JOHN JESSUP/CBN 01-01-2026 As a mom and an ordained minister, Lauren Jones wanted her children, Kent and Lacey, to share her love for the Bible. As an early adopter of the YouVersion Bible App for Kids, she had no clue it would serve as the key to unlock her young son's ability to communicate. Life's Downward Spiral Lauren sensed her firstborn child, Kent, was struggling — missing early developmental milestones. "When we were at church, he would have breakdowns where he would scream-cry because of the noise," Jones told CBN News at her home on the outskirts of Baltimore. "As he started gaining more words, he was very repetitive." Kent was diagnosed with autism and as nonverbal. "I didn't know if he would ever speak. I didn't know if he would be potty trained or be able to live on his own as he grew older," she explained. As Lauren navigated the diagnosis, tragedy struck again. At seven months pregnant — with her second child, Lacey — her husband, Gabriel, died after suffering a fatal seizure. He was 28 years old, and Lauren suddenly was left to raise their two children on her own. "I was very afraid when they were babies and toddlers," she said. "I didn't know what their lives would look like as they grew up." Lauren leaned on her faith for hope, often drawing solace and inspiration from the Bible. "Right after my husband died, I started receiving the emails from YouVersion advertising the Bible App for Kids, and I just loved it," she recalled. "I thought that it would be a great way for me to introduce my faith to my children." It worked. Lauren described how it engaged both of her young children with the colorful graphics and interactive storytelling. However, she wasn't prepared for what happened next. Modern Day Miracle Kent started reciting those Bible stories, his own words mimicking the intonation of the narration and characters in the app. Lauren captured the dramatic moment on her iPhone. "I was so excited to hear his voice," she explained. "I would send the videos of him reciting the story [of Daniel in the lion's den] to my mom [and] to my siblings. It just made me so excited." Now an early teenager, Kent speaks clearly, earns good grades, and plays the trumpet in his school band. He also drums for fun. "I'm very glad I'm able to talk," he told CBN News. "It's a super, super duper necessary skill." Kent's journey caught the attention of the YouVersion team, creators of the Bible App. Last November, his story was prominently featured in a nearly 6-minute video to mark one billion downloads across YouVersion's multiple products since its initial launch in 2008. The sold-out crowd gave Kent a standing ovation when he and his mother walked across the stage at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. With 13,000 people in the arena, Kent answered questions about his favorite Bible verse (1 Samuel 16:7) and offered a prayer of gratitude. "Thank you for letting the Bible app make a huge difference in my life and in the lives of countless people around the world," he said. One in a Billion . . . and Counting Stories like Kent's animate the mission of YouVersion founder Bobby Gruenewald. "Our vision is God's Word. Everyone. Everywhere. Every day," Gruenewald said. "With three 'every's' in the vision statement, we're pretty much not done — ever." Before developing the Bible App, Gruenewald saw himself as a "below-average" Bible reader. "I wanted it to be more a part of my everyday life," he explained. "I thought maybe technology could help me. I thought maybe it could be a tool that could help me build consistency." That personal goal has multiplied exponentially. The weekend it launched, the Bible App debuted to 83,000 downloads. Thirteen years later in 2021, it hit half a billion installs and gained another 500,000 by 2023. Gruenewald believes that rapid growth could put the next billion within reach possibly in the next five years. "I can imagine two and three billion," he said. "We serve a God that's not limited by our imagination." ... See One In A Billion - Pg 13 12 GLAD TIDINGS FEBRUARY 2026 Divine Destiny November 29, 2025 In the Bible, there are thousands of Scriptures about destiny and the call of God on a person's life. Your destiny and purpose are so unique to this earth, and there is so much God has in store for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (NIV). Never in that Scripture does it say that the plans God has for you are of harm, sickness, or lack. Stop coming into agreement with things that the Word of God did not say is your portion. The word from the Lord is divine destiny! A Calling Only You Can Fulfill There is a calling attached to each person's life that only they can fulfill, and it isn't just mediocre; it's divine. The meaning of the word "divine" is "of God," "from God," or "Godlike" (Merriam-Webster). For us, this means that to achieve our highest potential we have to have God.We need His wisdom, guidance, and the Holy Spirit to complete—down to the last detail—exactly what God designed for us. The gifts that God has placed inside of you aren't just there for you to have, but they are the tools God gave you to further advance the Kingdom of God. Whether you have the grace to be a teacher, doctor, pastor, or construction worker, you were brought to this earth with those gifts because there is a Kingdom purpose attached to them. 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (NIV). This verse says it all: Use the gifts you have to serve others, not yourself. Empowered for the Great Commission Every person's destiny should have souls attached to it. This means that in whatever field you find yourself in, make it your mission field. Our role as Kingdom citizens is to lead people to the saving power of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is the assignment for every Believer. Mark 16:15 says, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation'" (NIV). God Predestined You for Greatness! You were born with a purpose and on purpose. In fact, before you were even born, every day was already recorded by God. Psalm 139:16 says, "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book" (NLT). Never for one minute doubt your calling or your value, because God already predestined you for greatness! You will never find true fulfillment in anything except exactly what God has called you to do. If you are unsure what your calling is, seek the Lord about it. Ask Him to reveal to you what His plans are for you, and He will. Here is a spoiler—His plans for you include these things: joy, peace, hope, love, and more adventure than you could ever imagine. Following Jesus is the opposite of boring; it is full of abundant joy and excitement! Over these final days of 2025, be intentional about your destiny and calling. Pray and seek the Lord about ways that you can advance the Kingdom of God with your gifts, talents, and abilities. This last month of the year will be the best of your life if you can lock in with God and constantly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Permission Granted/Elijah List Joe Joe Dawson Joe Joe Dawson Ministries Email: JoeJoeDawson@hotmail.com Website: www.joejoedawson.net One in a Billion: Bible App Helps Boy with Autism Find His Voice
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