Share a Bible Habit on Facebook for New Year!

Happy New Year TTW! New Year's day is the perfect time to start a Bible habit - or to share one. We made it easy. Just open facebook.com/throughtheword  and pick one of our New Year's Day posts to share. Add a comment about what a Bible habit with TTW means to you - and voila - you can give your friends a Bible habit. It's the best time all year to share it. It's takes just a few seconds - but it could change a life!

Thanks for sharing TTW!
 - Pastor Kris  = )

Just open facebook.com/throughtheword and hit share!

App is Fixed! And TTW Turns 7!

Hello TTW friends. We had a temporary issue with the app but it's all fixed now. If you experienced the trouble, we apologize for the frustration. All should be working properly now - just close and reopen the TTW to allow it to reset. Thanks for your patience and your prayers! And if you missed it - today's original blogpost is below...

Happy Anniversary TTW!
Seven years ago this week TTW launched a brand new app in the App Store (the official date was 12/29/11), and the road since that day has been quite an adventure! So I want to extend a very big thank you to all of you who have been part of this journey, and to all those who continue to make it possible. It is just amazing to look back and see how far we've come.

So I thought I would share a quick story. On Sunday I happened to visit a very large church that I had also visited back when we launched. I remember so clearly - looking around the 4,000 seat auditorium in 2012 and thinking, "We could reach enough people to fill this whole room." Now I didn't tell people that - because it was crazy! We were a bootstrap ministry with very big dreams and very little means. Well, seven years of faith, perseverance, and hard work gone by - and today we could fill that room about 26 times every week. Our daily audience just reached 15,000 - our seventh year of 50% audience increase year-over-year. And to God be every last bit of glory!

I can't say that I'm surprised to be here. I always knew that I couldn't do it - but God could. But I still stand in awe! This is crazy awesome. And I also can't say that I've stopped dreaming big. There are a lot more people who need a Bible habit. And just recently, some big doors started opening up. The opportunity to translate suddenly opened wide this year as YouVersion is working with us to translate our new "Start Here" plan for new believers into 60+ languages. How cool is that?!!

And there's so much more - I truly believe that we are standing at a moment of opportunity, much as we did seven years ago. So we'll keep at it as you keep praying for us. Thanks so much to all of you who do pray for us. We need it. And here's to the next seven!

Always in the unfailing love of Christ,
Pastor Kris

PS. Tomorrow (Jan 1) is the last day for our donation-match opportunity, and everyone who donates through Jan 1 gets a TTW Pop-Socket. Of course, give today (postmark or online Dec 31) for your last chance at 2018 tax deductions. As always, TTW is free with no strings, no ads, and no giving guilt trips attached. If you'd like to give, go to:
Online: https://mogiv.com/ttw
Check: Through the Word, PO Box 303, Westminster CA 92684

           

Last Week for Donation-Match & TTW PopSocket

Hello TTW Friends!
I hope that your Christmas was blessed, and I hope that the holiday rush finally slows down so you can focus on the stuff that matters most. For me, the week between Christmas and New Year's is a chance to finally take a breath and rest and enjoy some of life's simple blessings with my family. I hope you are able to do the same. Of course, life doesn't always make that easy. (That's why we designed an app to help busy people get some real time in the Word - because I'm one of them!).

So I'll make this quick. Just wanted to let you know that our Donation-Match event is still on through New Year's day, and every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar until then. Plus we're still giving away TTW PopSockets to every donor in December. (If you got one and want another for your family - just email us! info@throughtheword.org, subject: PopSocket Request.

As always, TTW is free and we mean that - no strings, no ads, and no giving guilt trips attached. But it's important to know that we keep it free because people give to make that possible. So if you would like to invest in this mission, year-end is a great time. TTW is 100% listener supported, and this year we received the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency (their highest honor). And so far this year, every $100 donated can be directly traced to 35,000 minutes of Bible engagement. So if you've been thinking about supporting our mission, this just happens to be a really good time! Just tap this link: mogiv.com/ttw - or find the donate button on our main menu anytime. Thanks!

