California Pastor Takes Ministry Into the AI Age, Creates Digital Clone of Himself
In 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. From business signs to social media to books on Amazon, this new technology is dominating the 21st century. At a church in Vallejo, California, however, AI has gone to the next level.
Justin Lester, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, has cloned himself using AI so that followers can turn to it when he’s unavailable. While many different opinions have resulted from this decision, Lester explains that the goal is to invite more curious people into the church and allow him to focus on greater pastoral tasks than emails.
Using Delphi.ai to create an avatar version of himself, anyone can reach him anytime, anywhere. Dangerous Minds notes that this version of Lester is one that “his followers can feel comfortable asking questions that they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking the man himself.”
According to a recent CNN interview, Lester trained the AI model by connecting it to everything he’s ever penned. “I connected on YouTube, my TikTok, my Instagram and everything I’ve ever written. So, all the way back to every sermon I’ve ever preached. Books, all of that are in there.” But this isn’t Lester’s first rodeo with AI. Last year, he released PastorGPT—a program chat that helps other pastors write their sermons.
So far, both the chatbot and AI clone have been helpful for Lester’s congregation. Steve Smedley, the church’s technical director, explained that he uses the clone to “ask a question right now.” Church member Breanah Drake added that the system is helpful when Lester is away or for when she has questions she might be too embarrassed to ask him in person.
While the program is still developing and has updates every day, Lester wants to be clear that AI cannot replace him or other human pastors. For example, the system has safeguards and is restricted to specific topics. If the system notes that something is too serious, it will prompt them to call him instead. AI simply helps Lester spend more time on pastoral work, including hospital visits, while reducing routine administrative tasks.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/BlackJack3D
Originally published September 03, 2026.
