The 2025 theme of the NPAC family is “Cherish God’s Word in Our Hearts, Journey Together in Genuine Fellowship.” It is our firm belief that if we can read the Bible seriously, God’s word will transform the flaws in our lives and strengthen us spiritually. Praise the Lord, the Disability Ministry had launched a “Bible Reading Marathon” initiative back in February 2023.

       By God’s grace and guidance, we set up a cross-fellowship “Bible Reading Marathon” task group. According to the pastor leading the group, “Bible Reading Marathon” is by definition a long Bible reading journey. With the help of the convenience of the church’s online learning platform, the initiative promotes Bible reading among everyone in the Disability Ministry. Members encourage one another to dedicate over four years to faithfully complete reading the Bible at least once so that we would have a basic understanding of God and His word and continue to stride in the direction of the church’s growth: “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

       The task group deeply appreciated the LORD’s abundance and hoped that readers would understand what they read in the Bible. They therefore designed an “OIA Challenge” for each chapter of the Scripture (i.e. Observation, Interpretation, and Application). From time to time, there would also be accompanying worship songs so that brothers and sisters could build closer relationships with the Lord. Thanks be to our Heavenly Father, who moved and guided brothers and sisters of various gifts to take on this ministry together. Among them are IT professionals who provided technical advice and support. Another teammate produced audio recordings for the Scripture passages and OIA content. These were then shared with fellowship members through mobile messaging platforms so that participants could learn and listen to God’s word in different ways. In June last year, we held a “Bible Reading Marathon” award ceremony and presented certificates to 136 brothers and sisters who completed reading the New Testament, as a token of encouragement.

       This is the sharing of a fellowship member who received the certificate: “Through reading the Bible, I’ve learned not to take things from others simply because I want them, nor to come up with tricks to hurt others, as these displease God. Besides learning God’s word, reading the Bible also helps me find the direction in life and be one who pleases God. I will continue to read the Bible, again and again.” A counselor who designed OIA questions shared: “Recently, whenever I sit down to explore the OIA passages, watching out for repeated phrases and pondering previously overlooked details, my heart would be filled with joy and fulfilment… Serving in this ministry in which I am first brought back to God’s word has rewarded me with a banquet far more bountiful than any food. May the Lord continue to watch over our OIA preparation work as well as brothers and sisters’ learning. May His word transform us and encourage the disheartened…”

       May you and the brothers and sisters around you savor the Lord’s word. As the NPAC family “Cherish God’s Word in Our Hearts,” may we bear a good testimony of loving each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8), and “Journey Together in Genuine Fellowship.”