January 5, 2024; WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce the release of the updated ESV Bible app, which provides users with a portable Scripture reading tool with numerous study and audio features designed specifically for smartphones and tablets.
One significant addition to this update of the ESV Bible app is the inclusion of 7 audio recordings of the full Bible read by acclaimed Christian artists, pastors, and Bible teachers, including Ray Ortlund, Jackie Hill Perry, Mike Reeves, Conrad Mbewe, Robert Smith, Kristyn Getty (already available), and David Cochran Heath (already available).
With the increase in popularity of audio content over the past decade, Crossway was eager to invest significant resources to create world-class audio recordings of the whole Bible in partnership with these well-known pastors, musicians, spoken-word artists, and authors.
“Throughout much of history, God’s people largely encountered Scripture by hearing it read aloud,” notes Don Jones, Crossway’s Chief Publishing Officer and Bible Publisher. “We know that ‘faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ’ (Rom. 10:17). Our prayer is that God would use these fresh recordings to grow and deepen faith within his people all around the globe.”
In addition to the full text of the ESV Bible, the updated app now includes:
- 7 audio recordings of the full Bible, read by Ray Ortlund, Jackie Hill Perry, Mike Reeves, Conrad Mbewe, Robert Smith, Kristyn Getty (already available), and David Cochran Heath (already available)
- 50+ brand-new themed playlists that offer a collection of Scripture passages that guide users through a particular theme or topic
- Instrumental tracks in a variety of genres, designed to play behind Bible audio, with individual controls that allow users to adjust the music and Bible audio separately
- 50+ carefully crafted reading plans of various lengths, topics, and styles to help accommodate users’ lifestyle and reading goals
- 3 brand-new daily devotionals featuring a daily Bible reading alongside content written by Christian pastors, writers, and speakers
- Improved audio playback speed controls and a brand-new sleep timer
- Simplified personal annotation menus and controls
- A brand-new personalized home page showing users their current reading plan, recent playlists, chosen home verse, personal annotations, and more
- Subscription plan offering access to all premium app content
Crossway’s President and CEO Josh Dennis says, “As a not-for-profit ministry, Crossway is committed to distributing free resources that help equip the global church for ministry and providing God’s Word to people around the world. We pray that this update to the ESV Bible app is another way that Christians around the world can be strengthened and encouraged by God’s Word, leading them to deeper knowledge and love for their Savior.”
More information about the ESV Bible app can be found at ESV.org.
About the narrators:
Kristyn Getty is an award-winning singer-songwriter. Her voice is synonymous with hymns, having founded, along with her husband, Keith, the Getty Music Organization, which helps people learn the Bible through hymns to carry for life. Kristyn performs annual shows at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry, where she leads the Sing! conference—based on her book by the same name. She is particularly passionate about helping children and families learn their faith through song. Kristyn and Keith are originally from Northern Ireland and now live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their four daughters.
Ray Ortlund is the president of Renewal Ministries, the pastor to pastors at Immanuel Nashville Church, and a canon theologian with the Anglican Church in North America. He is the author of several books, including The Death of Porn; the Preaching the Word commentaries on Isaiah and Proverbs; and Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel. He is also a contributor to the ESV Study Bible. Ray and his wife, Jani, have been married for fifty years.
Jackie Hill Perry is an author, Bible teacher, and hip-hop artist. She uses her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God. Jackie is the author of Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been and Holier Than Thou. She and her husband, Preston, have four children.
Michael Reeves (PhD, King’s College, London) is president and professor of theology at Union School of Theology in Bridgend and Oxford, United Kingdom. He is the author of several books, including Delighting in the Trinity; Rejoice and Tremble; and Gospel People.
Conrad Mbewe (PhD, University of Pretoria) serves as pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, and founding chancellor of the African Christian University. Conrad has authored over nine books and contributed to many others. He and his wife, Felistas, have three children and three foster children.
David Cochran Heath (1952–2022) was a narrator who worked on over 140 audiobooks. Heath worked in radio and theater for thirty-five years, including voicing characters for computer games and television, narrating a radio program for kids, and working as a senior member of the acting ensemble of the Lamb’s Players Theatre.
Robert Smith (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School. He is also the author of Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life and The Oasis of God: From Mourning to Morning.
Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.
Contact: Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org, crossway.org
