Thomas Nelson parent buys Bible study app maker

HarperCollins Christian Publishing said Monday it has acquired a developer of a Bible study applications and host of a Christian products e-commerce store.

Executives with HarperCollins, the parent company of the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing brands, say the purchase of Olive Tree fits with their strategy of pushing more content into the digital realm. The software developed by Olive Tree, which is based in Spokane, Wash., is accessible via desktops, tablets and mobile devices and on all major platforms and has been used by more than 4 million people. Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.