Dominican Republic Adventists Mark 76-Hour Bible Marathon With Gift to President

Hundreds read Scripture around the clock as the initiative reaches thousands online and brings Bibles to local families.

October 29, 2026 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Inter-American Division News Staff

For more than 76 hours, Scripture was read aloud without interruption at a Seventh-day Adventist church in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as hundreds of participants took turns reading from Genesis to Revelation. The four-day marathon, which concluded September 27, reached thousands online and extended into surrounding communities through Bible distribution, including a special presentation to President Luis Abinader.

Organized by the Linaje Real Adventist Church under the theme “Hundreds of Voices, One Word,” the 2026 Bible Reading Marathon brought together church members, families, children, young people, religious leaders and visitors from several provinces. Held in connection with National Bible Day, the event lasted 76 hours, 46 minutes and 48 seconds, covering all 66 books of the Bible.

One of the highlights came September 26, when children and young people from the church’s Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs presented a Bible to Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader as part of activities marking National Bible Day.

“This means a great deal to me, especially seeing young people, boys and girls, with this discipline and this calling to love God,” Abinader said as he received the Bible.

“There is no better gift on this National Bible Day than what you are giving me,” he added, thanking the young participants and offering his blessings.

Pastor Yoel Lizardo, organizer of the marathon and pastor of the Central Linaje Real Adventist Church, described the encounter as a meaningful opportunity to highlight the involvement of children and young people in sharing Scripture.

He said the president’s response was especially encouraging because it recognized not only the significance of the Bible but also the commitment of younger generations to the Christian values promoted by the church.

For Lizardo, the presentation reflected a broader purpose behind the marathon: encouraging people of all ages to develop a lasting relationship with Scripture and share its teachings throughout Dominican society.

Taking Scripture Beyond the Church

Throughout the four-day event, the congregation welcomed visitors who wished to read, listen or join in moments of biblical reflection. Digital broadcasts extended its reach, allowing thousands of viewers to follow the readings from their homes and other locations.

The initiative also included the distribution of dozens of Bibles to friends, visitors and residents of Santo Domingo and surrounding communities.

Among the recipients was Xiomara Guante, director of the National Institute for Comprehensive Early Childhood Care (INAIPI), who participated in the marathon by reading Ezekiel chapters 34 through 36.

Guante praised the congregation for promoting Bible reading and emphasizing the spiritual and moral values she said contribute to a more peaceful and supportive society.

She also commended the involvement of children, young people and adults, highlighting the importance of initiatives that encourage faith, strengthen families and promote community engagement.

On September 26, members of the church’s Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs took part in a special outreach activity, visiting homes and personally delivering Bibles to dozens of families.

Lizardo said the distribution efforts were intended to make Scripture accessible to people beyond the congregation, including visitors and residents of the National District and Greater Santo Domingo.

“Our purpose was not only to read the Bible publicly for more than 76 hours, but also to bring its message of faith, hope and salvation into the homes of our community,” Lizardo said.

“We want this initiative to extend beyond the event and inspire more individuals and families to know, study and live by the Word of God,” he added.

A Shared Experience of Faith and Renewal

Organizers said the marathon created opportunities for people from different generations and backgrounds to come together around Scripture, strengthening connections within the congregation and with the surrounding community.

For church members, the experience also encouraged spiritual renewal and a deeper commitment to personal and family Bible study, Lizardo said.

He reported that several visitors expressed interest in learning more about Jesus and beginning Bible studies, an outcome he described as an important part of the congregation’s outreach efforts.

Francis Williams, coordinator of the organizing committee, said the marathon’s purpose went beyond completing the public reading of the Bible.

He emphasized that organizers wanted participants to experience a closer relationship with God and develop a lasting commitment to studying Scripture and applying its teachings in everyday life.

The participation of children, teenagers, young adults and older members also reflected the congregation’s efforts to make Bible reading a shared experience across generations.

Organizers expressed appreciation to the readers, volunteers, supporting institutions and media organizations whose contributions helped sustain the continuous readings and accompanying activities.

A Commitment Beyond the Marathon

This was the second Bible Reading Marathon organized by the Linaje Real Adventist Church, building on the congregation’s efforts to encourage spiritual growth and strengthen its relationship with the community.

As the event concluded, Lizardo called on participants to maintain the commitment demonstrated during the four days by making Scripture reading, study and practical application part of their daily lives.

He said the marathon’s significance would ultimately be measured not by the number of hours completed but by its lasting influence on individuals and families.

“Beyond the 76 hours of uninterrupted reading, our purpose was to encourage a genuine reconnection with the Word of God, motivating our members and families to strengthen their communion with the Lord and renew their commitment to studying and practicing Scripture,” Lizardo said.

He added that the experience helped the congregation expand its outreach, establish relationships with families and share the Bible’s message of hope with people who might not otherwise participate in church activities.

“We believe the marathon’s greatest success will be seeing lives transformed and homes where the Word of God continues to be read, lived and shared,” he said.