A leap of faith: Students find reading entire Bible in one sitting a blessing

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Erica Wylie didn’t get much sleep over the weekend.

But the Midland junior felt completely awake and peaceful as one of many students who helped read the entire Bible with His House Christian Fellowship.

For 67 hours, they huddled under a large tent at the corner of Bellows and Washington streets.

“Coming together to do this as one really makes me feel stronger in my faith,” Wylie said Sunday afternoon. “It’s been worth it.”

Members started at 9:14 p.m. Thursday after His House’s evening service and moved into the tent. Hundreds of volunteers took 30-minute reading shifts to move steadily through the book.

By 1:30 p.m. Friday, participants had reached 1 Samuel, and Midland freshman Faith Gantner took her turn in reading the legendary battle of David and Goliath.

“It’s the typical underdog story,” Gantner said. “Everyone has a giant to overcome in their life. It’s so encouraging to know when you’ve got God on your side, he will give you the strength you need to face your giant.”

New Baltimore freshman Joanna Kowalski smiles, shortly after reading through the New Testament books Galatians and Ephesians on Sunday afternoon during the weekend long Bible study, Crave. (Photo by Sean Proctor/Staff Photographer)

The tent was set up with couches and lounge chairs for people to come in and relax while listening to ancient scriptures.

Snacks, coffee and hot cocoa filled a back table and Bibles were passed out to observers.

A live feed camera was running so those surfing the Web could watch the entire reading online.

Although a propane heater sat in the middle of the tent, students still snuggled up to each other in blankets and sleeping bags.

“It feels like we’re camping,” said Alumna Dani Lauer, a His House intern. “The atmosphere has been really snuggly and cozy.”

Early morning reading

Lauer read at 4 a.m. Saturday and could see her breath when she spoke.

She said coffee helped her stay awake.

“I didn’t sleep at all,” Lauer said. “But it wasn’t that bad because the Bible is exciting to me.”

A humorous moment came when Pastor Eric Woods’ 8-year-old son, Nathan, read Jeremiah 25:27, in which God compares his wrath to the pain of a person getting drunk and throwing up. A round of laughter rose up from those in the tent.

Woods said he was glad his son got to see some of the more intense sections of scripture.

“God is a God of love, but he is also a God of justice,” Woods said. “I’m glad my son got to see that.”

The group reached the New Testament in the early hours Sunday.

Detroit sophomore Johnny Jones Jr. finished the final chapter of Revelation at 5:35 p.m. to an excited audience gathered around.

He encouraged the crowd to say “Amen” as he finished the last words, before everyone broke into a cheerful celebration.

“I’m surprised it went so fast,” Jones said. “All glory be to God.”

Staff Reporter Heather Hillman contributed to this report.