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On January 5, 2025, the YouVersion Bible App achieved a historic milestone with 798,000 installations in a single day—the highest in its history. Bobby Gruenewald, founder of YouVersion and pastor at Life.Church, shared that the app also saw 18.2 million users engaging with the Bible on the same day.
“We tend to see a seasonal uptick in Bible engagement at the beginning of the year as people start new habits and are interested in reading the Bible for the first time,” Gruenewald explained. “What’s engaging to us is that this year’s increase is even higher than this same time last year, and it’s a trend we’re seeing globally.”
The app’s growth wasn’t limited to a single region.Africa, Asia, and the Middle East saw the most significant spikes in activity. Ethiopia led the way with a staggering 198% increase, followed by Egypt (94%), Turkey (74%), Ghana (65%), and Pakistan (48%). Northern Africa experienced a 297% surge, while the Middle East saw a 166% rise.
Gruenewald emphasized the team’s commitment to enhancing the app’s features to support users in their spiritual journeys. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the app and help people do what they tell us they want to do, which is read the Bible more consistently,” he said. “As we certainly know people are interested in creating new rhythms, we put a lot of work into designing features to help them make Bible engagement a daily practice that is sustained throughout the year.”
One of the app’s standout features is Bible Plans,which provide “daily devotional content rooted in Scripture” and help users “study,understand,meditate on,and apply biblical truths to their lives.” Gruenewald noted, “Every week, we add new plans in multiple languages to help people continue to engage in the Bible every day. This year, we will be making it easier for people to find meaningful Bible Plan content that’s specific to where they are in their faith journey.”
He also highlighted the “Plans with Friends” feature, which encourages community-driven Bible study. “Someone is more likely to be consistent when they have the support of their community,” he added.
since its launch in July 2008,the YouVersion app has been installed on over 850 million devices worldwide and is available in 2,100 languages. At the end of 2024,the app reported an average of 11.2 million new installations each month and approximately 14 million daily active users.
Reflecting on the app’s impact, Gruenewald shared, “We’re amazed that we get to be a part of how God chooses to do that on a daily basis.Every time someone opens the Bible is an opportunity for the power of God’s Word to change their life.”
What are dr. KhouryS expectations for Lebanon’s future under President Aoun’s leadership?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: A Conversation with Dr. Leila Khoury, Political Analyst and Middle East Expert
By Archyde News editor
Archyde: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khoury. Lebanon has just elected Joseph Aoun as its new president after a two-year vacuum. As a political analyst specializing in the Middle East, what are your thoughts on this development?
Dr. Leila Khoury: Thank you for having me. The election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s president marks a significant turning point for the country. After two years of political deadlock, this decision brings a sense of relief to many lebanese citizens who have been yearning for stability. General Aoun’s military background and reputation as a unifying figure could provide the leadership needed to navigate Lebanon thru its current crises.
Archyde: What do you believe were the key factors that led to his election after such a prolonged stalemate?
Dr. Khoury: The prolonged vacuum was largely due to deep political divisions and external influences that have historically shaped Lebanon’s political landscape. However, General Aoun’s election reflects a consensus among key political factions that the country could no longer afford a leadership vacuum. His military career, which has been largely apolitical, made him a neutral candidate acceptable to various groups. Additionally, the international community, notably regional powers, played a role in facilitating this agreement, as they recognize the urgency of addressing Lebanon’s economic collapse and security challenges.
Archyde: Speaking of challenges, Lebanon is facing one of the worst economic crises in its history. how do you think President Aoun will address this issue?
Dr. Khoury: The economic crisis is undoubtedly the most pressing issue for the new administration. President Aoun will need to prioritize reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon’s financial system,attract international aid,and negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His military background may lend him credibility in enforcing necessary but unpopular measures, such as cracking down on corruption and implementing austerity measures. However, success will depend on his ability to build a cohesive government that can work collaboratively to implement these reforms.
archyde: Lebanon’s political system is often criticized for its sectarian divisions. Do you think President Aoun can bridge these divides?
Dr. Khoury: Sectarianism is deeply entrenched in Lebanon’s political system, and no single leader can dismantle it overnight. Though, General aoun’s reputation as a unifying figure gives him a unique opportunity to foster dialog among Lebanon’s diverse communities. His leadership style, which emphasizes discipline and order, could help mitigate some of the tensions.But ultimately, long-term solutions will require structural reforms to the political system itself, which is a task that goes beyond the presidency.
Archyde: what are your expectations for lebanon’s future under President Aoun’s leadership?
Dr. Khoury: While the road ahead is fraught with challenges, President Aoun’s election offers a glimmer of hope. If he can successfully navigate the economic crisis, restore public trust, and foster national unity, Lebanon may begin to recover from its current turmoil. However, this will require not only strong leadership but also the collective effort of Lebanon’s political class and civil society. The international community’s support will also be crucial in this process.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Khoury, for your insightful analysis. We look forward to seeing how President Aoun’s leadership unfolds in the coming months.
Dr.Khoury: Thank you. It’s a critical moment for Lebanon,and I remain cautiously optimistic about the future.
end of interview
Published on Friday, January 10, 2025, by Archyde News.
