Oct. 17, 2026.

This is the fourth national “No Kings” protests since President Trump second presidential term. Indivisible called on people throughout the country to mobilize neighbors and communities to vote early in the mid-term election. Over 3,000 “No Kings” protest our taking place today.

📷 Dawn Suggs | St. Louis American

#VoteEarly #UnlockTheBallot #ProtectDemocracy #STL #stlamerican

Navigating the ups and downs of life, especially through the twenties and into the thirties, reveals profound lessons. Adversity has shown the Lord’s faithfulness. #LifeLessons #Adversity #FaithJourney #PersonalGrowth

From classrooms to college campuses to city murals and community events, artist Patro “Pero” Ulmer is leaving his creative mark on the world, one color at a time. He’s an in-demand artist from Orangeburg, SC who believes art is “a way of living in which creativity is not a hobby, but a lifestyle.” We’ll discuss Patro’s inspiring journey from HBCU Claflin University to art classrooms as a educator to becoming a renowned muralist and painter across The Carolinas and beyond- and how he creates beauty even though he is colorblind.

Discover the sweet spot where your businesses, research, and liberation efforts align. Actualize your theories into practice and explore surprising connections, maybe even an abolitionist ice cream shop! #PassionProject #CareerGoals #FindYourNiche #Innovation