Finding Faith
last few years. Since the Carroll County Bible Reading Marathon (CCBRM) has been going on we’ve (been able) to see the results of (our) ministry.” The CCBRM began in 2010 with 91 hours of continuous scripture reading, divided into 15-minute segments. Its ending coincided with the National Day of Prayer. The first three marathons were held on the Berryville Square. Last year, it was held on the Green Forest Square and will be this year and in 2015. “Each city in Carroll County will (host) the marathon for three years,” Bonnie said. “It will move to Eureka Springs in 2016.” The roots of the Roediger’s Bible-reading marathons lie in the inspiration provided by another ministry, Bible Pathways, and its leader Dr. John Hash. Several years before the CCBRM was established, the Roedigers participated in a Pathways marathon, which led to the Carroll County event. When Dr. Hash passed away in February 2012, at age 90, Bonnie and Jesse received the clear vision of establishing Bible-reading marathons. The organizational skills learned through their work on the CCBRM provided the basis for their soonto-be-established ministry, Bible Reading Ministry International. Bonnie’s BRMI was awarded 501(c)3 status last year. The BRMI website defines the goals and vision of the ministry as to “take Bible Reading Marathons to the nations; and encourage others to become a sponsor for marathons.” With four years of experience, Bonnie branched out to help and facilitate others to promote and execute Bible-reading marathons in their own communities. Besides the Carroll County marathon in
April, she will facilitate events in Boone County; Livingston, Montana; Wichita, Kansas; Douglas, Wyoming; and last month, a marathon halfway around and at the top of the world at Kathmandu, Nepal, literally putting the “International” in BRMI. The Nepalese event was March 1216. “We’re not sure the extent of what we’re going to be doing,” Roediger said before leaving. “But we’re going to Nepal so we can facilitate the marathon, encourage the readers and plant seeds (of the Gospel) to the people.” The Roedigers doesn’t speak Nepalese, the official language of the 126 different languages spoken there. “But many of the (young people) are taught English,” she
The CCBRM draws all ages.
said, so she feels her contribution to the Nepalese Bible-reading marathon will be blessed. “If they need someone to read, we’ll take over and read in English.” The international trip was one of faith for the Roedigers. “The ministry is a non-profit organization, funded by donations and partnerships with those who believe in what the ministry is doing,” Bonnie said. Working on a ministry is a journey of faith; that’s especially so for Bonnie. “In 2003, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, while living in Wyoming. The effects of the treatments were going to be worse than the complications of the disease,” she said. “In the course of six weeks, through the prayers of our church and christian friends, the symptoms of the disease disappeared.” But though the MS is not gone, Bonnie is persuaded that the continued prayers offered on her behalf are what have pulled her through the flair-ups. Bonnie is an ordained minister through the “One New Man Alliance,” which is associated with the Full Gospel Association. Olive Tree Fellowship, which meets in Eureka Springs on Sundays at Forest Hill Restaurant, is the local church affiliate of One New Man Alliance. But she credits her church of many years, Towering Oaks in Berryville, with encouraging her to “expand my tent pegs.” The Carroll County Bible Reading Marathon’s opening ceremony this year will be on April 27, concluding on Thursday, May 1, the National Day of Prayer. The website for Bible Reading Ministry International is www.BibleReadingMarathon.org.
April/May 2014 | Currents | 19
Story and Photos by David Bell
Father Shaun Wesley, above left, speaks at the National Day of Prayer breakfast last year, above right.