God Used This Question to Change History

From One Small Step to One Billion Bibles

Scripture References

Primary text

• Ephesians 3:20-21

Other references

• Psalm 150:6
• Psalm 34
• James 2:22
• Romans 11:36
• Ephesians 2

Overview

Life.Church celebrated YouVersion’s first billion installs and the God who made it possible. Pastor Bobby Gruenewald traced the story from one personal question in an airport security line to a global movement, showing how God does “immeasurably more” when people take a single step of faith. Testimony from Dia illustrated how one verse on a phone can rescue a life. Pastor Craig then called the church to bold faith, generous giving, and personal response to Christ—believing the next billion will come even faster.

Main Points

God can do immeasurably more

• Ephesians 3:20-21 framed the entire celebration: God is not limited by our imagination.
• The one-billion milestone is evidence of His power, not human strategy.

One small step of faith started it all

• Story: October 27, 2006, Bobby stood in Chicago-O’Hare’s security line wondering, “Could technology help me read the Bible more consistently?”
• He registered “youversion.com” for $25—no engineers, no permissions, only a question and a step.

“You never know what God’s going to do when you take one small step of faith.”

Obstacles became invitations for action

• Needed Bible licenses but knew no publishers.
• A blog post triggered a chain of introductions: Rob Hoskins → Mark Green → CEOs.
• Christian “no’s” (“We’ll pray about it”) eventually gave way to one “yes,” enough to launch.
• James 2:22—faith is completed by action; God met their action with His faithfulness.

Radical generosity fuels momentum

• In 2006 Life.Church decided every resource it created would be free to other churches.
• That culture shaped YouVersion: the app will always be free.
• Romans 11:36—everything is from, through and for God, so we steward, not own.

Momentum: from one billion to billions more

• It took 17½ years to reach the first billion; current growth could see:
  • 2 billion in 5 years.
  • 3 billion three years after that.
• Live map: ~300 Bible opens every second—each a potential life change.

God cares about the one – Dia’s testimony

• Story: Raised a “God-hater,” later diagnosed with severe depression while living in India.
• Overwhelmed, she tapped the “emotion” search in YouVersion; Isaiah 55:10-11 (uncited) surfaced: “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end…”
• Verse kept her alive; sermons via Life.Church nurtured faith.
• This week she was baptized—proof that one verse for one person matters.

Invitation to faith and participation

• Pastor Craig: God wants to do more in you and through you—take the step.
• Salvation call; many responded.
• Generosity call: every gift to YouVersion & Bible translation matched up to $1 million—seed toward the next billion.

Key Truths

• God’s capacity exceeds our imagination; ours is to trust and act.
• Faith is incomplete until it moves; obedience unlocks provision.
• Radical generosity positions God’s people to steward world-changing ideas.
• Every statistic is a person; God celebrates and pursues each “one.”
• The gospel is free but must be carried—by voices, by technology, by giving.

Response

• Take one concrete step of faith this week—act on the nudge God is giving you.
• Share Scripture intentionally; send a verse, start a Bible Plan with a friend.
• Give toward Bible translation and the next billion opens.
• Replace ownership thinking with stewardship; ask God how to deploy His resources through you.
• Celebrate every “one” God rescues; pray for the next soul that will open the app today.

Closing

The story of YouVersion proves that God multiplies simple obedience. A $25 domain name, a failed website, and one available Bible translation became a billion opportunities for people to meet Jesus—and He is only getting started. Pastor Craig urged every believer to pair faith with action, believing God will do “exceedingly and abundantly more” as we sow generosity and boldness for the sake of the next billion.

“We’re not praying for revival—we’re living in the middle of one.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig led the congregation in surrender to Christ, asking for forgiveness, new life, and the filling of the Holy Spirit, then prayed that God would stir bold, Spirit-filled faith in His church, multiplying every step of obedience for His glory.