The New York Times: YouVersion Bible Changing Industry

EDMOND, OK (July 26, 2013) – The YouVersion Bible app published by LifeChurch.tv reached 100 million downloads this month, a fact noted in a story on the front of The New York Times Technology page and highlighted on the publications website homepage.

LifeChurch.tv is an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation.

The Times noted that reaching the 100 million park places “it in the company of technology start-ups like Instagram and Dropbox.”

According to the newspaper, the church will have spent almost $20 million over all on YouVersion by the end of this year. Bobby Gruenewald, the church’s innovation pastor, developed the app in 2008.

The article includes interviews with representatives of publishing companies who discuss what the app has meant for their business.

 

Columbia Grove Provides Kids Meals During Summer

EAST WENATCHEE, WA (July 26, 2013) – About 40 volunteers from Columbia Grove Covenant Church are giving away free lunches to children up to the age of 18 four days a week.

The church is participating in the Simplified Summer Food Service Program, which is supported by the federal program and local contributions. The food is distributed Monday through Thursday at five locations in the county, with a sixth location added on Thursdays.

The program started June 17 and continues through August 22. It is the second year for the program, and the number of people receiving food has grown as they become aware that it is available.

“We’ve been told that it takes about three years for people to become aware of this program,” Linda Belton, program administrator, told a local newspaper.

In its first year, the volunteers distributed 962 meals over six weeks. In a recent week, volunteers provided 162 meals and 700 so far this summer.

Belton said she expects they’ll hand out twice that number this year, partly because the program is running longer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reimburses the church $3.47 per meal. Because that doesn’t always cover costs, church members ask local businesses and individuals for donations.

 

Covenant Churches Work Together to Assist Maine Town

SANFORD, ME (July 26, 2013) – Bethany Covenant Church of Bedford, New Hampshire, accepted an invitation from Evergreen Covenant Church here and spent a week making the community a better place to live.

The group of 25 high-school students and six adults engaged in projects that included improving the playground at a Child Care Services of York County center as well as a local school, helping a senior citizen with her home, as well as distributing food and cleaning at the York County Shelter Programs in Alfred. The group also provided an afternoon of free activities for children at Carpentier Park.

“This is the second time this group has come to Sanford, and we were thrilled to have them come back again,” Evergreen pastor Frank Catalano told a local newspaper. “They got a tremendous amount of stuff done and all with an amazing attitude. We look forward to their returning next year.”