Today in the Word

Getting the Word Out

International readership growing for Today in the Word

During the 2022–23 fiscal year, Today in the Word launched a digital campaign to reach people in English-speaking international countries with our free daily Bible devotionals. Thousands of new readers responded, not only finding and downloading the Bible-teaching app but continuing to use it.

Thanks to your support, in 2022–23 the Today in the Word international app campaign resulted in 29,758 people in Nigeria downloading the Today in the Word app for the first time. New downloads of the app were also high in Uganda (29,205), Ghana (25,205), the US (22,466), the Philippines (13,532), and South Africa (12,581).

Growing the Today in the Word international readership is only limited by the amount of funding required to keep our digital advertisements running. Please join us in praying that God will continue to work through Today in the Word to provide pastors, believers, and new Christians with the solid biblical teaching they crave, especially in countries where persecution is intense.

Reception for Today in the Word overseas has been inspiring.

“This is one of the best devotionals I have ever come across,” said Okike Paul of Nigeria. “I love this app. No doubt any Christian who uses this devotion will move to a new level in faith.”

Nigeria

In Nigeria, one new Christian is martyred every four hours, up to five million Christians are believed to be internally displaced, and nearly 2,300 Christians are killed every year. One report labeled Nigeria “a killing zone for Christians, statistically perhaps the single most dangerous place on the planet to be a Christian."

But the good news is “God is on the move,” Wycliffe Bible Translators recently reported. The ministry has identified Nigeria as one of four countries with the highest remaining needs for Bible translation. At Today in the Word, we are excited to provide quality Bible teaching at no cost through our devotional app.

Uganda

Uganda has been described as hostile to Christianity. Even though 84 percent of Ugandans claim to be Christian, the majority are Catholic. According to Voice of the Martyrs, local Islamists persecute Christians, especially along the eastern, southwestern, and northern borders of the country, where radicals have been steadily encroaching.

Through our devotional ministry, we have the opportunity to strengthen believers in God’s Word and give new converts to Christianity solid Bible teaching.

Kennedy Kwagala, a Today in the Word reader in Uganda, told us,

“It has given me deep understanding of the Word. Plus, it has taught me how to explain Scripture. I am so happy. God bless you.”

The Philippines

While 91 percent of people in the Philippines claim to be Christian, only about 14 percent of the population is evangelical. John Hofileña, lead pastor of Redeemer Christian Church in Manila, said, “The gospel may be a common notion here in the Philippines, but nobody really would be able to explain to you what it is. There are churches, but there is a lack of pastors and ministers who are trained to do church in the way the Bible teaches.”

The Today in the Word app is helping fill this critical void. Mhaarie in the Philippines told us, “Every morning when I was awake, this Bible app reminds me how important the Word of God is in our daily lives. Keep on reminding us to be still with His words and promises. Filter our minds and thoughts to do good things. Be Christlike all the time. Ask God for forgiveness for all our sins. Be thankful for all the provisions and all the blessings coming from Him.”

Next Up

Smuggling the Gospel into Cuba

Learn the harrowing and uplifting story of how one man smuggled Today in the Word devotional Bible studies into communist Cuba to reach Cubans for Christ . . .