New York Times best-selling author Lysa TerKeurst, along with Proverbs 31 Ministries, released a new mobile app July 20. Called First 5 (first5.org), the app was received with great enthusiasm, seeing more than 100,000 users download it in the first 48 hours of release.

The app moved to No. 57 of all free apps and No. 2 in lifestyle apps in the Apple App Store. It was in the “trending searches” list in the store the day after release, and download numbers continue to grow rapidly. As of today, the app has been downloaded 225,000 times.

“This is one of the fastest-growing apps I’ve ever been a part of,” said Josh Hotsenpiller of CrowdHub, the app development company that worked with TerKeurst and her ministry to develop First 5. “It’s been a massive explosion; 100,000 downloads in two days is incredible and rare.”

The free app offers an opportunity for women to read New International Version scripture and reflect on spiritual insights during their first five minutes of the day.

“I’m so excited for the release of this new app,“ TerKeurst said. “At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we truly believe it’s the result of a God-given vision to give women easy access to the Word during the first five minutes of their day. I’ve seen my friends and daughters really want to give God their first and their best, but the frantic online world makes that hard.

“In a society where our tendency is to immediately dive into our phones the minute we wake up, my hope is to equip women with a phone app to find the Lord and draw near to Him, first thing,” she added.

TerKeurst’s vision for the app began as she observed the way her college-age daughter Ashley’s life was transformed through a Bible study challenge centered on giving God her first thoughts each day. Ashley’s life became visibly different—and her faith markedly deeper—through this consistent and early-morning time with God.

“My burden as a mom turned into a vision,” TerKeurst said. “What if we could intersect the first five minutes of each day and really give our first thoughts to the Lord? I’ve seen it radically change lives.”

Each weekday, the app will feature scripture verses and a short devotion. The curriculum will focus on one book of the Bible at a time, starting with John and rotating between Old and New Testament books. If users stick with the First 5 app for three years, they will have studied the entire Bible.

On weekends, the app includes a “Weekend Wrap-Up” video that further expounds on that week’s learning.

A special feature called “More Moments” offers women an opportunity to go deeper into each day’s teaching beyond the first 5 minutes. Another feature called “My Moments” gives each user a place to record her own reflections privately, becoming a personal digital journal. There’s also an alarm clock built into the app.

A paperback Experience Guide will be available for purchase to accompany the study of each book of the Bible.

“Stats show that people spend an average of three hours a day on their phones. That’s crazy!” said TerKeurst. “My heart is to continue to lead women toward Jesus while also acknowledging the new ways that they’re consuming information. I want to equip them to find Christ even along those platforms.”

• Prev
• Next