January 1, 1990, marked a turning point in history. Like dominos, East European communist bloc governments toppled one by one! Forever etched in one's memory are those scenes of freedom . . . the joy-filled faces . . . happy sounds of the chipping away of the Berlin Wall. These once-oppressed people were suddenly handed the reins of government. What a moment in history!

Another historic moment occurred as the new decade was ushered in. At precisely 12:01 am -- atop the Mount of Olives -- a small group of believers began reading through the Bible. Colonel Dobbie, former keeper of the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, began reading from the opening chapters of Genesis; followed in 30-minute segments by believers from Japan, France, Holland, and the United States, along with Arabs and Jews from Jerusalem -- each reading the precious Word in their own language.

At the same time, similar Bible Reading Marathons were held in Berlin and Bucharest . . . all to awaken a global response to the desperate need for a return to reading the Word of God.

Just one year before, Dr. John A. Hash, Founder of Bible Pathway Ministries, burdened by growing biblical illiteracy throughout America, was impressed to take action. He was convinced that the godless spirit that envelops the world is deeply rooted in its lack of knowledge of the Bible, our Creator's Guide on how He expects us to live, in order to accomplish His purpose for our existence. Dr. Hash realized that the giant task of bringing about an awakening to the importance of reading the Bible would require the entire Body of Christ -- working together.

The International Bible Reading Association was established under the Co-Chair of Dr. John A. Hash and the late Dr. Bill Bright and the presidency of Richard Dingman of the Free Congress Foundation -- and a global movement was under way. The response was overwhelming as world leaders began to network in an unprecedented way. Much has been accomplished in a short time. The goal was to proclaim 1990s~Decade of Bible Reading and enlist ONE BILLION PEOPLE to read all the Bible.

From that historic January day in 1990 until now, Bible Reading Marathons have been held in such far corners of the world as Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Holland, Hungary, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Peru, Sweden, and Russia. They have also been held throughout the United States -- in town squares, on county courthouse steps, and at state capitols. Marathons have been held in Las Vegas NV, Annapolis MD, Little Rock AR, Rochester IN, Lake Wales FL, Erie PA, Maysville KY, Nacogdoches TX, Walnut Ridge AR, Taos NM, Boise ID, Vienna VA, Appleton & Green Bay WI, and Murfreesboro TN, to list just a few.

Since 1990, every year believers have gathered on the steps of our nation's Capitol for a Bible Reading Marathon leading up to the National Day of Prayer. Dr. Corinthia Boone, Chairman of the Washington DC National Day of Prayer and Coordinator of the 1990 Marathon, has written me: "There is excitement in the air in our nation's capital and we are looking for God to do great things. We are experiencing the urgency of prayer for our nation. God has told us: If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face (read My Word) . . . then I will . . . heal their land [II Chronicles 7:14]. Their reason for failure is clear: My people are destroyed . . . because you have rejected . . . the Law of your God [Hosea 4:6]. In the New Testament we discover the key to true success: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [II Timothy 3:16-17].

"You too can be used of God to magnify His Word. The IBRA provides an opportunity to join believers throughout the world in reading all of God's Word publicly. Marathons awaken an interest in many others to their need of reading all the Bible."

Over the past few years, Rev. and Mrs. Mike Hall have been Directors of the Washington DC Marathon. In a letter from Rev. Hall, he said: "I believe God is using this vision singularly to call our nation back to the simplicity of God's Holy Word, the Bible.

"We start our Marathon with prayer, read continuously for 80 hours, and then close with prayer. All of the participants -- workers, organizations, churches, legislators, and clergy -- were here for one reason alone, to honor the Bible, God's Word, by reading it without comment or interruption from beginning to end. We were on the east side of the Capitol, where people assemble to take tours, so the Word went forth to a captive audience, you might say. Also, quite symbolically, we were facing the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress."

Many of the Bible Reading Marathons have been held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer observances around our nation, which take place on the first Thursday of May. Dr. Hash has seen the importance of people reading all of God's Word, Genesis through Revelation, to prepare their hearts to pray in the way God would have.

Shirley Dobson, National Day of Prayer Chairman, also sees the advantage of combining the events: "As God's Word instructs us, our personal prayers are essential in making a difference and impacting America for the better."

Since 1993, the majority of the 88 counties in Ohio have held Bible Reading Marathons in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer each year under the joint leadership of Barbara Waddell, State Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer in Ohio and Chairman of the Ohio Bible Reading Marathons, and Valarie Harper, State Coordinator of the Ohio Bible Reading Marathons. At a recent National Day of Prayer Coordinators Conference, Mrs. Waddell said: "We found that providing a Bible Reading Marathon in conjunction with the NDP has been wonderfully blessed of God in overcoming social, racial, and denominational barriers, and in bringing the community together." Mrs. Waddell also wrote: "God uses Bible Reading Marathons to further His Kingdom. He gives people a fresh love for His Word."

God's Word and prayer are the real solutions to our nation's problems. This can only be accomplished by reading all the Bible because God has magnified His Word above His Name [Psalms 138:2].

There was still another moment of history prior to the breakup and downfall of the Soviet Union. It occurred when Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and Co-Chairman of the IBRA [pictured left with Dr. A. John Hash], presented a challenge to the Russian people on nationwide Soviet television to read all the Bible. He held up before them and read from the Presidential Proclamation signed by George Bush declaring 1990~International Year of Bible Reading. This is the first and only Proclamation in the history of the United States urging people to "read all the Bible." Dr. Bright then challenged Russian leaders to also issue a similar proclamation for their nation.

A free IBRA video which includes a portion of Dr. Bright's interview as well as comments of other international leaders, plus a replica of the Proclamation, suitable for framing, will be included when you order your "How to" Kit -- a compilation of well-tested, easy-to-follow procedures to guide you and your leadership to conduct successful Marathons in your church, city, state, or county. The "How to" Kit contains details of how previous Marathons were successfully organized and completed.

This indeed is a precious moment in history. With your dedication and God's guidance you can make it happen in your community!