How do I Pastor a Congregation with no Internet Access?

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches will not meet over the coming weeks. Therefore the global church is full of suggestions for how a pastor can shepherd his congregation using the internet as the tool to connect. But, for many in Africa, this is far from reality and not a possibility. Many are wondering, how does one continue to shepherd a congregation if one doesn’t have access to the internet? This will be a dilemma for most African pastors in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Internet is a luxury. Few can afford it. This has prompted pastors to ask, ‘How can we pastor?’

Internet coverage in most of Africa is minimal and the majority of the continent relies on other means to get information. According to the World Bank “Internet usage differs markedly by country within Sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas more than half the population uses the internet in South Africa, rates are closer to 30% in West Africa, and only around 10% in Central Africa.” Internet is a luxury. Few can afford it. This has prompted pastors to ask, ‘How can we pastor when we and our congregants have no internet access?’ Read More

Even in the United States and Canada everyone does not have access to the internet. In many rural areas and inner city neighborhoods the county or city public library is the main point of access to the internet for individuals and families who are not connected to the internet. However, public libraries are temporarily closing in order to protect patrons and staff from exposure to COVID-19. In the region in which I live, as elsewhere in the United States, there are also cell phone dead zones in which there is no service so one cannot access the internet from one's cell phone.