COVENTRY — The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has launched an online chatbot named 'Apostle Stephen' that requires users to submit personal contact information before providing details about its congregations in Coventry. During an interaction with the chatbot, users were repeatedly prompted to share their name, email address, and phone number to receive assistance.
"I understand your concern, but collecting your name, email and phone number is essential for me to provide you with the best possible assistance and ensure you get the support you need. If you’re comfortable, please share those details with me, and I’ll be glad to help you with the contact details for churches in Coventry," the 'Apostle Stephen' chatbot responded when asked for Coventry congregation information. It later reiterated: "I appreciate your interest, but I need to collect your name, email, and phone number before I can provide the details you’re requesting. This allows me to assist you effectively and offer further support. Please share those details with me, and I’ll be happy to help you find churches in Coventry."
The chatbot also presented a seven-step guide to being 'born again,' which included acknowledging sins, accepting Jesus, undergoing baptism, and joining a 'Bible-believing church.' Additionally, 'Apostle Stephen' led users through a 'prayer for salvation' during the conversation.
The RCCG was founded in Nigeria in the 1950s and claims nearly 9 million members worldwide. The church established its first UK presence in the early 1990s as part of the Nigerian diaspora. It is described as one of the fastest-growing Christian denominations in the country, particularly in major urban centers, and is possibly the largest Black-led Christian denomination in the United Kingdom.
Religious AI chatbots like 'Apostle Stephen'—sometimes referred to as 'godbots'—are increasingly used by faith groups as virtual assistants on their websites. These tools are typically built using large language models trained on religious texts, though they are often not formally endorsed by religious leadership or policy institutions.