- LifeWay Christian Resources,

One of the world's largestproviders of faith content,

reports significant growth in Bible sales

beginning in April of last year,

a time when much of the worldbegan to experience shutdowns

due to COVID-19.

- It was a really great yearfor our Bibles Team last year.

- [Charlene] Lifeway ChiefExecutive Officer Ben Mandrell

says that's because theBible is where people look

for answers and guidanceduring hard times.

- It's no surprise whenpeople are in trouble,

when they feel anxiety,when they feel uncertain

about their lives, what do they do?

They start looking for hope.

They start looking for help.

And in a time where localchurches are struggling to gather,

people are more interested inreading the Bible right now

and having quality time with God alone.

And so they're reading scripture more.

- [Charlene] As a believer, Shelly McLeod

of Baker, Louisiana saysfear and uncertainty

surrounding the pandemic ledher to Scripture more often.

- Maybe a sense of fear coming up on me

and being motivated to get closer to God.

Reading his word justkinda gives you a piece

of the Holy spirit

- [Charlene] The promiseof help and protection

throughout Psalms 121 brought comfort

to Liesel Higgins of Waco, Texas.

- That has kept me throughthis entire pandemic.

I am not fearful.

I know it's around, but Ipray before I leave home.

I do not leave my doorswithout saying Psalm 121.

- [Charlene] While COVID restrictions

still keep many churchesclosed, it's not stopping people

from taking a digitalroute to worship together.

- There's an online Biblestudy option now at lifeway.com

where people can hop online

and do an online Biblestudy around a great study

by Priscilla Shirer or somebodywho's bringing a fresh word.

(bright, gentle music)

- [Mike] Hi, I'm Father Mike Schmitz,

and you're listening to "TheBible in a Year" podcast

where we encounter God'svoice and live life

through the lens of Scripture.

- [Charlene] Within 48 hoursof its New Year's Day launch,

subscriptions to a Catholic podcast

called "The Bible in a Year"exploded on Apple's chart.

Hosted by Father Mike Schmitz,

also known as YouTube's favorite priest,

listeners are encouraged to follow along

as the word of God is read aloud.

With more than 1.3 million downloads,

Schmitz says he'soverwhelmed by the response.

- There are not only abunch of powerful stories

in the Bible, but there'salso the story of the Bible.

And I think that is probably

what people are realizingthey need maybe more

than they have in the past.

- [Charlene] "That truth," says Schmitz,

"is prompting people from all walks

"of life and denominations

"to consider what'smost important in life."

- I think that there's something

that the last year has revealed

that we all should have always known

that we avoided, and it'sthat we live in a world

of uncertainty and we live ina world that is not secure.

And then, everything that hashappened in our world happens,

and people are like,"Wait, what do I hold on to

"that actually is permanent?

"What do I hold on tothat is actually eternal?"

- [Charlene] And one thingpeople want to hold on to

is fellowship of some kind.

- People are hungry for connection, too,

not just studying the Bible on their own.

Even if I can't get inmy Sunday school class

or my small group, how doI get online and connect

with people around spiritual things?

- [Charlene] A connection FatherSchmitz is helping to make

as he offers followersthe hope that never fades.

- The Lord, just he breathes into us

when we read a scripture, so my hope,

my hope is that at the end of this,

even actually during it,that people are realizing

I'm looking at the chaosin the world differently.

I'm looking at the chaosin my life differently.

I'm looking at God, notas this distant tyrant,

but as a father who knowsmy name and who loves me.

What I want is that hopeand a biblical worldview.

That's my prayer from all of this.

- [Charlene] Charlene Aaron, CBN News.