A Nigerian clergy and scholar who is based in Chicago, Lanre Ijiwola
is generating buzz in the United States with a personalized bible app
known as ToYouBible App.
ToYouBible which first debuted in July, 2015 has become a big hit
among Christians in the US is now available in 35 other countries across
the world, and recently including Nigeria.
For instance, the ToYouBible App has ranked recently in the top three
most downloaded paid apps in the US according to surveys. In Nigeria,
the same feat is being played out with latest survey putting it in the
number one position among paid Apps in the country. It is available on
Apple IOS and Android while efforts are ongoing for its addition on
Windows and BBM.
Beaming with smile, Pastor Lan, as Ijiwola is fondly called, while
flagging off the launch of the revolutionary App in Nigeria some days
ago in Lagos, Nigeria, explained that the feedback has been terrific.
Also at the ceremony which was anchored by ToYouBible Nigerian rep,
Tunde Praise were clergymen including Pastor Nuel Manufor and Pastor
Yemi Davids.
The Ph.D holder in Organizational Leadership Psychology said, “We
created the App to help readers of God’s word enjoy a more personalized
experience in their scripture readings and meditations.”
According to the Masters Degree Alumnus of the prestigious Moody
Theological Institute, the App has been subjected to intellectual
rigours and adopted by the American Bible Society, which listed it among
the most innovative Bible Apps And Websites of 2015.
Ijiwola who is also an author, speaker and Senior Pastor of The
CityLight Church, Chicago added the App has grossed more than 10,00
downloads in the first five months. He added that a patent certificate
is pending at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
On mode of download, he revealed that the ToYouBible costs $0.99cents
in the US and less than N2.00k in Nigeria. To make the innovative App
more user friendly, Ijiwola assured further that it operates offline and
will not attract additional data charges.
“ToYouBible is solving a unique need many Bible readers and people of
faith have. While the Bible contains thousands of wonderful promises to
be trusted, believed and appropriated in the life of the reader, when
these promises are read, they often sound generalized and distant,” he
explained.
He added, “ToYouBible App instantly populates the name of the reader
in the text of scriptures, personalizing the relevant passages makes
Bible-reading come alive, enhancing the devotional and faith-building
experience of the readers.”
Giving an example, he revealed that Ephesians chapter 1 verses 4 will
read as, “Even as He chose Amaka in Him before the foundation of the
world, that Amaka would be holy and without blemish before Him in love.”
He added that “several individuals are helping us to bring awareness
of the app to people. Pastor Sam Adeyemi helped to announce it at
Daystar to launch it in Nigeria. Leke Alder, J.J Omojuwa and others
tweeted about it. Since that time, it rose to be the number one book app
in the Nigeria IOS store.”
Responding to inquiry about availability of the Apps in other
Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa among others, he
disclosed that more innovations are in the pipeline that will take the
ToYouBible App an enriching experience.