Always in Christ,
Pastor Kris

Christmas Audio Update

Hello TTW. We have a special treat for you just in time for Christmas. The Shepherd of Bethlehem is a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story from the first-hand perspective of one of the shepherds keeping watch over his flock by night. Bill Welsh performs this original and powerful drama in two acts (about 30 minutes each). You can find the audio by tapping the Bible button and navigating your way to Luke 1 & Luke 2 (just tap the name of the Bible book to find your way around the Bible). Or you can use this direct link:
Act I: https://app.throughtheword.org/a/Luke/1
Act II: https://app.throughtheword.org/a/Luke/2


We hope you enjoy this audio drama. It's a little longer than our usual audio guides and a different style, but we think you'll love it. It's one of my own favorite Christmas traditions, and it perfect for your drive to Grandma's house or just sitting by the fire or whatever your tradition.

Merry Christmas to my TTW family!
- Pastor Kris  = )

Note: We had some technical trouble loading the drama as a reading plan for you - and we apologize if you experienced any difficulty with that. So instead of a reading plan, we're just providing the audio directly on the page for Luke 1 and Luke 2.

Shepherd of Bethlehem - Christmas Audio

Hello friends! Christmas is almost here, and we will have a special Christmas audio plan available beginning on Sunday. It’s an annual tradition here called the Shepherd of Bethlehem. This one’s a little different. It’s a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story, as told by one of the shepherds who was keeping watch by night. It’s a one man dramatic performance, written and performed by Pastor Bill Welsh (whom you may remember from our journey through Acts). The drama is in two parts, about 30 minutes each, and it’s one of my favorite Christmas traditions. You’ll find that available beginning Sunday on the Find Plans page. You'll also find it along with the guides on Luke 1 and 2. It’s great for family - perfect for your Christmas drive, or around the Christmas fire, or your own Christmas time with the Lord. I hope you enjoy it.

Bill Welsh tells the story of Christmas in this outstanding audio drama.

And second Christmas news - we mailed out all of the Through the Word PopSockets for anyone who donated up through Wednesday. Hoping you’ll get those by Christmas. The offer is still on through New Year’s: every donor gets a cool PopSocket phone grip with our Through the Word logo on it. But we won’t be mailing any more until after New Year. And as before, the donation match is still on - dollar-for-dollar match, also through New Year’s day.  

That's all the news for today. On behalf of the TTW team - Merry Christmas!

 - Pastor Kris  = )

New: Start Here for New Believers

Hey TTW friends!
Pastor Kris here with some great news. We just launched a brand new 15-day plan called "Start Here | First Steps for New Believers." If you know anyone who is starting (or restarting) their walk with Jesus, or maybe just wants to check out the faith - this is the perfect plan to share with them. This one is only available on the YouVersion Bible App (not available on the TTW app yet), and it's as easy to share as a text message. Just send them the link below.



But even better than sending the link for them to follow on their own - you can follow the plan together. YouVersion has a special feature that allows you to follow a reading plan together with a friend, and share notes and thoughts together at the end of each day's reading. We included some simple questions to help you get a little discussion going. You can use it with a small group or new believer's class, or just follow it with a friend. It's the perfect tool to follow-up any time you share your faith with someone. And of course it's cost free and ad free - as always.

Get the Start Plan Here: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13502

And in even more exciting news, YouVersion is working now on translating the plan into more than 60 languages! This is crazy cool. We want this to be a simple and effective discipleship tool for missions and sharing faith in every part of the globe. (Try opening that link - then switch the language to Afrikaans - the first translation is already up!). We'll keep you posted as translations progress. For now, check out the English plan, consider who you might share it with, and please pray for us as we continue to reach the world - through the Word.

In Christ,
Pastor Kris

PS. If you're checking here to see if there's still time to get your TTW PopSocket and the donation match - the answer is yes. Now through January 1, every donor gets a TTW PopSocket by mail, and every donation gets matched dollar-for-dollar.  All donations that came in by Dec 16 should receive them by Christmas. For the rest, we'll do our best!

