BONUS: Fr. Mike Reflects on 5 Years of The Bible in a Year

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Date: December 31, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this special bonus episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on five years of The Bible in a Year podcast. He shares powerful stories of transformation from around the world, expresses gratitude for the team and listeners, and invites both new and returning participants to "press play" for another year. Fr. Mike also announces special bonus commentary available in the Ascension app for the upcoming journey through Scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unimaginable Reach and Impact of the Podcast

• Fr. Mike highlights his initial surprise at the podcast's global impact:
  • “When we launched the Bible in a Year, back in 2021, none of us...had any idea what God was going to do with it.” (00:21)
• Over five years, the podcast has reached listeners in more than 150 countries.
• He shares that it remains the number one religious podcast in the world and has even reached #1 overall in the US Podcast charts at times, especially at the start of each year.

2. Stories of Personal and Global Transformation

• Fr. Mike relates moving testimonies:
  • A Muslim woman coming to Christ after hearing Scripture on an iPod, paralleling actual listener stories.
  • “We've got messages from people who were raised Muslim, who have now professed faith in Jesus…in countries where, if they publicly become Christian, their lives are forfeit. But they’ve listened to the Bible in a Year and have come to that place.” (01:04)
  • A man in a country where Christianity is illegal using VPNs to access the podcast: “He said, use a number of VPNs to get around all these things to be able to listen to the word of God.” (02:05)
• The podcast’s reach spans from children as young as 8 to listeners as old as 99; entire families and individuals from all walks of life are engaging with Scripture daily.

3. Transformations Close to Home

• Personal anecdotes reveal the podcast’s impact on Fr. Mike’s family:
  • “My mom and dad both listened to the Bible in a Year and they finished the whole thing…they were listening to the Bible in a Year together. And I just think, oh my gosh, the people who taught me how to read, I got to read God’s word to them.” (03:25)
  • Stories of siblings and even his bishop listening, with playful anxiety: “At one point he said, ‘Father Mike, have been listening.’ And I thought, oh my goodness, I hope I’m not making mistakes.” (05:00)
• Prisoners writing about the hope they find in Scripture—“There are people in prison who say that Scripture has given them hope again.” (05:18)

4. The Podcast as an Act of Service and Divine Work

• Fr. Mike emphasizes humility and gratitude:
  • “This is God’s work, right? I mean, all of this, I got to be the narrator. And so thank you Lord for this. But this is God’s work.” (05:29)
• The immense collaboration behind the scenes:
  • “To create one episode, the podcast has to go through like 19 different stations…So many people have worked on social media and letters. The Holy Spirit has been moving in ways I could never, no one could script.” (05:50)

5. An Invitation to “Press Play” Again

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to repeat the journey:
  • “Some people get done with the Bible in a Year and they think, what’s next? I say do it again. Honestly, I’m doing it. Literally, I am doing it. Because it is one of those things where God’s word is inexhaustible. There’s always more.” (06:48)
  • “Day 366, day 367. Because God’s word is never old. It is always new. It is always powerful. It is always living and effective.” (07:13)

6. Special Anniversary Additions

• Announcement of exclusive bonus commentary for Days 1-5 available on the Ascension app:
  • “As we hit this five year milestone, we wanted to do something a little special after each episode in the early world time period...offering bonus exclusive bonus commentary available only in the Ascension app.” (08:05)
• New features in the app include question prompts for deeper reflection as readings progress.

7. A Note of Gratitude and Prayer

• An expression of hope and intercessory prayer for listeners:
  • “God’s word is alive, and he has something for you this year. I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike, and I cannot wait to begin this journey with you tomorrow.” (09:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God’s word has transformed their heart, has transformed their minds in such an incredible way that they’re like, no, I believe Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is God.” (01:30)
• “The people who taught me how to read, I got to read God’s word to them.” (03:38)
• “This is the reality: this could be year one for you. This could be year one for a thousand, a million more people this year.” (06:23)
• “God’s word is inexhaustible. There’s always more…” (06:56)
• On the value and vibrancy of repetition: “Day 366, day 367. Because God’s word is never old. It is always new. It is always powerful. It is always living and effective.” (07:13)
• “We’re just…just shy of 1 billion downloads. Press play today.” (10:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 02:30: Global reach and initial impact of the podcast
• 02:30 – 05:18: Transformative stories—from persecuted countries to family testimonies
• 05:18 – 06:48: Gratitude for the broader team and recognition that this is “God’s work”
• 06:48 – 08:05: Encouragement to repeat the journey; the unending richness of Scripture
• 08:05 – 09:00: Announcement of special 5-year anniversary bonus content in the Ascension app
• 09:00 – End: Closing words, prayerful encouragement, and milestone celebration

Closing Thoughts

Fr. Mike’s fifth anniversary reflection is a heartfelt blend of awe, gratitude, and pastoral encouragement. He lifts up stories from every corner of the globe—from hidden believers to family members to the anonymous masses—reminding all listeners of the living power of God’s word and the simple call to “press play” again. The tone is personal, warm, humble, and rooted in joyful faith—inviting everyone, whether a first-timer or a veteran, to encounter the inexhaustible richness of Scripture anew.