In 2023, daily Bible use and installs of the YouVersion apps — which include Bible App, Bible App Lite, and Bible App for Kids — increased at higher rates than previous years, the group announced. And for the third consecutive year, the verse that the global YouVersion community engaged with most was Isaiah 41:10:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The top spot reflects the verse people highlighted, bookmarked and shared the most, the group ‘s website reported. The selected verse also “corresponds with the needs expressed in 2023’s top in-app searches as people around the world consistently turned to the Bible for answers about love, peace, hope, healing and anxiety,” YouVersion noted.
“From a global perspective, we’ve all been through a lot in the last few years, so it’s no surprise that people continue to feel drawn to the hope and peace promised in Isaiah 41:10,” said Bobby Gruenewald, founder and CEO of YouVersion.
“Even though there’s a lot of fear and anxiety felt around the world,” he noted, “we believe faith is the answer, and it’s encouraging to see people continue to cling to God and His Word in their greatest moments of need.”
Continued growth
Across its Apps, YouVersion reportedly continued to see Bible engagement surge worldwide throughout 2023.
Every month this year ranked among the all-time highest months in YouVersion’s 15-year history for both installs and daily use, YouVersion reported. Specifically, they reported, installs increased this year by more than 100 million devices while the previous record from 2020 was 76 million installs in one year. Also, compared to 2022, daily Bible use grew by 20% this year — this represented about 12 million people engaging in the Bible each day, they said.
“Throughout this year, we’ve seen our global community engage with Scripture at impressively high rates,” Gruenewald said. “From what we’re seeing, this isn’t just a momentary surge but something that will last. We anticipate an even greater level of excitement around Bible engagement in the years to come.”
‘God’s Word to everyone’
YouVersion launched in 2008 and began with Bible text available in English and Spanish, creating a community that was largely based in North America. Since then, it’s evolved into a global ministry, they noted, “that’s still experiencing significant growth in daily Bible use in North America while also reaching new people worldwide.”
More than 80% of YouVersion installs, they noted, happened outside of the United States in 2023 with India, Africa, and Latin America standing out most.
“Our vision is to bring God’s Word to everyone, everywhere, every day, and we know we can’t do it alone,” Gruenewald said. “More than ever before, we’re seeing the global Church unify around God’s Word, and it’s exciting to think about how many more people will grow closer to God because of the passion and commitment of our partners to work together.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE – This story was originally written and published by YouVersion.
