Viral Bible App Soars Pass 20 Million Downloads
The YouVersion Bible app celebrated another milestone this month as it surpasses 20 million downloads and its developer's expectations.
Downloads for the free Bible app has jumped by 5 million since February, with 2 million download or roughly one new person every 1.1 seconds in April alone.
The creators of YouVersion, the team at Lifechurch.tv in Edmond, Okla., have been thrilled with the results.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"People are sharing it with each other on Facebook and Twitter. It's really created a viral effect," said Bobby Gruenewald, innovation leader at Lifechurch.tv, to The Christian Post.
"The pace has been increasing and picking up. We are really excited because we see more people engaging in the Bible."
Gruenewald said he believes the YouVersion Bible app is sparking a "Bible-engagement revolution," leading to the most scripturally-engaged generation ever.
"For the last several decades, there has been a problem with scripture engagement. People say they want to read the Bible but fewer and fewer people actually do read it once a month or never at all," he explained.
But today, people have technology with them almost at all times. Since people have mobile devices with them from morning until evening, the YouVersion Bible app is also with them throughout the day and gives them more chances to read the Bible, said Gruenewald.
"We actually begin reading the Bible more than ever before and the main variable is that it's always with us at all times," the LifeChurch.tv leader observed of his team.
Still, YouVersion stats show that users most actively use their Bible app on Sunday mornings, presumably during Sunday morning church services.
There are also numerous daily reading plans that users can subscribe to. According to the user's preference, the Bible app gives them portion to read each day and lets them track their progress.
Whether someone has an iPhone, BlackBerry or Android-based smartphone, YouVersion has an app compatible for most mobile device users.
YouVersion developers told The Christian Post that they recently doubled the number of Bible versions and languages available through the Bible app. Users can now choose from 113 translation versions and 41 languages. Bible translations include the updated NIV, Kings James Version, and English Standard Version.
Gruenewald said 25 percent of new users come with phones set to languages other than English. Downloads for Chinese, Korean, Spanish versions are among the fastest growing languages, he reported.
"One of our biggest focuses right now is broadening the geographic reach of the Bible app. The way we are doing that is we are adding modern Bible translations," Gruenwald told CP.
He also said they will aim to fully support 11 languages with their own website, communication and technical support.
Reflecting upon the Bible app's success since its launch in July 2008, Gruenewald said it has really strengthened his faith in what is possible through God.
"Our faith as to what's possible has really increased as we've seen what's God done so far," said Gruenewald.
"If you asked me three years ago when we were getting started if it's possible to get 20 million people to install this on their phones, we would have probably thought, possible maybe but not probable."
"What we're seeing today: God has really used it," he added. "We're asking the question and believing it's possible. We can see 100 milllion, 500 million people using their phones to engage in God's word each day."
On the Web: The YouVersion Bible app can be downloaded on the YouVersionwebsite.
