So here’s the deal, about a month ago, on July 4th, New Hope Christian Fellowship, a large Foursquare Church in Hawaii, launched the first iPhone church services. DJ Chuang did a great job of covering the story at Digital (Leadership Network’s “tech for laypeople” blog). The last time I was at New Hope I blogged it here.
Here’s what the press release, looked like – Hawaii Church Becomes First to Stream Live Video to iPhone:
Less than two weeks after the release of Apple’s iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3.0 update, Honolulu-based New Hope Christian Fellowship (http://www.enewhope.org) has announced that it will begin streaming its weekend worship services live to iPhone and iPod touch users.
Live streaming to the iPhone was one of the most requested features from church attendees, and is now possible with the inclusion of HTTP live streaming in Apple’s iPhone 3.0 software. New Hope’s addition of live streaming to the iPhone is significant in that it is the first non-profit organization to offer this type of service. “Typically, churches are years behind other organizations when it comes to technology and innovation. We have tried to reverse that trend and pioneer new ways to spread the Gospel using the most current tools available,” explains New Hope’s Technology and Innovations Director, Michael Sharpe. “We don’t mind the long hours and stress that comes with innovating because we know that if we can come up with something useful, it can be used by other churches around the world.”
Leveraging standards-based HTTP streaming technology, New Hope will deliver high quality video over either a Wi-Fi connection or other carrier network, providing for a truly portable experience.
After successfully testing the service this past weekend with hundreds of users, the church is now planning to offer the live streaming video of its services to all iPhone and iPod Touch users starting July 4th.
The church currently streams all five weekend services live on its website for computer users and created the streaming for the iPhone as a free service for those who may not have access to a computer.
“We are always looking for ways that we can leverage technology to reach people where they are at,” said New Hope’s Interactive Developer Peter Thourson, “through live streaming video on iPhone and iPod touch, users across the globe will be able to continue to attend church regardless of where they are.”
New Hope Christian Fellowship on Oahu is one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation according to “Outreach Magazine,” with over 12,000 people in regular attendance at 6 locations. “Outreach Magazine” also named New Hope as one of the most influential and innovative churches in the United States. New Hope also has an internet campus with streaming video and an interactive online community.
But here’s the important thing, on that same weekend Northland Church, (home-based in Longwood, Florida) also launched. Additionally, LifeChurch.tv has an iPhone mobile option… and there’s more……. so all this week, I’m celebrating iPhone church services. Tomorrow, I’ll post an interview with Peter Thourson, New Hope’s Interactive Developer. In the meantime here’s a list with the first 3 innovators of iPhone services.
Can you give me the names of more?
You can see our services of Newsong Church on the iPhone: http://iphone.episodic.com/newsong#___1__
Thanks for the list!
Tony
http://irvine.newsong.net/
Tony – thanks for making it official. That’s a crazy confirmation between us this morning, too, huh?
You can find worship from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (www.cor.org) at http://live.cor.org and for the iPhone at http://live.cor.org/iphone
we have it working in prototype with all free stuff. Kind of a duct tape and bailing wire solution. We have also used trial version of Wowza to get it working. This is cost prohibitive for the average church. Anyone want to talk tech on how to get this done without breaking the bank or reverting to ustream? Dang I wish livestream had an app for that!!!
And this past weekend, Flamingo Road Church is now streaming its online services via iPhone — http://frclive.tv/iphone
Yep, DJ is on it! Us peeps over at Flamingo Road Church just finished launching this past weekend, our LIVE streaming services on the iPhone (watch it in landscape or portrait)! The link indeed is: http://frclive.tv/iPhone , and we have already gotten positive feedback from some of the people who watch us online and now get to watch us on the iPhone! We’re excited about the possibilities this provides for us, and we are NOWHERE near done with mobile internet campus development ideas!
Hey Dave Anderson,
Just an update for the comments section- Livestream has now turned on iphone.livestream.com (using Wowza 2 Advanced).
Also, if you don’t mind doing your own server admin work, you can use EC2 (with Wowza 2 Advanced) to stream live to both iPhone and Flash. With EC2, it’s not turnkey, but the price is directly related to your audience size and bitrate (if you turn off your virtual server instance after church is over). You would need an video encoder solution with H.264 video & AAC audio support to reach the iPhone. Specs, tip sheets, and sample price calculations are posted in our forums. We also have a new guide with tips on using the ElasticFox browser plugin to manage your EC2 setup.
John [at] WowzaMedia {dot com}