Cleveland, TN–The long anticipated start of the READ Bible reading initiative has now been launched and more than 100,000 people around the globe have committed together to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in 2013.
As a symbolic start to the initiative, Church of God General Overseer Dr. Mark Williams and his family kicked off a Bible reading marathon at the Church of God International Offices yesterday morning at 6:00 am Eastern Standard Time (EST). Shifts will run consistently throughout this week and be broadcast via live stream on the Church of God website, www.churchofgod.org [1]. Times of the reading will take place between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm EST through the weekend or until everyone who has signed up to read completes his/her shift. The groups reading from the studios of the Leadership and Communications Center consist of local churches, volunteers, International Offices employees and other groups. Director of Youth and Discipleship Gary Lewis has coordinated a group of young people to fill the day with scripture reading on Saturday, January 6.
For anyone who desires to participate in the yearlong READ initiative and has yet to sign up, it is not too late. Complete information is available at www.churchofgod.org [1]. The program is free and daily scripture readings will be emailed to every participant. The program includes materials through a partnership with Tyndale House. The daily readings are broken down into three separate scripture sections, including chronologically, the New Testament, and Psalms and Proverbs. When combined, the readings will take the reader through the Bible in 365 days.
As of January 2, 2013, 107,680 persons had signed up to participate. READ stands for Reflect, Engage, Apply and Disciple and serves as a four-word guideline for fully experiencing the scriptures.