Contact:
Tara Powers, Brian Burch, (616) 233-0500, tpowers@lambert-edwards.com, bburch@lambert-edwards.com
The Ultimate Summer Book Club Promotes Reading Entire Bible in 90 Days
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 16, 2009 — Three months of summer are just around the corner, and people across America will dive into a good book to beat the summer heat. Former agnostic Ted Cooper and leading publisher Zondervan are challenging Americans to not only dive into “a” good book, but to dive into THE Good Book, to read the Bible from cover to cover before summer ends as part of The Bible in 90 Days Summer Reading Challenge.
According to a study by Barna Research, 72 percent of Americans who have never read the entire Bible say they want to do so during their lifetime. Even among Christians and regular Bible readers, the vast majority have never read the entire Bible. Developed by Ted Cooper, The Bible in 90 Days helps to make what seems a monumental task more manageable by segmenting the book into 12-page sections. Weekly group meetings and companion resources provide vital accountability, fellowship and guidance.
“I was living life happily as a successful businessman when, at the age of 43, I decided to try reading through the Bible. By the time I got to the book of Isaiah, I became a believer and my life has never been the same since,” said Cooper. “So, I created a course to help other people read the Bible from cover to cover, left my career and founded The Bible in 90 Days ministry.”
The Bible in 90 Days has helped tens of thousands of people read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Churches in most denominations, corporate Bible studies, neighborhood small groups, even prisons and drug rehabs, have all used the curriculum successfully. In a recent innovation, entire towns have begun inviting their citizens to read through the Bible as a community. To date, groups ranging from two people to more than 1000 people across 49 states and several countries around the world have utilized The Bible in 90 Days.
“Just 12 pages a day is all it takes to read the Bible in ninety days. Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces and share the experience with others, what seems like a formidable challenge becomes possible, enjoyable, and, for many, life changing,” said Cooper. “Something transformational happens when you read the Bible in its entirety in a compressed timeframe. That’s why I’m launching the ultimate summer reading challenge and encouraging people across America to get their churches, families, neighborhood small groups, even entire communities reading the Bible. The whole Bible. 90 days. Let’s read it together.”
The Bible in 90 Days Summer Reading Challenge will run June 1 – August 29, 2009. Churches, small groups, Bible studies and other individuals interested in taking the challenge can sign up at www.biblein90days.com. The program is designed for each reader to start reading on the same day, June 1, follow the daily reading plan and come together as a group once a week to discuss the week’s reading, ask questions, share insights and give and receive encouragement.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
