A special letter to our readers

Dear Faithful Leaders of our Nation - 

I know as busy leaders, it is hard for us to even pause long enough to read this note, but it is important. Please read this.

As we approach this national moment that has been fourteen months in the making – America Reads the Bible, we are going to see the miracle of the simple Word of God spread across our nation and the world. I don’t know all that we are going to see, but I know that in Ephesians 3:20, God is referred to as the one “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”. 

It would probably not surprise any of you that know me personally that I have been asking big and thinking big for almost two years for this upcoming week. So, for God to do even “above” that. Wow! Let’s just say, it is going to be epic.

You have been chosen to read the Bible in this national moment because you are a Christian leader in a sphere of influence that inspires others. Your story matters. Your life lived out before God and people in faithfulness is critical for our nation. I know that you are not perfect because I am not perfect, but we are here because God chose us to glorify His Name wherever we are. We carry a deep responsibility to make His Name famous, and our lives and our words carry weight as we walk out our callings each day.

As we read the whole counsel of God for America’s 250th Birthday, I am personally coming to this historic moment asking God to make me “poor in spirit” again. (Matthew 5:3). I need this to be a moment where I know I need God each day and I need His Word each day - AGAIN.  I need to understand to my core that I can’t exist just in my own gifts and talents and make it each day without Him. My words alone cannot change anyone, and your words alone cannot change anyone. The truth is - only God’s Word that we meditate upon and then pour out each day can produce faith and life in the people around us.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

It is a high calling to read His Precious Word from our nation’s capital in a production that has cost countless hours and millions of dollars, and I want to thank everyone who has given their time and their treasure to get us here. Also, your humility as a busy leader to take time out of your schedule to show up and to understand the power of what we are doing together brings me to tears. We are doing much more than just reading a book in front of the American people. We are reading the story of the universe, the plan of salvation, and the only truth that can give people their true identity and eternal life. We are sharing Jesus through every book of the Bible as One Body in Christ. This is a holy moment that I don’t think we will ever have again, and I pray that we cherish it.

I know God is going to impact our lives personally as we read His precious words from the Old Testament all the way through the New, and He is going to use these eight days to expand His Word across America through this live stream and recording - now and in the years to come.

Please come to this national moment crying out to God for a new dependence on the Bible each day for your own life. I believe when we look back on April 18-25 – we will see how God’s Word alone has shifted our lives as leaders. May we know deep in our souls that He is more than enough and everything that we have need of. May we be better leaders for our nation because of what we are doing here together.

It has been the honor of my life and for our team to shepherd this. May Jesus get the reward of our lives, and may His Word change individuals, families, churches, and communities forever.

Your sister in Christ,

Bunni Pounds