Mobile App & Digital Platform Development for Global Ministry
Case Study with Precept
Case Study Summary
Precept partnered with SOLTECH to develop Yarrow, a mobile application designed to introduce a new generation to its religious educational content. SOLTECH built the application using React Native and Node.js, integrated Contentful for content management, and developed interactive features to support engagement with Bible passages. The app launched in November, establishing a flexible technical foundation for Precept’s evolving digital product strategy.
“SOLTECH understands our goals and where we want to move forward with the product.”
— Mark Adams, CTO, Precept
Key Results
- Developed and launched the Yarrow mobile application in November
- Built an extensible technology foundation using React Native and Node.js
- Integrated Contentful to support flexible content management
- Structured Bible content into a database accessible through the application
- Implemented gamification features for interacting with highlighted Bible passages
- Adapted application development to evolving brand, user, and business requirements
Client: Precept
Precept is a ministry with more than 52 years of history, operating in 190 countries and offering content in 90 languages. Through its Yarrow brand, the organization sought to expand its digital presence and introduce its religious educational content to a new generation.
Business Goals: Next-Generation Digital Engagement
Precept wanted to create a mobile experience that would help a new generation engage with its religious educational content. The application would become part of the emerging Yarrow brand, alongside its website, social media presence, and printed books.
A central objective was to establish an extensible technology foundation that could support mobile development for iOS and Android while accommodating future product needs. Precept also wanted the experience to reflect its audience’s preferences and support more personal interaction with its content.
Creating the Yarrow app—a transformative platform facilitating immersive religious experiences.
Business Challenge: Evolving Product Requirements
Developing the Yarrow application presented a challenge because the product and the broader brand were being created at the same time. As Precept refined Yarrow’s positioning and better understood its intended audience, the application’s features and business model needed to evolve.
This required a development approach that could accommodate changing requirements without losing sight of the overall product vision. The technology also needed to be flexible enough to support future enhancements as Precept continued developing its digital offerings.
Throughout the engagement, close communication between Precept and SOLTECH was important to keeping the application’s development aligned with the organization’s goals.
“Every one of their team members practices active listening, which is a lost art. Active listening is crucial to understanding and empathizing with what we’re trying to do as a business. SOLTECH understands our goals and where we want to move forward with the product.” – Mark Adams, CTO, Precept
Solution: Extensible Mobile Development
SOLTECH worked closely with Precept to design and develop the Yarrow mobile application and its supporting technology architecture. The project combined mobile development, content management, and interactive features within a technology stack intended to accommodate future product development.
Building a Flexible Technology Foundation
SOLTECH evaluated the project’s requirements and data needs before developing the application’s architecture. The team used React Native and Node.js to establish a standardized, extensible technology stack for the mobile experience.
This approach provided a foundation that could support Yarrow’s evolving functionality and future product development needs.
Creating a Manageable Content Experience
To support Precept’s content requirements, SOLTECH integrated Contentful, giving the organization a way to manage content used within the application.
The team also structured Bible content into a database that could be accessed through Yarrow, supporting the application’s religious educational experience.
Developing Interactive Features
SOLTECH implemented gamification functionality that allows users to interact with highlighted Bible passages. These features were designed to create a more interactive experience and distinguish Yarrow’s approach to presenting religious content.
As the brand and product requirements evolved, SOLTECH worked with Precept to adjust the application in response to changing priorities.
Impact: Successful Mobile Launch
The Yarrow application launched in November, giving Precept a new digital channel for delivering its religious educational content. The release marked an important step in the organization’s efforts to develop the Yarrow brand and reach a new generation through mobile technology.
Beyond the initial launch, the application established a flexible technical foundation for continued product development. Its content management capabilities and interactive features provide a starting point for adapting the experience as Precept’s audience needs and digital strategy evolve.
The partnership also demonstrated the value of an adaptable development process. SOLTECH’s responsiveness, communication, and project management approach were positively received by Precept’s senior leadership and board of directors.
