Personal Renewal and Devotional Apps

As one of our five FAITH goals, we want to interconnect our growing fellowship through new technologies. Stepping up to help fulfill this task are Saddleback’s IT and web teams who are preparing to release new online tools, websites, and apps for personal renewal and DriveTime Devotions.

To coincide with our goals for 2017, our skillful tech team has been busy developing an app for personal renewal that will offer daily devotionals for adults, students, and young children. App users will be able to enter their age group to engage in the content best suited for their demographic. They will also have online access to the 6-8 hour personal renewal retreat.

According to Web Director Ryan Carson, “The purpose of the app is to keep people engaged in personal renewal. We’re planning the official release to be just before the holidays.”

Additionally, Saddleback’s Worship Team has been preparing specialized playlists of music to lead the user into those intimate moments with God.

Other exciting developments toward reaching our Daring Faith “I” goal include the rebranded and revised DriveTime Devotions app and website. As Saddleback’s second app to be developed entirely in-house, the app has gained tremendous traction since it was released on November 8. Numbers are increasing daily as members become aware of the new features. As of mid-November, there was a 219% increase in web traffic and 2,200 app installs.

Before the rebrand, the DriveTime Devotions website was only way to access content. “We redesigned the website for a better user experience,” explains Ryan. “The app itself allows you to download content for offline use and listen without a connection. For a customized experience, you can also create a personalized devotional playlist, and study the way you want to.”

Although very much in the alpha state, the web team also plans to relaunch the website for Saddleback’s online campus. Scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2017, it will offer a new user experience and will allow viewers to engage in the live weekend messages. Additionally, users will be able to select topics that are relevant based on their personal preferences. Ultimately, the platform will function more like Hulu or Netflix with customization of selected content. To learn more about our growing online community, read our recent Daring Faith update about our Regional Online Meet-Ups.

It’s because of your commitment to Daring Faith that we’re able to interconnect our growing fellowship through new technologies. For all our Daring Faith news and updates, visit www.saddleback.com/daringfaith.