Christian Retailing

Family Christian launches 'iTunes of Christian content' Print Email
Written by Jeremy Burns   
Wednesday, 09 October 2013 03:38 PM America/New_York

iDisciple-webFamily Christian Ministries (FCM) announced a new digital platform, iDisciple, at Catalyst Atlanta last week. Billed as a one-stop shop for sermons, devotionals and other digital content, iDisciple aims to be “the iTunes of Christian content” according to FCM—the nonprofit parent of Family Christian Stores.

The subscription-based app will be available on mobile devices, tablets and PCs, and will offer a variety of content in text, audio and video formats. Daily devotionals, sermons and podcasts from Christian leaders and pastors, e-books and several translations of the Bible will be available through the app.

A free trial version will be available, which will include a Bible, select sermons and other content, but the full subscription—which will include personalized recommendations and access to more than 40,000 pieces of content—will cost $4.99 monthly. Premium channels will also be available at an additional monthly fee, while a la carte content will be offered as well.

The app is a large part of FCM’s long-term plans for high-scale charitable giving, as company projections expect iDisciple’s digital distribution channel to account for at least $80 million of FCM’s annual cash flow. Together with Family Christian Stores’ $20 million annual cash flow, $100 million is projected to be donated annually to Christian ministries.

In keeping with Family’s new nonprofit model, iDisciple will offer a “My Giving Account” feature, from which subscribers can contribute funds to Christian charities of their choice. If users recommend the app, they will receive 20% of their friend’s subscription fee in their giving account.

For more information, visit www.iDiscipleApp.com.