The Great Bible Read

The first Great Bible Read to take place in Ireland was held in Ballynahinch from 17 – 21 June. Some of the churches in Ballynahinch (1st Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Edengrove Presbyterian) partnered with the organisation ‘Causeway Prospects’ to read the whole Bible aloud in 88 hours. Prospects is a Christian voluntary organisation which values and supports people with learning disabilities as they encounter and build a loving relationship with our Lord Jesus.

The Word of God was continuously read in Ballynahinch from beginning to end by more that 300 people, 3 days and a half of proclamation and accessible Scripture for ALL! Starting at 5 o’clock on Wednesday 17 June, four local churches 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!

Pictured at the event are: (front row from left) Rev Dr Stafford Carson Moderator of PCI; Rev Ruth Patterson of Restoration Ministries; Rev Mairisine Stanfield 1st Presbyterian Church Ballynahinch, Fiona Murphy Causeway Prospects; Bishop Harold Millar Bishop of Down and Connor. (back from left) Rev David Turtle Ballynahinch Methodist Church; Rev Scott Woodburn Edengrove Presbyterian Church; Mervyn Bothwell National Director of Causeway Prospects; Canon Warren Russell Magheradroll Parish Church; Rev Dr George Grindle who signed; Pastor Gordon McDade Ballynahinch Baptist Church.