April 19, 2024
COCHRAN — An effort to read the Bible across the state in a 45-minute span will take place Sunday, July 14, and Georgia Baptists are invited to be a part of it.
Sponsored by the International Bible Reading Association, the event will be the first of its kind in Georgia. Taking advantage of July 14 falling on a Sunday, state organizer Jerri Tuck points to the 7/14 date and theme verse of 2 Chronicles 7:14, emphasizing a need for Christians everywhere to pray for America.
“Participants get to be a part of the statewide reading of the word of God,” she said, “declaring Jesus is Lord. We’re imploring God to heal our land.”
For years Georgia counties have joined others around the nation with Bible reading marathons that last for days and lead up to the National Day of Prayer on May 1. Similar in that goal, the Marathon July 14 will begin at 7:14 a.m. with various counties assigned a section of Scripture. It’s anticipated each passage will take around 45 minutes. So, by 8 a.m. the Bible would have been read in its entirety throughout the state.
As head of the Cochran-Bleckley Ministerial Alliance, Jeff Dykes has witnessed Tuck’s enthusiasm and dedication in coordinating the area’s National Day of Prayer Bible reading marathon for the last 16 years. Dykes, associate pastor of First Baptist in Cochran, said the church will take part in the July 14 marathon as well.
“We were excited to hear about it. We want to point people to the glory of God, exalting Him and His word,” he noted. “It’s a big undertaking. Jerri’s been working hard to put it together.”
Tuck, a member of Empire Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cochran, pointed out other Georgia Baptist churches active in the Ministerial Alliance, including Ruth Baptist, Salem Baptist, Bethany Baptist, and Lakeview Baptist.
As of today (Friday, June 28) 128 of Georgia’s 159 counties had signed up (see map). In order to register your county or find out how to be involved, contact Tuck at (478) 230-8316 or jerrituck40@gmail.com.
Georgia State Representative Ed Setzler, who co-authored the recent heartbeat bill, gave his support of the event, Tuck related, after the two met and spoke following a Bible study held at the home of Tuck’s representative, Danny Mathis.
“It’s an amazing thing,” Tuck told The Index. “We’re going to read the entire BIble all over the state on July 14!”
Note: an earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the photo of Emcee Major-Chaplain Wyne Hutchings as Ryan McWhorter.
