From Pages to Pixels - The iBible's Global Impact with Steve Cleary and Revelation Media

Introduction

The realm of digital media is rapidly evolving, and for many, it's become a powerful conduit for sharing pivotal narratives like the stories of the Bible. In a fascinating conversation with Steve Cleary, founder of Revelation Media and creator of the iBible, we uncover the journey behind this innovative project that's altering how people worldwide engage with scripture. Known for its groundbreaking visual representation, iBible aims to deliver the Bible's full narrative from Genesis to Revelation, tailored to the digital age's unique demand.

The Genesis of a Vision

Steve Cleary's journey with iBible began unexpectedly with a dream while planning retirement in Costa Rica. Balancing a successful media career, Steve was startled by this new vision—a calling to craft a visual interpretation of the Bible. Despite initial hesitation about the scope and possibility of such a mission, Steve embraced this challenge after finding inspiration in an article on the importance of sharing the Bible as one unified story from Genesis to Revelation. Over time, this dream transformed into a passionate pursuit, utilizing his prior experience in media to bring this vision to life.

Building the iBible Experience

While traditional translations maintain their significance, iBible uniquely focuses on visual storytelling, enabling scripture to reach the global digital audience effectively. Cleary's team realized early on that the script was crucial for authenticity and credibility. A collaborative spirit led them to SIL, a sister organization to Wycliffe, which helped authenticate their scripts. The effort to create a visual Bible that respected and accurately portrayed the scripture was paramount, and through dedication, efforts have yielded promising results, including endorsement from top biblical translation consultants.

Engaging the Digital Age

In launching the iBible app, Steve's primary aim is to meet people where they are—on their phones. The distribution strategy has embraced social media's expansive reach, leveraging platforms like YouTube where initial episodes recorded millions of views, revealing a global hunger for this visual Bible format. This confirmed the potential impact of digitally accessible faith-based content, translating into thousands of testimonies and declarations of newfound faith through this medium.

Challenges and Opportunities

Cleary's venture hasn't been without its challenges, particularly discerning which biblical stories to present and how to engage audiences authentically. Not shying away from difficult narratives, like the story of Dinah, reflects a commitment to transparency and embracing the Bible's complexity in its entirety—a feature widely appreciated by educators and faith leaders for sparking engaging and meaningful conversations.

A Missional Life Perspective

Throughout the discussion, a key theme emerged: the balance of obedience and innovation. By sharing the iBible, Cleary aims to inspire the church and individuals to rethink the presentation of scripture—not just in Western contexts but globally. Using social media as a tool, Revelation Media is leading a movement to harness its power for gospel distribution, envisioning an interconnected world where faith and technology unify to form a new heart language for the next generation.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, the goal for iBible stretches beyond completing the series by 2033. It's about inspiring a broader movement that redefines Bible engagement in the digital era by creating authentic connections through relatable and accessible content. By sharing this innovative outreach tool, Steve Cleary and his team invite collaboration, viewing iBible not only as a project but as a spark for a larger revolution in how the world experiences and interacts with God's word.

Conclusion

The iBible project stands as a testament to faith-infused innovation, emphasizing that when traditional gospel messages meet modern digital platforms, astonishing global outreach is possible. This narrative serves both as an invitation and a challenge to all believers to embrace new methods of storytelling—ensuring the timeless messages of the Bible reach every corner of the globe with clarity and sincerity. Visit i.bible today to explore how you can be part of this transformation.

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