Many people have never heard of Bobby Gruenewald, who serves as the innovation leader of Life.Church in Edmond, Oklahoma—but they’ve probably used his app. Gruenewald is the founder of YouVersion, the world’s No. 1 Bible app. YouVersion has been installed on over 358 million devices worldwide. Where missionaries used to smuggle Bibles into hostile countries, YouVersion can bring the Word directly to people’s phones at no cost, translated in over 1,200 languages. Gruenewald says the internet is a game-changer for ministries—and it’s an opportunity the church can’t afford to dismiss.
“We’re alive at a unique time in history,” he explains. “God has put us here on this earth at this moment, when we have access to all these tools that can reach people all over the world. For us, that’s not just an opportunity—it’s a responsibility.”
But it’s not just about Bible apps. Christians are finding ways to share the gospel across every conceivable online platform. That includes obvious social networks like Facebook and Twitter, but it also includes Periscope, Instagram, Twitch and more. Evangelists on these diverse sites can preach without ever setting foot in another city or country.
Listen to the podcast to hear how the Holy Spirit is using these digital platforms to equip the saints and reach the next generation for Jesus.