Great Bible Read Ballynahinch 09

A Great Bible Read organised by Prospects was held this time in Northern Irelands. Participants were full of joy of the results it brought.

Starting at 5 o’clock on Wednesday 17 June, four churches in Northern Ireland united efforts to bring the Bible to their community. The event was held at Ballynahinch Baptist Church, and finished in the same venue on the 21 June with a combined evening service on Sunday with all the Churches that were involved and a massive cake in the shape of a Bible for supper afterwards!
 
During the 88 hours it took to read the whole Bible, there were a huge variety of people who took part and a real variety of ways that scripture was expressed. A small drama group from a local high school dramatised the story of Ruth with a great sense of humour and fun, Others put their piece to music or used art. The Ballynahinch Causeway group made a rainbow out of balloons that was about 10 feet long and 6 feet as they were doing the story of Noah. It was very impressive!

Young and old took part. A small group of primary school aged friends raised £40 for Prospects by selling lemonade and tray bakes outside their houses to their neighbours, very enterprising! They then came and took part in the read and presented me with their cheque. One gentleman came to read even though, since signing up to take part, very sadly and suddenly his wife had died. The reading he had chosen was from Romans 8 and those who were listening were very touched by the powerful message in those particular verses about death and how nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

The whole experience was an amazing blessing.



If you'd like to experience the blessings of reading the whole of the Bible in your own area and church and the opportunity to raise support and awareness about people with learning disabilities amongst the local Christian community do get in touch with us: coralzh@prospects.org.uk DDI 0118 9516 965

Here are some experiences from the last Great Bible Read, in May 2008 at Reading Greyfriars Church.

 

The first Great Bible Read was held in Reading, in May 2008.  You can click here to watch a 6-minute video of it!

The last reading of Revelation 22, with everyone standing and joining in, the banners, and the Hubble photos overhead (WHAT A WOW MY FATHER IS!), and then The Hallelujah chorus to encapsulate all that has been done, said, and witnessed these past 5 days is one of the most profound experiences of my life (and HE'S given me some). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me be part of the proceedings … I wait with bated breath to see what God's next move will be! -Penny
I felt privileged to be a part of it, and struggled to stay away! Thank you too for standing with me in prayer for our sisters! The friend that I did the reading with on Wednesday evening and then we prayed for had the operation on her back, and it was a great success! Last Sunday (just 3 days after the op) the surgeon assessed her and was amazed and couldn't believe how quickly she is healing! and she is already home!!!!!( he originally told her to expect to be laid up in hospital for 3 weeks!) Praise The Lord!!!!! The Great Bible Read, happening at the same time, was very significant to her. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. -Jan-
On Friday afternoon, after a beautiful offering of music, singing and reading by Gill & Nick Beard and Cathy Summers, a passerby dropped into the church and was completely  overwhelmed with what he saw and heard. He approached me and asked if there was a slot available for him to read.  God works in mysterious ways! I just realised that the next reader had dropped out due to someone having to be rushed into hospital. What a perfect opportunity for someone eager to read and share God’s word. -Sarina-
The friend I did my Sunday morning reading with, said to me on the way home that she has felt a little like she's been in a wilderness for the last few months.  But as she was reading 1 Corinthians with me, she felt the Lord's presence very close to her - and as if she'd found her way home again. So thank you for making way for the Lord to bring her back to Him. -Catherine-
	I don't think you will ever realize … how important the reading of the word was last week.  I feel it has put in place the foundations for revival in this town. -Tonia-