Donate at mogiv.com/ttw.

TTW PopSockets: Last Chance for Christmas!

Hey TTW! A quick reminder to let you know that you have just a couple days left to get your TTW PopSocket in time for Christmas. We're continuing the offer through New Year's, but if you want to make sure you get it in time for Christmas, please make your donation by Friday Dec 14. We'll send them out to you as soon as we can, and the rest depends on the postal service. Remember - please make sure that your mailing address is up to date on Mogiv (our donation sight). Details below!
 - Pastor Kris 

#1 We want to give you a TTW PopSocket!

Everyone who donates to TTW now through New Years gets a TTW PopSocket by mail. These awesome little stocking stuffers attach to the back of your phone for an easy grip and super-helpful stand. I love ‘em. And with our logo - it’s a great way to share TTW with friends! 

#2 Donation Match - Dollar for Dollar! 

A few generous donors have stepped up to match every donation now through New Year’s - dollar-for-dollar! How cool is that? Our donation-match goal is $40k - we’ll let you know when we reach it.

No More Dropping Your Phone!

What do I do? Just make a donation any time this month at mogiv.com/ttw, or mail a check to the address below, and we will mail you a PopSocket and match your donation. Please verify that your mailing address is correct and complete! Update or verify your address by clicking to update your “funding source” or “payment method” (yes, I told them that is confusing).

Where Do My Donations Go? We want you to know that your donation is effective. TTW recently received GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency (their highest award), and every $100 donated to TTW is directly traced to 35,000 minutes of Bible engagement. Not bad!

FAQ

• Checks by Mail: Through the Word, PO Box 303, Westminster CA 92684.
• Get it by Christmas? Donate by Dec 14 to be sure. We’ll do our best!
• What if we need two? Or more?! Email us at info@throughtheword.org to let us know if you want extras. Our total cost is about $10, so we do appreciate if your donation covers the extra cost. 
• Outside the USA? Yes, we’ll send them outside the US! Shipping costs us an extra $5, so please cover that in your donation if you can. The donation page does not have a place for country in your address - so please just include the country name after the postal code - in that same box (eg. "92684 Australia" all in one box).

New Audio Guides in Titus!

Hey TTW! Pastor Kris here with my favorite kind of news: we have new audio guides! 
The book of Titus is essential reading for every Christian in ministry - and anyone who desires to be found faithful with all that God has entrusted to them. I love this little book. So I invited one of my own mentors to sit down in the studio with me and walk through Titus one chapter at a time. You may remember Peyton Jones from the Leviticus guides. This time Peyton and I decided to cover the book together, and I hope you enjoy the results. The new reading plan is called "Entrusted" - and you can find it now by tapping the "Find Guides" button and scrolling down the Bible books to the book of Titus (towards the end).

Having a blast in the studio with Peyton Jones

I'm especially excited about this plan because it is the first in a series of new plans headed for release to you. There are a whole lot of details that go into running an app and a non-profit, and balancing may time is a never-ending challenge, but the audio guides are really the heart of our ministry. So I love getting back in the studio to record more. For me it's like I finally get to get back on the journey with all of you! So in the coming months, we're putting our focus back on recording new guides. We still gotta keep the lights on and the app running, but I'm in the studio this week working on Ephesians, and Peyton is finishing up a new plan through 1st John. So before I get back to that, I want to say thanks to all of you who give to make it possible for us to keep recording new guides and keep giving them away for free. Speaking of which...

Reminder: Our donation-match plan is continuing all this month. Every donation you make to TTW in December gets matched dollar-for-dollar by a fund from some generous donors.* So now's a great time to give - or sponsor a chapter! Plus every donor this month will get a TTW PopSocket to put on your phone. It's our way to say thanks - for believing in us!

Just click here to donate on our Mogiv Donate Page.

*Donation-match will continue through 1/1/19 or until $40,000 is raised, whichever happens first.  

For more about Peyton Jones and all his awesome training available for church planters - check out www.peytonjones.ninja

Does baldness make you a better Bible teacher? It doesn't hurt.