A Billion Installs, One Powerful Story: How a Free Gideon Bible Sparked a Global Movement
Before we talk about YouVersion hitting one billion installs, we have to start with the moment that changed everything. Long before Life.Church became one of the most innovative ministries in the world, before YouVersion reached phones across every nation, before stadium-sized worship events and groundbreaking technology… it began with one man handing a young Craig Groeschel a free Gideon Bible.
That simple act of generosity ignited Craig’s spiritual journey. One Bible. One gesture. One turning point.
And now, decades later, Craig has passed that same gift forward to the entire world by offering the Bible through the YouVersion app to everyone, everywhere, completely free. From a free Gideon Bible to a billion digital ones. Only God writes stories that perfect.
A Moment That Hit Me Personally
I live just three minutes from Life.Church and the new YouVersion building on 2nd Street in Edmond. A few days ago, I was driving and glanced over at the new YouVersion headquarters. At that exact moment, the huge white cross off I-35 aligned perfectly above it, centered as if placed intentionally in the sky.
In that moment, it hit me:
A church in Edmond has spread the Word of God to the entire world.
Not through pressure.
Not through force.
But through generosity, accessibility, and innovation.
A free Bible changed Craig’s life.
And now free Bibles are changing millions.
A Billion Installs and a Global Celebration
YouVersion’s Bible app has now surpassed one billion installs, a milestone almost unimaginable when the idea began. This is not just a statistic; it is a global movement of people seeking Scripture, connection, and hope in nearly every language on earth.
Tomorrow at the Paycom Center, the celebration begins. The event, Beyond A Billion, will feature live worship, global stories of transformation, and a worldwide livestream so anyone, anywhere, can join.
It is powerful.
It is historic.
And it is deeply Oklahoma.
Where It All Started
When my wife and I first attended Life.Church almost 30 years ago, it was not a massive campus. It was not global. It was not high-tech.
It was an old bike shop.
Small. Humble. Authentic.
Watching it grow into one of the largest and most influential churches in the world has been nothing short of miraculous.
Craig is more than a pastor to me; he is a friend who has helped me more than he knows. He married Angie and me, and Bobby Gruenewald sang at our wedding. Long before the world knew him as the visionary behind the YouVersion Bible App, Bobby was simply a brilliant, creative guy with a heart for God and a unique ability to see what others missed.
Most people do not realize that the idea for YouVersion began when Bobby noticed how glued people were to their phones. He wondered if this technology—often a distraction—could instead be used to bring people closer to the Bible. That spark turned into a groundbreaking concept. He approached Craig with the idea, and together they dreamed boldly enough to create a platform that would one day reach every corner of the world.
And yes, besides being one of the most innovative ministry leaders on the planet, Bobby is also a great singer.
Every morning before my cold plunge, I open the YouVersion app and read the Bible. I love the streaks. That accountability keeps me grounded, consistent, and connected to Scripture.
The Event, the Building, and the Vision
On Monday, November 17, 2025, the Paycom Center will host Beyond A Billion: A Moment for the Bible. Live worship. Speakers. Stories. A global livestream celebrating what God has done.
And here at home, the new YouVersion building on 2nd Street stands as a local symbol of a worldwide mission, a global movement rooted right here in Edmond.
Why This Milestone Matters
This milestone reminds us that:
• One simple act of generosity can change the world
• Technology can carry the Gospel farther than ever imagined
• A free Bible, physical or digital, can alter the course of a life
• A church in a bike shop can become a global ministry
• Edmond, Oklahoma is impacting every nation
God chooses ordinary places and ordinary people to create extraordinary impact.
Watch the Livestream and Install the App
Watch the global celebration live at life.church/live or on the official YouVersion YouTube channel.
The livestream begins at 7:00 PM CST.
To install the Bible App:
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Open the App Store or Google Play
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Search Bible YouVersion
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Download it for free
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Create a free account
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Start a reading plan and build your own streak
Scripture
Matthew 24:14
"And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
A billion installs is not just success. It is Scripture being lived out, God’s Word reaching the nations.
Wyatt Poindexter
Managing Partner – The Agency Oklahoma
405-417-5466
[email protected]
www.WyattPoindexter.com
www.TheAgencyRE.com
