YouVersion, creator of the world’s most downloaded Bible App, is marking another year of growth with more installs, more daily engagement, and a wave of searches for comfort in the Bible App. This is especially notable across Sub-Saharan Africa, where daily use of the YouVersion Family of Apps rose by over 63% in 2026, and South Africa ranks fourth in the world for daily Bible engagement. As momentum builds, the ministry is preparing for the return of Global Bible Month this November, inviting even more people into Scripture.
After celebrating one billion installs last November, this year YouVersion added more than 160 million new installs across its apps. Daily engagement grew even faster than installs, a sign that people aren’t just downloading the app, they’re returning to it. Compared to 2025, daily use grew by over 13%, reaching 18.5 million people turning to the Bible each day.
Some of the reasons people continue to open the app every day are reflected in what they search for. Terms like “anxiety,” “hope” and “healing” were among the year’s most searched, with “Psalm 91” ranking as the year’s single most-searched term. The Psalm encourages readers to turn to God for refuge and comfort in difficult times. Together, these searches offer a glimpse into the personal questions and hopes people are bringing to Scripture.
Uniting the world around Scripture
Global Bible Month is a movement bringing together churches, ministries, Bible societies and publishers to celebrate the impact of God’s Word across the world. At its heart is the 30-Day Bible Challenge, encouraging people to engage with God’s Word every day during November, whether through a favourite print Bible or digitally through an app.
Last year, nearly three million people across the world signed up for the Challenge in its first year. This November, YouVersion hopes its community will build on that momentum, with the Challenge returning with a new feature that lets users track their progress and see how their friends are engaging alongside them.
“This year, we’ve been encouraged by how many people are turning to Scripture for answers to their questions,” said Bobby Gruenewald, Founder and CEO of YouVersion. “Global Bible Month is our chance to celebrate that and invite even more people to experience it for themselves, whether that’s reading the Bible in their heart language for the first time or joining millions in the 30-Day Bible Challenge. It’s amazing to see how God is working through our global partners, local churches and individual believers to reach more people with His Word.”
In celebration of Global Bible Month, YouVersion will bring Scripture to some of the world’s most recognisable public spaces, including Times Square in New York, Piccadilly Circus in London and the Dotonbori District in Osaka, Japan.
A growing global network
YouVersion’s Family of Apps offers access to 3 800 different versions of the Bible in 2 400 languages. In South Africa, where 12 official languages are recognised, including South African Sign Language, that commitment to access is especially meaningful. YouVersion helps people engage with Scripture in the ways that work best for them, from reading in their heart language to listening with audio for people with blindness or visual impairment.
Globally, the organisation works with a global network of more than 45 000 churches and content partners, including Christian publishers, ministries and individual creators. In Africa, YouVersion works with more than 2 600 churches and content partners like Doxa Deo, Christian Art Publishers, Compassion International, ICC Nairobi, Watoto Church, Soma Biblia and many other ministries, making it possible to offer more content that’s specifically designed for the African community. Together, this network helps make Bible content available to people across countries and communities around the world.
In February, YouVersion opened a hub in Cape Town, furthering its commitment to investing in and supporting churches and ministries across Africa.
“Global Bible Month is a wonderful opportunity for the South African church to celebrate the Bible and the life-changing role God’s Word continues to play in the lives of people across our country”, says Mari Joubert, partnerships manager at YouVersion’s South Africa Hub. “South Africa is a nation of many languages, cultures and communities, and we’re seeing how digital access to Scripture can help more people engage with God’s Word in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them.”
“Since launching the South Africa Hub in February, we’ve been deeply encouraged by the incredible work continuing to happen through local churches and ministries,” said Joubert. “The 30-Day Challenge is a simple but powerful way for churches and believers across South Africa to come together, get into God’s Word and encourage one another to make Scripture part of everyday life.”
Hunger for Scripture transcends geographic and cultural boundaries, with some of the highest levels of Bible App engagement seen in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In response to this momentum, YouVersion is creating a growing network of regional hubs to support local ministries and church communities. Alongside South Africa’s Hub, YouVersion has a presence in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico and more — with a Hub opening in Nigeria before the end of the year.
To find out more about Global Bible Month, visit globalbiblemonth.com.
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