The 2016 Bible Reading Marathon will get underway at 4 p.m. Sunday on the square in downtown Troy with music presented by the Ladies Ensemble of First Baptist Church, the children’s choir from New Life Christian Academy and Cathy and Tim Dowdy.

At 5:30 p.m., those in attendance will be invited to join a Prayer Walk around Troy.

“We’ll pray for the Bible Reading Marathon, for our local, state and national governments and peace around the world,” said Donnie Dunn, mission and outreach director for the hosting Salem-Troy Baptist Association.

At 6 p.m., the 2016 Bible Reading Marathon will begin at the Gazebo with the Rev. Ken Baggett, Salem-Baptist Association director of missions, reading with Genesis 1:1.

“The purpose of the Bible Reading Marathon is to have a public reading of the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21,” Dunn said. “We will read God’s Word with the assurance that it will not return void.

“The Bible will be read without ceasing from 6 p.m. Sunday until noon on Thursday, which is the National Day of Prayer. At that time, we will participate in the National Day of Prayer service.”

Dunn said the Bible Reading Marathon is a national event that is a witness to God’s word and a celebration of the nation’s First Amendment freedom.

“The Bible Reading Marathon in a non-denominational event and everyone is invited to participate,” he said. “Each reader is asked to read for 15 minutes but you can always read longer or at several different times. The daytime hours usually fill up easily but it’s harder to get readers from 10 p.m. until around 6 a.m. So, we encourage individuals, church groups and organizations to join us for this very important and special time for reading God’s Word aloud.”

Dunn said volunteers are also needed to support the readers throughout the day and night.

Those who would like to be readers of God’s Word in the 2016 Bible Reading Marathon or volunteer in another capacity are invited to call 334-282-5695 or 566-1538 and schedule a time that is convenient.

“You will be blessed by reading and hearing the Bible read publicly,” Dunn said.