When the team behind Little Books of the Diocese of Saginaw came to us looking to update their mobile application, we knew this was about more than just a technical upgrade. This was about transforming how people engage with daily devotional content in our increasingly digital world.

The Challenge

Little Books had an existing app, but they needed something more robust and easier to manage. Their seasonal devotionals for Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas had a dedicated following, but the previous app wasn't delivering the seamless experience their users deserved. They needed a solution that would:

• Work flawlessly across both iOS and Android devices
• Allow their team to easily update content without technical expertise
• Deliver their "6-minute daily reflection" concept in a more engaging digital format
• Support audio versions of devotionals for accessibility
• Create a sustainable platform that could grow with their ministry

Making it Happen

We started by understanding what makes Little Books special – their ability to help readers establish a daily prayer practice in just 6 minutes. The digital experience needed to honor this simplicity while enhancing it with the advantages technology can bring.

Craft CMS became the foundation of our solution. By building a robust content management system on the backend, we empowered the Little Books team to easily update and manage their seasonal devotionals without needing to understand code or app development. This meant new content could be pushed to users instantly without requiring app updates through the App Store or Google Play.

The Good Stuff

• A clean, distraction-free reading experience that keeps the focus on spiritual reflection
• Audio playback option for users who prefer to listen rather than read
• Seamless synchronization of seasonal content across devices
• Offline access to devotionals, perfect for prayer time without internet connectivity
• Simple navigation designed for users of all ages and technical abilities
• Craft CMS backend that makes content updates simple and immediate

Under the Hood

The technical architecture we developed connects a powerful Craft CMS backend with native mobile apps for both iOS and Android platforms. This hybrid approach gives users the performance of a native app with the content flexibility of a web-based system.

We implemented a custom API that allows the apps to sync content efficiently, minimizing data usage while ensuring users always have access to the latest devotionals. The system also intelligently manages which seasonal books are available based on the liturgical calendar.

The Result

The updated Little Books app has transformed how users engage with these beloved devotionals. What started as seasonal printed booklets has evolved into a digital companion for daily prayer that meets people where they are – on their mobile devices.

Since launch, the app has seen significant growth in both downloads and daily active users. The Diocese of Saginaw team now has a sustainable platform that can continue to serve their ministry for years to come, with the technical flexibility to add new features as their needs evolve.

Most importantly, the app stays true to the core mission of Little Books: helping people spend some quiet time with the Lord, about 6 minutes a day, even in our busy digital world.

Want to see it in action? Download the Little Books app on iOS or Android.