Emojis and Visio Divina: Contextualizing the Gospel to Reach East African Youth in the Digital Sphere

Abstract

This study investigates how East African youth engage with Christian contemplative spirituality through Visio Divina, using digital art and emojis on smartphones. With a qualitative approach, six Ugandan and Kenyan participants enrolled in a three-week Visio Divina exercise via WhatsApp. Results indicate that participants experienced a range of emotions, suggesting that Visio Divina effectively fosters deep spiritual reflections. The study demonstrates the potential of digital art and emojis to communicate the gospel in a way that resonates with African youth. This research highlights the benefits of aligning spiritual practices with contemporary digital communication methods, offering new insights for modern evangelization.