The 2019 Bible Reading Marathon will begin 7 p.m. Sunday at the Gazebo on the Square in downtown Troy.

St. John Baptist Church will lead the singing of old-time hymns beginning at 6 p.m. and there will be a time of prayer before the reading of God’s word.

This will be the 13th year for the Bible Reading Marathon that is sponsored annually by the International Bible Reading Association and hosted locally by the Salem-Troy Baptist Association.

Linda Adams, Salem-Troy Baptist Association administrator, said the Bible Reading Marathon is a non-denominational event and all believers are invited to come and read and/or hear God’s word read aloud and publically.

The Bible Reading Marathon will begin Sunday with the reading of the words: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Adams said God’s word will continue to be read until the noon hour on Thursday.

Adams said the opportunity to read God’s word aloud and publically is a blessing that is denied to many around the world.

“We, as Americans, are blessed to be able to share the Bible in a public setting,” she said. “The response to the Bible Reading Marathon continues to be strong. People of all ages and from all walks of life come to read the Bible and hear God’s word.”

Readers include churches, clubs, organizations, school groups, individuals and families.

“It’s so encouraging that families are coming together to read,” Adams said. “Some of the younger children don’t read for an entire 15-minute interval but they read. Every reader is a blessing and it’s very special to hear God’s word through the voices of children.”

Each reader is asked to read for 15 minutes but readers may reserve more reading time.

Groups often reserve large blocks of time. Some people like to read at several different times and on different days or nights, Adams said. Readers are especially needed during the late-night and early morning hours.

Those who would like to read but have not signed up may call the Salem-Troy Baptist Association at 566-1538 today or 344 1050 beginning Sunday afternoon or email salemtroybaptist@gmail.com.