America Reads the Bible Event Marks Country’s 250th Anniversary

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a coalition of Christian leaders, entertainers and public officials is planning a weeklong public reading of the Bible in the nation’s capital. The effort is being cast as both spiritual renewal and a nod to the country’s religious roots.

Called America Reads the Bible, it will open with a 90-minute gathering at National Community Church in April, followed by seven consecutive days of Scripture read aloud. Organizers say more than 100 ministries and hundreds of national leaders have committed to participating.

The event will be available on Youtube and streamed on Great American Pure Flix.  Featured guests include Patricia Heaton and Candace Cameron Bure, among many others, along with worship leaders Leeland Mooring and Phil King. Representatives from Congress and the administration are also expected to attend.

“We believe the word of God simply read and listened to can transform hearts, families, communities and nations,” said Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged. Pounds said the effort draws inspiration from the book of Ezra, where Scripture was read publicly following Israel’s return from exile.

The gathering comes as Americans’ relationship with the Bible has changed noticeably over the past two decades. According to the Pew Research Center 2023–24 Religious Landscape Study, the share of U.S. adults who identify as Christian has dropped from 78% in 2007 to about 63% today. Pew also reports that fewer Americans say they read Scripture outside of church services on a regular basis, even as a majority continue to describe religion as at least somewhat important in their lives.

Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Great American Media, said the anniversary provides a natural moment to reflect.

“America Reads the Bible is a reminder that the values and freedoms we cherish didn’t appear out of nowhere,” Abbott said. “They were shaped, in many ways, by the word of God.”

Organizers say the public is welcome to attend or join online. For them, the goal isn’t flashy production or political messaging. It’s simply to have the Bible read aloud — steadily, from beginning to end — at a time when the country is taking stock of where it has been and, perhaps, where it’s headed next.

–Metro Voice