YouVersion’s FREE Bible App Reaches One Billion Installs: ‘Historic Moment’

This morning, when I opened the Bible App on my phone for my daily quiet time, I was greeted by a pop-up that stopped me in my tracks: “Celebrate One Billion Bible Installs. This is a historic moment, and it wouldn’t be possible without you.”

What an awesome thing to celebrate.

Be sure to sign up for Caleb’s FREE newsletter for encouraging stories in your inbox!

Like millions of others, I’ve done countless Bible reading plans, often inviting friends to join me so we can walk through Scripture together. I’ve been deeply impacted by the daily verse and the incredible library of resources right at my fingertips. I’ve read the Bible in a year and listened to it in 30 days—all because of YouVersion.

And I’m just one person.

Now, imagine that same impact multiplied by one billion. That is the reality we are celebrating this week.

A Night of Worship at the Paycom Center

On Monday night, the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City—usually the roaring home of the OKC Thunder—was packed for a different kind of victory. Thousands of believers gathered for “Beyond A Billion,” a night of worship and thanksgiving to mark the YouVersion Bible App officially surpassing one billion installs worldwide.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT CALEB’S AMAZON SHOP FOR BIBLES AND OTHER RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS!

The energy was electric, but the focus wasn’t on the technology—it was on the Truth it delivers.

“We were planning this and I said, ‘I really don’t know any other response but for us to worship,'” said YouVersion Founder Bobby Gruenewald.

It’s a staggering journey for an idea that began in 2006, when Gruenewald was standing in a security line at O’Hare Airport, wondering how technology could help people engage with the Bible more. When the app launched in 2008, it was one of the first 200 apps on the Apple App Store. Today, it is a global phenomenon.

God’s Word Everywhere

Gospel legend CeCe Winans led the arena in worship, singing about the goodness of God, while leaders like Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of Life.Church, reminded the crowd of the mission.

“Our vision is God’s Word—everywhere and every day,” Groeschel said.

The event highlighted not just the numbers, but the unity. Speakers noted that this milestone is proof that “God is using YouVersion as a tool to unite the church globally.”

Bible app user, Madison Oswald, told CBN News: “I really love listening to it—and like listening and reading it at the same time, because that keeps me focused. I’ve got ADHD.”

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO CALEB PARKE ON FACEBOOK FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Another attendee, Ashton Rogers, told the Christian outlet: “Jesus, He changed my life. And His Word is true. I seek wisdom because I don’t have it all figured out.”

“About five years ago, I was real bad in my addiction, substance abuse. And I went to church, and then the Bible app slowly became—got a relationship with Christ, and I love it,” app user Christopher Evans said.

The Movement Continues: Global Bible Month

The celebration doesn’t stop with the event. YouVersion has partnered with other major faith apps like the Bible Project to declare November “Global Bible Month.”

It is a rare and beautiful sight to see different ministries and “competitors” teaming up for a single goal: to challenge people to read the Bible daily for 30 days. Already, more than 2.5 billion people have engaged with the pledge in some form.

As I looked at that pop-up on my phone this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the faithfulness of the YouVersion team and the vision they stuck with for over 17 years. God has truly blessed us through His Word, and if this milestone is any indication, the best is yet to come.

WATCH THE BIG EVENT BELOW:

Caleb Parke is an independent journalist. Follow him on X, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.