Spreading the Word

How a non-profit made the Bible digitally accessible

Industry
Nonprofit
Time Frame
3 years

Business Type
App
Team
17 developers

About

A nonprofit with a mission

Throughout His ministry, Jesus gave His followers many instructions and taught them many things. However, one of the last commands He gave was, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15 ESV)

One nonprofit took those words very seriously. They wanted to provide a way for everyone to have ready access to a Bible no matter where they were or what language they spoke. Although they could travel the world handing out print copies, the nonprofit had a better idea.

Why not put the Bible into an app? Anyone with a phone, tablet, or computer could have complete access to the Bible in different versions and a wide selection of languages.

The idea intrigued them. This app could spread the Word to thousands of people that might not have access to the Bible otherwise. Instead of the restrictions imposed by limited space, the Bible could be read on devices most people carried with them. The client knew they had to pursue the idea.

History

Modern Bible History

The Bible was written over thousands of years by many God-inspired writers. The exact dates are uncertain, but from the translation and compilation of the Latin Bible, we can trace the history forward.

AD 382

The first widespread Latin edition of the Bible is translated and assembled by St. Jerome.

AD 1384

John Wycliffe finishes the first complete translation of the Bible into English. Previously, only large portions had been translated.

AD 1384

The printing press is invented and the first book created is the Gutenberg Bible. It was 1,300 pages long, and it is estimated that 180 copies were made.

AD 1535

The Cloverdale Bible becomes the first complete modern translation of the Bible. It is also the first complete English Bible to be printed on a press.

AD 1982

The first commercial Bible app is released.

Onward

The Bible continues to live on and apps related to the Bible are widely downloaded.

Problem

A lack of skills and knowledge

Although the client was certain they should create the Bible app, they did not have the knowledge or skills to do so. They wanted a customized Bible app for phones and tablets as well as a responsive website.

Their goal was to make certain the Bible app would work flawlessly–no matter how it was being viewed. As for the website, it needed to be simple, intuitive, and neat.

Worthy goals, but without a technology partner, they would remain nothing more than a dream.

Development

What they needed to create the app

The project was large and a team of developers was assembled to begin the task of bringing the client’s vision to life. Languages, frameworks, and more were carefully selected.

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22

Team

17 developers.

Time frame

3 years.

Ruby

SQL

CSS

Ruby on Rails

NET

Jasmine

React

Intellij Idea

iOS

Android

Solution

Bringing the Bible to the digital world

The team created and deployed a website and mobile applications for both iOS and Android.

The applications were fully integrated. Swan’s team designed, tested, and successfully completed the Quality Assurance sequence and User Interface support.

With Swan’s help, the nonprofit was able to fulfill its calling to make the Bible digitally accessible.

The application remains available and has been downloaded thousands of times. Traffic also continues to visit the website where people are able to read the Bible in their preferred language and translation.