How iBible is Transforming Global Evangelism Through Animated Biblical Stories
The digital age has ushered in a transformative era for world missions, enabling faith-based organizations to reach audiences far beyond what was once imaginable. Steve Cleary, CEO of iBible, is at the forefront of this movement. In a recent interview with Thrive News, Cleary shared insights into the revolutionary work of iBible, the global impact of their digital media projects, and a special Christmas initiative that highlights the power of storytelling in spreading the Gospel.
The iBible Vision: Animation Meets Evangelism
Cleary began by explaining the core mission of iBible: to create an animated representation of the entire biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. This ambitious project includes over 300 episodes, with 44 already completed and Genesis fully released.
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“We’re not just animating stories,” Cleary explained. “We’re bringing the whole Gospel to life.”
iBible’s reach has been extraordinary. Through their nine-minute evangelistic feature, The Real Story of Jesus, over 4 million people have visited their website, and more than 300,000 individuals across nearly every country in the world have reported praying for salvation.
“This isn’t just media for entertainment,” Cleary emphasized. “It’s about changing lives and reaching hearts for Christ.”
The Real Story of Christmas: Beyond the Manger
Building on the success of The Real Story of Jesus, Cleary and his team developed a special Christmas episode titled The Real Story of Christmas. While many Christmas stories conclude with the nativity scene, Cleary’s team took a broader approach.
“We realized the Christmas story doesn’t end with the birth of Christ. It culminates in His resurrection,” Cleary noted. “Without the resurrection, there’s no salvation story.”
The episode combines footage from iBible’s New Testament productions, which utilize cutting-edge 3D animation technology. While the episode primarily circulated in the U.S., it reached 60,000 viewers, with several hundred making decisions for Christ. Cleary described seeing children glued to the screen during community showings as particularly rewarding.
A Lifelong Journey in Missions
Cleary’s passion for missions has deep roots. Having worked with Voice of the Martyrs and traveled extensively to areas where Christians face persecution, he’s no stranger to the challenges of global evangelism. Initially a behind-the-scenes contributor to various projects, Cleary never envisioned leading a mission.
“I grew up with a severe speech impediment,” he shared candidly. “The last place I wanted to be was in front of people.”
However, his work on The Pilgrim’s Progress, an animated adaptation of the Christian classic, became a turning point. After its release, the film was translated into 30 languages and viewed by over 40 million people worldwide. Despite his initial hesitations, Cleary found himself stepping into the spotlight for interviews and presentations, witnessing what he described as a miraculous improvement in his ability to speak.
A Dream That Changed Everything
Cleary’s vision for iBible began with a dream—a literal one. Though he describes himself as non-charismatic, Cleary recounted a vivid dream in which God revealed a new project: an animation that would “change world missions, turn my life upside down, and be bigger than anything I had done before.”
“If I had known what it entailed, I might have run like Jonah,” Cleary admitted. But instead, he embraced the challenge, founding iBible as part of Revelation Media and committing to creating a visual presentation of the entire Bible.
Transforming Missions Through Media
Cleary’s story is a testament to the power of digital media in modern missions. By combining advanced technology with a deep commitment to the Gospel, iBible is breaking barriers and reaching the unreached in unprecedented ways. From animation to global distribution, Cleary and his team exemplify what it means to be media missionaries in the digital age.
“We’re not just making content for the sake of it,” Cleary said. “We’re creating tools for missionaries, resources for churches, and stories that can cross borders and languages to bring people to Christ.”
As iBible continues its mission, it’s clear that the growing use of digital media is not only reshaping how the Gospel is shared but also redefining the possibilities for world missions in the 21st century.
